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How Did Geography Affect The Byzantine Empires

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Geography plays an important role in configuring the power, longevity, and operation of an empire. In 395 CE, the Roman empire was divided into the Eastern (Byzantine) and Western Roman Empires, each with their own respective geographical characteristics.

These differences manifested in both physical geography and human (political) geography. These geographic differences both benefitted and hindered the two Roman Empires. Primarily, geography hindered the Byzantines because of their lack of protective terrain and aquatic features, the centrality of Constantinople, and close proximity to other groups and empires.

Both had their own strengths and pitfalls, but one could argue the Byzantine Empire had more physical geographical disadvantages …show more content…

Conversely, the Eastern Empire was less susceptible to naval attacks than their counterparts because of their more inland position, and more susceptible to land attacks because of their proximity to other cultures and civilizations of north Africa and western Asia. Unfortunately for the Byzantines, land attacks occurred more frequently during this time period.

One might also argue that the Byzantine Empire had more human (political) geographical disadvantages than the Western Empire. They were surrounded by many other settlements and empires, including the Ethiopian Empire, Kyvian Rus Empire, the Huns, the Vandals, the Ottomans, the Ostrogoths and Visigoths. Their lack of protection from physical geographic features allowed for these groups to easily orchestrate attacks.

Additionally, their most powerful and prosperous city, Constantinople, was located in a very central position. It was centrally located along the Mediterranean Sea, situated on the northern African coast. This meant it was more susceptible to invasions from northern African Empires and groups via land, and invasions from western European Empires/groups via sea. Furthermore, geographically the Byzantines were slightly more dispersed than the Romans in terms of population concentration. This meant they were weaker defensively, with most of their population in or near

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