The Latin Language In The Eastern Roman Empire Post Ad 476

[Ludovicus]

What information exists about the status of Latin in the eastern half of the Roman Empire after AD 476? Was Greek officially adopted as the language of the Eastern Empire? If so, what decree made it so? The Codex of Justinian appears in Latin and then it seems that someone shut the official lights out on the language right after that. What about the coinage? Is there a date for the last Roman coin of the East with Latin words or abbreviations? Granted that Latin was never the spoken language of much of the East, still someone must have made a decision to end it's official life.

Edited December 17, 2005 by Ludovicus

[Neos Dionysos]

Justinian is seen as the last 'Roman Empire' because of his laws and adminstrative measures. The reason the language suddenly changes soon after him is because of Heraclius, who came to power in the very early years of the 7th century changed the official language to Greek and changed the administrative sectors and the laws into Greek as well.

[Philhellene]

...changed the official language to Greek and changed the administrative sectors and the laws into Greek as well.

 

Where did you read it? The greek language was an offical language of administration of the Roman East, when the Empire was united.

[Neos Dionysos]

...changed the official language to Greek and changed the administrative sectors and the laws into Greek as well.

 

Where did you read it? The greek language was an offical language of administration of the Roman East, when the Empire was united.

 

 

Are you sure? I was always under the impression Latin was the preferred of the two, but Greek could be used. Kinda like how Ptolemaic Egypt, the court system used both Greek and Demotic...

[Philhellene]

I`m sure. You should see the official edicts of Eastern Roman governors and Eastern Imperial coins.

Edited December 21, 2005 by Philhellene