adjective / noun
Byzantine
Belonging to the Eastern Roman Empire or its people.
The museum displays a Byzantine mosaic with richly colored glass tiles.
Etymology
Byzantion was the earlier name of the city later called Constantinople. The adjective uses that city name to identify the Eastern Roman Empire centered there.
More examples
- A Byzantine emperor ruled from Constantinople.
- The Byzantines preserved many works of ancient Greek scholarship.
- She studies Byzantine religious art.
Forms
Byzantine · Byzantines
Similar words
- Roman
- A broader historical designation, while Byzantine identifies the eastern empire and its culture.