330 – 636CE

The Byzantine Period corresponds to the time when the region was part of the Eastern Roman Empire, commonly referred to as the Byzantine Empire. This period began with the division of the Roman Empire into the Western and Eastern Roman Empires in 330 CE, when Emperor Constantine established Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. The Byzantine Period continued until the Arab-Muslim conquest in the 7th century CE. Here are key aspects of the Byzantine Period in the land:

1. Palaestina Secunda:   
   - Palaestina Secunda was another administrative division within the Roman Empire, established later in the Byzantine period. It covered the northern part of historic Palestine.
   - The capital of Palaestina Secunda was Scythopolis (later known as Beth Shean), an important city in the northern Jordan Valley.
   - The province included cities like Tiberias, Nazareth, and Caper
2. Christianization:
    - The Byzantine Period was marked by the spread of Christianity, and the region witnessed significant Christianization efforts.
    - Churches and monasteries were constructed, and Christian communities flourished. Jerusalem, in particular, became a prominent center for Christian pilgrimage.
3. Building Projects:
    - The Byzantine rulers, in line with their predecessors in the Roman Empire, undertook building projects. This included the construction and renovation of churches, fortifications, and public infrastructure.
4. Cultural Continuity:
    - Greek continued to be the administrative and cultural language during the Byzantine Period. Greek influence persisted, and the region was part of the broader Byzantine cultural and intellectual milieu.
5. Challenges and Conflicts:
    - The Byzantine Empire faced various challenges during this period, including external threats and internal conflicts. The Persian Sassanian Empire and later the Arab-Muslim forces posed significant challenges to Byzantine authority.
6. Persian Invasions:
    - The Byzantine Period saw a series of invasions by the Sassanian Persians, particularly during the 6th and early 7th centuries. These invasions had a notable impact on the region, including the sack of Jerusalem in 614 CE.
7. Arab-Muslim Conquest:
    - The Byzantine Period in the land came to an end with the Arab-Muslim conquests in the 7th century.
    - The decisive Battle of Yarmouk in 636 CE, among other military engagements, led to the Arab-Muslim forces gaining control of the region, marking the beginning of Islamic rule.

The Byzantine Period had a lasting impact on the cultural and religious landscape of the region. The spread of Christianity and the construction of churches left a significant legacy, and Byzantine-era structures can still be found in archaeological sites across the region. The transition from Byzantine to Islamic rule marked a pivotal moment in the history of the land and contributed to its diverse historical and cultural tapestry.

Regardless of how the provinces names changed during the Romans/Byzantine rule, the people themselves did not change. During the Byzantine Period in the Eastern Roman Empire, there is no widespread historical evidence to suggest that the Byzantines engaged in large-scale or systematic exile of the population from the land. The Byzantine Empire, which included the region of the Levant, was characterized by its administrative continuity and relatively stable governance.

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