[Antoninus]

I would certainly consider the Eastern Empire, a continuation of the Roman Empire. Perhaps an accurate historical term would be the Roman Empire during the Byzantine Period. Besides, then we can say Rome lasted from 753 B.C. - A.D. 1476. Not a bad little empire.

In my opinion, the Roman Empire ended after Heraclius lost most of the eastern provinces to crusading Islam in the 7th century. The Empire that emerged at the beginning of the 8th century was almost wholly different from the Roman Empire that had existed from Actium to Adrianople.

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

And that Islamic Jihad inagurated a 1000 year war with the West (that may in fact, not be over, and may be approaching 1400 years). A.D. 632 with Mohammad to A.D 1682 and the relief of the Vienna by the Poles (think that is a right date).