Foreign policy of the Early Eastern Roman Empire

The foreign policy of the Early Eastern Roman Empire covers a period in which the empire faced various internal and external difficulties throughout its history and played an active role in the political arena. The Byzantine Empire, inheriting the legacy of the Roman Empire, deeply shaped its relations with both the East and the West. In the period that started with the establishment of Constantinople by Emperor Constantin, the military and political situation of the Eastern Roman Empire was examined. During this period, the borders of the empire expanded and there were various struggles with the Persian Empire. These struggles constituted the basic building blocks of the empire's foreign policy. Eastern Rome's relations with its neighbors and how these relations affected the political stance of the empire were discussed. In addition to the conflicts with the Persians, the relations with the Turks, Arabs and barbarian tribes in the Balkans and the Mediterranean were also examined. The religious and cultural dynamics of the period are emphasized. Christianity significantly influenced the domestic and foreign policy of Eastern Rome, while at the same time, the religious policies of the empire were decisive in its relations with neighboring states. In addition, Christianity spread beyond the borders of Eastern Rome to the northern and eastern lands. It has been seen that the foreign policy of Eastern Rome is closely related to the political, military and economic power of the empire. The expansion and protection policies of the empire, the dominance of trade routes and diplomatic relations determined the influence of Eastern Rome in the international arena. As a result, while the early foreign policy of the Eastern Roman Empire, the relations of the Empire with its neighbors, its political-military strategies and the role of religion constituted the main features of this period, it also had an important place in the historical development of Eastern Rome.