Byzantine Empire & Germanic Kingdoms: A Historical Timeline
The Byzantine Empire: A Legacy of Rome
The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, emerged as a continuation of Roman civilization. It successfully repelled barbarian invasions and thrived under a new name from the 6th century onward. Emperor Justinian, aiming to restore the Roman Empire’s former glory, initiated territorial expansion, reaching the Western Mediterranean, including the Balearic Islands and southern Hispania. However, from the 11th century, the empire faced decline due to constant attacks by Turkish armies on its borders. Its capital, Constantinople, ultimately fell in 1453 AD, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire.
The Rise of the Germanic Kingdoms
Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Germanic peoples, who had invaded the empire, established various kingdoms. These kingdoms were governed by their own laws and customs but also incorporated elements of Roman and Latin culture, such as currency and Christianity. A climate of insecurity arose as these groups often resorted to warfare for economic gain, looting and terrorizing the population. Trade dwindled due to unsafe roads, and agriculture became the dominant economic activity. Culture became a luxury as survival took precedence, leading to a decline in literacy, a skill mostly retained by the clergy.
Key Germanic Kingdoms
- The Kingdom of the Franks: Ruled by Charlemagne, who attempted to reconstruct the Western Roman Empire and was crowned emperor in 800 AD.
- The Visigothic Kingdom: Established in the early 6th century in the Iberian Peninsula, with its capital at Toledo. It lasted until the Muslim invasion in 711 AD. This kingdom established a strong monarchy, transitioning from inherited to elective succession, and achieved religious and legal unification between Hispano-Romans and Visigoths.
The Decline of the Roman Empire and the Rise of Christianity
In 212 AD, Emperor Caracalla granted citizenship rights to all inhabitants of the Roman Empire. However, from the 3rd century onward, the empire faced a crisis marked by barbarian attacks, deterioration of imperial authority, military revolts, and economic difficulties. Christianity, which originated in the Roman province of Palestine in Asia Minor, gradually spread. After enduring persecution, it was authorized by Emperor Constantine in 313 AD. In 380 AD, Emperor Theodosius declared it the official religion of the empire. In 395 AD, Emperor Theodosius divided the empire into two for better governance:
- The Western Roman Empire, which fell to barbarian invasions in 476 AD.
- The Eastern Roman Empire, which resisted and evolved into the Byzantine Empire.
Hispania: A Roman Province
The Roman conquest of the Iberian Peninsula took place between 218 BC and 19 BC. Roman rule persisted until the 5th century AD when it was occupied by barbarian tribes. During this period, Hispania was a province of the Roman Empire and adopted Roman cultural elements, including language, law, religion, and art. This process is known as Romanization.
Fragmentation of the Ancient World
The collapse of the Roman Empire led to the fragmentation of the Mediterranean world. The cultural unity of the West was disrupted by barbarian invasions (Visigoths, Franks, Vandals, Suebi, Burgundians, Alemanni, Goths, etc.), leading to the formation of numerous Germanic kingdoms. The Byzantine Empire, however, endured for another 1000 years.