The map above shows the Byzantine linguistic divisions of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire during the rule of Justinian I around 560 CE (AD).
Justinian I attempted to restore the Roman Empire to its former glory by regaining the lost western half. The map above is what his Empire looked like towards the end of his reign, and as you can see he was partially successful.
At its core, was its capital Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), where the Greek language was spoken. As one moved away from Constantinople, Greek was used less frequently and in conjunction with other native languages.
In the core of the former Western Roman Empire, Latin remained the dominant language at the time. However, once again, the further one travelled from the core of the former Western Roman Empire, the less Latin was used and only in conjunction with other native languages.
Other important languages of Justinian’s Empire included: Aramaic (the language spoken by Jesus) found in what we would today call the Middle East, Coptic used in modern day Egypt, and Armenian and Caucasian found in the Caucasian mountains at the far eastern end of the Empire.
You can learn more about Justinian I and the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Empire from the following books:
- Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint
- Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy
- The Wars of Justinian
- The Palgrave Atlas of Byzantine History
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WaywardfromHayward says
Um…
Kumhan says
Really helpful comment. After that comes Un. After you learn the whole alphabet you may come back and post.
WaywardfromHayward says
…and then Uo? As in U o me an apology? Kidding. The colors really threw me on this map. Looks like a grade school project; very simplistic. Please don’t keep me from posting.
Kumhan says
Ah I see. I’m used to wikimedia maps, many of them are like this. The source is a book which isn’t in the public domain so they must re-draw these things from scratch.
Ctenarska samoobsluha dzihadu says
Homeland of Greeks, Armenians, Copts, Arameans. Arabic and Turkish occupants have to be thrown away.
Michael G. says
Substantial parts of the Aramaic speaking area would actually be Arabic-speaking by the late 500’s, especially the areas in the Syrian desert and adjacent to it. This would have been the domain of the Ghassanids (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghassanids) and most likely, Sinai, too.
Roger Llywelyn Henderson says
Has this map been damaged? What are the white parts?
Anonymous says
At the risk of maybe not getting your joke… The white parts are the Mediterranean and Black and Red Seas.
I suppose they could have an outline drawn to make it nicer.
Please don’t post me on R/Whooosh….