When did the byzantium originate?

Answer 1

Unfortunately there's not a clear answer to this as historians disagree over when the 'Byzantine Empire' changed from simply being the 'Roman Empire'. In truth, the populace of the empire never considered themselves to be 'Byzantine', they actually thought of themselves as Roman. 'Byzantium', as it is referred to today, is a bit of an awkward term that was created by pre-twentieth century historians. It's used to describe the late Roman Empire and comes from the original name of its capital city: Constantinople. Which had previously been known as 'Byzantium'. There are a group of arguments amongst historians with regards to when 'Byzantium' began:

1. In 286 AD when the Roman Empire was divided into Eastern and Western halves by the Emperor Diocletian.
2. When Constantine built the city of Constantinople, c.324-330 AD
3. When the last Western Roman Emperor died, 476 AD
4. During the Islamic expansion in the 7th century AD

Though there is an agreed upon end-date(1453). In truth it may simply be easier to view this as the 'Later Roman Empire', as many of the customs and traditions (though certainly not the religious commitments) of the people stay the same until the Islamic expansions - hence the argument for such being the beginning of 'Byzantium'.