What do Plato, Aristotle, mosaics and icons have in common? They are all important parts of Byzantine culture, spanning over 1,000 years, from the fall of Rome to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines were important facilitators of the Renaissance. The Byzantines preserved Greek and Roman traditions and created many of their own, which would have a great impact during the Renaissance. Byzantine culture begins with the founding of the city of Constantinople by Emperor Constantine in 330 AD. Some historians believe this is the beginning of Byzantium, the term for the Eastern Roman Empire. Other historians argue that Byzantium was founded only after the fall of the Western Empire in 476 (Loverance 6). The Byzantines continued many Roman traditions, but as time passed, Byzantine culture increasingly distanced itself from that of the Romans. During the period following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Europe experienced a period known as the Middle Ages. During this period much of the knowledge learned was lost. Political control was transferred to barbarian invaders, such as the Goths, Vandals, and Huns. These groups destroyed many existing buildings and works of art during the Roman Empire period. Most people were illiterate and much of the previously learned knowledge was lost (“Dark Ages”). However, arts and knowledge still flourished in the East. Architecture is an important aspect of Byzantine culture. One of the most famous Byzantine architectural achievements is the Hagia Sophia, located in modern Istanbul. The basic design of the cathedral included a dome on a square base, which required a new innovation. At the time, it was… middle of paper… Thoreau. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Print.Fender, Stephen. Introduction. Walden. By Henry David Thoreau. New York: University of Oxford. Print, 1997. Print.Goodman, Russell. “Transcendentalism”. March 7, 2011. Web. February 20, 2013. "Henry David Thoreau." Encyclopedia Britannica. Nd Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Network. February 20, 2013 “Henry David Thoreau”. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. February 24, 2013.Reiley, Stephanie. “Number 10 – Why a small house?” July 27, 2009. Web. March 2, 2013Richardson, Robert D. "The Walden Ripple Effect." Smithsonian magazine. Smithsonian Institute, August 2004. Web. February 21, 2013Spencer, Dan. “Ready for Embarkation.” August 20, 2011. Web. March 3, 2013 Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. Ed. Stefano Fender. New York: University of Oxford. Press, 1997. Print.Witherell, Elizabeth and Elizabeth Dubrulle. “The Life and Times of Henry David Thoreau.” 1995. Network. February 20. 2013.