While the old Roman Empire of the west crumbled to ruin, the Byzantines grew strong and powerful, creating such cities as Constantinople. Under such leaders as Constantine and Justinian the Great, the Byzantine Empire flourished. Readers will discover how the Byzantines transformed Christianity, protected Europe from would-be invaders, and later carried the seeds of the Renaissance to Italy during their thousand-year reign. Through eye-catching images, engaging facts, and easy to read text, readers can learn all about the Edict of Mila, feudalism, Byzantine art, the Ottoman Empire, Kurds, as well as the Byzantine-established religion of Eastern Orthodoxy. A glossary and index are provided to give readers the tools they need to better understand the content.