The Byzantine Empire 10 Facts

The Byzantine Empire “Byz Empire” existed for nearly 1,125 years, and it’s one of the greatest empires of all time. Yet many people know little about it, other than the word “byzantine” being synonymous for highly intricate, complex, and devious dealings. Beginning its adult life as the capital for the Eastern part of the Roman Empire, the city of Constantinople—later Byzantium, and Istanbul today—became the center of an extremely vibrant society that preserved Greek and Roman traditions while much of Western Europe slipped into the Dark Ages.  The Byzantine Empire protected Western Europe’s legacy until barbarism waned, when finally the preserved Greek and Roman masterworks opened the eyes of Europeans and stoked the fires of the Renaissance. Many historians have agreed that without Byzantium to protect it, Europe would have been overrun by the tide of Islamic invaders. The purpose of this list is for the readers to take an accurate historical journey—based on real facts—very much worth taking.

The Great Epics Of The World

1. Mahabharata by Vyasa (Sanskrit)

Mahabharata is one of the great Indian epic compiled around 8th century BC. This epic poem has about one lakh couplets in Sanskrit and it can be considered as the longest epic poem of the world. This ancient epic deals with the rivalry between cousins - Kauravas and Pandavas - of a great ruling family of India . The armies of the two groups meet at the battleground at 

Kurushetra in which the Pandavas can destroy the Kauravas. The epic consists of thousands of mythical and historical stories

2. The Iliad by Homer (Greek)

Iliad is one of the most celebrated and well known epics of the world. It is believed to be written by in 9th century BC by Homer. This poem is based on the legend of Trojan war. Iliad means the tale of ilios or the tale of troy. It narrates the story of the Greek struggle to rescue Helen, from Trojans, the wrath of Achilles and subsequent destruction of Troy.

3. The Odyssey by Homer (Greek)

Odyssey is believed to be written in 9th century B.C by Homer the great Greek poet. It describes the exploits of the Odysseus during his homecoming after the fall of Troy. This great epic follows the Aristotelian conventions of epic poem. The poem describes the obstacles faced by Odysseus, varied tests of gods that he had undergone, his affair with nymph Calypso on the homecoming voyage, and his return to his kingdom.

4. Orlando furioso by Ludovico Ariosto (Italian epic)

Orlando Furioso is a famous epic with full of supernatural, allegorical and romantic adventures. The main theme of the epic is the war between Christians and pagans. Even though Ariosto, the writer, has depended much on the Graeco -Roman literary tradition of earlier writers for characters and incidents, it is a great epic poem due to his smooth versification and technical facility which make the poem vigorous and brilliant, with ironic and humorous contrasts.

5. Ramayana by Valmiki (Sanskrit)

Ramayana is a great Indian epic poem written in 5th century BC. It is the oldest and most popular epic of Indian sub continent, believed to be written by Valmiki. It is written in Sanskrit, one of the earliest Indo - European languages, and has around 2400 couplets in seven sections. Ramayana means "the journey of Rama". It depicts the conflict between Rama, the incarnation of God Vishnu, and Ravana who can be taken as the representative of evil forces and the final victory of the God incarnated Rama in safeguarding the Dharma (Universal moral order).

6. The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri (Italian epic)

Divine Comedy is a celebrated epic poem written by Dante in 14th century. The narrator is lost in a forest. The poet narrator meets Virgil who guides him through the world after death. Virgil takes him through Hell. They go through the base of the purgatory and he can see the terraces of it where the sins of those who are ultimately to be saved are cleansed away. Then Beatrice guides him to the ultimate heaven. The poem ends with his moment of illumination and the vision of trinity.

7. Beowulf Anonymous (Old English)

Beowulf, one of the earliest epic of the world, is based on a Scandinavian legend. It was written around 750 AD by an anonymous writer and it has about 3000 lines.

Beowulf, the great warrior hero, saves Horthgar, the king of Danes, from the attack of Grendel, a terrible monster, by killing it. Grendel's mother attacks him to avenge the death of his son. In the fight, Beowulf kills the mother - monster also, but he gets a mortal wound in the fight and succumbs to it.

This epic, the most celebrated survival from Old English literature, is also the earliest extant poem in a modern European language.

8. Paradise Lost by John Milton (English)

Paradise Lost is one of the greatest English literary epic based on the theme of fall of man given in the old Testament and it was written in 17th century by John Milton. The great poet wrote it " to justify the ways of god to man". The epic poem begins with the the Satan's devilish plans to to take revenge against god for his expulsion from heaven. Some critics has opined that Milton's Satan is the hero of the epic poem due to the excellent depiction and exposition of that character. This epic is celebrated for Milton's grand style, his interpretation of Biblical myth and Christian doctrine.


9. Shahname by Firdousi (Persian)
                                                                                                                                                           

   

Shah Name is great Persian epic based on the historical and mythical accounts of around fifty Persian kings. Shah Name means "book of kings". The epic begins the mythical creation of Persia and ends in the narration of the stories of historical kings. The most famous story of Shah Name is about the legendary king of Rostam and Sohrab, his son.

10. Aeneid by Virgil (Latin)                 
                                                                                 

Aeneid is a great epic which is based on the legend of Aeneas. It is Roman nationalistic and patriotic poem which narrates the evolution of great Roman empire. This poem shows great dramatic skill of high order and power of description. Aeneas decides to establish a secure kingdom for his people in Italy. During the long and perilous voyage for it their ships are wreaked on the coast of Africa. The Dido of Carthage invites them which prolongs their voyage. In the next voyage, they reach Latinum, ruled by Latinus. Aeneas marries his daughter Lavinia after killing Turanus, another suitor of her. He establishes a city of lavinium which becomes a base for great Roman empire later.

The Top 10 Military Powers In The World

Human nature seems to be centered around the belief that conflict brings about positive change. Why else is it that out of all the years that the human species has inhabited this planet that we have only seen, roughly, 300 years of complete peace.

This is a very depressing statistic. Having the need to constantly shed our brother’s blood only proves that we have yet to evolve into the most superior beings.

This said, countries are required to build armies that will be able to protect them from all the other countries that are looking to take their land and resources. Here is a list of the 10 most powerful armies in the world.

10. Turkey

Annual Defense Budget $30,936,000,000

Military Personnel 514,000

Population reaching military age annually 1,298,979
Fighter Jets 1,530
Navy Ships 180
Purchasing power $853,900,000,000

9. Japan

Annual Defense Budget $44,300,000,000

Military Personnel 378,000
Population reaching military age annually 1,212,321
Fighter Jets 2,700
Navy Ships 150
Purchasing power $4,272,000,000,000

8. Brazil

Annual Defense Budget $24,000,000,000
Military Personnel 287,000
Population reaching military age annually 3,275,154
Fighter Jets 1,650
Navy Ships 90
Purchasing power $1,849,000,000,000

7. Germany

Annual Defense Budget $46,000,000,000

Military Personnel 250,000
Population reaching military age annually 863,773
Fighter Jets 1,100
Navy Ships 130
Purchasing power $2,807,000,000,000

6. France

Annual Defense Budget $62,000,000,000
Military Personnel 225,000
Population reaching military age annually 783,788
Fighter Jets 1,900
Navy Ships 135
Purchasing power $2,075,000,000,000

5. UK

Annual Defense Budget $53,000,000,000
Military Personnel 195,000
Population reaching military age annually 784,520
Fighter Jets 2,670
Navy Ships 140
Purchasing power $2,130,000,000,000

4. India

Annual Defense Budget $33,000,000,000
Military Personnel 1,325,000
Population reaching military age annually 22,229,373
Fighter Jets 1,250
Navy Ships 145
Purchasing power $2,966,000,000,000

3. Russia

Annual Defense Budget $43,000,000,000
Military Personnel 1,245,000
Population reaching military age annually 1,602,673
Fighter Jets 6,500
Navy Ships 525
Purchasing power $2,097,000,000,000

2. China

Annual Defense Budget $59,000,000,000

Military Personnel 2,255,000
Population reaching military age annually 20,470,412
Fighter Jets 2,400
Navy Ships 760
Purchasing power $7,099,000,000,000

1. USA

Annual Defense Budget $515,000,000,000

Military Personnel 1,385,000

Population reaching military age annually 4,266,128

Fighter Jets 22,700

Navy Ships 1,600

Purchasing power $13,780,000,000,000

Top 10 World’s Richest Countries

Forbes magazine published an article recently on the richest 15 countries in the world and the surprise was that on top of this list is the Arab state of Qatar.

Qatar topped a list that classifies countries on the basis of per capita gross domestic product, where the annual per capita income in it exceeds 88 Thousand  Dollars, according to figures from the International Monetary Fund the world of 2010. Thanks to enormous economic revenues of oil and gas reserves, in comparison with the relatively low population (1.7 million inhabitants), as well as the diversity of investments carried out by the Qatari government from owning stakes in global financial institutions, universities and multinational companies, through the organization of major world events as the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

UAE also came in sixth place on the list with an average income of 47,439 dollars, while Kuwait dissolved down to the fifteenth spot with an average annual income of 38,775 dollars.

It should be noted that these figures do not mean what the person obtain as an annual salary in these countries, it means the amount of his share of the value of goods and services provided by the State in which the person lives if it was divided on the entire population.

Here is the countdown of the richest 10 countries in the world according to Forbes:

10- The Netherlands: 

Average income per capita: 40,973 dollars a year, located in western Europe, bordering the North Sea, with its capital Amsterdam and a population of 16 million people.

 9- Switzerland:

Average income per capita: 41,950 dollars a year, a federal republic located in Central Europe, with its capital Bern and a population of 7.7 million.

8- Hong Kong:

Average income per capita: 45,944 dollars a year, is one of the administrative regions of China, located in East Asia with a population of 7 million people.

7- The United States:

Average income per capita: 46,860 dollars a year, a federal republic comprising fifty states and is located in North America, its capital is Washington DC and has a population of 313 million.

6- United Arab Emirates:

                                 

Average income per capita: 47,439 dollars a year, is located east of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia, bordering the Persian Gulf, Abu Dhabi as its capital and a population of 8.2 million people.

5- Brunei:

Average income per capita: 48,333 dollars a year, is located on the northern coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, its capital is  Bandar Seri Pkawan, and has a population of 388 thousand people.

4- Norway:

Average income per capita: 51,959 dollars a year, located in northern Europe and occupies the western part of the Scandinavian Peninsula, its capital is Oslo and has a population of 4.9 million people.

3- Singapore:

Average income per capita: 56,694 dollars a year, is located on an island in South East Asia, Singapore as its capital, the population is 4.9 million people.

2- Luxembourg: 

Average income per capita: 81,466 dollars a year, is located in Western Europe between Germany, France, Belgium,with a population of 502 thousand people.

1- Qatar:

Average income per capita: 88,222 dollars a year, it’s located east of the Arabian Peninsula in Southwest Asia, bordering the Persian Gulf, its capital is Doha, and has a population of 1.8 million people.