What was the fundamental characteristic of the Byzantine Empire after the fall of the Western Roman Empire?

The Byzantine Empire is fundamentally characterized by its role as a continuation of Roman governance after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. When the Western Roman Empire collapsed in the late 5th century, the Eastern Roman Empire, which later became known as the Byzantine Empire, retained many aspects of Roman administration, law, and culture. It preserved and modified Roman institutions, such as the legal codes established by Emperor Justinian, which aimed to consolidate and codify Roman law.

This continuity is evident in the administrative structures, the use of Latin (which eventually transitioned to Greek), and the emphasis on centralized authority under a single emperor. The Byzantine Empire also viewed itself as the legitimate successor to the Roman tradition, maintaining the idea of Roman identity and governance throughout its existence, which lasted for nearly a thousand years after the fall of its western counterpart.

In contrast, the other options reflect changes or developments that did not align with the core characteristic of the Byzantine Empire. While democratic ideals and practices emerged much later in history, they were not a feature of the Byzantine system. The transition to a feudal system was a significant aspect of medieval Europe but was not a defining characteristic of Byzantine governance, which remained relatively centralized. Additionally, while there were periods of expansion, significant territorial