Final answer:
The Byzantine Empire should be referred to as the Roman Empire because it continued Roman traditions, law, and cultural identity. The Byzantines saw themselves as Romans, underscoring the importance of continuity in historical legacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Should We Continue to Refer to the Byzantine Empire as the Roman Empire?
The term "Byzantine Empire" arose after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, but the Byzantines themselves understood their empire as a continuation of the Roman Empire, calling themselves "Romans." Despite the fact that the Byzantine Empire did suffer major territorial losses by the middle of the seventh century and transformed into what could be considered more a kingdom than an empire, this does not negate the empire's strong ties to the Roman historical legacy. The empire preserved and adapted Roman law, governance, and culture, even as it fostered new advancements in architecture, science, religion, and learning, contributing to a period of "incipient globalization."
The people of the Eastern Roman Empire did not consider their civilization separate from that of Rome; rather, they saw it as an extension and evolution of it, with the capital moved to Constantinople. Therefore, to maintain continuity with historical understanding and identity, and in recognition of the legal and cultural traditions carried forward from Rome, it is appropriate to refer to the Byzantine Empire as the Roman Empire during the period of its existence.
On the other hand, the transformation and distinct cultural development within the Byzantine Empire, such as the adoption of Greek as the lingua franca and the Christian theological developments, do present a strong argument for the distinctiveness of Byzantine identity. However, considering the self-perception of the Byzantines and the continuation of Roman traditions, option b) 'Yes, to maintain the continuity of the Roman historical legacy' is a justifiable choice.