Dig Into History

38

by Emily Abbink

T

he Eastern Roman Empire, the so-called Byzantine Empire,

experienced two Golden Ages — that is, periods of relative

peace, economic growth, territorial expansion, and cultural

achievements and prosperity. While culturally Greek and increasingly

Christian, the Byzantine Empire practiced and preserved much that

was classic Roman culture. In effect, Byzantine society and scholarship

bridged the gap between Europe’s ancient civilizations and the much

later Italian Renaissance, an era that would re-embrace ancient Greek

and Roman ideals.

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