The Byzantine Empire was a continuation of the East Roman Empire. Its capital and military stronghold was Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). The Byzantine rulers kept Roman governmental and legal traditions. They also helped preserve ancient Greek language, literature, and philosophy.<NP> The empire reached its greatest extent under Emperor Justinian, who came to the throne in 527. His empire included Italy, much of southeastern Europe, part of Spain, much of the Middle East, and lands along the north coast of Africa. Art and architecture flourished during Justinian's reign.<NP> Christianity also flourished in the Byzantine Empire. Byzantine missionaries converted the Slavic peoples of southeastern Europe and Russia to Christianity. The Eastern Orthodox Churches developed out of Byzantine Christianity.
