How did the Byzantine Empire rise and fall?

The Byzantine Empire evolved from the eastern half of the Roman Empire, maintaining administrative continuity while shifting its cultural center to Constantinople and adopting Greek as its official language. Over its centuries of existence, it experienced dramatic cycles of territorial expansion, such as under Justinian I and the Macedonian dynasty, followed by devastating losses from foreign invasions and internal conflict. The empire was finally dissolved after the Fourth Crusade and completely ended when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire in 1453.

What we know

• The Byzantine Empire is generally periodised from late antiquity until the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire in 1453 AD. [2, 4]
• During the reign of Justinian I, the empire reached its greatest extent after reconquering much of the western Mediterranean coast. [2, 5]
• The empire suffered a mortal blow during the Fourth Crusade, when Constantinople was sacked and the realm was divided. [2, 5]
• Under Heraclius, the administration was restructured and officially adopted Greek instead of Latin. [2]

Still open

• The early history of the eventual rise of Ottoman power and their initial clashes with Byzantine forces remains somewhat shrouded in obscurity.

Where to go next

• whoWho were the most prominent Byzantine emperors?
• what caused itWhat caused the eventual decline of the Byzantine Empire?
• a case in pointHow did the Jewish community live within the Byzantine Empire?
• the bigger pictureWhat was the broader context of the Roman Empire's division?
• what followedHow did the Fall of Constantinople alter Mediterranean history?
• an unexpected connectionHow did a medieval empire of Greek speakers view its own identity?Although modern historians label the state 'Byzantine' and note its Greek language and culture, its citizens and rulers considered themselves direct Roman emperors and heirs to ancient Rome until the very end.

Sources

• [1]history of the Byzantine Empire (Wikidata Q2993777) · CC0 1.0
• [2]History of the Byzantine Empire · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]History of the Jews in the Byzantine Empire · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]List of Byzantine emperors · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Decline of the Byzantine Empire · CC BY-SA 4.0