10-21-2010, 08:55 PM
There is no rule. Personally, I think that the real turning point is the rise of Islam; the once polyglot and pluriform Christian Empire lost two patriarchates and its Syriac and Coptic parts. What was left, was religiously and linguistically uniform. For this reason, I use "Byzantine" after 650.
I use "Roman" up to 363. After that, the two halves of the Empire remained separated (except for those months when Theodosius was sole ruler). For the three centuries between 363 and 650, I use both expressions. Others will make different choices.
I use "Roman" up to 363. After that, the two halves of the Empire remained separated (except for those months when Theodosius was sole ruler). For the three centuries between 363 and 650, I use both expressions. Others will make different choices.
