What does our contemporary know about Byzantium? Why does the very concept of “Byzantine” have a negative connotation in many European languages, and is it fair?Our publication tells about the mysterious Byzantine, or rather, the Roman Empire (the inhabitants of this country called themselves Romans): about the “Purple-born” emperors and usurpers of the throne | about palace coups and vicissitudes of "people's love" | about the incredible secrets of Byzantine diplomacy and the ability to make alliances | about the struggle of Byzantium with the Arab conquerors and about the fall of the brilliant Constantinople, as well as about the role played by the Europeans in this.