The Byzantine Empire was known for its rich contributions to culture, science, and art during the Middle Ages. Flourishing from the 4th century until the fall of Constantinople in 1453, it preserved and built upon the legacies of ancient Greece and Rome. The empire made substantial advancements in architecture, exemplified by the Hagia Sophia, and fostered the development of religious art, particularly iconography, which profoundly influenced Eastern Orthodox Christianity. In addition to art and architecture, the Byzantines made significant contributions to law, with the publication of the "Corpus Juris Civilis," which has influenced legal systems to this day. The accumulation of knowledge during this period laid a foundation for the Renaissance.