Byzantine Empire metal chess set with gold and silver chessmen / blue chessboard 20 cm on a wooden box
Legend
The longest empire of all time existed and ruled the eastern part of Europe for over 1,000 years.
The Orthodox continuation of the Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, expanded greatly through victorious Crusades in the East and West. Their culture was shaped by Greek civilization, and their language was Greek. The Byzantines also preserved and copied classical manuscripts, and are considered the transmitters of classical knowledge.
Chess players
The chess pieces were inspired by the Macedonian royal family, one of the greatest dynasties of the Byzantine Empire. This dynasty included some of the most powerful emperors in Byzantine history, such as Basil I "the Macedonian" (King) and Leo VI, called "the Wise" or the Philosopher (Knight). This period is a period of resurrection and rebirth.