HY 101 – Why the Eastern Roman Empire Outlived the Western Roman Empire

Despite its numerous weaknesses and enemies, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium) outlived the Western Roman Empire by nearly a millennium. Byzantium’s longevity may have been the result of at least two factors, the close union between church and state, which made religious faith and Byzantine national identity almost synonymous; and, the rich cultural identity of the Byzantine empire. Using the sources provided, as well as your textbook and the Western Tradition videos, explain why you believe the Eastern Roman Empire outlived the Western Roman Empire. Be sure to reference the evidence upon which you have based your assertions. Keep your response to between 300 and 450 words. Hint: Though you may believe that the Byzantine empire’s longevity was the result of God’s direct blessings, that is not an acceptable answer for this assignment.Helen C. Evans, Melanie Holcomb, and Robert Hallman, “The Arts of Byzantium,” The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin 58 (Spring 2001): 4-68.**Assorted Byzantine Art ResourcesSarah Brooks, “Byzantium (ca. 330 – 1453) ,” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2011) http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/byza/hd_byza.htm.”Byzantine Art (28),” Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2011) http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hi/te_index.asp?i=13.Elisabeth Alföldi-Rosenbaum, “Portrait Bust of a Young Lady of the Time of Justinian,”Metropolitan Museum Journal 1 (1968): 19-40.**The Greek Orthodox Diocese of America – Hymns from the Liturgical Tradition of the Orthodox Christian ChurchThe Museum of Byzantine CultureTour Emperor Justinian’s Church (it’s still standing, though it’s now a mosque)Byzantium: Byzantine Studies on the InternetAn Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and their Families