11. Byzantium - Last of the Romans (Part 2 of 2)

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth...
In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages. Hear about how it formed a bridge between two continents, and two ages, and learn how the impregnable walls of Constantinople were finally brought crashing to the ground.
This episode we're joined by members of the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir in London, and a number of musicians playing traditional Byzantine instruments.
** Fall of Civilizations the book is now available to pre-order: linktr.ee/fallofcivilizations **
WATCH PART 1 HERE: • 11. Byzantium - Last o...
All original music for this episode available to download to Patreon subscribers: / 39308482
SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: / fallofcivilizations_po...
SOURCES: / 39311564
Credits:
Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas
Voice Actors:
Nicolas Rixon
Annie Kelly
Cleo Madeleine
Peter Walters
Lachlan Lucas
David Kelly
3D reconstructions of Constantinople by Evren Öztürk: www.artstation.com/evrenever
LinkedIn: / evren-%c3%b6zt%c3%bcrk...
3D reconstructions of the Theodosian Walls by Tarik Tamyurek: www.artstation.com/ttamyurek
LinkedIn: / ttamyurek
Timelapses of Istanbul kindly provided by Cüneyt Karaahmetoğlu under a Creative Commons (CC BY 3.0) license
Original Music by: Pavlos Kapralos ( / @pavloskapralos3969 )
[Also heard Petros Peloponnesios' "Nihavend Pesrev" and the ecclesiastical hymn "Agne Parthene Despina"]
Musicians:
Monooka (Monica Lucia Madas): Vocals
Alexandros Koustas: Lyra (kemence)
Konstantinos Glynos: Qanun
Theofilos Lais: Cretan lyra
Dario Papavassiliou: Santouri (greek santur)
Pavlos Kapralos: Oud
Chanters from the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral:
Michael Georgiou
Alexandros Gikas
Matthew Tomko
Stephanos Thomaides
Pavlos Kapralos
Other music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/
Title theme: Home At Last by John Bartmann. johnbartmann.com/

[@LizardoiL]

I typed out and deleted multiple paragraphs of compliments about Fall of Civilizations, but nothing I typed was able to express how I actually feel about this channel. I just want to say thank you to all the people involved in the creation of every episode of Fall of Civilizations. I appreciate all of you more than words can describe.

[@Azlorn]

DURRRR BET!

[@richardsimon4135]

Agreed 👍💯

[@SotonSam]

Most definitely

[@vitoalmundo]

Absolutely beautiful

[@pilids3514]

You're such an...

[@dusteye1616]

The quality of this show is just amazing, KZbin is undeserving

[@christopherblack5112]

It really is fantastic! I think Mr Cooper loves what he does and it truly shows

[@fern7306]

I hope this Chanel doesn’t change a thing

[@Mullafunka]

Best history doc going. Make sure you donate to keep it alive!

[@KriRama]

Agreed!! 💫

[@birthe9439]

I'm a classicist and I've learned some broad lines of Byzantine history in my classes on Byzantine Greek and the evolution of the Greek language. I already knew quite a few things, recognised a lot of names, have read literature that was formed by these historical contexts, and yet this episode taught me so much and was full of interesting details and has enriched my understanding of Byzantine literature. Byzantine studies are one of the most blooming disciplines within classics since so much of its literature has long been unstudied, but it is incredibly rich and interesting and I'm considering taking another course on Byzantine literature next year.

[@user-eu8ub9cm5t]

So glad to hear about your enthusiasm which is wonderful but do you know who four empresses at 14/58 were? irene and Theodora both of Iconoclast Era BUT OTHER TWO? Perhaps you can make a contribution on Byzantinists who are so little known no video on them exists such as Ihor Sevchencho from Ukraine who passed away not so long ago and wrote article on Stephen of Novgorod mentioned in video ?

[@stevensammons4062]

No matter how many times I hear their story, I always feel a bit sad at how their run ended.

[@aadam3rd]

All empires ended up in ruins at the end. because they are parasites to begin with living on other people. Every empire will pay the price

[@stevensammons4062]

@@aadam3rd no argument there. But I do enjoy learning about their histories. And I guess I have a soft spot for the Eastern Romans.

[@kaiser7013]

@@stevensammons4062 To be honest the Roman Empire has a spiritual legacy and is kinda the bridge between the European and West Asian World

[@yodasmomisondrugs7959]

@@aadam3rd You must be the "life of the party" kinda person.

[@MrNiceGuyHistory]

@@aadam3rd True but without central authority, anarchy and survival of the fittest usually reign supreme.

[@kfilippi]

In Greece we do study the Byzantine history as part of our coulture. My grandfather had his origins there, many stories are coming to my mind. I have to say i watched both parts with undisturbed caution and delight. In the final moments my commotion turnd to tears. One of the gretaest and most objective documentary for the Byzantine (Roman) empire.

[@marionhoward2939]

So do you consider it to be a Greek Empire despite them calling themselves Romans?

[@kfilippi]

@@marionhoward2939 Personally I do not relate modern Greeks with Roman empire. We have been teached the history as part of our legacy, but as it is wonderfully described in the above videos, the East Roman Empire didn't began as a Greek empire. Maybe the west (Latins/Franks) wanted to remember the last days as Greek empire. Apparently the language played a vital role to that mnemonic.

[@kfilippi]

@John the Confederate As far as I know the Greek nation has not fallen for the past 4000 years. Do you like to enlighten us in the subject?

[@andreasmpintas9073]

@@marionhoward2939 They never stopped calling themselves "Greek" (Γραικός). The term "Hellen" (Έλλην) had been forbidden since the empire adopted Christianity as their sole religion, but it was restored after the great schism of the churches. So the term "Hellenic" was abolished for about 800 years but the term Greek never stopped being used. And obviously they would never stop calling themselves "Romans", because of politics. All of Europe wanted to claim Roman heritage (and all of it's lands of course...). Even today, the Greeks are the only ones that have the right to call themselves "Romans". Not even modern day Italians dare call themselves Romans. (well, maybe the south of Italy can but not the north Italians)

[@marionhoward2939]

@@andreasmpintas9073 Well I guess a "Byzantine" Empire was inevitable as the Romans had a huge crush on Greeks and basically copied everything from them and forced there cultures to become one Greco-Roman culture

[@pauliedibbs9028]

I recall barely staying awake for the 20-30 minute videos during my history classes in grade school. I would have never believed that I'd spend hours glued to videos about history at some point in the future... Thank you FoC!!!

[@ac8754]

John the Confederate inshallah we Will take Washington

[@paranormal33]

It's kind of sad that you think so little of yourself that you see it as an amazing thing that you now enjoy historic documentaries.

[@tcschenks]

Because professors are not voice actors. Maybe they should be.

[@tcschenks]

@John the Confederate Being bored at a lecture is not a sign of the nation falling. Students have always been bored at lectures.

[@irobott3713]

@John the Confederate correct - Nancy Pelosi and Joe are now in power ironicially they are white and signed their oun eventual fate

[@firatsanliturk]

Another perfect production, many thanks! As a resident of Istanbul, I can testify that 'the seeds of lementation' planted by the past inhabitants of this great city still bear fruit in the hearts and minds of its current inhabitants. There's a constant background humm of sadness, pride, wisdom and honor in the hearts and minds of its people. And although times change, and people come and go like the tide, believe not that all memory of the ancients are lost. This city preserves its memory, albeit carelessly and negligently. Believe not that all Turks are religious fanatics or bigots. We who dwelt long in these lands are now inseperable from it; a part of it; the protectors of it, and in relation, the inheritors of it. Our flag still bears the sign of Artemis; the crescent and the moon. Our language differed much from those of our cousins of the steppes of Asia. Our food, our songs, our stories are now intertwined with those of our Greek/Roman neighbors. Let not the passing whims of politics have you believe that we are seperated. All strangers are still welcome to the Queen City.

[@yakamen]

If the history reported in these episodes are true, Constantinople only survived because the Ottomans took it.

[@ninamartin1084]

Thank you Firat. My snowy icy 24hr stopover in your city on crutches with a broken leg meant I didnt see as much as would have liked to! loved what I saw tho.

[@panther7748]

I don't want to be impolite, but the population of the city and the overall Empire was not completely replaced. The modern inhabitants of Turkey are as much the descendants of the ancient Anatolians, Romans and Greeks as the descendants of the turkish invaders/immigrants. I don't know the exact numbers of the latter, but I doubt that they were actually in the majority when they arrived. Their language and culture just happened to be the prevalent one, so the others adopted them. Modern nationalism tends to negate this, but all modern "peoples" are the result of millenia of mixing cultures and genomes. In a similar way, my ancestors were Germanians, Celts, Romans and Slavs, modern Hungarians are the descendants of Magyar nomads, Slavs and Germanians, and Spaniards are the descendants of Romans, Iberians, Celts, Visigoths, Arabs and Berbers.

[@hamba458]

25.5.2005. The Miracle of Istanbul. YNWA

[@vonzuchter]

You have nothing Turkic on you except the language. Look at your face in the mirror. Turkic people are asiatic. You are a Greek who adopted islam at some point. Either by force or to enjoy the benefits of being a muslim in the ottoman empire. Do one of those DNA heritage tests.... You will be surprised. And the city is called Constantinople. Not Istabul. And it has lost all the characteristics that made her what she was. She is now a eastern city. Muslim culture and islam and turkic culture has nothig to do with the legacy of the City. Nothing at all. All that is left of the old legacy is some ruins

[@Weeeeessel]

The only thing I dislike about these is that I've already listened to the podcast and can't experience it for the first time again, seriously love this series!

[@cakeofthepan2233]

Yep me too....I go to bed and fall into an Adventure into the past..I love this channel so much.

[@banks3388]

He literally stole this from Anthony Kaldellis

[@lucisferre6361]

Receiving notifications for your videos is one of the high points of life for me these days. I have actually not watched the last two yet, so that I can watch them all at once. I have watched/listened to your whole catalog two or more times per video now. The attention to detail, the compassion, respect and reverence for humanity and our past is poignantly evidenced in the quality of workmanship you provide in your videos. Thank you very much for the impeccable lessons.

[@ClaytonBigsby01]

well you'll be disappointed its just ANOTHER re-upload with images.

[@frogz]

@@ClaytonBigsby01 im disappointed that you're disappointed that the FREE bonus added value of the images wasnt enough!

[@mykobe981]

Well said.

[@lizeggar2421]

I have watched and listened to them all several times over.

[@IzabelParis]

This channel is a jewel.

[@mshepard]

There are few things I get actively excited for on KZbin, but this is most assuredly one. I got started when episode 3 came out and was instantly hooked. The cold intros, the intro music, the skilled combination of geology, history, and anthropology, backed up by resources and honest about what is presumed or thin on confirmed fact, is a fascinating listen that captures attention for its entire duration. Coupled with the associated imagery used in the video series, I think this brings us as close to these people, events, and times as we can get without an immersive live action role play or time travel.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you Michael, I'm so glad you think so! Thanks for following from the start.

[@gerardvermaat6944]

Great post Michael. Agreed. This is pure quality and facinating to listen too.

[@spricket24]

I've taken to putting these on and falling asleep to them purely because your voice is so comforting to me lol and I've already seen them so it's just double the info as I slumber... you could do sleep videos where you say things like, "there there, tomorrow will be a better day" and "Your dreams will be soothing yet wild" lol I like your videos - I learn a lot - thank you so much for that.

[@gnypp45]

@@KingNoTail Thanks! ❤

[@st9nymontana3]

Me to

[@lazargorenc]

Me too!

[@enee7593]

i was too haha

[@jam4631]

I have really bad sleep issues and honestly these videos make me stop thinking and i just absorb and drift off to sleep. It really is poetic the way the music and cadence roll together.

[@laura-ann.0726]

Feeling very sad this evening, as I have now reached the end of the series. The brief span of hours I have dedicated to watch these podcasts will enrich the rest of my life. If I have come away with only one key concept, it is that all of us are brothers and sisters in spirit, no matter what languages we speak, what deities we worship, or what nation we call home. Somewhere in Istanbul, right now, someone not so very different than myself, is sitting at a computer and and watching a video about my country, in preparation to make a visit here on vacation, or perhaps for business. I hope this traveler will go home with happy memories and an enriched view of the world, as I have received through this series.

[@ziakhalid6657]

7

[@AKRITAS365]

First of all the rightful name is Κωνσταντινούπολη for over a thousands years. You are invaders illegally occupying the polis which doesn't belong to you. Greece will always claim its hellenic identity and will one day the holy cross will be erected on the dome of Hagia Sophia.

[@idancemyassintothepaint7571]

Wonderful comment.. we are all truly united by the human experience.

[@LittleOrla]

The intro is always so nice. It's like I'm being drawn into a wayback machine for a gentle ride through the past of my choice. :)

[@katiecoollady]

the music is so beautiful and slightly haunting

[@davidpacheco3070]

The intro part always gets me. Makes me realize how vulnerable we all are and how one day we will seize to exist.

[@nickduplooy8845]

A smooth entry into the crushing reality of what has been lost, and what may happen again.

[@sebalena1]

Same here! Mesmerising...

[@saul1001]

Yeah I think the same. I wonder if the narrator made it himself? I have a feeling he did. Something so small and simplistic adds a great touch to a great show.

[@davidpacheco3070]

These documentaries touch the soul in a beautiful way. Thank you Paul Cooper. ❤

[@braunarsch]

this channel has been one of the best acccidental discoveries i made during the lockdown last year... i hope you cover an indian or south-east asian empire soon!

[@hamm0155]

He has done the Khmer of Southeast Asia, and I loved it

[@braunarsch]

@@hamm0155 thanks for the info, saw it and loved it too! hope he does an empire like the cholas or srivijaya or majapahit :)

[@kartiksangwan3302]

@@braunarsch Dude he covers the fall of civilizations. India has not fallen. India is the world's oldest continuous surviving civilization.

[@braunarsch]

@@kartiksangwan3302 dude.... by that logic why should he cover Byzantium when turkey is still there? Are you telling me the Indus civilization is still alive? And the vinayanagara kingdom is alive? And the zamorins, the Mauryas, satavahanas, kushans , mughals etc? India is a modern country not a continuous civilization. Civilization in this channel refers to eras past.

[@kartiksangwan3302]

@@braunarsch The Byzantium civilization collapsed. Their culture, language, their Gods are no longer worshipped in Turkey. While India is the oldest continuous civilization, the kingdoms were temporary/superficial. Every person had the sense of belonging to a common civilization, the Bharatiya civilization, and we still do. So, stop being skeptical and self-loathing, and take pride in being born in world's oldest surviving civilization.

[@Pan472]

As a Greek myself... Apart from being teary at the end, with the 29th of May 1453, I couldn't but be enraged and full of wrath at the sack of 1204. What a truly vile act, especially with learning further details upon this fact. And it led to the empire being destroyed competely 250 years later... It is just saddening.

[@erykpakula]

i am just watching and today is 29th May 570 years ago

[@StavrosSachtouris]

It wasn't destroyed 250 years later, it was destroyed on 1204. That was the critical blow. We, the Greeks, like to blame the Ottomans for whatever is damaged in our herittage, but in most cases it is the west we should blame (e.g., the Parthenon was destroyed by the Venetians and, later, again, by the Frensh navy).

[@DeHeld8]

The question is: are you saddened by the sacks of Constantinople because a lot of innocent people died and suffered, or are you sad because it ushered in the end of an empire? It's always fascinating to learn where the priorities of nationalists truly lie.

[@Pan472]

@@DeHeld8 How about both? Because both my people were slaughtered, and we lost everything else in tandem.

[@DeHeld8]

@@StavrosSachtouris Maybe you should worry less about your "Greek heritage" and more about the fact that the Greek working class has more in common with the Turkish working class then with the Greek ruling class. You have more to gain from marching today in solidarity with the workers of the world rather then getting worked up over the fall of ancient empires that only served the greedy interests of their elites.

[@TheLesStroud]

History is an amazing drug.

[@stevenskorich7878]

Strange and melancholy beauty, indeed! The history of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire really should be more widely known. The city and empire was the shield of Europe for centuries. Behind it our Western civilization flourished, relatively free from invasion from militant Islam (after the 8th Century anyway). The Fourth Crusade was disgraceful.

[@michaelmacdowall4228]

1:43:54 “If what you are built to protect is no more than for what purpose do you still stand?” This flash of anger in the throes of lament is hauntingly beautiful. Thank you so much for both Part 1 & 2. You and your incredible team produce some of the most excellent content available. Thank you so much for your time and dedication to excellence. Keep up the great work.

[@unstoppable-ar3292]

I visited the walls of Constantinople today and I must say, I was so touched and humbled by the greatness of those walls and the city. So rich of history it was the best thing I experienced.

[@issamim]

I hope to visit it too someday

[@Alexeiyeah]

I don't know if it was on purpose or what, but, at the end, when the narrator is talking about the skies of Constantinople, the song Agni Parthene at the background is at the moment where the hymn is talking about the sky (ourannos, or something spelled like that). It is just genius.

[@samernammari8785]

The production is definitely crafted in a seductive, clever way. No other podcast here on KZbin has drawn me in so strongly as these Fall of Civilizations productions. Hats off to you, Peter Cooper!

[@BrendaOwens]

Now I’m going to have to google “Agni Parthene”...ty 😂

[@tobcotab]

One of the most saddest things in history for me is the sack of Constantinople by the 4th crusade. I found another video a while ago which listed all the artworks and statues know to us that lost. I was completely shocked. Also, when you mentioned how much the population declined at the end of the Latin rule... its extremely sad.

[@Balrog-tf3bg]

Ah yes, gotta love the Catholics

[@AKRITAS365]

The murders of Christ! became the ecumenical church of Christianity!!

[@ezzovonachalm9815]

The sack of Constantinople by the crusaders has saved numerous important works of art and reliques, as the shroud of Turin and litterary texts from the Greek and Roman antiquities that would probably have been destroyed by the Turcs after the conquest of Constantinople, if not by Mehmmed II, who was a litterated scolar, by his followers. See: Robert de Clari La conquête de Constantinople, Editions de la Pléiade

[@QualityPen]

@@ezzovonachalm9815 There might not have been a conquest of Constantinople by the Turks in the first place if not for the 4th Crusade. Rome had been in a long decline, but if the empire was experiencing a slow descent before, the 4th Crusade shoved it off a cliff. Had Constantinople not been sacked and had the rest of the empire not spent decades trying to retake Constantinople instead of securing the borders and rebuilding the military and treasury Rome might have resisted the Turks.

[@ezzovonachalm9815]

@@QualityPen What derermined the success of the turks was nothing but the 10 meters long bronze cannon the first attack wappon capable of destroying Constantinoples fortifications. This was the equivalent of an atomic bomb against which courage, determination, Prayer, expert strateges, genial war specialist, the will of the population would have been without any chance to win, nor to say to survive.

[@monaghanbill]

Your audio-only podcasts stands alone as the best stuff on KZbin, but whoever does your illustrated versions really, really deserves a pat on the back. So informative and graceful.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you Bill! I do both video and audio production myself.

[@monaghanbill]

@@FallofCivilizations Figures! : D

[@nushratjahannabila7047]

@@FallofCivilizations amazing bro

[@jl_woodworks]

I got the shivers at 1:39:55 when the aerial shot of the Theodosian walls started. If those walls could speak...

[@charlesrocks]

Such wonderful food for my soul. It’s so important to remember where we came from and to be at peace with much of the world. There is nothing new under the Sun.

[@user-ec6kt2fg7m]

Can we just appreciate he writing and script for this documentary, absolute banger. This needs to be on a Discovery as a weekend feature. Also, I guess we can thank 2020 helping to make some of these awesome desolate shots.

[@m.b.8282]

Near the end a painful tear started to fall from my eye. Growing in the city I know and felt it was a queen among the cities. Never knew this city would connect me to it's founder and residents that lived through a near 1000 year go. This city is feels grandeur than most humans whom saw and felt her melancholic feeling.

[@elisjongoseni3225]

One thing that I love from this channel, is critical thinking and letting the viewer to decide, if this is right or wrong. Not making it a definitive fact, just narrating the facts. Love it.

[@teptime]

Far and away the finest series on KZbin. Impeccably researched, visually enticing, and a narrator with a relaxing voice made for storytelling. Bravo!

[@Invai62]

I bawled my eyes out when this was over.

[@vucub_caquix]

Dude.... Same........

[@INatalkaI]

Me too. Thankfully the traditions and faith didn't die with Byzantium but this episode was the hardest to watch.

[@arcadeslum5882]

@@INatalkaI the traditions and faith are what remain in Greece, do not need to look to far!

[@mrmac2340]

Why? The ebb and flow of nations colliding like tectonic plates has a grim beauty to it, I find. Everything ends, but Byzantium's resilience will always be remembered.

[@angelosdaresis1477]

"In his »Comparison of the Old and the New Rome«, addressed to emperor Manuel II Palaiologos (1391-1425), Manuel Chrysoloras presented Rome as the mother and Constantinople as the daughter which was founded by the two most powerful and wise peoples of the world, the Romans and the Hellenes, who had come together there in order to create a city that would be able to rule over the whole world. In a sermon to the same emperor, he stated that the Rhomaioi were the offspring of the Romans and the Hellenes, thus being ENTITLED TO USE BOTH NAMES. Yannis Stouraitis, pp. 86-87, "Reinventing Roman Ethnicity in High and Late Medieval Byzantium" medieval worlds

[@stavinaircaeruleum2275]

1,120 years...what a run.

[@magyarbrit5631]

These podcasts are by far the very best that anyone has made on the subject. I am more than impressed, and so grateful that you made them Paul. Thank you so much.

[@FernandoJacinto]

I'm visiting Istanbul for the first time and had to listen to this episode again!

[@badwolf69420]

Some interesting things I learned: The origin of the crescent moon as a symbol of Islam, and how it is linked to Artemis. How the fall of Byzantium sparked trans-continental sea exploration by the Europeans, which ultimately led to colonization of the Americas and Africa by them. That Constantinople was called The Eye of the World.

[@LordTelperion]

The Fall of Constantinople is as sorrowful as the burning of the Library of Alexandria. Yet there is that silver lining of the refugees bringing the lost sciences and knowledge of Rome back to its ancient homeland, sparking the Renaissance. There seems to be a trend of the East and West passing Civilization back and forth to each other through the ages: Troy refugees to Rome, Rome moving to Constantinople, Irish becoming Romanized then bringing (some) Romanism back to Europe after the Fall, and the people of Constantinople back to Rome...the symmetry is pleasing.

[@brianvirgin2995]

Byzantium is such and underappreciated part of western culture.

[@XX-gy7ue]

this should have been played in movie houses - it's that so well done , it's hypnotic !

[@tommyodonovan3883]

I'm 55 life long lover of history and this was the best documentary I've ever enjoyed.

[@Leoneidas]

Masterpieces. The pace, narration, and visuals takes the committed viewer through enough detail to cover the important points in time, the concerns and sentiments of the day, presents the significant storylines, and is deeply entertaining and educating. A very difficult task with such an amazing amount of material to curate into 3-4 hours. Well done!

[@miramax6165]

Fall of Constantinople.. When joy dies in sorrow.

[@EmperorEdu]

The Crusaders did more damage than the Turks.

[@miramax6165]

@@EmperorEdu So true. So sad..

[@miramax6165]

@See the Truth - Look at Facts Confirmed.

[@brindade2004]

It is the best documentary ever made about the history of Constantinople.

[@nasimialiev6314]

As a schoolboy, I had two lessons about Byzantium inside of medieval history and must admit that it was too little for so long period during that Byzantium existed. Thank you so much to everybody who made this film along. It's a wonderful overview you get when watching.

[@GizmoFromPizmo]

This is fascinating. I had NEVER heard about the 4th Crusade until now. I had no idea the Western Empire dealt such a blow to the Eastern.

[@jasperdegraaf5254]

There was no western empire. It was the former subject of the eastern empire, namely venice that dealt the killing blow

[@xboxgamerhr]

europeans hate each other for millenia and longer

[@vanmars5718]

They weren't the Western Empire, they were literally the children of those who destroyed the Western Empire. Ironically

[@AKRITAS365]

It was the Pope behind the destruction of Constantinople both in 1200 and 1453 in order to Become the head of Christianity.

[@GizmoFromPizmo]

@@AKRITAS365 - I can certainly believe that. The papacy has long been the friend of Islam.

[@angelosdaresis1477]

"FOUR THOUSAND YEARS OF GREEK HISTORY have produced four Greek heritages, each of which has had an effect on the life of the Greeks in later stages of their history. The Hellenic Greeks received a heritage from the Mycenean Greeks, the Byzantine Greeks received on from the Hellenic Greeks, the Modern Greeks have received one heritage from the Byzantines and a second from the Hellenes.” The Greeks and their Heritage, A.J Toynbee, 1st Korais Professor of Greek Studies

[@andyoates8392]

That’s my afternoon sorted. Thank you.

[@rugosetexture2716]

And that's my tv sorted tonight! :o)

[@letsgetmetaphysical4662]

Congratulations 🎊 on being mentioned in a recent The Guardian article! Really well deserved as, from a long loyal and impressed fan of your channel, your smooth and intellectual approach to your craft is poetic and insightful. Once again Thank You for your hard work and professionalism. We enjoy every uploads time and time again!

[@Bogey1022]

The ending was so poignantly beautiful

[@ThatHabsburgMapGuy]

I lived in Istanbul, in Moda and Beyoğlu several years ago, and the quotation of Orhan Pamuk really reminded me of the crumbling back alleys now inhabited only by drunks and cats. I lived in an old Greek building, in a neighborhood famous for hosting French and Italians, and always felt the absence of those diverse communities and identities. This episode claims that Byzantium fell with Mehmet's conquest, but the city where Thracian and Bulgarian refugees could mingle and rise to the heights of political power didn't come to an end in 1453, but started in 1923 with the forced population transfers and ended in 1955 with right-wing nationalist pogroms against the remaining non-Turks. This 20th century tragedy was the real destruction of the Romans, as the Greeks of Istanbul continued to call themselves.

[@paomtl]

The tragedy was that the early 20th century turned two historically cosmopolitan societies so militant towards each other that the centuries of cultural exchange between Romans/Greeks, Arabs, Persians, Turks, Bulgarians, Armenians etc. Was thrown out the window and they spent the better part of 100 years arming themselves to the teeth instead of bettering their societies after the ottoman collapse

[@paulrobertson4058]

these videos are of such incredibly high quality. and the sense of sorrow that aptly permeates the stories is haunting

[@louwaars]

At the moment i am mentioning this channel when questions like "so what series are you watching" come up. When the standard titles are being mentioned and the streaming services theyre available on, i am legitimately mentioning this channel

[@Boric78]

Awesome - this channel has literally won the internet. Actually awesome doesn't do it justice - the only time I have recommended anything to my friends on the internet, was when I told them to watch this series.

[@hunterschmitz5429]

This is a great series. I recommend it to literally everyone. Byzantines is one of my favorite so far.

[@debralewis6437]

Fall of Civilizations is an EXCELLENT series! This 2 part episode is one of my favorites! Masterfully written and told.

[@carlstanford7607]

This is a beautifully told story of the staggeringly marvellous Byzantium. Well done

[@brycetomecek5065]

This episode made Byzantium in my top 3 Civ’s ever. They left a legacy which rivaled its ancient predecessor. It’s amazing how much of our world comes from them. They were Rome. They built the greatest defenses of all time. It’s amazing to learn this history and think how for centuries, Constantinople was the center of the world and how in the medieval era, Rome was still king, even after loosing half of its territory. Amazing as always, Mr. Cooper. -History Major.

[@AKRITAS365]

Byzantium is of Hellenic origin! Not Roman or Turkish who were Both invaders. He completely ignores the indegenous Greek populations for thousands of years. When in fact ALL archaeological evidence is of hellenic origin regardless if the Turkish Islamic Mongols always display them as Roman.

[@RwandaBob]

as an american of european descent i cite the fall of constantinople and la reconquista as the two of the most significant events in human history, and the way in which they came together at similar times is a third. they directly led to european colonialism, and the connecting of two halves of the world. where one door closes in the Bosporus, another opens in the atlantic

[@sonicvenom8292]

Another that could be added to that list is the Black Death, as it single-handedly defined an era of time for a continent, being the major cause for the end of the feudal system in Europe, and later being a major contributor for the shift in religious power as it weakened the basis of religion and strengthened humanism and the renaissance, as well as being the major driving factor for the Industrial Revolution and European Colonialism, due to the increased cost of labor leading to increased desire for the optimization of processes, and the opportunity in low-cost labor from slavery and the colonies being much more lucrative.

[@gidiyoffe1850]

The service you and yours do to the subject, to history and to all curious humans is invaluable.

[@Rodelero]

Amazing quality. It almost feels like I should be paying to view each of these series '. Thank you so much for doing your work.

[@abdulkadirerenozturk8497]

Most amazing thing for me was, unlike any other fallen civilization and great city you have talked about in this channel, this city was always inhabited. That is an incredible continuation which makes you wonder, how much of the daily life we share today, with the ancient dwellers of the very same streets.

[@hardstyle2289]

500 years ago is not ancient, very likely a lot of Istanbul Turks have Byzantine roots they are unaware of, even after population exchanges

[@yttkuar]

If one does not appreciate the meaning of history, this series will open your mind to those who have gone before all of us, everywhere. Thank you for this wonderful series.

[@KT-ly2tr]

With less budget than a cult movie reboot this channel is the epitome of bang for buck... AND ITS FREE.

[@johnalexander4982]

We spent a few days in Istanbul, a decade ago. What a marvellous experience!

[@numinous2506]

I question whether anyone could bring it to life the way this channel does. They way you describes the smells of the food and the shadows. It created a movie in my imagination of the streets of this ancient place. Thank you for that. What a beautiful gift.

[@euchiron]

What a magnificent story and a beautiful delivery. Thank you!

[@jasonblinkho1058]

Suits you sir… does he wear tight sorts sir , does hex want it sir 😂😂😂

[@dahjeekwenglee5909]

Used to love these documentaries. Now i cant go to sleep without waking up to this podcast over and over again. Ive watched and listened to all of them a hundred times now KZbin, please, please stop replaying it after every single video.

[@glacialimpala]

I wish I could volunteer the subtitles for the Byzantium series at least, it's a very interesting topic to us here in the Balkans and many (even young) people don't know English.

[@kronicmadness]

Beautiful narration and writing. I cannot help feeling that this episode covers the period that encapsulates the origins of our current world. Thank you for producing this amazing body of work.

[@hojoinhisarcher]

These series is like attending the death celebration of a family member, sad but deeply fulfilling.

[@AgentZ3R0.]

This channel and these episodes they create are nothing short of incredible. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and talent for storytelling. As a history nerd, I’m so grateful Fall off Civilizations exists. Thank you!!!!

[@MuhammadAlaraby-yh4we]

The finest sereis I've ever watched in years, I almost moved to tears.

[@davidcoe47]

We owe Dr Cooper an enormous debt! He mines ancient physical and cultural artefacts in forensic detail and weaves them into captivating tales of people and societies from long ago. I thought at first he might be an archaeologist or historian with a yen for creative writing but then found his first novel "River of Ink" and realised he bridged both disciplines. Bravo, Paul, I can't wait for your Assyrian novel "All our Broken Idols" (out any day now). Then there's a host of similar adventures out there (Persia's "Shahnameh" and China's "Story of the Stone", ..) awaiting your attention if you have the budget and time :-). Great respect!

[@ekremonuk1740]

This is amazing, the research, the accuracy, the videography and the presentation. Thank you for you’re efforts of bringing history to life

[@athena9882]

I think these two episodes of Byzantium is the most detailed history of Byzantium. Thank you very much for the beautiful documentary.

[@thebirdbrand]

“Today’s Empires are Tomorrow’s Ashes” -Propagandhi

[@tommyodonovan3883]

What the future will bring for me and my own empire, the American Empire.

[@miguelfernandes5628]

I'm waiting patiently until tomorrow when I can chill and drop acid and listen to the these new two episodes back to back! Thank you!

[@pdstor]

You don't need acid for the visual trip through this city.

[@BoggWeasel]

Wonderful to see your podcasts coming to life, it's like hearing them all over again for the first time. Great stuff, thank you

[@lakefiftyseven]

The last part was the best......I was under a spell listening to every word. Such a graphic picture...Thanks

[@MarvinT0606]

1:20:28 **Agni Parthene plays** **starts crying** 1:35:47 **Epitaph of Seikilos plays** Thanks for that insert, we needed it after watching the city fall

[@caiop.4972]

I am always very impressed by how this podcast can weave long structural historic trends with on the ground individual incentives into a coherent whole that makes history seem obvious and inescapable.

[@CryptoInvest-LunaticCapital]

Thanks very much for the hard work, never heard of much of Constantinople history until this documentary arrived.

[@bolivianprince7326]

Im an IT engineer but I always loved history and you sir are a great teacher.

[@annapapillon2211]

I absolutely love these. They help me refocus and not get overwhelmed by our present day.

[@Stopes.]

I love putting your videos on when I need to get to sleep. I stumbled upon your Sumerian video one restless night. Your calming voice, and descriptions and such I can just visualize everything like it’s a movie in my head. I hate bedtime as my brain just wont shut up about this or that and I end up laying there for hours frustrated at being awake. But when I put your videos on, bedtime is mighty fine to me. I’m usually out within the hour. Thanks for your videos and avid descriptions and information. 10/10 keep it up.

[@wolfpack4694]

Couldn’t wait to see this one after watching part 1. Well done.

[@MallardGryph]

Honestly, these videos give me so much calm in these trying times, and they're so fascinating, well produced and well written. I frequently put them on when I go to bed for the soothing voice and then catchup with all the bits I missed when I'm at work the next day. :)

[@MsKestrela]

Hearty applause!! I just immersed myself in both parts, and hung on every word. Thank you, Mr. Cooper!

[@irwingrungerson2776]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these podcasts. Seriously without a doubt one of my all time favorite channels. Keep up the amazing work!! Looking forward to your next vid :D

[@g.d.1722]

I find it strange that in 3 hours of coverage of the history of the Eastern Roman Empire you did not find it worthwhile to comment, even in passing, the longest military rivalry in history, namely between New Rome and the Bulgarian Empire. The two empires fought at least 45 major wars over 700+ years, and had a love-hate relationship over the centuries that defined both Bulgaria the ERE.

[@yashnigam2704]

Its 4 am in India and I just finished watching this. We share our culture so much with the Middle Easterners that I cant help bt wonder how much affect a Empire founded centuries ago has on my life today,. Sort of a butterfly effect. Thank you FoC for taking me through such learning experience..!! :)

[@user-lf4vj6qq8q]

Since when do we share culture with Middle Easterners or Muslims lol?

[@bioliv1]

I recently found you and Ryan Reeves' lectures on historian theology, and it's like the floods of history enters my mind. I'm overwhelmed!

[@wizzardofpaws2420]

This is so exquisitely done, that this is my 3rd time watching both videos of Byzantium.

[@jrmckim]

Every time the Fourth Crusade is brought up I instinctively facepalm.

[@stevetrotter8606]

Honestly please keep making these I've never seen such high quality history telling like this. Outstanding

[@wiltonmctaggart3046]

Just the introduction to this video (that song 🎹) makes the whole thing even greater. Not to mention that extreme attention to detail

[@Buckeystown]

Agni Parthene?

[@jesseslay6918]

Badass! 😎 I guess my cosmetology homework is gonna have to wait a little bit longer lol

[@IudiciumInfernalum]

You should do a double major. So that you will look great while studying history through a field such as archeology!

[@liv_balanced_llc]

I love these programs! I studied Latin and Archaeology in college and though they are now only hobbies, my interest in them is renewed with these podcasts. Thank you for producing them.

[@AlmostMonumental27]

I just spent 10 wonderful days in Istanbul in a hotel directly on the Bosporus. How I wish I'd viewed this series before leaving; it would have enhanced my enjoyment of Old Istanbul so much. I saw the old walls of Constantinople. Even in their extremely decayed form, they are majestic. The Islamic Arts Museum is wondrous, and all the other including the two palaces, but the saddest thing is that Hagia Sophia is no longer a museum as it was when I visited in 2012, but a mosque again. I wish it had remained a neutral cultural site. Nowhere is like Istanbul. Thanks for sharing.

[@IudiciumInfernalum]

Thank you Paul and cast! This was an amazing experience. As a fan of this channel and the Voices of the Past channel, hearing David's voice in this was a treat to be sure!

[@dusty0608]

Well that is the best three hours or so of my life that i have spent on KZbin for a very long time. Fantastic work and can’t wait to get stuck in to the rest of the series.