The influence of Byzantium on Russia, on the formation of Russian statehood and the Church is difficult to overestimate. The Russian Empire developed under the influence of the Byzantine Empire, was built on its model, and became its continuation. State institutions, almost the entire secular and religious life of Russians originate from there. Even the coat of arms of the Russian Empire - a double-headed eagle looking in two directions - used to be one of the symbols on the banners of the Byzantine emperors. The book introduces the formation, prosperity, and weakening of Byzantium. For middle and high school age.