... key in its survival, especially after the nearly fatal fourth crusade in 1204. The idea of a superior culture was even seen during the second centaury. The Greek literature saw a revival, whereas the Latin literature showed decline. Some aspects of the Greek culture, such as religion and language, even survived their Turkish counterparts in the regions that the Byzantine Empire had existed. As the Byzantine empire ultimately showed a resistance to change and decline, it is important to look closely at individual factors, such as internal politics, succession and religious factors, as well as external factors, such as opposition and natural disasters, in order to get a true answer to the question of "why was Byzantium Ultimately unable to resist the Ottoman onslaught?" Just as the Roman Empire had faced strong opposition from Germanic tribes, such as the Goths, Visigoths and Franks, the Byzantine Empire also faced opposition from various ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now