The Byzantine civilization developed from the eastern empire of the ancient world, based on Greek culture but not on Roman law. It considers it proper for the state to regulate in religious matters. The civilization expanded up the Balkan Peninsula and reached Russia and Germany. Especially in Germany it took a foothold, the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation being modelled on the Byzantine empire. This gave eastern Germany, and in particular Prussia its characteristic model of cuius regio eius religio (whose rule, his religion). This explains caesaropapism, the struggle of the German emperors with the papacy and also the policy of converting by the sword (the Teutonic Knights). In this civilization ethics is expected from the ruler personally but not from the state. The state has to be effective and need not be ethical. The civilization also expects obedience to the state. Thus Germans appear to be more disciplined as a nation, but it also means that they are prepared to obey immoral state dictates, blaming any complaint on those who give orders while considering themselves blameless. vol. 1 472 pages. vol. 2 844 pages.