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[[File: Manzikert Two.jpg|300px250px|thumbthumbnail|left|A diorama of the aftermath of the battle of Manzikert]]
The Byzantine Empire was the successor to the Roman Empire and ruled a large area in Europe and the Middle East. Byzantine played a major role in the Balkans and Russia and it successfully kept the Arabs and the Muslims out of Europe for centuries. In 1071 the Empire seemed invincible, it had reversed many years of decline under a series of energetic Emperors. It had recovered territory that had been lost to its enemies and had morphed into a powerful political and military force.
====Background====
[[File: Manzikert second one.jpg|300px250px|thumb|left| Alp Arslan placing his foot on the throat of Emperor Romanus, after Manzikert]]
By 1050 the Byzantine Empire was a strong state, with a highly professional army, sophisticated bureaucracy and extensive territories from northern Iraq to the Danube. The Empire had enjoyed a renaissance under the Macedonian Dynasty and especially under the capable Basil II. A common Greek Christian Orthodox Culture unified the diverse peoples’ of the realm, and this was exported to the Slavs of Eastern Europe. However, after the death of Basil II, the Macedonian dynasty came to an end and the Empire was led by a series of ineffectual Emperors and was devastated by several civil wars.
