Early Middle Ages and the Eastern Roman Empire
Eastern Roman Emprie
( IV - VI century AD)
Most historians refer to the Middle Ages as the "Dark Ages." The era of feudalism is divided into three stages - early, developed and late Middle Ages. The early Middle Ages marked the beginning of the transition between ancient and modern history. To the east, in the territory of the former Roman Empire, was created the Eastern Roman Empire , the successor to the divided old one. This empire established itself as the center of Christianity and a leading power between East and West.
It all began after the death of Emperor Diocletian in 305 AD, the victor in the bloody wars for the imperial throne became Constantine I, later called the "Great", who tried to restore the empire. Aware of the possibilities of the Christian religion to strengthen state power, he turned Christianity into an official religion and allowed the construction of Christian churches. In 324 AD, the emperor ordered a city to be built on the site of the ancient Greek port on the shores of the Bosphorus - Byzantium. The city took the name of its founder Constantine as Constantinople, six years later in 330 AD it became the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
The reign of Emperor Theodosius between 379 and 395 AD led to the last unification between the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire. Theodosius also allowed some barbarian tribes to settle in the border areas of the empire. In return, the emperor demanded that the settled tribes defend the borders of the empire.
Throughout the empire, Christianity became the official religion, visiting pagan temples was banned, and even the famous Olympic Games were abolished. Before his death, Emperor Theodosius divided the empire forever between his sons, Arkadius and Honorius.
In the V-VI century, the empire had to wage constant struggles with the advancing tribes in order to preserve and strengthen its statehood. The early Eastern emperors Anastasius (491-518 AD) and Justinian I (527-565AD) sought to restore the empire to its former borders. Under Justinian I, his generals Belisarius and Liberia annexed North Africa, much of Italy, and parts of southeastern Spain. Emperor Justinian ruled for thirty-eight years. He created new laws, carried out a number of reforms, restored the power of the empire and created the conditions for the development of a glamorous culture.
The Eastern Roman Empire or "Byzantine Empire" experienced its greatest prosperity during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. The emperor himself encouraged the development of trade and science, in Constantinople he built magnificent churches, the most famous and majestic of which is the Church of "Hagia Sophia". By his order, all laws and rules in the empire were collected and systematized in the Justinian Code, which is the basis of modern legislation.