>They considered themselves Roman up until Constantinople fell to Mehmed II. Not as much, especially after the first 4 centuries. They claimed a different heri

>They considered themselves Roman up until Constantinople fell to Mehmed II. Not as much, especially after the first 4 centuries. They claimed a different heritage then (the local one). Besides the western barbarians that took down Rome proper also called themselves Roman ("the Holy Roman empire") for "legitimacy" purposes (as a claim to the expanses of the empire). The same reason Mohamed the conqueror adopted the "Ceasar of Rome" title.