Dedication of Constantinople as the new imperial capital

Emperor Constantine the Great officially dedicated the city of Constantinople as the new imperial capital in 330 AD

Continuation of the Roman Empire in the East

The Byzantine Empire preserved the Roman heritage and traditions long after the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 AD

Reimagining of Byzantium as Constantinople

Constantine I reimagined Byzantium as Constantinople, a city that would become the heart of the empire and a model for future emperors

Supreme power and divine ordination

Byzantine emperors held supreme power and were often viewed as divinely ordained, responsible for the welfare and governance of the state

Ultimate judicial authority and representation of God on Earth

Emperors were the ultimate judicial authority and were seen as God's representatives on Earth, with their rule reflecting the divine order

Titles and claims to the Roman imperial title

Emperors carried the title "Augustus" and later "Basileus," and maintained the claim to the Roman imperial title, which was challenged by the coronation of Charlemagne in 800 AD

Common practice of dynastic succession

While not a strict legal requirement, dynastic succession was a common practice in the Byzantine Empire, with emperors often appointing their sons or close relatives as co-emperors

Flexibility and unpredictability of succession

The throne was theoretically open to any capable individual, reflecting the flexible nature of succession based on customs and political expediency

Tradition and legitimacy of dynastic succession

Although not codified into law, dynastic succession became a tradition that lent a degree of predictability and legitimacy to the imperial office

Christianization of the state and adoption of Greek language and culture

The Byzantine Empire experienced profound cultural and administrative transformations, marked by the Christianization of the state and the ascendancy of Greek language and culture

Relocation of the imperial capital and establishment of Constantinople

The relocation of the imperial capital from Rome to Byzantium (later Constantinople) was a significant factor that differentiated the Byzantine period from the classical Roman era

Reforms and achievements of Byzantine emperors

Emperors played a central role in implementing administrative and military reforms, introducing a stable currency, and achieving architectural marvels such as the construction of the original Hagia Sophia

Influence of Constantine the Great and subsequent rulers

The Byzantine emperors, starting with Constantine the Great, left an indelible mark on history, with his reign establishing a paradigm for future rulers

History of the empire marked by military campaigns, theological disputes, and cultural flourishes

The Byzantine Empire's history was characterized by military campaigns, theological disputes, and cultural achievements

Final chapter of the empire and the fall of Constantinople

The final chapter of the Byzantine Empire was written during the reign of Constantine XI, who witnessed the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman forces in 1453, marking the end of more than a thousand years of the Roman imperial tradition in the eastern Mediterranean