Following the split of the Roman Empire, the Eastern part rose as the stronger contender with its capital situated in Constantinople, also known at the time as Byzantium on the entrance to the Black Sea. Initially, the Eastern Roman Empire was seen as the successor who could reunite the former Empire, and while the Byzantine Empire did attempt in reclaiming the lost lands, it was ultimately retracted.
Despite being a former part of the Empire, the Eastern part was far more Orthodox Christians and did not necessarily take their orders from the pope. But when Byzantine - along with other Europeans - began facing the rise of Muslims on its shores, Byzantine was among those to help with the crusades.
During its time, Byzantium did manage to reclaim the city of Rome and by 550 A.D., and reached its largest extent before its eventual decline. Despite reclaiming Rome, the Eastern Roman Empire did not consider moving its capital. Constantinople had become far too well integrated as the capital of the time, and the difference between the religious beliefs of the Empire and the Pope was a matter of conflict.
Eventually, the formerly glorious Empire would be stuck between the successors of the Mongolian invasions in the 13th century; the Turks. The Ottoman Empire had long been taking on the last remainders of the Empire's holdings in Asia Minor and Greece. And as the Byzantine Empire was pressed to its last holding on Thrace, the final blow came in 1453, when the Turks finally took Constantinople, a proud city whose walls had stood for a thousand years.
Even though it is known in modern language as Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire, this is a modern attribution, coined after its fall. At the time, it was most often considered the Roman Empire. Despite its claim to this title, the Holy Roman Empire was considered by many to be a truer successor of the Roman Empire during the Eastern Roman Empire's decline.
@Svip: Yes, it was in decline but it was surely an event that contributed to the acceleration of that decline. BTW why should I be offended by your Italian stuff?
![Historines: Byzantine Empire [Commission]](./content/595.png)
Despite being a former part of the Empire, the Eastern part was far more Orthodox Christians and did not necessarily take their orders from the pope. But when Byzantine - along with other Europeans - began facing the rise of Muslims on its shores, Byzantine was among those to help with the crusades.
During its time, Byzantium did manage to reclaim the city of Rome and by 550 A.D., and reached its largest extent before its eventual decline. Despite reclaiming Rome, the Eastern Roman Empire did not consider moving its capital. Constantinople had become far too well integrated as the capital of the time, and the difference between the religious beliefs of the Empire and the Pope was a matter of conflict.
Eventually, the formerly glorious Empire would be stuck between the successors of the Mongolian invasions in the 13th century; the Turks. The Ottoman Empire had long been taking on the last remainders of the Empire's holdings in Asia Minor and Greece. And as the Byzantine Empire was pressed to its last holding on Thrace, the final blow came in 1453, when the Turks finally took Constantinople, a proud city whose walls had stood for a thousand years.
Even though it is known in modern language as Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire, this is a modern attribution, coined after its fall. At the time, it was most often considered the Roman Empire. Despite its claim to this title, the Holy Roman Empire was considered by many to be a truer successor of the Roman Empire during the Eastern Roman Empire's decline.