Question

Why do you think Greek-speaking inhabitants of the Eastern Mediterranean continued to call themselves Romans until the early 21st century?

In what ways was the culture of the Byzantine Empire similar to that of ancient Rome?
How was the Byzantine Empire different from the Roman Empire?

Answer 1

The Greek-speaking inhabitants of the Eastern Mediterranean referred to themselves as Romans until the early 21st century as they considered themselves as the continuation of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire shared similarities with ancient Rome in terms of culture, such as a Greco-Roman heritage, Christianity as the official religion, and a strong centralized government. However, differences include the language (Greek instead of Latin), a stronger emphasis on religion, and a geographical focus in the eastern Mediterranean.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Greek-speaking inhabitants of the Eastern Mediterranean continued to call themselves Romans until the early 21st century because they viewed themselves as the continuation of the Roman Empire. They inherited the traditions, culture, and identity of the Roman Empire, which had shifted its focus eastward and centered around Constantinople, the new capital. The Byzantine Empire, as they came to be known, considered themselves as Romans and saw their empire as a continuation of the ancient Roman Empire.

The culture of the Byzantine Empire was similar to that of ancient Rome in several ways. They both shared a Greco-Roman heritage, with a focus on education, architecture, art, and literature. Christianity was a major aspect of their culture, and both the Byzantines and the ancient Romans embraced Christianity as their official religion. They also shared a strong centralized government system and an emphasis on law and administration.

However, there were also significant differences between the Byzantine Empire and the Roman Empire. One major difference was the language. While the ancient Romans spoke Latin, the Byzantines spoke Greek. The Byzantine Empire also had a stronger emphasis on religion, with the Eastern Orthodox Church playing a central role in their culture and society. Additionally, the Byzantine Empire had a different geographical focus, with its power and influence concentrated in the eastern Mediterranean, while the Roman Empire had been centered in Rome and dominated Europe and the Mediterranean.