The Byzantine EmpireAround 285 CE Roman Emperor Diocletian, divided the Roman Empire into two halves in order to make it easier to govern. This move made the city of Byzantium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul... Cue the song) the empire's new unofficial capital (it was made official by Constantine when he renamed it), leaving the city of Rome and the Western Roman Empire to wither and die. The eastern half, would come to be known as the Byzantine Empire and would evolve into it's own unique empire with a distinctive blending of Greek & Roman cultures. The dominant religion was Greek Orthodox Christianity, and its enjoyed access to a variety of lavish items, thanks to being situated along the "Silk Road."
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(right)Petar Milošević - Own work
Mosaic of Theodora - Basilica of San Vitale (built A.D. 547), Italy. UNESCO World heritage site. |
