Philip Regent
Mariner
posted 08-27-12 10:29 AM EDT (US)
One day I had fiery discussion with my classmate about, when did Byzantine Empire starts from...
I saw then 2 options:
1) It started during Constantine the Great´s reigning time, while building up new capital for the empire - Constantinople
OR
2) When died last emperor who ruled over both Roman Empire sides - Theodosius I in 395 AD and Arcadius came to power in Eastern half of the Empire...
What yout think about this issue or any other possibilities...
Cancer of the Head
Mariner
(id: say1988)
posted 08-27-12 05:22 PM
EDT (US)
3 / 8
I would also note that the name "Byzantine Empire" arose after the fall of Constantinople and the end of the empire. It was first used in the mid 16th century.
As far as I am aware, all contemporaries considered it the Roman Empire.
The term is just a convenience to separate the Roman Empire by geography and time. Like referring the the United States as the Union during the American Civil War.