To match key elements of culture between the Roman Empire before it split and the Byzantine Empire, we can categorize them into several aspects: governance, religion, art and architecture, language, and society.
Governance
- Roman Empire: Centralized authority with emperors; a complex legal system (e.g., the Twelve Tables).
- Byzantine Empire: Continued centralized rule but emphasized the role of the emperor as both a secular and religious leader (e.g., the concept of Caesaropapism).
Religion
- Roman Empire: Originally polytheistic, eventually adopted Christianity as the state religion under Emperor Constantine.
- Byzantine Empire: Mainly Christian, with the Orthodox Church playing a central role in political and cultural life; developed unique theological doctrines (e.g., the Great Schism).
Art and Architecture
- Roman Empire: Known for monumental architecture (e.g., Colosseum, aqueducts, Roman roads) and realistic sculptures.
- Byzantine Empire: Development of distinctive Christian art (e.g., mosaics) and architecture (e.g., Hagia Sophia).
Language
- Roman Empire: Predominantly Latin spoken in the west; Greek was also widely used, especially in the East.
- Byzantine Empire: Greek became the dominant language and was used in administration and literature.
Society
- Roman Empire: A mix of cultures with varying social classes, including patricians and plebeians, and reliance on slavery.
- Byzantine Empire: Continued class stratification but with greater emphasis on education and a bureaucratic elite; a unique blend of Roman and Greek cultural influences.
These cultural aspects highlight the continuity and transformation from the Roman Empire to the Byzantine Empire following the split and the ongoing evolution of society, governance, and religious practices.