Byzantium vs. Byzantine — What's the Difference?

Byzantium () or Byzantion (Greek: Βυζάντιον) was an ancient Greek city in classical antiquity that became known as Constantinople in late antiquity and Istanbul today. The Greek name Byzantion and its Latinization Byzantium continued to be used as a name of Constantinople sporadically and to varying degrees during the thousand year existence of the Byzantine Empire.

Of or relating to the ancient city of Byzantium.

An ancient city on the Bosporus founded by the Greeks. It was later renamed Constaninople in honor of the emperor Constantine, and renamed Istanbul by the Turks, which name it still retains.

Of or relating to the Byzantine Empire.

An ancient city on the Bosporus founded by the Greeks; site of modern Istanbul; in 330 Constantine I rebuilt the city and called it Constantinople and made it his capital

Of or belonging to the style of architecture developed from the fifth century AD in the Byzantine Empire, characterized especially by a central dome resting on a cube formed by four round arches and their pendentives and by the extensive use of surface decoration, especially veined marble panels, low relief carving, and colored glass mosaics.

A continuation of the Roman Empire in the Middle East after its division in 395

Of the painting and decorative style developed in the Byzantine Empire, characterized by formality of design, frontal stylized presentation of figures, rich use of color, especially gold, and generally religious subject matter.

Of the Eastern Orthodox Church or the rites performed in it.

Of an Eastern Catholic church that maintains the worship of the Eastern Orthodox Church or the rites performed in it.

Of, relating to, or characterized by intrigue; scheming or devious

Highly complicated; intricate and involved

A native or inhabitant of Byzantium or the Byzantine Empire.

Alternative spelling of Byzantine

(historical) A byzant coin.

Of or pertaining to Byzantium.

A native or inhabitant of Byzantium or of the Byzantine Empire

Of or relating to the Eastern Orthodox Church or the rites performed in it;

Of or relating to or characteristic of the Byzantine Empire or the ancient city of Byzantium

Highly involved or intricate;

Characterized by elaborate scheming and intrigue; devious;