Byzantium (Byzantine Empire)

Byzantium, or the Byzantine Empire, was the eastern continuation of the Roman Empire after the fall of its western half in 476 AD. Centered in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), it was a hub of culture, trade, and Christianity for over a thousand years. The empire was known for its rich traditions in art, architecture, and law, as well as its complex bureaucracy. The Byzantines preserved much of Greek and Roman knowledge, influencing the Renaissance and shaping European history. The empire eventually fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, marking the end of a significant era in history.