Byzantine architects made their buildings earthquake resistant by using certain architectural techniques and materials. One example is the use of rounded arches instead of flat arches, which helped distribute the weight of the building more evenly and prevent collapse during earthquakes. Other techniques included placing cross-braces across walls, adding buttresses, and using materials such as rubble and mortar instead of bricks. Additionally, builders would excavate the foundations of the building deeper into solid ground and use thicker walls with fewer openings, creating a more solid structure that could withstand the vibrations of earthquakes.
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