Byzantine Empire

Last Updated: Feb. 16, 2011

Tags: history, art, europe

by – Matt Vernick, Tour Manager, Europe

Byzantine at marks Venice

The Byzantine Empire was a Orthodox Catholic based Empire that emerged out of the ancient Roman Empire. It’s longest standing Capital was Constantinople (named after the Roman Emperor Constantine, who is credited by many with laying the foundations of the Empire) previously known as Byzantium and today called Istanbul. The Byzantine Empire is sometimes referred to as the ‘Eastern Roman Empire’ and it outlasted the Western Roman Empire by almost 1000 years.

Remnants such as the art and architecture of this once great, rich, powerful and often mysterious Empire can be found throughout Eastern Europe, Greece, Turkey and Egypt Is remnants are particularly visible throughout Greece and in St Marks Basilica of Venice, Italy. One of the most tell-tale styles of the era are domed churches and buildings together with gold tiled mosaics.

The Empire was constantly at war with the eventually dominant Ottoman Turks who captured Constantinople in 1453.

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Like this posting and others through this site not much has changed since. However not surprised – seeing they are just tour guides, a responsibility needs to be taken though for the correct information to be provided to the general people who travel and heavily rely on such.
So be it, my only advice for those who travel is to do your own research – provided the accuracy in the selections you make to read.
Regardless contiki is fun, and a great way to see the world, just dont take everything you hear, literally.

Explorer1190615 posted on Jun. 18, 2010 Flag as Inappropriate