The Roman Empire, at its height, was based mainly in the western Mediterranean region, encompassing territories in Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. Its capital was originally Rome, which served as the center of power, culture, and administration.
The Byzantine Empire, which emerged after the division of the Roman Empire in the late 4th century AD, was based in the eastern Mediterranean. Its capital was Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), which became a center of commerce, culture, and diplomacy. The Byzantine Empire continued many traditions of the Roman Empire but developed its own distinct identity over time, especially in terms of religion and governance.
While both empires shared a common heritage, they evolved under different circumstances and with different cultural influences. The Western Roman Empire ultimately fell in the 5th century AD, while the Byzantine Empire persisted for another thousand years until the fall of Constantinople in 1453.