Survival of the Byzantine Empire

Eastern Roman Empire, more known as the Byzantine Empire, was able to survive for a thousand years after the collapse of the west. In 476 A.D., the Western Roman Empire ceased to exist. Political, military and economic reasons can explain the survival of Byzantine. Political. Zeno I ruled the East as the empire in the West finally fell in 476. Zeno negotiated with the Goths, putting an end to their threats to the East but leaving …

…end. Eventually it was greatly reduced in size, having only the capital Constantinople remaining free of invaders. The fall of Constantinople finally came after a two years of siege by Mehmed II on May 29, 1453. Western traditions such as the Christian church, the Greek and Latin works of literature, and art were preserved by the Byzantine Empire and later returned to the western half of Europe, contributing to what became the world we live in today.