Civilizations that interest me the most
I have chosen to focus on the Byzantine Empire for this assignment. The Byzantine Empire was situated in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, with its capital in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). Numerous factors led to the empire’s achievement (Cartwright, 2009). First, its military strength played a major role in defending its regions and expanding its impact. Additionally, the empire had a stable economy built on trade and a well-developed government. Religion, mostly the adoption of Christianity as the state religion, provided unity and a sense of purpose. The Byzantine Empire had difficult relationships with other people, engaging in both conflicts and mediation (Cartwright, 2009). It had a long-lasting conflict with the Persian Empire, was involved in trade and cultural exchanges with the Islamic world, and had periodic conflicts with Western Europe. The empire’s decline and final fall can be credited to several factors, including external attacks, internal political unpredictability, economic failure, and the Fourth Crusade, which led to the sack of Constantinople in 1204.
Civilization location
The Byzantine Empire was located in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, allowing it to control vital trade routes between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. The empire’s geographical position provided advantages for defence and commerce (Cartwright, 2009). Constantinople was on a cape bounded by water on three sides, making it difficult for enemies to attack. This site also eased trade and cultural relations, as it served as an entry between the East and the West. The eastern part of the Roman Empire, with its capital in Istanbul. It occupied a planned location at the junctions of Europe, and the empire’s territory extended across the eastern Mediterranean and surrounding regions such as Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, and the Levant. The strategic location of the Byzantine Territory contributed to its fame and impact in the region.
Factors leading to the civilization’s success
Several factors contributed to the success of the Byzantine Empire. One key factor was its military strength. The empire upheld a well-organized and tough army, which allowed it to defend its territories from external threats and expand its impact through conquest. Armed inventions, such as Greek fire, were important in marine warfare.
Trade was another important factor in the empire’s success. Constantinople’s planned location allowed it to control major trade routes between Europe and Asia (Cartwright, 2009). The empire became a thriving centre of commerce, attracting merchants from various regions. This financial success fueled the empire’s growth and led to its wealth and stability.
Religion played a major role in the Byzantine Empire’s success as well. Accepting Christianity as the state conviction provided a uniting force and a shared identity among the population. The Byzantine emperors used religion to reinforce their rule and increase the support of the priesthood and the people. These factors, including military strength, trade governance, and the role of religion, were influential in the Byzantine Empire’s success and permanency.
Relationships the civilization had with other civilizations
The Byzantine Empire had complex relationships with other civilizations. It had a long-time conflict with the Persian Empire, with repeated battles over land arguments (Khan Academy,2018). The empire also had widespread trade and social exchanges with the Islamic world, mostly during the early centuries when both societies lived peacefully and were involved in financial businesses. However, rivalry occurred as the Islamic Caliphates stretched, leading to military conflicts between the Byzantines and various Muslim powers.
The empire also had connections with Western Europe, often marked by political associations, trade, and frequent conflicts during the Crusades. The Fourth Crusade, in particular, had an incredible impact on the Byzantine Empire when Western European Crusaders fired Constantinople in 1204, meaningfully weakening the empire.
The Fall of Civilization
The fall of the Byzantine Empire can be credited to several factors. External invasions by Ottoman Turks slowly eroded its territories, with the final blow being the arrest of Constantinople in 1453. Internal political instability, including power struggles and weak leadership, weakened the empire’s ability to defend itself (Vescia, 2016). Economic decline, including financial strain and loss of trade routes, further weakened the empire. These aspects, collectively with the Fourth Crusade and the growth of the Ottoman Empire, eventually led to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.
References
Cartwright, M. (2009). World History Encyclopedia. Www.worldhistory.org. https://www.worldhistory.org/
Khan Academy. (2018). Byzantine culture and society. Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/world-history/medieval-times/byzantine-empire/a/byzantine-culture-and-society
Vescia, M. (2016). The Rise and Fall of the Byzantine Empire. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
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