Roman Empire, one of the greatest ancient state formations, in the first centuries of our era went into decline.Numerous tribes, the lower stage of civilization, destroyed much of the heritage of the ancient world.But the Eternal City was not destined to die, he was reborn on the banks of the Bosphorus and many more years of amazed contemporaries with its splendor.
Second Rome
History of Byzantium relates to the middle of the III century, when the Roman emperor Flavius Valerius Aurelius became Constantine, Constantine I (the Great).At the time, the Roman state was torn apart by internal strife and external enemies precipitated.Status of the eastern provinces were more fortunate, and Constantine decided to move the capital into one of them.In 324 on the banks of the Bosphorus it began construction of Constantinople, and in 330, he was announced as the new Rome.
Since the beginning of its existence, Byzantium, which has a history of eleven centuries.
course of any stable state borders in those days it was not.Throughout his long life, the power of Constantinople is weakened, it regains power.
Justinian and Theodora
In many ways the state of affairs in the country depended on the personal qualities of its ruler, which in general is typical for states with absolute monarchy, which belonged to Byzantium.The history of its development is inextricably linked with the name of Emperor Justinian I (527-565 gg.) And his wife, the Empress Theodora - women are very extraordinary and apparently extremely gifted.
By the beginning of the V century empire became a small state of the Mediterranean, and the new emperor was obsessed with the idea to revive the former glory, he conquered vast territories in the West, has achieved relative peace with Persia in the East.
cultural history of Byzantium is inextricably linked with the reign of Justinian.It is thanks to his care today there are monuments of ancient architecture, as the Hagia Sophia mosque in Istanbul, or the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna.One of the most notable achievements of the emperor historians consider the codification of Roman law, which became the basis of the legal systems of many European countries.
Medieval morals
Construction and endless war demanded a huge waste.Emperor endlessly raise taxes.In a society growing discontent.In January, 532, during the appearance of the Emperor on the Hippodrome (an analogue of the Colosseum, which could accommodate 100 thousand. People), riots broke out, grew into a large-scale revolt.They managed to quell the uprising of unprecedented brutality: the rebels persuaded to come to the racetrack, if for negotiations, then locked the gate and killed every one.
Procopius of Caesarea reports about the death of 30 thousand people.It is noteworthy that the crown of the emperor kept his wife, Theodora, was she convinced Justinian ready to escape to continue the fight, saying he prefers death to escape, "the imperial power - a beautiful shroud."
In 565 the empire included parts of Syria, the Balkans, Italy, Greece, Palestine, Asia Minor and the northern coast of Africa.But endless wars affected the state of the country adversely.After the death of Justinian the border again began to shrink.
«Macedonian revival»
At 867 came to power Vasily I, the founder of the Macedonian dynasty, which existed until 1054.This era historians call the "Macedonian Renaissance" and consider the maximum flowering of medieval state of the world, which at the time was Byzantium.
history of successful cultural and religious expansion of the Eastern Roman Empire is familiar to all the States of Eastern Europe: one of the most characteristic features of the foreign policy of Constantinople was a missionary.It is thanks to the influence of the Byzantine Empire in the East spread that branch of Christianity, which, after the church split in 1054 became the orthodoxy.
European Cultural Capital of the World
Art of the Eastern Roman Empire was closely connected with religion.Unfortunately, within a few centuries of political and religious elite could not agree whether the worship of sacred images of idolatry (the motion was called iconoclasm).In the process a huge number of statues, frescoes and mosaics were destroyed.
extremely obliged Empire Art History: Byzantine Empire throughout its existence was a kind of guardian of ancient culture and contributed to the spread of ancient Greek literature in Italy.Some historians believe that is largely because of the existence of the New Rome was made possible during the Renaissance.
During the reign of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire managed to neutralize the two main enemies of the state: the Arabs in the east, and Bulgaria to the north.The history of the victory over the last quite impressive.As a result of a surprise attack on the enemy to the emperor Basil II managed to capture 14,000 prisoners.He was ordered to blind them, leaving only one eye of each one hundredth, then release maimed people home.Seeing his blind army, the Bulgarian Tsar Samuil suffered a stroke from which he never recovered.Medieval mores were indeed severe.
After the death of Basil II, the last representative of the Macedonian dynasty, began the history of the fall of Byzantium.
Rehearsal end
In 1204, Constantinople was first surrendered to the onslaught of the enemy: angry unsuccessful campaign in the "promised land", the Crusaders entered the city, announced the creation of the Latin Empire and the Byzantine lands were divided between the French barons.
Existed new education long: 51 July 1261 without a fight took Constantinople Michael VIII Palaeologus, who announced the revival of the Eastern Roman Empire.He founded the dynasty of the Byzantine rule until its fall, but the board it was pretty pathetic.At the end of the emperors lived on handouts from the Genoese and Venetian merchants, and even naturally robbed the church and private property.
fall of Constantinople
By the beginning of the XIV century from the former territories were only Constantinople, Thessaloniki and small isolated enclaves in the south of Greece.Desperate attempts last Byzantine emperor Manuel II enlist military support in Western Europe were not successful.May 29, 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the second and last time.
Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II renamed the city Istanbul and the main Christian church in the city, the Cathedral of St.Sofia turned into a mosque.With the disappearance of the capital has disappeared and Byzantine history of the most powerful states of the Middle Ages ceased forever.
Byzantium, Constantinople and New Rome
is a curious fact that the name "Byzantine Empire" appeared after its collapse: the first time it occurs in the study of Hieronymus Wolf already in 1557.The occasion was the name of the city of Byzantium, the site of which was built Constantinople.Residents called it not only as the Roman empire and himself - the Romans (Romeo).
cultural influence of the Byzantine Empire in the Eastern European countries can not be overestimated.However, the first Russian scientist who started the study of the medieval state, was Yu Kulakovskii."History of Byzantium" in three volumes was published only at the beginning of the twentieth century and covered the event with 359 for 717 year.In the last few years of life, scientists are ready to publish the fourth volume of the works, but after his death in 1919, found the manuscript and failed.
