Survival of Eastern Roman Empire after the Fall of the Western Roman Empire and Emperor Justinian the Great

There are several reasons why the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, was able to survive after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Some historians suggest that the Eastern Roman Empire was simply more urbanized, had better leaders and overall was in a better position geographically to deal with threats. Additionally, Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, was founded in a wealthier and more urbanized region of the empire.

Constantinople, now known as Istanbul, is an ancient city in modern-day Turkey. It was first settled in the seventh century B.C. and developed into a thriving port thanks to its prime geographic location between Europe and Asia and its natural harbor. In 324, after the Western and Eastern Roman Empires were reunited, the ancient city of Byzantium was selected to serve as the new capital of the Roman Empire, and the city was renamed Nova Roma, or “New Rome”, by Emperor Constantine the Great. On 11 May 330, it was renamed Constantinople, and dedicated to Constantine. Constantinople is generally considered to be the center and the "cradle of Orthodox Christian Civilization”.

 

There were many famous Byzantine emperors throughout the history of the Eastern Roman Empire. Some of the most notable ones include Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, who was perhaps the most popular and highly-regarded emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Other notable Byzantine emperors include Heraclius, Basil II, and Alexios I Komnenos

 

Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, was a Byzantine Emperor who ruled from 527 to 565. He is known for his many accomplishments, including his administrative reorganization of the imperial government and his sponsorship of a codification of laws known as the Code of Justinian (Codex Justinianus; 534). He also constructed the magnificent church of Hagia Sophia, which became a symbol of Byzantine culture and architecture. These are just a few examples of his many achievements.

 

The Code of Justinian, also known as the Codex Justinianus, was a collection of laws and legal interpretations developed under the sponsorship of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It was issued in 534 and was intended to be a complete and clear statement of the law. The Code of Justinian was based on earlier Roman law and included laws from the time of Hadrian to the time of Justinian himself. It was one of the most significant legal works in history and had a major influence on the development of law in many countries, including those in Western Europe.

 

Hagia Sophia is a place of worship built in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey) in the 6th century CE under the direction of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I. It is considered to be the most important Byzantine structure in the world and one of the world’s great monuments. The name “Hagia Sophia” means “Holy Wisdom” in Greek, and the building was originally constructed as a cathedral for the Eastern Orthodox Church. After the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453, it was converted into a mosque, and then into a museum in 1935. In 2020, it was reconverted into a mosque