7 Things about the Byzantine Empire

  1. Byzantine is what not used by the inhabitants themselves. They called their empire the ”Empire of the Romans”

2. Italian City states became very prominent in the economy of the empire during the Kommenian era.

3. There were three successor states that formed after the sacking of the capital in 1204. These states were the Empire of Nicaea, The Empire of Trebizond and the Depostate of Epirus.

4. There were 11 rulers named Constantine

5.. The Empire reached its peak during the reign of Justinian.

6. Basil II lived the life of a soldier, eating from the same rations as his men.

7. The Crusades were launched due to Byzantine pleas for assistance against the Seijuk Turkish invaders.