Byzantine or Roman Empire?

[Fair Prince]

Dear Stainless Steel users, I'd like to express your opinion on this matter.

SS 6.3 has just been released and originally the faction is called 'Byzantine Empire' there. But some of you might know, I've made some text updates to 6.3 recently and I chose to stick with the 'Roman Empire' form, cause that's how it's called in 6.2 RR/RC.
It's important to note that historically both names are correct, so apparently it's more a matter of personal preference - that's why I'm now asking for your opinion.

The 'problem' has been (more or less) solved for SS 6.3 players, for details see post #370!

Summary: after 12 days of voting and endless debate the thread has been closed. Out of 222 votes, the 'Roman Empire' got 126 while the 'Byzantine Empire' earned the remaining 96. The thread has made it clear that on a historical basis the former is the more proper and rightful out of two names, even though there are many players who felt the faction should be differentiated from the ancient Empire. As I said before, it's ultimately a matter of personal preference.

So, all in all, thanks to everyone who voted and participated in this quite heated debate!

FP

[Meneth]

I support "the Roman Empire" (mostly due to the Romans being awesome), but wouldn't care all that much if "the Byzantine Empire" was chosen.

[Sanderlicious]

I must encourage the use of the Byzantine Empire on this issue.
Yes, they were directly descended from the Eastern Roman Empire, but by no means does this make them THE Roman Empire (in my opinion at least). I stick with the common belief that the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD and that the Byzantines, though claiming direct Roman heritage, cannot alone claim to be the Roman Empire.

Plus, I love to take my Byzantines out to reclaim Rome and only then say it is the New Roman Empire.

[Mega Tortas de Bodemloze]

Byzantium. How dare anyone consider any other notion....

[Meneth]

Post

Byzantium. How dare anyone consider any other notion....

Looks like the Byzantine Empire is losing
Ofc, can't know for sure until we have a better sample-size.
Edit: Okay, now it's a bit more even, 5:4.
Another edit: 1:1, now. Could go either way, I guess.

[YourOnlineHero]

Maybe you should have the option to change the factions name if you take over rome. Other than that I'd rather see them being called the byzantine empire.

[Sanderlicious]

Maybe you should have the option to change the factions name if you take over rome. Other than that I'd rather see them being called the byzantine empire.

Now that would be fun!
I don't have a clue if such a thing is possible though

[Fair Prince]

Oh, man... 5 posts and 9 votes in the first 20 minutes while I was editing the OP!
Thanks to all, and more opinions and arguments are welcome.

Personally, I support the 'Byzantine' form for similar reasons as Sanderlicious does.
I don't really see the point in calling them 'Roman' when they had nothing to do with Rome anymore, spoke Greek, and even had a different religion...

[Sevachenko]

Byzantium. How dare anyone consider any other notion....

Ummm the Eastern Roman Empire might, as that is what they called themselves. If you want to go with the Catholic given name then be my guest.

[Caesar Clivus]

For historical accuracy, it has to be the Roman Empire. The term Byzantine is a western construction. There was no break in continuity of government to warrant a change in name.

I stick with the common belief that the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD and that the Byzantines, though claiming direct Roman heritage, cannot alone claim to be the Roman Empire.

Just because it is a common belief, doesn't make it correct.

[cuo]

I must encourage the use of the Byzantine Empire on this issue.
Yes, they were directly descended from the Eastern Roman Empire, but by no means does this make them THE Roman Empire (in my opinion at least). I stick with the common belief that the Roman Empire fell in 476 AD and that the Byzantines, though claiming direct Roman heritage, cannot alone claim to be the Roman Empire.

Plus, I love to take my Byzantines out to reclaim Rome and only then say it is the New Roman Empire.

This.

[Alpha Zeke]

Personally i believe the same statement as above, BUT i voted for roman because I enjoy seeing that more in game

[Makamiso]

Instead of just Roman empire. Why not Eastern Roman Empire? I mean thats more historically accurate than just Roman Empire.

[Praetorian121]

I voted for Byzantine Empire, because is only one ROMAN EMPIRE.

[Alpha Zeke]

Hey Fair Prince... Just saying, you might be interested in this tutorial. It lets you change Faction religions, and Settlement names such as Constantinople to Instanbul. I did that in my game - fairly simple, and enjoyable! Just throwin that out there though

[Radiso-FIN]

Roman Empire, because people who lived during Middle Ages talked about "Byzantine Empire" as Roman Empire and people who lived in that area considered themselves as Romans. Also "Byzantine Emperor" considered himself as Emperor of Rome.

The term "Byzantine Empire" was invented by French historians in 16th Century.

So Roman Empire for me obviously

[Fair Prince]

Roman Empire, because people who lived during Middle Ages talked about "Byzantine Empire" as Roman Empire and people who lived in that area considered themselves as Romans. Also "Byzantine Emperor" considered himself as Emperor of Rome.

The term "Byzantine Empire" was invented by French historians in 16th Century.

So Roman Empire for me obviously

These are good arguments (from a historical viewpoint), I must admit. That's exactly why this is a so tough choice to make!

[lordyu]

use this-Basileía tôn Rhōmaíōn

[Rogal Dorn]

Haha, evenly split.

I say whatever they referred to themselves at that time - most likely Romans. Besides, the city was Byzantium, but now it's Constantinople, so why not call them Constantinoplians? Or Constantians? Or some other goofy name? (Yes, this is an invitation for a history buff to educate me on why "Byzantine" was chosen).

Besides, I plan to conquer the Western Roman Empire's territories in my game. I'd rather have a reforged Roman Empire than a vastly expanded Byzantine Empire. Maybe it's just me and my love for Rome: Total War, eh?

Edit: I also agree with Makamiso, Eastern Roman Empire would be fine. In fact, I might just change it to that (for my game).

[Meneth]

What would be great is a script that changed them to the Roman Empire if they conquered Rome, but starting as the Byzantine Empire, as some people have suggested earlier. Not sure if this is actually possible, though (I know the triggers are possible, but not if there's any way to change a faction's name while playing)
I also like Historydude's Constantinople --> Istanbul script idea (make it part of your FTT sub-mod maybe, Historydude?)