The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the Roman Empire in its Eastern province during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Its capital was Constantinople, modern-day Istanbul. For most of its existence, the empire was the most powerful, cultural and developed civilization in Europe. This was mostly due to its size, but also its technological developments and innovation.
Militarily, the empire perfected what is called “Greek fire,” a type of liquid like napalm. Their developments led to the invention of the hand grenade and flamethrowers. This military advancements helped them win many battles, but also prevented attacks from others due to their reputation. In terms of urban planning, Constantinople had constant clean water in its aqueducts, which would be deliver to houses, much like it is today. This allowed Constantinople to remain beautiful, its citizens to remain healthy and the population to expand. It also caused an increase in the lifespan of citizens. New communications, forms of entertainment and leisure activities also made Constantinople a very important and developed urban center in Europe for several centuries.
