Byzantium is making a real comeback, with countless social media videos showcasing its beauty, elegance, political intrigue, and power struggles—it’s in Byzantium’s character to never truly die.
Byzantium holds a special place in history, not just as a medieval kingdom but as the true continuation of the Roman Empire. When the Western Roman Empire fell, Byzantium kept the Roman legacy alive for nearly a thousand more years, mixing Roman law and military prowess with Greek, Persian, and Middle Eastern influences. This fusion created a civilization that was both familiar and foreign—Roman in its ambition and structure but shaped by new traditions that gave it a unique, almost mystical character. In many ways, Byzantium became a second Rome, an empire where beauty, spirituality, and the relentless pursuit of power coexisted.
The aesthetics of Byzantium
One reason we’re drawn to Byzantium is simply its beauty. The empire produced art that was intricate, lavish, and deeply symbolic that still feels otherworldly. Byzantine mosaics, for example, used rich golds, sapphire blues, and emerald greens to create portraits and scenes that shimmered with meaning. Nowadays, "our" designer often favor minimalism, Byzantine art offers us something more layered—a world where beauty and mystery were inseparable.
Byzantine mosaics are perhaps the best example of this unique aesthetic. These mosaics filled church walls, domes, and floors with portraits of saints, emperors, and religious scenes that shimmered under candlelight, bringing an ethereal glow to sacred spaces. Gold was used lavishly to create a radiant backdrop, symbolizing divine light. The vibrant sapphire blues, emerald greens, and ruby reds contrasted against the gold, adding depth and intensity to the images. These colors were chosen for their beauty and for their symbolic value—blue represented the heavens, green symbolized renewal, and red was associated with life and resurrection.
Byzantine architecture complemented this artistic vision, with massive domes, arches, and ornate facades that combined both Roman engineering and Eastern ornamental design. Hagia Sophia, for instance, and her vast central dome, seems to float above the space, an architectural wonder that tried to connect earth and heaven. Inside, the walls and ceilings were often covered with mosaics and frescoes, turning the interiors into immersive spiritual experiences. Columns and arches were adorned with intricate carvings, and light was carefully orchestrated to enhance the effect of the gold mosaics, giving the space a soft, radiant glow.
Byzantine art today
This classic style is making a comeback in today’s design and fashion. A quick look on Etsy shows many pages of Byzantine-inspired jewelry: rings with fine details, pendants decorated with colorful stones, and bracelets with the unique chain links that Byzantium was known for. To wear a Byzantine ring or necklace is a way of connecting with a world that valued beauty as an expression of faith, identity, and legacy. These pieces let us carry a little piece of Byzantium’s elegance and complexity with us, transforming its past into our present.
Byzantium and the internet
The internet has made Byzantine art and history more popular than ever, especially with young people. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are filled with videos about Byzantium. My feeds on Instagram and Tiktok are full of it (perhaps because of my own interest that shaped my algorithm). Many people in the comments talk about wanting Byzantium to come back in some form, and some even say they wish Hagia Sophia could be Orthodox again. And yes, this fascination is for sure also tied to a growing interest in Orthodox Christianity, which keeps many of the traditions Byzantium passed down. Orthodox churches still carry many Byzantine influences, from their architecture to their ceremonies.
The art of political survival
What fascinates us as well is how the Byzantines managed to hold onto power for so long. The empire was a political chessboard, where emperors had to outmaneuver ambitious generals, powerful nobles, and even their own family members. Byzantium was a world where alliances shifted, loyalties were tested, and trust was rare—a place where political survival required not just strategy but ruthlessness.
Take the reign of Emperor Justinian I in the 6th century, a ruler known for his ambitious building projects and legal reforms. Early in his reign, he faced the infamous Nika Riots, where thousands of rioters filled Constantinople’s Hippodrome, demanding his overthrow. With the city in chaos, Justinian’s wife, Empress Theodora, convinced him to stand his ground rather than flee. In a brutal move, Justinian ordered his generals to trap and kill the rioters, securing his rule but at a great human cost. This dramatic episode is just one example of how Byzantine rulers combined ambition with a calculated willingness to act ruthlessly when their reign was on the line.
Another striking example is the life of Emperor Basil II, also known as the “Bulgar Slayer.” Basil took the throne as a young teenager and was initially overshadowed by regents and powerful generals who held the real power. But Basil bided his time, playing political rivals against one another until he was finally able to seize control. His reign became one of the most powerful in Byzantine history, defined by military conquests, financial reforms, and a relentless campaign against the Bulgarian Empire. Basil’s rise to power was a study in patience and political cunning, showing how a Byzantine ruler could turn the tables.
The Church and the throne
In Byzantium, the emperor was seen as God’s representative on Earth, a role that gave him immense spiritual authority but also put him in constant tension with the church. The Patriarch of Constantinople, the highest-ranking church official, wielded his own influence, creating an environment where emperors and church leaders frequently clashed. This complex relationship added another layer to Byzantine politics, turning religious debates into high-stakes power struggles.
One of the most famous examples of this tension is the Iconoclasm Controversy. In the 8th century, Emperor Leo III ordered the removal and destruction of religious icons, seeing them as idolatrous. This sparked outrage from many church leaders who saw icons as essential to worship. What followed was a century-long struggle between iconoclast emperors and the iconophile church, leading to public demonstrations, exiles, and of course violence. This was a full-scale battle over who held the real authority in Byzantium—the emperor or the church.
Intrigue, betrayal, and the Byzantine way
As you can see, Byzantine rulers had to be masters of political intrigue. Emperors were frequently overthrown by their own family members or closest advisors, and loyalty was often a matter of convenience rather than principle. Empress Irene, one of the most dramatic figures in Byzantine history, embodies ruthless ambition. As consort and later regent, Irene ruled alongside her son, Emperor Constantine VI. But when Constantine tried to assert his independence, Irene had him imprisoned and, in a shocking move, ordered him to be blinded to prevent any future threat to her rule. This act cemented her authority and allowed her to rule alone as “emperor” rather than empress, a title she claimed to emphasize her power.
Never meant to fade away
These stories of political intrigue are part of what makes Byzantium so compelling. The empire’s leaders were players in a game where alliances, betrayals, and shifting loyalties were the norm. Byzantium’s political history reads like a drama, filled with characters who were as complex as they were ambitious, shaping their legacies through a blend of faith, power, and sometimes ruthless pragmatism.
It’s kind of typical for Byzantium to still have an impact today—that’s just part of its character. Its influence shows up now in art, fashion, and media, reminding us that Byzantium wasn’t just an empire from the past but a lasting cultural force. This revival shows how Byzantium’s unique style and history were never meant to be forgotten but to keep inspiring us in new ways.