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5 days ago · The Byzantine Empire was the eastern half of the Roman Empire that survived for a thousand years after the west fell. It was a Christian and Roman state that influenced both Europe and Asia, and had its capital in Constantinople.
- Andronicus II
Byzantine Empire - Andronicus II, Palaiologos Dynasty,...
- The Last Years of Justinian I
Byzantine Empire - Justinian I, Constantinople, Legacy:...
- Iconoclasm, Religion, Empire
Byzantine Empire - Iconoclasm, Religion, Empire: For more...
- East Rome, Christianity, Constantinople
Byzantine Empire - East Rome, Christianity, Constantinople:...
- Barbarians, Relations, Trade
Byzantine Empire - Barbarians, Relations, Trade: Those...
- The Successors of Justinian: 565–610
Until Heraclius arrived to save the empire in 610,...
- From 867 to The Ottoman Conquest
Learn about the Byzantine Empire, also known as Byzantium or...
- Estrangement, West, Religion
Byzantine Empire - Estrangement, West, Religion: The...
- Andronicus II
- Overview
- The Macedonian era: 867–1025
- Bulgarian wars
- Relations with Russia
- Bulgar revolt
Under the Macedonians, at least until the death of Basil II in 1025, the empire enjoyed a golden age. Its armies regained the initiative against the Arabs in the East, and its missionaries evangelized the Slavs, extending Byzantine influence in Russia and the Balkans. And, despite the rough military character of many of the emperors, there was a renaissance in Byzantine letters and important developments in law and administration. At the same time there were signs of decay: resources were squandered at an alarming rate; there was growing estrangement from the West; and a social revolution in Anatolia was to undermine the economic and military strength of the empire.
The empire was in theory an elective monarchy with no law of succession. But the desire to found and perpetuate a dynasty was strong, and it was often encouraged by popular sentiment. This was especially true in relation to the Macedonian dynasty, the founder, Basil I, having murdered his way to the throne in 867. Probably of Armenian descent, though they had settled in Macedonia, Basil’s family was far from distinguished and can hardly have expected to produce a line of emperors that lasted through six generations and 189 years. But, having acquired the imperial crown, Basil tried to make sure that his family would not lose it and nominated three of his sons as coemperors. Though he was his least favourite, through the scholarly Leo VI, who succeeded him in 886, the succession was at least secure. Even the three soldier-emperors who usurped the throne during the Macedonian era were conscious, in varying degrees, that they were protecting the rights of a legitimate heir during a minority: Romanus I Lecapenus for Constantine VII, the son of Leo VI; and Nicephorus Phocas and John Tzimisces for Basil II, the grandson of Constantine VII.
Under the Macedonians, at least until the death of Basil II in 1025, the empire enjoyed a golden age. Its armies regained the initiative against the Arabs in the East, and its missionaries evangelized the Slavs, extending Byzantine influence in Russia and the Balkans. And, despite the rough military character of many of the emperors, there was a renaissance in Byzantine letters and important developments in law and administration. At the same time there were signs of decay: resources were squandered at an alarming rate; there was growing estrangement from the West; and a social revolution in Anatolia was to undermine the economic and military strength of the empire.
The empire was in theory an elective monarchy with no law of succession. But the desire to found and perpetuate a dynasty was strong, and it was often encouraged by popular sentiment. This was especially true in relation to the Macedonian dynasty, the founder, Basil I, having murdered his way to the throne in 867. Probably of Armenian descent, though they had settled in Macedonia, Basil’s family was far from distinguished and can hardly have expected to produce a line of emperors that lasted through six generations and 189 years. But, having acquired the imperial crown, Basil tried to make sure that his family would not lose it and nominated three of his sons as coemperors. Though he was his least favourite, through the scholarly Leo VI, who succeeded him in 886, the succession was at least secure. Even the three soldier-emperors who usurped the throne during the Macedonian era were conscious, in varying degrees, that they were protecting the rights of a legitimate heir during a minority: Romanus I Lecapenus for Constantine VII, the son of Leo VI; and Nicephorus Phocas and John Tzimisces for Basil II, the grandson of Constantine VII.
The trade with Constantinople that followed the missionaries whetted the appetites of the Slavs and Bulgars for a larger share in the material wealth of Byzantium. Simeon (Symeon) I of Bulgaria, who succeeded his father Boris in 893 and who had been educated at Constantinople, proved to be an even more dangerous enemy than the Arabs. His efforts to...
The Russians lay far outside the Roman jurisdiction. Their warships, sailing down the Dnepr from Kiev to the Black Sea, first attacked Constantinople in 860. They were beaten off, and almost at once Byzantine missionaries were sent into Russia. The Russians were granted trading rights in Constantinople in 911, but in 941 and 944, led by Prince Igor...
The Bulgars, however, were not content to be vassals of Byzantium and rebelled under Samuel, youngest of the four sons of a provincial governor in Macedonia. Samuel made his capital at Ochrida and created a Bulgarian empire stretching from the Adriatic to the Black Sea and even, for a while, into Greece, though Thessalonica remained Byzantine. The ...
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in Constantinople from the 4th to the 15th century. Learn about its origins, expansion, decline, fall, and legacy in this comprehensive article.
Sep 19, 2018 · The Byzantine Empire existed from 330 to 1453. It is often called the Eastern Roman Empire or simply Byzantium. The Byzantine capital was founded at Constantinople by Constantine I (r. 306-337).
- Mark Cartwright
Learn about the origins, development, and fall of the Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, from late antiquity to the 15th century. Explore its political, cultural, and religious history, as well as its relations with other powers in Europe and Asia.
Aug 24, 2010 · The Byzantine Empire lasted from A.D. 330 to 1453, surviving the fall of the Western Roman Empire and becoming a powerful Christian state. Learn about its origins, culture, achievements and...
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Learn about the history, culture, and fall of the Byzantine Empire, which lasted from 330 to 1453 CE. The empire was founded by Constantine I and became the center of Eastern Christianity, but faced many threats from outside and inside.
