The Eastern Roman Empire (or Byzantine Empire) was the only country on this side of the Chinese Wall that lasted from late antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages.
It went through the ups and downs and was one of the most significant civilizations in human history. It exerted a great cultural influence on a whole range of medieval states and peoples.
Unlike the Western Roman Empire, which was overthrown by barbarians in 476 AD, the Eastern Roman Empire continued to live for another thousand years.
Thanks to the denser population, larger cities, and a stronger economy, it has more easily withstood the economic crisis of the 3rd century, one of the greatest crises known in world history.
Byzantine Empire rested on three foundations, namely: Roman state system, Greek culture and Christianity. Without any of these three elements it cannot be imagined, and it is only through their permeation that a Byzantine civilization is created. Byzantium, which for centuries was the guardian and restorer of ancient heritage, has no historical successor.
One of the main similarities between Athens and Sparta was that they shared the same religion. It was a polytheistic religion that was shared by all the city-states of Ancient Greece. This religion contained many gods all lead by Zeus that all lived in a mystical realm on top of mount Olympus.
