Why did the Byzantine empire change their official language from Latin to Greek?

Originally Answered: Why does the Eastern Roman Empire speak Greek instead of their traditional language, the Latin? Because it was not their traditional language. In the Roman Empire many cultures coexisted, the Eastern Roman empire or Byzantium was Hellenic, Greek. It was a Greek state, not a Latin civilisation.

When did Greek replace Latin?

Greek replaced Latin as the language of the empire. Christianity became more important in daily life, although the culture’s pagan Roman past still exerted an influence. Several signal events from the 4th to 6th centuries mark the period of transition during which the Roman Empire’s Greek east and Latin west divided.

What was the main language of the Eastern Roman Empire?

Byzantine Greek language, an archaic style of Greek that served as the language of administration and of most writing during the period of the Byzantine, or Eastern Roman, Empire until the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453.

Why did they speak Greek in Byzantine Empire?

Why did Byzantines speak Greek?

Both languages were in active use by government officials and the Church during the 5th century. From the 6th century, Greek culture was studied in the West almost exclusively through Latin translation. Latin loanwords appear liberally in Greek texts on technical topics from late antiquity and the Byzantine period.

When did the Eastern Roman Empire become Greek?

In the Eastern empire, laws and official documents were regularly translated into Greek from Latin. Both languages were in active use by government officials and the Church during the 5th century. From the 6th century, Greek culture was studied in the West almost exclusively through Latin translation.

What do you think about the importance of Latin and Greek language in the Roman Empire?

Latin and Greek were the dominant languages of the Roman empire. The language of the ancient Romans was Latin, which served as the “language of power”. Latin was omnipresent in the Roman empire as the language of the law courts in the West, and of the military everywhere.

When did the Eastern Roman Empire start speaking Greek?

Your statement that the Byzantine Empire switched the official language from Latin to Greek in 610 seems based on the fact that Heraclius became Emperor in 610. It is commonly claimed that Heraclius changed the official language to Greek.