Byzantine Empire
BYZANTINE EMPIRE (395 CE – 1453 CE)
As a result of the political turmoil that started with the Migration of Tribes, the Roman Empire was divided in two in 395 CE. Western Rome collapsed due to civil wars and invasion by Germanic tribes. The state in the east showed development when its ancient Roman traditions were combined with Christian culture.
Byzantine Cross, Bronze
ART IN THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE
Byzantine Art and Architecture is divided into four periods. Early Byzantine Art started with Constantinople becoming the capital (330 CE) and lasted until the Iconoclasm movement (726 CE). Iconoclasm was when religious idols and icons were destroyed, and all practices associated with them were forbidden (726 CE – 824 CE). In the Middle Byzantine Period (842 CE – 1204 CE), in response to the Iconoclasm movement, the heavy pressure from the church was reflected in the architecture. It lasted until the conquest of Constantinople by Latins. Late Byzantine Art (1261 CE) began with the recapture of the capital. Renewed Constantinople became an art center once again. Byzantine Art reached different geographies by artists who migrated to Slavic and Balkan countries. This period lasted until the conquest of Istanbul in 1453 CE.
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