The main power in the Byzantine empire was the emperor, who ruled with absolute power over the church and state. The rest of their government was a bureaucracy, which meant that decisions were made by officials rather than the people. The three groups of Byzantine aristocracy were bureaucrats, clergy, and military officers. At first, farmers made up most of the army but, as time went on, mercenaries were called to work in the military. This idea was originally from the Romans and it shows one of the ways the Byzantines preserved their heritage.
International trade played a very large role in the empire's wealth. Constantinople was in the perfect area for ships to stop by as they were leaving or passing by, making it an enormously popular trading region. The main trades were with Russia and Africa, but China was occasionally involved.
Islamic invasions in the early-to-middle 600s caused many trials in Byzantine Syria. Byzantine was just starting to recover from Persian and Barbarian invasions when these foreign followers of Mohammed attacked. Thankfully, Heraclius I was able to begin the making of peace through good government and effective reasoning. In later years, Leo the Isaurian was able to completely stop Islamic invasions.
International trade played a very large role in the empire's wealth. Constantinople was in the perfect area for ships to stop by as they were leaving or passing by, making it an enormously popular trading region. The main trades were with Russia and Africa, but China was occasionally involved.
Islamic invasions in the early-to-middle 600s caused many trials in Byzantine Syria. Byzantine was just starting to recover from Persian and Barbarian invasions when these foreign followers of Mohammed attacked. Thankfully, Heraclius I was able to begin the making of peace through good government and effective reasoning. In later years, Leo the Isaurian was able to completely stop Islamic invasions.