Greek Becomes the Language of the Empire: What Happened
During the reign of Heraclius, in the early 7th century AD, Greek formally replaced Latin as the official language of the Eastern Roman Empire. For centuries, Latin had been the language of Roman law, the army and the government, even though most people in the eastern provinces spoke Greek in daily life. Over time, Greek became more and more common in administration. Justinian had issued many of his new laws in Greek in the 6th century. Under Heraclius, the shift became complete, and Greek became the language of government and the court. Heraclius also adopted the Greek title basileus, meaning king, as the main title of the emperor, instead of the Latin imperator and augustus. The change reflected the reality that, after the loss of the western provinces, the empire was essentially Greek-speaking. Historians see it as a key step in the empire's transformation into what is now called the Byzantine Empire. Yet its people continued to call themselves Romans. Greek remained its language for over 800 years, preserving and developing Greek culture and learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Greek replace Latin in the Byzantine Empire?
Greek formally replaced Latin as the official language of the Eastern Roman Empire during the reign of Heraclius, in the early 7th century AD.
Why did the Byzantine Empire switch to Greek?
Most people in the eastern provinces already spoke Greek, and after the loss of the West, Latin was used by fewer and fewer people in government.
What does basileus mean?
Basileus is the Greek word for king. Heraclius adopted it as the main title of the emperor, replacing the Latin titles imperator and augustus.
Did the Byzantines still call themselves Romans?
Yes. Although they spoke Greek, the Byzantines continued to call themselves Romans, or Romaioi, for over 800 more years.
Why is the switch to Greek important?
It marked the transformation of the Eastern Roman Empire into the Greek-speaking Byzantine state, which preserved and developed Greek culture and learning for centuries.
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