The Byzantine Emperor was powerful for many reasons:
Position: The Empire, and the capital in particular (Constantinople), were positioned on the border of Christendom and Islam. Known as the bastion of Christianity, this position also meant that the Empire developed tremendous wealth from trade.
Wealth: As mentioned above, the Empire was fabulously wealthy, largely due to trade, but also due to spoils from conquest, efficient taxation and tribute money.
Culture: The Empire was the inheritor of the Splendours of Rome and the culture of Greece. They were known as one of, if not the, most cultured and sophisticated civilizations at the time, which gave the Emperor considerable influence and international standing.
Military: The Empire fielded a superb navy and army that defeated Christian, Islamic and “pagan” armies easily, at least for the first few centuries. The Cataphractoi and the themes were disciplined and well-trained troops. The Varangian Guard of the Emperor was very strong. Greek Fire, a highly flammable substance that could burn on water was known only to the Byzantines, and was a large source of their power, particularly at sea, as the Empires ships and armies would use this fire as an incredibly effective weapon.
Capital: Constantinople was possibly the greatest city in Europe for much of the middle ages. Beautiful and sophisticated, the city of the Emperors was the symbol of the Empire and the repository of much of it’s wealth. The city was also very well defended. It never fell to attack until 1453 (excluding the Fourth Crusade), largely due to it’s mighty walls and defensive systems. This bastion gave the Emperors a strong moral and physical support.
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Position: The Empire, and the capital in particular (Constantinople), were positioned on the border of Christendom and Islam. Known as the bastion of Christianity, this position also meant that the Empire developed tremendous wealth from trade.
Wealth: As mentioned above, the Empire was fabulously wealthy, largely due to trade, but also due to spoils from conquest, efficient taxation and tribute money.
Culture: The Empire was the inheritor of the Splendours of Rome and the culture of Greece. They were known as one of, if not the, most cultured and sophisticated civilizations at the time, which gave the Emperor considerable influence and international standing.
Military: The Empire fielded a superb navy and army that defeated Christian, Islamic and “pagan” armies easily, at least for the first few centuries. The Cataphractoi and the themes were disciplined and well-trained troops. The Varangian Guard of the Emperor was very strong. Greek Fire, a highly flammable substance that could burn on water was known only to the Byzantines, and was a large source of their power, particularly at sea, as the Empires ships and armies would use this fire as an incredibly effective weapon.
Capital: Constantinople was possibly the greatest city in Europe for much of the middle ages. Beautiful and sophisticated, the city of the Emperors was the symbol of the Empire and the repository of much of it’s wealth. The city was also very well defended. It never fell to attack until 1453 (excluding the Fourth Crusade), largely due to it’s mighty walls and defensive systems. This bastion gave the Emperors a strong moral and physical support.
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These are just a few of the reasons for the power of the Byzantine Empire.
