Sharing continuity with the classical Roman Empire gave the Byzantine empire a technological and artistic advantage over its neighbors, whom Byzantines considered barbarians.

和历史悠久的罗马帝国共存的拜占庭帝国比它的邻国多了几分科技和艺术的优势，拜占庭人将邻国们看作野蛮人。

For about a century and a half, Venice was part of the Byzantine empire.

大约一个半世纪以来，威尼斯一直是拜占庭帝国的一部分。

But the Byzantine empire collapsed in the 15th century, and Hagia Sophia was turned into a mosque.

但是拜占庭帝国在15世纪崩溃了，圣索菲亚大教堂变成了一座清真寺。

This was once the main seat of Constantinople And was the most remarkable architectural achievement Of the Byzantine empire.

这里曾经是君士坦丁堡的主要所在地，也是拜占庭帝国最卓越的建筑成就。

Until Muhammad's time, the region hadn't been considered a serious match for the powerful neighboring Persian and Byzantine empires.

直到穆罕默德时代，该地区才被视为与强大的邻国波斯和拜占庭帝国相匹敌。