Discover the Secrets: Top 10 Unbelievable Fun Facts About the Byzantine Empire

1. Golden Schnoz Emperor

Who nose what the future holds? Justinian II sure didn't: after being overthrown and mutilated, the Byzantine Emperor returned to the throne with a golden schnoz, earning him the moniker "the Slit-Nosed" as he ruled with a metallic whiff of authority.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Ancient Fast and Furious

Before reality TV competitions, there was the ancient version of Fast and the Furious meets gladiatorial fan clubs: the Byzantine Empire had two major chariot racing factions, the Blues and the Greens, whose passion for sport was so extreme that they tried to overthrow Emperor Justinian during the Nika Riots in 532 AD, costing thousands of lives.
Source => smithsonianmag.com

Did you know that blue-and-white porcelain from China's Yuan Dynasty was a highly valued trade item? Discover how Jingdezhen became the center of porcelain production and its unique connection to the Near East.

=> Fun Facts about The-Yuan-Dynasty

3. More than Eunuchs

Hold on to your togas, folks, because the rumors about eunuchs running the Byzantine Empire are more inflated than a pufferfish in a 75-gallon fish tank: It turns out that courtly life had more variety than a box of assorted chocolates, with education and military service serving as alternative VIP passes to the corridors of power, alongside the more infamous eunuch expressway.
Source => czasopisma.kul.pl

4. Kardashian Constantinople

Hold onto your togas, folks, because the Byzantine Empire was the original "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" of the Mediterranean world, and their capital Constantinople was basically an ancient mall of the rich and famous: Before the onslaught of Arab conquests in the 7th century, the Eastern Roman Empire boasted the world's most powerful economy, with Constantinople serving as a grand central hub of trade stretching across Eurasia and North Africa, maintaining their reputation for luxury and wealth well into the 12th century.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Martha Stewart-inspired Byzantine Cuisine

Who knew that the Byzantine Empire had a meal plan that would make Martha Stewart envious? Turns out, these ancient folks knew how to feast in style: The Byzantine cuisine was impressively diverse, featuring grains, meats, seafood, and dairy products like fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, cheese, and honey. Their dishes had a touch of international flair thanks to trade with other cultures, introducing new spices, fruits, and veggies to their ever-evolving menu. So if you're feeling adventurous, it might be time to throw it way back and dig in to some Byzantine-inspired delicacies!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. Outlasting Toga Parties

While "Constantinople" might sound like a discount airline for Ancient Greeks, it was actually the heart of an empire that outlasted everyone's toga party: The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, thrived for over a millennium with its capital, Constantinople, boasting cutting-edge advancements that made it one of the world's most awe-inspiring cities during its time.
Source => worldatlas.com

7. Hogwarts' Alchemic Rival

Move over, Potions Master: It seems Hogwarts might have had a rival from history in the scent-illating arts. Byzantine Empress Zoe was renowned for her alchemic concoctions: She and her servants crafted perfumes, drugs, and even poisons in her private laboratory, using exotic essences from faraway lands like India and Egypt, surrounded by cauldrons bubbling with potential potions and fragrant creations.
Source => italianartsociety.org

8. Mysterious Flaming Recipe

Like a top-secret recipe at a barbecue cook-off, the Byzantine Empire had their own mysterious and flaming concoction that left everyone guessing: Greek fire, a highly effective incendiary weapon used in naval battles, remains a mystery in its composition today, with historians speculating a combination of pine resin, naphtha, quicklime, and other ingredients, while also suggesting influences from the ancient Alexandrian chemical school.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Withstanding Sieges

You know something's built to last when it stands the test of time, Vikings, and even yo mamma jokes: Constantinople's impenetrable defenses remained unconquered for nearly 900 years, withstanding sieges by Arabs, Persians, and Vikings until it finally fell to the Fourth Crusade in 1204.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

10. Brutal Beautician Tutorials

Here's an empire with a cutting-edge approach to crime and punishment: In the Byzantine Empire, aspiring throne-robbers were treated to "humane" mutilations like castration, blinding, and limb removal, rather than execution. Borrowing heavily from Persian culture, these Brutal Beautician tutorials were designed to ensure the would-be rulers were deemed physically unfit for the job. Although this handy-dandy form of political control went out of fashion post-collapse, it sure left its mark during the empire's reign.
Source => short-history.com