Byzantine Empire had arisen from the ruins of the (Eastern) Roman Empire as the most consolidated, organized and stable province from all of the Romans' civilizations. But in its a greatest times, it was barely shallow of the Roman Empire, having about 1/2 of the population and 1/3 of the territory. The fortune of the Eastern Roman Empire was rather luckier than the western part and it never lost its ruling elite, senate, aristocracy and dynasty as it had happened to Rome. The sense of direct lineage of various Eastern Roman institutions was helping to survive and transform into new medieval state. Rome lost not only the dynasty, but also senate and most of the aristocracy. Without the ruling elite, there was also very limited drive to maintain army and once strong and feared roman legions were history. On top of it, during the last decades of the Roman empire, its navy disintegrated and was unable to secure Mediterranean that was a vital for the Roman economy. On the other hand, Greek-Byzantine navy was consolidated and remained the most powerful in the world until Crusades.
Beside army and navy that was able to protect Constantinople, Byzantine territory was not entirely overrun by migrating nations and its leadership never allowed foreigners to take control of command as was in the case of the west. Byzantine state was much smaller and never overextend its defenses. The lost wars of Justinian and inconclusive and nothing bearing conquests of his reign taught entire generations of rulers not to expand the Byzantine territory too far. The Balkans was taken by Slavs, Egypt and Levant by Persian and Arabs, so Byzantine was left with smaller, but defensive territory. The downfall of Byzantine Empire started, when all its resources were invested into conquering Bulgaria in 1018 and it has never reaped the benefits of extending the empire. Byzantine empire was one of the first states in history that used diplomacy to prevent conflicts and negotiate treaties as one of the means of survival of the state.
The one of the last element that helped Byzantine empire to outlive Rome was the location of the capital itself that was considered unconquerable until IV Crusade. Constantinople was a terminus of Asian long distance trade and a financial capital of the Mediterranean and Europe where various trading goods were exchanged and thus generating a significant profit for the treasury. The fall of Constantinople coincide with the rise of Venice and Genoa and was closely related with economical decline of the city. When Constantinople was undisputed commercial center of the world, it has unique position among economically depressed cities of the post-roman era. Once this position was challenged, the fortune of the state was in peril and eventually lead to end of the Byzantine state.
It states many things about the laws and codes of the Roman times and the Byzantine Empire. It helped the people renew their beliefs in the Roman law. It also helped the people obey the law of the Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantine Empire is known for cultural diffusion due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which facilitated trade and interaction among diverse cultures. Its capital, Constantinople, became a hub for the exchange of ideas, art, and religion, blending elements of Greek, Roman, and Eastern traditions. Additionally, the empire's promotion of Orthodox Christianity helped spread its cultural and religious practices throughout Eastern Europe and beyond. This rich tapestry of influences contributed to the unique Byzantine culture that influenced subsequent societies.
Christians from the West and Muslims from the East attacked the empire. Asia Minor was lost to these invaders. This greatly weakened the empire, which had depended on Asia Minor for food and materials as well as soldiers. Before long the Byzantine Empire was reduced to a small area around Constantinople.
The Byzantine Empire helped further civilization by keeping what the Greeks and Romans learnt alive during the Medieval times where much of it was lost in the West. They developed Orthodox Christianity.
Justinian's reclamation of parts of the western empire helped the Byzantine Empire by restoring territories that increased its economic resources and strategic power, allowing for a brief resurgence in trade and military strength. However, these military campaigns also strained the empire's finances and stretched its military resources thin, leading to overextension and vulnerabilities. Additionally, the costs of maintaining these territories contributed to internal dissent and weakened the empire's ability to fend off external threats. Ultimately, while his conquests showcased Byzantine ambition, they also sowed seeds of future instability.
The Byzantine and Persian empires were weak.
One event that helped start the Renaissance was the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
It states many things about the laws and codes of the Roman times and the Byzantine Empire. It helped the people renew their beliefs in the Roman law. It also helped the people obey the law of the Byzantine Empire.
Constantine I
it helped make a win win for both sides
The Byzantine Empire is known for cultural diffusion due to its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, which facilitated trade and interaction among diverse cultures. Its capital, Constantinople, became a hub for the exchange of ideas, art, and religion, blending elements of Greek, Roman, and Eastern traditions. Additionally, the empire's promotion of Orthodox Christianity helped spread its cultural and religious practices throughout Eastern Europe and beyond. This rich tapestry of influences contributed to the unique Byzantine culture that influenced subsequent societies.
Christians from the West and Muslims from the East attacked the empire. Asia Minor was lost to these invaders. This greatly weakened the empire, which had depended on Asia Minor for food and materials as well as soldiers. Before long the Byzantine Empire was reduced to a small area around Constantinople.
The Byzantine Empire helped further civilization by keeping what the Greeks and Romans learnt alive during the Medieval times where much of it was lost in the West. They developed Orthodox Christianity.
Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire were able to survive for centuries due to their strategic geographic location, which served as a crucial crossroads for trade and military defense. The city's formidable walls and advanced fortifications provided strong protection against invasions. Additionally, the Byzantine Empire maintained a sophisticated administrative system and a rich cultural heritage, which helped stabilize governance and foster resilience. The empire’s ability to adapt to changing political and social dynamics further contributed to its longevity.
The location of its capital city, Constantinople, helped to make it safe from invaders and accessible to trade. The policies and reforms of Emperor Justinian and his wife, Empress Theodora, helped make the Byzantine Empire strong.
The Byzantine Empire and the Sassanian Empire were so weak that the Islamic Rashidun Caliphate conquered 2/3 of the land of the former and completely conquered the latter.
The Byzantine empire did not expand. The eastern part of the Roman Empire had already reached its greatest extent before the Byzantine period. The Byzantine empire actually lost many of its territories to the Slavs, Arabs and Turks. Byzantine Empire is a term which has been coined by historians to indicate the eastern part of the Roman Empire after the fall of the western part of this empire. The eastern part of the Roman Empire continued to exist for nearly 1,000 years after the fall of the western part of the Roman Empire. The people in question did not use this term. They called their empire Roman Empire or Romania (this referred to this empire and not the country which was later called Romania). There was trade with the Persia, China and northern India via the Silk Road (a network of roads which crossed Asia and has been named after the most precious commodity which was traded along the routes, Chinese silk). There was also seaborne trade with southern India which used the monsoons of the Indian Ocean and crossed the Red Sea to reach Egypt. Axum (Ethiopia) also thrived on the trade along the Red Sea, which included trade with the Byzantine Empire.