Byzantine considered itself to be Rome. Even after the fall of classical Rome, the people still felt Roman, and tried their best to rebuild the empire that once controlled the Mediterranean. Also, the Greek influence on the empire affected the culture of the people and preserved classical heritage.
Greek Influence
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Education and Scholarship
- Large numbers of literate people (most people had a basic educational background)
- This is because of the state organized education system
- Wealthy aristocrats would hire tutors to teach both young boys, and girls
- Analysis: Both boys and girls being educated lessened the patriarch, and allowed strong women like Theodora.
- Education in Byzantine was based off of the Greek language, and people mostly learned Greek philosophies, literature and sciences.
- Scholars in Byzantine rarely learned Latin, and most ca,e from Greek background.
- Scholars studied mostly humanities:
- (Greek) Literature, history, and philosophy
- Scholars did commentaries on Greek texts made by philosophers like Aristotle, Homer, and Plato.
- Most Greek texts that survive today are recreations and copies made by Byzantine scholars.
Classical Influence on Christianity
- Greek culture and philosophy affected theology in Byzantine
- Used Greek philosophies to try and solve disputes within the church
- The issue of whether Jesus was God or a man was often looked at from the standpoint of classical Greek reasoning
- The issue of whether Jesus was God or a man was often looked at from the standpoint of classical Greek reasoning
- Used the Greek analysis of the world to try and read the New Testament of the Bible.
As you can see on the map, Byzantine's capital Constantinople (now Istanbul) is placed very close to Greece (modern day, and classical). This would explain the classical Greek influence on the empire.