The Byzantine Empire: basics

In short: The Byzantine Empire was the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire, with its capital at Constantinople. It survived for almost a thousand years after the fall of Western Rome, until its conquest in 1453.

In more detail: Emperor Constantine the Great moved the capital to Constantinople, today’s Istanbul, in 330 AD.

In detail

• Continuity: While the Western Roman Empire ended in 476 AD, the eastern part survived as an independent state.
• Emperor Justinian: Had Roman law codified in the 6th century and built the Hagia Sophia.
• Orthodox Christianity: Byzantium was the centre of Eastern Christianity and decisively shaped the Orthodox Church.
• Greek culture: Despite its Roman roots, Greek became the dominant language and culture of the empire.
• Trading power: Constantinople lay on key trade routes between Europe and Asia and was one of the richest cities in the world for centuries.
• Decline: Crusades, internal conflicts and the rise of the Ottomans increasingly weakened the empire.
• Conquest of 1453: The capture of Constantinople by the Ottomans marked the final end of the Byzantine Empire (roemisches-reich-aufstieg-und-niedergang, mittelalter-lebenswelt-und-gesellschaft).