Sharing continuity with the classical Roman Empire gave the Byzantine empire a technological and artistic advantage over its neighbors, whom Byzantines considered barbarians.

史悠久的罗马帝国共存的拜占庭帝国比它的邻国多了几分科技艺术的优势，拜占庭人将邻国们看作野蛮人。

In fact, it wasn't until the Renaissance that the term “Byzantine Empire” was first used.

事实上，在文艺复兴时期“拜占庭帝国”的叫法才第一次出现。

But, of course, the Byzantine Empire didn't just rest on the laurels of Ancient Rome.

但当然，拜占庭帝国没有在罗马帝国的桂冠下止步不前。

Rome collapsed, but the Aksumite Empire or the Teotihuacans and of course the Byzantine Empire, carried on.

罗马帝国虽然崩溃了但阿克苏姆帝国，特奥蒂瓦坎文，以及拜占庭帝国延续了下来。

This medieval Roman Empire, which we usually refer to today as the Byzantine Empire, began in 330 CE.

中世纪的罗马帝国，在今日又称为拜占庭帝国，于公元 300 年建立。

By 600AD the Western Roman Empire was gone leaving behind the eastern Empire also known as the Byzantine Empire.

600年时，西罗马帝国解体，剩下了东罗马帝国也就是拜占庭帝国。

For about a century and a half, Venice was part of the Byzantine empire.

大约一个半世纪以来，威尼斯一直是拜占庭帝国的一部分。

The last half of the 15th century saw the fall of the Byzantine Empire, or if you prefer; the eastern Roman Empire.

15世纪的下半叶见证了拜占庭帝国的瓦解，或者，如果大的话东罗马帝国的瓦解。

But the Byzantine empire collapsed in the 15th century, and Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque.

但是拜占庭帝国在15世纪崩溃了，圣索菲亚大教堂变成了一座清真寺。

This was once the main seat of Constantinople And was the most remarkable architectural achievement Of the Byzantine empire.

这里曾经是君士坦丁堡的主要所在地，也是拜占庭帝国最卓越的建筑成就。

Until Muhammad's time, the region hadn't been considered a serious match for the powerful neighboring Persian and Byzantine empires.

直到穆罕默德时代，该地区才被视为与强大的邻国波斯拜占庭帝国相匹敌。

The Byzantine Empire started in the 4th century and lasted until the 15th century.

拜占庭帝国始于4世纪，一直持续到15世纪。

Also, the fourth crusade pretty much doomed the Byzantine Empire, which never really recovered.

此外，第四次十字军东征几乎注定了拜占庭帝国从未真正恢复过来。

But, of course, the Byzantine Empire didn’t just rest on the laurels of Ancient Rome.

但是， 当然，拜占庭帝国不仅仅满足于古罗马的桂冠。

In fact, it wasn’t until the Renaissance that the term “Byzantine Empire” was first used.

事实上，直到文艺复兴时期，“拜占庭帝国” 一词才被首次使用。

The 1st princes of Kiev, the descendants of Rurik find with themselves alternately trading and fighting with the wealthy and ancient Byzantine Empire to the South.

基辅的第一位王子，留里克的继承人发现他们同南部的古老富有的拜占庭王国既有商贸往来又有战争。

Not long after, the great city fell, and  the Byzantine Empire ceased to exist.

不久之后，这座伟大的城市陷落，拜占庭帝国不复存在。

Several factors had formed a chasm between  the Roman popes and the Byzantine Empire.

有几个因素在罗马教皇拜占庭帝国之间形成了鸿沟。

The Arabic influence came from the Arabs in Spain, the Greek influence from Greece and the Byzantine Empire.

阿拉伯语的影响来自西班牙的阿拉伯人，希腊语的影响来自希腊拜占庭帝国。

In the 12 century economic threats rose in the West as rising Italian Naval powers like Venice and Genoa started cutting Byzantine Empire out of Eastern markets.

12世纪来自西方的经济威胁渐盛，兴起的海上大利城市如威尼斯热那亚也开始把拜占庭挤出东部市场。