One of the first ancient empires was known as the city of Rome. In approximately 285 CE, this empire became unstable and split into eastern and western halves. After this fall, the Eastern Roman Empire continued on as what became known as the Byzantine Empire. Roman Emperor Constantine was determined to replicate the state of Rome and chose to do so in Byzantine. He set up the government in a very similar way and the intent of Byzantine was to serve as a trade point between Asia and the rest of Europe. The Byzantine empire was strategically located near the Mediterranean Sea, making it less vulnerable to attacks from other empires. Byzantine also had a very strong military and under rule of Justinian I, they were able to conquer many other areas of Europe, leading to a period...