In 330 A.D., Emperor Constantine the first inaugurated a new capital at the former Greek city of Byzantium, calling it New Rome and Constantinople. This is viewed as the beginning of the Byzantine Period. During the reign of Theodosius the first, the Great Palestine naturally fell under the rule of the Byzantine rulers.
Later, in 476, the city of Rome fell to the Barbarians, leaving only the East as the surviving part of the Roman Empire.
During the Byzantine era, because the leaders were Christians, a great deal of Christian activity and building took place in Palestine. As Christians pilgrims flocked here from all over the Roman-Byzantine world, virtually every spot, which had any real or perceived connection to a biblical event, had a church built over it. Building of Jewish synagogues was limited by law, although the law was not strictly enforced. Before the end of the fifth century, Christians constituted the great majority of the population in Palestine.
By the sixth century, the Jews in Palestine numbered about 150,00-200,000 people of the total population. They were under increasing pressure by the Byzantine rulers. By the seventh century, under Phocas (602-610 A.D.), an attempt was made to force the Jews of the entire empire to accept Christianity and be baptized. Before it could be implemented, the Persians invaded.
I will add a note here. When I used the word Christian, it could be used as name only. Not everyone that made laws and built up the land were following Jesus.
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