Constantinople, also known as Byzantium, was the capital of the Byzantine Empire from its founding in 330 CE until its fall in 1453 CE.

Greek was the official language of the Byzantine Empire, reflecting its Hellenistic heritage and cultural continuity from the Eastern Roman Empire.

Justinian I, also known as Justinian the Great, is renowned for his codification of Roman law into the Corpus Juris Civilis, a comprehensive legal code that had a lasting impact on legal systems worldwide.

The Great Schism, also known as the East-West Schism, occurred in 1054 CE and resulted in the separation of the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

Heraclius is renowned for his military victories, including his successful defense of Constantinople against the Avars and Persians in 626 CE.

Byzantine architecture is characterized by its distinctive domes, intricate mosaics, and vibrant frescoes, which can be seen in iconic structures like the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.

Leo III is known for his role in the iconoclastic movement, which sought to prohibit the veneration of religious images and led to a period of religious controversy in the Byzantine Empire.

Anna Porphyrogenita, the daughter of Byzantine emperor Romanos II, married Vladimir I of Kievan Rus' and played a significant role in the Christianization of the region.

John I Tzimiskes, who reigned from 969 to 976 CE, is renowned for his military achievements, including the reconquest of Crete and successful campaigns against the Arabs and Bulgarians.

Khalid ibn al-Walid, a prominent Arab military commander, led the Muslim forces to victory over the Byzantines at the Battle of Yarmouk, marking a significant turning point in the Arab conquests.

Justinian I commissioned the construction of the Hagia Sophia, which remains a stunning example of Byzantine architecture and a symbol of the empire's cultural and religious heritage.

The Exarchate of Ravenna was a Byzantine province in Italy that served as the administrative center of the empire's western territories.

Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus, who reigned from 913 to 959 CE, is credited with sponsoring a revival of classical learning and scholarship, known as the Macedonian Renaissance.

Theodore Lascaris, the founder of the Empire of Nicaea, successfully defended Constantinople against the Fourth Crusade and established a Byzantine rump state in Asia Minor.

Michael VIII Palaiologos led the Byzantine forces to victory over the Latin Crusaders, recapturing Constantinople and restoring the Byzantine Empire.