> there is rather more discontinuity between the Roman Empire of 200 and the Byzantine Empire of 800 although the changes were gradual and not sudden. a discon

> there is rather more discontinuity between the Roman Empire of 200 and the Byzantine Empire of 800 although the changes were gradual and not sudden. a discontinuity that is gradual and not sudden is a continuity, and i think you are overemphasizing the ethnicity of emperors. Justinian was just as ambitious (and murderous) as any imperial era emperor.