Byzantine Empire Essay Example

Throughout history, we have studied many different places and civilizations. The Byzantine is one of the most prominent in how we see our world today. Constantine who was a young Byzantine emperor made Christianity legal and they moved the imperial empire from Rome to Byzantine he made the empire named Constantinople which is the capital of the Byzantine world from 330 CE to 1542. In the Byzantine empire, Greek was their primary language. Similar to an accordion the Byzantine empire collapsed and expanded quickly. The importance of the Byzantine empire should not be understated. Not only did the Byzantine empire influence modern-day religion and impact future architecture and military tactics, but most importantly shaped many law systems and philosophies which are predominant in the modern-day world.

One reason to study the Byzantine empire is that it influenced military and architectural tactics for other civilizations. In document B we see the Byzantine empire being called “the best-fortified city in the world” (. The Byzantines had a serpentine defense system which allowed only two out of twenty-four efforts to capture the city successfully, this defense system was a series of three walls, each getting stronger and harder to get by than the next. With this system unquestionably being buoyant, it influenced other civilizations which would eventually influence the architecture and military tactics of today.

While the military and architectural influence the Byzantines had is an important reason to study the Byzantine empire is the influence it had on modern-day Christianity. We see that in document C Romania had an eighty eighty percent rate of their population being Eastern Orthodox, in Greece their population has ninety-eight percent of Eastern Orthodox people. These percentages show the effect that Constantine had by making Christianity legal. This pronouncement caused a great spread of Christianity around the Byzantine empire. We also see in document A that almost all of the Byzantine Empire was Christian which communicates how Constanionple acted as a wall, as well as a religious center.

While the military and religious influence the Byzantine empire had are good reasons to study this dominant empire, the most important reason is the Justinian code because of the influence which it had on modern-day law. In document D we learn that Justinian had seen the old legal code had become corrupt and was contradictory and decided to make a new one. This document said that the three main guidelines one should follow when creating laws are to live honestly, hurt no one, and to everyone is due. Many modern-day lawmakers have taken influence from Justinian like John Locke. Johns stated that people should not hurt each other which was originally an idea that Justinian had formed. Even in the declaration of independence, the three unalienable rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Justinian said that everyone should have an honest and fair chance at life. We can see similarities to the declaration of independence in this.

The Byzantine empire greatly impacted modern-day religion and military tactics but most importantly was the foundation of law systems and philosophies similar to the modern-day. Justinian’s Code shares congruity to the declaration of independence like how they were both reformed and changed many times. Many modern-day philosophers continue to take guidance from Justinian's code like John Locke. Other reasons to study the Byzantine empire are their strong military tactics such as three strong walls which made it almost unfeasible to invade. Another reason is the spread of Christianity caused due to Constantine making Christianity legal. As expressed, the influence of the Byzantine empire was caused by its progressive ideas for its time which translated into modern-day life.