@@user-kt2ks4ws8d The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the eastern part of the Roman Empire, and it played a significant role in preserving and shaping Greek culture and identity. While the empire itself was multi-ethnic and included various peoples and cultures, Greek culture, language, and Orthodox Christianity became dominant, especially in its later centuries. The term "Byzantine" refers to the empire that had its capital in Byzantium (later Constantinople, now Istanbul). Although it was initially Roman in its governmental structure and legal system, the Byzantine Empire gradually became more Hellenized, particularly after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD. Greek became the official language of the Byzantine Empire in the 7th century, replacing Latin. Byzantine culture, religion, art, and law were deeply influenced by Greek traditions. The Orthodox Christian Church, which emerged in Byzantium, also became a central aspect of Greek identity. So, while the Byzantine Empire was not exclusively Greek, it was heavily influenced by Greek culture and played a crucial role in the preservation and development of Greek civilization during the medieval period. Many modern Greeks view the Byzantine period as an integral part of their history.