Summary
Highlights
In 330 AD, Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium, renaming it Constantinople. This city, located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, became the seat of the new Eastern Empire. In 395 AD, the Roman Empire officially split into the Western Roman Empire and the Eastern Byzantine Empire, leading to the development of the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The split between East and West significantly weakened the Roman Empire. Northern European tribes, often referred to as 'barbarians' (Christianized Germanic, Slavic, and Celtic peoples), overran and defeated the Western Roman Empire, which officially fell in 476 AD. This marked the end of Greco-Roman Antiquity, a period lasting approximately 1000 years.
In contrast to the West, the Eastern Byzantine Empire thrived, particularly under Emperor Justinian. His reign saw significant expansion, as depicted on maps showing the empire's growth between his ascension in 527 AD and his death in 565 AD. This expansion also spread the distinct Byzantine style throughout Western Europe.
Byzantine art diverged significantly from Greco-Roman styles. Key characteristics include very flat, decorative, and abstract images, with less concern for three-dimensional illusion. There was a strong emphasis on spirituality, often depicting a 'gold spiritual realm' and an 'otherworldliness', reflecting a deeply religious worldview that aligns with the transition into the Middle Ages.