The Lasting Legacy of the Byzantine Empire

The Roman Empire never actually fell in the east. While everyone learns about Rome collapsing

in 476 AD, the eastern half kept thriving for another thousand years.

Constantinople became the richest city on earth, preserving ancient knowledge while

Western Europe stumbled through the Dark Ages. They called themselves Romans,

spoke Greek, and their emperors wore purple robes worth more than entire kingdoms.

When the library of Alexandria burned, it was Byzantine scholars who saved countless manuscripts.

They perfected Greek fire, a weapon so advanced we still don't know its exact formula.

Their legal system became the foundation for modern European law. The empire finally