This blog is about the Byzantine Empire and the many things that make up this academic topic.
Why I am interested in the Byzantine Empire? It is quite complex, but I would have to say the reason that I am interested in the Byzantine Empire is due to my love of Roman History. I generally enjoy reading about history and because of that, it is natural for me to be interested in Byzantine history. The Roman Empire was an immensely complex and powerful institution that ruled over the lives of millions of people. Its collaspe and tranformation into the Byzantine Empire is one of the most interesting things that I have read about.
The Byzantine Empire gets ignored many times in the discussion about the middle ages. We generally tend to associate the middle ages with the thatched roofs, muddy roads and general lack of hygiene. However, there is a whole section of that story that is being ignored by many people. I have generally stated that the Byzantines are one of my most interesting civilizations out there; the reason for this is due to this almost hidden quality to them. They have been so well-hidden, that many people do not even know they are part of the human story.
Some of the stereotypes of Byzantium grate on my teeth. Byzantines have a tendency to be known as decadent and lacking in morality. There is also the issue that the Empire is generally not given an honest treatment when it comes to the Crusades. The Byzantines are seen as deliberately playing the crusaders and in some accounts, brought about the cataclysms that happened in 1204.
I honestly do not believe these stereotypes. The Byzantine Empire as it is known, was a place of great art and science. They managed to save many manuscripts from the ancient times and continue to breathe new life into them. They also managed to stave off defeat many times, being able to defend their borders and achieve military success, especially in the 9th to 11th centuries. It is this resilience that I truly admire in the Byzantines.
The transformation of the Eastern Roman Empire into the Byzantine Empire is a great example from history in how cultures change over time. I am always interested in how cultures change from believing one thing to believing in another. That story is something that I hope to be able to write about here.
Mainly, this blog is going to be about reviewing Byzantine-oriented things. This can include videos, blog posts, books(hence the name of the blog, etc. My main emphasis on this blog is reviewing books and discussing their details.
Their art and culture is an incredible gift to mankind and I seek to impart more information about the Byzantines on this blog.
Byzantine-Empire.com 