After one of the most brutal periods of persecution, Christianity suddenly found itself not only accepted but endorsed by the empire. The resulting “Christianized” Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, produced one of the most influential religious/political movements of all time. But, as with all world powers, this empire would not last. Internal political/doctrinal divisions and ongoing conflicts with foreign powers weakened the empire, brought it to its knees, and led to its eventual demise.