ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of the Byzantine Empire

Once upon a time, a long long time ago, there was a big empire called the Roman Empire. It was ruled by a powerful emperor and was very strong and powerful. But, after many years, the empire started to split apart and become weaker.

One part of the empire was called the Byzantine Empire and it lasted for almost 1000 years in the eastern part of Europe. The people who lived in this empire were called Byzantines.

The Byzantine Empire started when a powerful emperor, named Constantine, moved the capital of the Roman Empire to a new city called Constantinople. This city was very important because it was located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia and was a great place for trade. The empire became very rich and powerful again.

The Byzantines were very important in history because they preserved many Greek and Roman ideas, art, and literature. They also developed their own unique style of art and architecture, famous for its beautiful mosaics and domed buildings.

One of the most famous Byzantine emperors was Justinian. He was very powerful and conquered many lands, including Italy and North Africa. He also created a set of laws called the Justinian Code, which is still used today.

But despite their power, the Byzantine Empire faced many challenges. They were constantly invaded by different groups, including the Crusaders from Europe. They also faced problems from within, like corruption and political turmoil.

Eventually, the Byzantine Empire fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453. But their legacy lives on in the beautiful art and architecture they left behind, as well as in their contributions to literature, philosophy, and law.