The Origin and Usage of the Term 'Byzantine Empire'

The term 'Byzantine Empire' is often used today to refer to the Eastern Roman Empire, a term that was not used during its existence. This article aims to explore the history and misconceptions surrounding this appellation and provides accurate historical context for understanding the evolution of this ancient empire.

The Terminology of the Era

Once upon a time, the term 'Byzantine Empire' is not one that would have been recognized by the individuals living during the Empire's reign. The Eastern Roman Empire, as it came to be known, was never referred to by this name during its historical existence. Instead, its inhabitants and contemporaries always identified themselves as Romans. This identification continued even after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, which marked the beginning of the Eastern Roman Empire as a distinct entity.

The Invention of 'Byzantine'

The term 'Byzantine' was invented by German historian Wolfgang Stein in 1557, approximately 104 years after the fall of the Eastern Roman Empire in 1453. The name was not only coined too late to be of any significance during the Empire's existence but also inaccurately reflects the nature of the Eastern Roman Empire. Historians of the 17th and 18th centuries used it to distinguish the then-Christian Empire from the Western Roman Empire in the historical records. Today, many prefer the term 'Eastern Roman Empire' to reflect this historical accuracy.

The Empire's Self-Identification

During the entire existence of the Eastern Roman Empire, its citizens and leaders continued to refer to themselves as Romans. This sense of Roman identity was not diminished by their adoption of Greek as the vernacular language or by the cultural shifts that took place over centuries. Even in times of conflict, both internal and external, the Eastern Romans referred to themselves as Romans and were recognized as such by their adversaries, including the Persians, Huns, Goths, Vandals, Arabs, Turks, Norse, Bulgarians, Franks, Venetians, and the Genoese.

The 17th Century and Beyond

The term 'Byzantine Empire' as we know it today was first used by Protestant German priest Hieronymus Wolf in the 17th century. His use of this term was to explicitly differentiate the Eastern Roman Empire from the Western Empire. From this point on, subsequent historians adopted and popularized the term to provide clarity in historical records. However, it is important to note that the appellation 'Byzantine Empire' originated in the 17th century, long after the Eastern Roman Empire had ceased to exist.

Identity and Customary Practices

Until its conquest by the Turks in 1453, the Eastern Roman Empire maintained its identity as the Roman Empire. The gradual evolution of customs, the way of life, and the adoption of Eastern influences did not change the fundamental Roman identity of its people. The term 'Byzantine' as it relates to the customs and practices of the Eastern Roman Empire began to be used around the year 1600, reflecting the complexity of changes that had taken place over centuries.

Throughout its history, the Eastern Roman Empire endured significant transformations, but it never lost its core identity as the continuation of the Roman Empire. Modern historians and scholars have recognized the importance of understanding the Eastern Roman Empire as a distinct and evolving entity while acknowledging the inherent continuity with the ancient Roman Empire.