The Byzantine Empire was basically created by Constantine. He renamed Byzantium to Constantinople and made it the new capital of Rome. It became a predominantly Greek speaking continuation of Rome. The Byzantium Empire was put together after the death of Constantine. Rome was split into eastern and western halves by Diocletian to overcome the growing military and administrative problem and then the Byzantine Empire was created. It was initially the eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire took place during the Middle Ages and lasted until it fell o the Ottoman Turks in 1453. Today, the Byzantine Empire is known as Istanbul.