How was the Byzantine Empire viewed during the Dark Ages? Was it like a beacon of light during the time, or did people in Europe simply not care?

by Encendi

Rome fell during the 400s, but people in Western Europe still had a fascination with their architecture and history. Did they have a similar fascination with the Byzantines, since they were basically the eastern half of the empire?

Encendi

Pardon the comparison, but wouldn't living next to the Byzantines be like North Koreans living next to South Korea? They'd be looking out into a civilization much more advanced than them.