"Origins" of the Empire and the Fall of Rome

The Byzantine Empire is the modern name usually used to describe the Medieval Roman Empire. The name "Byzantine" was never actually used during the Empire's existence. The Empire's citizens called themselves "Romans" and so did most of their neighbours. In Western Europe, where the people considered themselves the successors to the Western Empire, the Byzantine Empire was known as the "Greek Empire".

The machinations within the Roman state that allowed what is now known as the Byzantine Empire to come into being began during the reign of Emperor Constantine, also known as the first Christian Roman Emperor. Constantine knew that the world had changed and that the Roman Empire needed to change with it. One major change would be that the empire would need a new capital, one where it was in a better position to deal with the barbarian threat. He chose the old greek city of Byzantium and renamed it "Constantinopolis" (Constantinople, translates as "City of Constantine").

For some reason, the capital remained at Rome after Constantine's death, however in the 4th century, the Empire was facing so many threats that it instigated two capitals and two Emperors. One in Rome and one in Constantinople. It remained one Empire but had two governments. This allowed it to combat the barbrian threats from all sides more effectively.

The Western Empire (ruled from Rome) weakened quickly and lost territory rapidly. It soon became a feeble empire and its Emperor relied on the approval of the Eastern Empire to survive in office. Constantine, it would seem, was right about where the empire's destiny lay. The western empire eventually moved it's capital to the city of Ravenna as Rome became more vulnerable and eventually fell. The last Western Emperor, Romulus Augustus, was deposed in the late fifth century and the Emperor at Constantinople became the only Roman Emperor. This marks the beginning of what we now call the Byzantine Empire.

Late Antiquity and the Reign of Justinian I

The Empire lost a lot of ground to barbarians until the time of Justinian. Justinian was a nephew of his predecessor, Justin, and had devoted a great deal of time to brushing up on law and state. When he took over as Emperor he made it his intention to bring christianity by force to the barbarians of the west - and reconquer the territory lost by the now-defunct Western Empire.

He nearly succeeded. Under the command of his brilliant general, Belisarius, the Roman Army re-took Egypt, North Africa, Italy and southern Spain. Gaul (modern France) and Britain were not reconquered. He also staved off many attacks by the Roman's old adversaries, the Persians (although largely through the paying of enormous quantities of gold). The main lasting legacy his reign left is the church of Hagia Sofia in Istanbul/Constantinople which still stands.