en.wikipedia.org (Greek Fire being depolyed). In this illustration from the Skylitzes Chronicles, a Thracian woman kills a Varangian who had tried to rape her (left). Without this weapon, perhaps the Arabs would have been successful during their 7th century invasions of Constantinople? The counterweight trebuchet, first used during the 1097 Siege of Nicaea, is another prime example of Byzantine weaponry at work. Michael VIII Gave the Empire One Last, Glorious Moment Michael VIII Palaiologos (Unknown artist, miniature from the manuscript of Pachy... One of the Most Savage Reprisals in History Emperor Symeon I of Bulgaria (Sofia Cathedral). How Did the Byzantine Empire Last So Long? Without these mercenaries, it is possible that the Byzantine Empire would have weakened and possibly fell even sooner than it did. Constantinople, at the extreme left of this map of ancient trade routes, was the western terminus of a vast network that extended to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Powered by, The Last Great Byzantine Emperor: Michael VIII, Basil II Blinds 15,000 Bulgarian Soldiers. Potential ingredients include sulphur, niter, calcium phosphide and pine resin. This faith in God and their emperor ensured citizens generally remained loyal. These men also served as the Emperor’s personal guard and were renowned for their incredible fighting ability and enormous size. The derivation from Byzantium is suggestive in that it emphasizes a central aspect of Byzantine civilization: the degree to which the empire’s administrative and intellectual life found a focus at Constantinople from 330 to 1453, the year of the city’s last and unsuccessful defense under the 11th (or 12th) Constantine. During the years of his reign, the empire included most of the land surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, as Justinian’s armies conquered part of the former Western Roman Empire, including North Africa. Whenever the city was under siege, they would display the icon of Mary and this could give the defenders a tremendous boost. {Bibliotica Nacional de Espana}. Harald Sigurdsson was one of the most famous members of the Varangian Guard as he later became King of Norway for 20 years in the 11th century. All pictures are assumed to be in the public domain. The emperor was seen as God’s representative on Earth and was often active in church affairs. Emperor Constantine quickly learned about the power of Christianity and in 325, a standardized Christian religion was created at the first council of Nicaea. Only when the technology of its enemies finally caught up with it did the Byzantine State enter a period of crisis, and even then it lasted for another 250 years. During this time, its people always called it the Roman Empire. "Greek Fire" was the Byzantine Navy's secret weapon. What Byzantine Cities Were Important Besides Constantinople, Why Constantinople Became the Second Rome. It became known as Greek Fire. Its invention was timely as it was a key factor in warding off the incoming Arabs and helped Constantinople survive two sieges. Trade,wealth,and good military system. Finally, they believed that God would decide who won or lost. Unlike previous models, this weapon could hurl projectiles without the need to use 30-40 men (who had to pull the ropes). After a brief period of hostilities in the early 10th century, the pact was renewed and by 911, Vikings began to fight regularly for the Byzantines; so much so that they were given a name ‘The Varangian Guard’. Long answer: Because it had a healthy foundation on economy, societal order, religion, army and administration. www.jorthgar.com (Basil II and the Varangian Guard around 989 AD). There was a high sense of justice in the Byzantine Ages that was unusual enough for the age to be recorded for posterity. Justinian I, who took power in 527 and would rule until his death in 565, was the first great ruler of the Byzantine Empire. The Black Death kills off the Byzantine Empire The Black death was a plague that swept through Europe and Asia. What Byzantine Cities Were Important Besides Const... Map of Constantinople during the Middle Ages. The Holy Roman Empire didn't last very long, however the Byzantine Empire lasted until the 1500, when the Ottoman Empire invaded, eventually leaving the Byzantine with a small portion of Greece. In 874, a clause in a treaty signed between the Vikings and Byzantines ensured that the Rus had to give men to the empire for military service. There Was More to Byzantium Than Constantinople The White Tower in Thessaloniki (Felix J. Koch, 1905). Short answer: Because it was an A-1 class badass. The soldiers and citizens of the empire typically stood behind their emperor and would also use religion for motivation and comfort. Another crucial battle where the Varangian Guard helped the Empire was at Beroia in 1122 when the Pechenegs were defeated. Ironically, it was a super-weapon that helped bring down the Byzantine Empire once and for all. Even today, there are arguments about the composition of this remarkable weapon. The unsuccessful 717-718 siege of Constantinople was one of several times that the city stood directly in the way of assaults on Europe from the southeast. This ensured stability at times when the empire needed it most. THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. The Vikings terrorized the countryside surrounding Constantinople and came upon the city by sea but did not succeed in breaching the walls. Greek Fire also proved useful against the Bulgarians and the Rus Vikings and even helped deal with internal squabbles. Instead, they worked together in harmony. While it is not an exhaustive list, it does cover the majority of the most pertinent reasons. 1461: The last of the empire falls One last Byzantine outpost held out until 1461, when it finally fell to the Turks. The emperor was seen as God’s representative on Earth and was often active in church affairs. The Vikings terrorized the countryside surrounding Constantinople and came upon the city by sea but did not succeed in breaching the walls. Basil II, who reigned from 10 January 976 – 15 December 1025. Soon, these invaders set their sights on Constantinople but in 673, a man called supposedly called Kallinikos of Heliopolis discovered a weapon capable of incredible devastation. There was a high sense of justice in the Byzantine Ages that was unusual enough for the age to be recorded for posterity. Afterward, his fellow soldiers praised her and allowed her to have his possessions. As the emperor was practically deified, the people of the empire had complete faith in his abilities and in turn, Byzantine emperors proved their worth. Soon, these invaders set their sights on Constantinople but in 673, a man called supposedly called Kallinikos of Heliopolis discovered a weapon capable of incredible devastation. The Byzantine Empire lasted over 1,100 years and in this article, I will look at 7 reasons for its longevity. Even in failure, these men conducted themselves with honor such as at the Battle of Manzikert in 1071 where they stood by the Emperor until they were all cut down. Images on this blog are copyright to their respective owners. It was a liquid flame that was projected through siphons and it was capable of burning on water. Yet the clergy had its own autonomy and the Emperor did not impinge on the authority of the church. Why the Eastern Roman Empire lasted for so long is a huge question, and the implications... Tough, Hard Warriors Victorious Byzantine archers. It became known as Greek Fire. The Byzantines began trading with the Norse in approximately 839 and while relations appeared to have been good, Rus Vikings shocked the empire by attacking it in 860. There are all sorts of misconceptions about the Byzantine state. Welcome! Everybody who is familiar with... Why Byzantium Prospered with its Capital on the Bosphorus The fishing was easy near Constantinople. How did the Byzantine Empire get wealthy? Some historians compare the impact of Greek Fire to that of nuclear weapons in the 20th century; in both cases, those on the receiving end of these weapons had no idea what had just hit them. The Byzantine Empire looked as if it was in dire straits by the 7 th century as it lost Egypt, Syria and Palestine to Arab invaders in the space of a generation. Many great monuments of the empire would be built under Justinian, including the spectacular domed Church of Holy Wisdom, or Hagia Sophia. The Byzantine Empire and Roman rule were officially over. While this giant gun could only fire one round an hour, its 1,500 pound stone cannonballs ripped through the ‘impenetrable’ Theodosian Walls and reduced them to rubble by the end of the siege. Why did the Byzantine Empire last so long? In 1453, the Ottomans used the Bombard to finally smash through the walls of Constantinople. Since the emperor and church worked so closely together, the imperial leader could call upon the support of the clergy whenever his reign or the empire itself came under threat. Famous emperors included Justinian I who presided over a Golden Age and Leo III who skillfully led the defense of Constantinople and prevented it from falling during an Arab invasion in 717-718. They were right on the border of Asia and Europe and the Black and Mediterranean Sea which was great for trading. Here, Byzantines "fire-fish,&q... Justinian of Byzantium. The ancient streets of Istanbul helped to save Western civilization (author's photo). If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and you do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail us identifying the image with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed. The weak empire couldn't stand against this last fatal blow. Byzantine history is full of memorable mo... Map of Constantinople during the Middle Ages. It was easier to operate, more accurate and could toss projectiles further than its predecessor. The East Roman Empire lasted nearly 1000 years after the fall of the West Roman Empire, and finally fell in 1453. This may seem like an odd combination but in the Byzantine Empire, they went hand in hand. The Byzantine Empire looked as if it was in dire straits by the 7th century as it lost Egypt, Syria and Palestine to Arab invaders in the space of a generation.
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