This era marked the empire’s peak territorial reach and cultural splendor.
: Constantine established a new capital at Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), strategically located on the Bosphorus to control trade between Europe and Asia. A History of Byzantium
: Justinian commissioned the Hagia Sophia , a feat of engineering that remained the world’s largest cathedral for nearly a millennium. This era marked the empire’s peak territorial reach
: Unlike the pagan Rome of old, Byzantium was defined by its integration of Roman law, Greek culture, and Christian theology. and Christian theology.