Byzantine
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Byzantine
Relating to the Byzantine Empire, its history, culture, or art.
Das byzantinische Reich existierte über tausend Jahre und hatte großen Einfluss auf Osteuropa.
The Byzantine Empire existed for over a thousand years and had a major influence on Eastern Europe.
The adjective 'byzantinisch' (Byzantine) is derived from the historical name 'Byzanz' (Byzantium) for the city of Constantinople. It refers to the Eastern Roman Empire, whose capital was that city.
Im Museum gibt es eine große Sammlung byzantinischer Münzen.
The museum has a large collection of Byzantine coins.
In its historical meaning, 'byzantinisch' (Byzantine) is often combined with terms from art, culture, and history. Typical examples are 'byzantinische Kunst' (Byzantine art), 'byzantinische Architektur' (Byzantine architecture), or 'byzantinische Mosaike' (Byzantine mosaics).
Die byzantinische Baukunst ist für ihre beeindruckenden Kuppeln bekannt.
Byzantine architecture is known for its impressive domes.
The figurative meaning is used for complex, opaque systems and is often slightly negative. It is usually used in an elevated, formal style to describe bureaucracy or political negotiations, for example.
Die Verhandlungen waren von einer fast byzantinischen Komplexität geprägt.
The negotiations were marked by an almost Byzantine complexity.
You can tell whether the historical or figurative meaning is intended from the noun. If it refers to history or art, it is the literal meaning. If it refers to modern structures like 'Bürokratie' (bureaucracy), 'Verhandlungen' (negotiations), or 'Regeln' (rules), it is the figurative meaning.
Die byzantinische Bürokratie macht schnelle Entscheidungen unmöglich.
The Byzantine bureaucracy makes quick decisions impossible.
simple / just
'einfach' and 'byzantinisch' can both describe how complicated a process or rule is. 'einfach' says that something is easy to understand or do. 'byzantinisch' is the opposite in a particular sense: it sounds very complicated, opaque, and often unnecessarily convoluted. The word is more suitable for bureaucracy, rules, or negotiations, not for normal everyday tasks. For clear, easy things, you say 'einfach'; for very complicated and hard-to-understand procedures, you can say 'byzantinisch'.
Die Regeln für den Antrag wirken byzantinisch und niemand versteht sie sofort.
The rules for the application seem Byzantine, and no one understands them right away.
Die Anleitung ist einfach, deshalb kann ich das Gerät sofort benutzen.
The instructions are easy, so I can use the device right away.