Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman Emperor, refounded the city of Byzantium and named it after himself, as Constantinople, in 330 AD. This area became known as the Byzantine Empire. Constantine established precedents for harmony of church and state that endured as long as the empire. The empire slowly formed a union of late Roman customs, Orthodox Christianity, and Greek language and culture. read more

Constantine VII, called Constantine Porphyrogenitus, was Byzantine emperor from 913 until 959 AD. Constantine was dominated by his father-in-law and co-emperor, Romanus I, and he continued Romanus's policies-protection of the small landholders of Anatolia and aggression against the Muslim states of Mesopotamia and Syria-even after Romanus was banished from Constantinople in 944. read more

Constantine VII, called Constantine Porphyrogenitus, was Byzantine emperor from 913 until 959 AD. Constantine was dominated by his father-in-law and co-emperor, Romanus I, and he continued Romanus's policies-protection of the small landholders of Anatolia and aggression against the Muslim states of Mesopotamia and Syria-even after Romanus was banished from Constantinople in 944. read more

The portrait of Christ was a familiar sight to the people of the ancient Byzantine Empire because His image Appeared on the coins they used every day. From the 10th to the 12th Centuries AD, several Emperors of Byzantium struck coins with the portrait of Jesus Christ on the front, and a cross, the emperor of the time, or an inscription on the back. Most of the coins were heavily worn from decades of circulation and daily use. read more

Constantine VII, called Constantine Porphyrogenitus, was Byzantine emperor from 913 until 959 AD. Constantine was dominated by his father-in-law and co-emperor, Romanus I, and he continued Romanus's policies-protection of the small landholders of Anatolia and aggression against the Muslim states of Mesopotamia and Syria-even after Romanus was banished from Constantinople in 944. read more

Nicephorus II (Nicephorus Phocas), was Byzantine Emperor from 963 until 969. He was a successful general under Constantine VII and Romanus II. On Romanus' death (963) he married the emperor's widow, Theophano, became regent for her infant sons, Basil and Constantine, and was proclaimed emperor by his troops. He left the aristocracy its estates, but took property from the monasteries, and taxed the populace to support his military ambitions. read more

The reign of Nicephorus III Botaniates is little more than a story of continuous military revolts in the disintegrating empire, which he inherited. Alexius Commenus was the emperor's most trusted general, and he did in fact put down two pretenders, also named Nicephorus. When Alexius' brother-in-law, Nicephorus Melissenus, rebelled however, Alexius refused to move against him. This seriously weakened the emperor's position, which led Alexius to strike a deal with Melissenus. read more

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