What is the difference between the Roman and Byzantine empire?

[seleanor]

This is something that has always confused me. I've seen people use the words Roman and Byzantine interchangeably, but I'm pretty sure that the Roman empire was led by the Italians, and the Byzantine empire by the Greeks/Romans. Does anyone see my confusion here? And is someone able to clarify?

 

[k_tsoukalas]

The Roman Empire used to be HUGE and it became difficult to manage. It split apart for the eastern Roman Empire (which became the Byzantine Empire) and the Western Roman Empire (which became the portion we associate with Rome and all that). I don't remember all the details but this is gist.