Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Byzantium, the eastern half of the Roman Empire that lasted for more than a millennium after the collapse of Rome in the west, is often overlooked and misunderstood by modern historians and the general public. Yet, Byzantium was a remarkable civilization that influenced the development of Europe, Asia, and Africa in many ways. Here are some of the reasons why Byzantium deserves more attention and appreciation.
Byzantium preserved and transmitted the classical heritage
Byzantium was the heir of the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, and it preserved and transmitted their cultural legacy to the medieval and modern world. Byzantine scholars and scribes copied and commented on the works of Homer, Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Virgil, and many others, and kept them alive in libraries and schools. Byzantine art and architecture also incorporated and adapted classical motifs and styles, such as mosaics, domes, and columns. Byzantium also transmitted the classical heritage to other cultures, such as the Slavic, Islamic, and Western European civilizations, through trade, diplomacy, and missionary work.
Byzantium was a bastion of Christianity
Byzantium was the first major empire to adopt Christianity as its official religion, under the rule of Constantine the Great in the fourth century. Byzantium played a crucial role in the formation and spread of Christianity, especially in the eastern and southern regions of the world. Byzantine theologians and church fathers, such as Basil the Great, Gregory of Nazianzus, John Chrysostom, and Maximus the Confessor, shaped the doctrines and practices of the Orthodox Church, which is still followed by millions of Christians today. Byzantine missionaries, such as Cyril and Methodius, brought Christianity and literacy to the Slavic peoples, creating the Cyrillic alphabet and the Slavic languages. Byzantine art and music also enriched the Christian tradition, with iconic images, hymns, and chants that expressed the faith and devotion of the Byzantine people.
Byzantium was a crossroads of civilizations
Byzantium was located at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and Africa, and it was a hub of trade, communication, and exchange between different cultures and peoples. Byzantium traded with the Persians, the Arabs, the Turks, the Mongols, the Russians, the Vikings, the Italians, the Franks, and many others, exchanging goods, ideas, and technologies. Byzantium also interacted with other civilizations through war and diplomacy, sometimes as enemies, sometimes as allies, sometimes as rivals. Byzantium was a bridge and a barrier, a mediator and a competitor, a source and a recipient of cultural influences.
Byzantium was a resilient and adaptable empire
Byzantium faced many challenges and crises throughout its long history, such as invasions, civil wars, plagues, famines, earthquakes, and schisms. Yet, Byzantium was able to survive and adapt to changing circumstances, often reinventing itself and emerging stronger than before. Byzantium was flexible and pragmatic, willing to change its policies, institutions, and strategies when necessary. Byzantium was also innovative and creative, developing new forms of art, literature, law, and administration. Byzantium was a dynamic and diverse empire, composed of different peoples, languages, and religions, who contributed to its richness and vitality.
Byzantium was a glorious and sophisticated empire
Byzantium was a magnificent and refined empire, with a splendid capital, Constantinople, that was the envy of the world. Byzantium was a center of learning and culture, with schools, libraries, museums, and academies that fostered education and scholarship. Byzantium was a patron of the arts and sciences, with artists, writers, philosophers, and historians who produced masterpieces of beauty and wisdom. Byzantium was a model of civilization and order, with a complex and efficient system of government, law, and taxation that ensured stability and prosperity. Byzantium was a proud and confident empire, with a strong sense of identity and history, that claimed to be the continuation and culmination of the Roman Empire.
Byzantium was a forgotten empire that shaped the world, and it deserves to be remembered and celebrated for its achievements and legacy. Byzantium was not just a footnote or a shadow of Rome, but a unique and influential civilization that made its own mark on history.
