What was the relationship and difference between the Holy Roman Empire and the Byzantine Empire? Also, how did the two nations deal with there being two emperors claiming to be “Roman”? Lastly, how much of an impact did the fall of Rome have on Europe? Thank you.

by Vykartus

  1. What was relationship between the HRE and the Byzantine Empire?

  2. How did the two nations deal with two emperors claiming to be Roman?

  3. Exactly how much of an impact did the fall of Rome have on Europe? Did any nations attempt to replicate the Romans?

Thank you!

WelfOnTheShelf

There's always much more to be said about this - the Eastern Roman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire had a very complicated relationship that was sometimes good and sometimes bad over the 5 or 6 centuries that they both existed. But I have some previous answers about two specific incidents that might be helpful:

What was the Eastern Roman reaction to Charlemagne being crowned Roman Emperor by the pope in 800?

What did Emperor Frederick Barbarossa think of the Byzantine empire and the Byzantine Emperor as he passed through during the 3rd Crusade? What did the Byzantines think of the Germans?