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Definition
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire existed from 330 to 1453. It is often called the Eastern Roman Empire or simply Byzantium. The Byzantine capital was founded at Constantinople by Constantine I (r. 306-337). The Byzantine Empire varied in size over the...
Definition
Byzantine Coinage
The coinage of the Byzantine Empire continued that of its more ancient predecessors and functioned as a convenient method of payment for goods and services, especially to soldiers and officials, and as a means for people to pay their taxes...
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Byzantine Gooseherd Mosaic
The gooseherd: A boy and a girl herding two geese are depicted in this mosaic. Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. Period: Early Byzantine, circa 6th. century CE. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul, Turkey). Great Palace Mosaic...
Definition
Mosaic
Mosaics are designs and images created using small pieces (tesserae) of stone or other materials which have been used to decorate floors, walls, ceilings, and precious objects since before written records began. Like pottery, mosaics have...
Definition
Byzantine Art
Byzantine art (4th - 15th century CE) is generally characterised by a move away from the naturalism of the Classical tradition towards the more abstract and universal, there is a definite preference for two-dimensional representations, and...
Article
The Great Palace of Constantinople
The Great Palace of Constantinople was the magnificent residence of Byzantine emperors and their court officials which included a golden throne room with wondrous mechanical devices, reception halls, chapels, treasury, and gardens. In use...
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Bear Hunting a Lamb, Byzantine Mosaic
Bear hunting a lamb, Byzantine Mosaic. Period: Early Byzantine, circa 6th. century C.E. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul, Turkey). Great Palace Mosaic Museum, Istanbul, Turkey. The Great Palace Mosaic Museum was inaugurated in 1987...
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Herdsman Milking a Goat, Byzantine Mosaic
Herdsman milking a goat: An old bearded shepherd is milking his goat and a boy is holding a milk jug. This scene reflects pastoral life. Period: Early Byzantine, circa 6th. century CE. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul, Turkey). Great...
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Tigriss-Griffin Byzantine Mosaic
The tigriss-griffin: This tigriss (female) Griffin has two horns and wings and a wild look on its face. Crimson drops of blood come out of its mouth. Period: Early Byzantine, circa 6th. century C.E. Place: Constantinople, (Modern Istanbul...
Article
Daily Life in the Byzantine Empire
Daily life in the Byzantine Empire, like almost everywhere else before or since, largely depended on one's birth and the social circumstances of one's parents. There were some opportunities for advancement based on education, the accumulation...