What contribution did the Byzantine Empire make to culture and art?

Byzantine Empire merged Roman Empire, Greek culture and political tradition of Orthodox Church, and created a unique Byzantine culture. Architectural arts, such as Hagia Sophia, are especially famous for their grandeur. There were also the Forbidden City and the Racecourse, which were both famous at that time. Byzantine Empire passed the written language and Orthodox Church to Slavs. The classical Greek and Roman culture it preserved played a certain role in the Italian Renaissance.

Byzantine Empire also played the role of "Golden Bridge" between the East and the West in international economic and cultural exchanges. Since the 4th century (Wei and Jin Dynasties), China and Byzantium have had trade and cultural ties. China's imports from Byzantium include coloured glaze, coral and agate. Monks sent by Justinian I to China introduced sericulture and silk weaving to Byzantium. Byzantine folk illusion was introduced into China, and combined with China's traditional skills, it developed into today's acrobatic art in China. In addition, Byzantine religion (Nestorianism-Orthodox nestorius Sect-Oriental Assyria) was introduced to China in the Tang Dynasty, which was the first time that European religion was introduced to China.

Byzantine literature includes novels, stories and poems. Byzantine satirical prose and miscellaneous notes originated from ancient Greek literature, and their satirical prose contains serious themes with humorous narrative style. Friends of the Motherland in 10 century, Mazaris in 12 century and Manor Master are all representative works of Byzantine satirical prose. Contemporary medical and philosophical works also imitate this satirical prose style. The representative work of Byzantine Miscellanies is The Customs of Christian Countries written by Limace, a businessman in the 6th century. The novel mainly translates ancient Indian stories.

Byzantine medicine was developed on the basis of ancient Greek medical system. Hippocrates' constitutional theory was widely accepted by Byzantines. It is considered that blood, mucus, yellow bile and black bile are the basis of pathological classification of human constitution, and all diseases are caused by the imbalance of dry, wet, cold and heat. Diagnostics written by Olivier Bass, the personal doctor of Emperor Julian in the 4th century, gynecology, toxicology and prescription written by Paul in the 7th century, and food and health handbook written by Simeon in the 1 1 century are all based on Hippocratic theory. Byzantine herbalism is very developed, and patients are also treated by bloodletting, massage, massage and cauterization. In the Byzantine army, there were military medical teams, and monasteries usually had hospitals to receive and treat civilian patients. Bathing habits and regular street washing are the main public health measures in the city.