536 AD - Worst Year in History

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Kings and Generals' historical animated documentary series on the history of Ancient Civilizations continues with a video on the year 536 AD, which many historians consider the worst year in history, as plague, famine, volcanic eruption, and extreme weather patterns changed the fate of the millions, especially influencing Sassanid and Eastern Roman Empires.
How Rome Conquered Greece: • How Rome Conquered Gre...
Scythians: • Scythians - Rise and F...
Did the Trojan War Really Happen: • Did the Trojan War Rea...
Demosthenes: • Demosthenes: Greatest ...
Ancient Greek Politics and Diplomacy: • Ancient Greek State Po...
Pyrrhic Wars: • Pyrrhus and Pyrrhic Wa...
Ancient Macedonia before Alexander the Great and Philip II: • Ancient Macedonia befo...
Diplomatic Genius of Philip of Macedon: • Diplomatic Genius of P...
Etruscans: • Etruscans: Italian Civ...
Ancient Greek State in Bactria: • Ancient Greek State in...
The Greco-Chinese War Over the Heavenly Horses: • The Greco-Chinese War ...
Ancient Greek Kingdom in India: • Ancient Greek Kingdom ...
Bosporan Kingdom: • Bosporan Kingdom - Lon...
Nomadic Cultures: • Nomadic Cultures
Support us on Patreon: / kingsandgenerals or Paypal: paypal.me/kingsandgenerals or by joining the youtube membership: / @kingsandgenerals We are grateful to our patrons and sponsors, who made this video possible: docs.google.com/document/d/1o...
Art and animation: Haley Castel Branco
Narration: Officially Devin ( / @offydgg & / @gameworldnarratives )
Script: Matt Hollis
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Production Music courtesy of EpidemicSound
#Documentary #WorstYearInHistory #536

[@KingsandGenerals]

Something, something patreon: www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals

[@mohamedbasha5534]

keep it up thanks

[@knowledgedesk1653]

I thought it is 2021

[@denniscleary7580]

Keep up the great work guys 👍

[@user-gr2Algeria]

Can we have a video about the Numidian kings Massinissa and Jugurtha please 🙏

[@alfredlear4141]

Something, something, dark side ...

[@sebastianbravo5028]

Although we speak mainly of Eurasia when talking about the year 536, it also affected American civilizations, for example during this period the declines of the Teotihuacan culture in Mexico and the Moche in Peru began. According to scholars, they are due to long periods of drought followed by famine and riots.

[@knightofsvea604]

@@ktheterkuceder6825 I would gladly pay for a KnG like Chanel that mainly focused on the pre 14th c. America 🙏

[@MrGabiiiii94]

@@terrybogars8933 They weren't wiped out wtf...

[@robrn9069]

@@terrybogars8933 Black legend, such a genocide which until the independence revolutions, 90% of New Spain people spoke only indigenous languages and looked more like a Mexica than like a Spaniard.

[@ReydelCiguay]

@@ktheterkuceder6825 i agree. I would love more on American (North and South) Native cultures. I would like a video on the Taínos. Being the first to meet the those of the old world, their story is not really spoken of except in small circles but it’s with them that you get the beginning of the colonization of the new world. They may not have been as grand as the Aztecs, Mayans, or Incas, but their story should be spoken about. I may be bias being Dominican as we are mixed descendants lol. Heck, if you need K&G I can provide you as much info as needed as I freaking love this topic.

[@KanBig]

@@terrybogars8933 They were not wiped out. We are still here living and breathing. A big chunk of the population in Latin America is Amerindian and the biggest chunk are mestizos. The Europeans make a smaller percent, unlike the US and Canada.

[@nathanpangilinan4397]

The fact Justinian had to live through the worst year in history shows how much he had to struggle against in his reign. As much as he was unable to restore the dream of Rome, he still was able to do a great deal in trying to restore it, reclaiming Italy, North Africa, and Southern Iberia.

[@longyu9336]

Learning about him coming so close and failing is pain. "In the End" by Linkin Park must have been his theme song.

[@nathanpangilinan4397]

@@longyu9336, there once was a dream, a dream worth fighting for, even if he did not succeed in recreating said dream.

[@jacopofolin6400]

Well at the end justinian used all the money for an expeditions that were usless because the territory gained was undefendable. The heirs had to do a lot of work to remake bizantine an powerfull empire

[@nickpapadopoulos9978]

Fun fact: justinian during the time of the plague known as the Justinian's plague he fell ill and he almost died way earlier then he actually died which would have left justin ii to be deal a much more weakened empire and probably would have led the empire into total anarchy and imploded into itself!

[@nathanpangilinan4397]

@@jacopofolin6400, and thanks to Phocas, it was all for nothing.

[@alexsmithStudios]

They’d hate to visit Wales. I haven’t seen the sun in 25 years.

[@AnoshMalik99]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@PolishBehemoth]

Lel

[@mixerD1-]

Pfft....in the west of Ireland the only Sun we see is in a newsagents...🙄

[@filiperosario1078]

best comment ahah

[@chandradeepmukherjee3930]

LoL

[@Neknadeg]

Whenever I feel sad, I watch videos like this and remind myself that I am the descendant of the survivors. My ancestors went through sooooo much. As did yours. You are the result of luck and strength.

[@kirithekitsune3599]

@@KingDanny9 Their ancestors could be Roman's, but bear in mind that the winter affected the whole world, not just the Byzantines.

[@nolongerthere]

@@KingDanny9 I take this to mean all our ancestors; was there anywhere on Earth that wasn't a harsh place to live and reproduce? (Any claim to the contrary is probably rose-colored myth.) That's something I take away from the reading of history.

[@G8_Garage]

I can relate. My father was the only child and survived war. My grandparents went through worse. Imagine the genealogy and hardships that our ancestors and families had to face in order for us to just be here today in this moment. Its mind boggling.

[@kolbymartin9743]

It's no where in your genetics to give up. Whoever reads this, keep your head up, you're a product of some of the best survivors in the solar system 👍

[@gerharddeusser9103]

Both our ancestors would only laugh at the comparison between the justinian plague and Covid. Hysterical. Shame.

[@evanssamuelbiju4315]

Justinian struggled against all this and at one time fell into a coma being afflicted by the disease, but he still went on to have achieved(at least partially) his dream of restoring the Roman empire, increasing his empire by 51%. I don't think any Roman emperor before him suffered so many blows one after the other, and still, have left a legacy as great as Justinian I 's. If this had not happened, perhaps we would be equating Justinian with Augustus, if not considering him the greatest.

[@alexandrostheodorou8387]

For a palace emperor, he was impressive. He made the right decisions (most of the time, recalling Belisaurius was pretty dumb) but fate kind of demanded the Roman Empire die. If the plague and famine didnt happen, he would have recaptured Gaul the same way previous Emperors had. In my Opinion Justinian was the last great Roman Emperor. And Heraclius was the last Roman Emperor in General. After Heraclius the entire empire became a greek kingdom centered around anatolia.

[@Slavomir66653]

@@alexandrostheodorou8387 except that in this anatolian kingdom there were slavs, armenians, bolghars, syrians, neapolitans, lombards, venetians, and sardinians. Apart from that, completely greek homogenous kingdom.

[@thaneofwhiterun3562]

@@alexandrostheodorou8387 you forget the vlachs my friend!

[@dabo5078]

@@Slavomir66653 They lost Syria and most of their African holdings later.

[@alphagamer9505]

@@alexandrostheodorou8387 I doubt he would get Gaul, I think only Italy and maybe southern goal, but not the whole of it

[@yegirish]

It’s a small thing, but I appreciate the framing of “we’ll assume this hypothesis, but keep in kind the possibility we might be wrong”. I wish that kind of nuance was more common in our politicsl discourse and opinions.

[@hannibalb8276]

Yep, I was thinking the exact same thing. It's one of the reasons why this channel is so great. Modern western society has put such an insane emphasis on greed, egotistical individualism and anti-intellectualism that they've made it almost impossible for people to admit they might not have the correct answer, or be wrong. As if admitting those things might make you "weak and worthless". It's incredibly sad.

[@DestroyerOfSense000]

My heart is gladdened whenever I hear anyone say something like that. Intellectual humility is rare.

[@kemalcalsr7591]

Cause there was lead in gasoline back then, duh ! Economy was so good Everyone was just driving around

[@zjeee]

@@hannibalb8276 Errr you just described pretty much the whole world not just modern Western societies lol you can find plenty of examples of insane greed, anti-intellectualism and a reluctance to admit mistakes in dictatorships and democracies in the middle east and south east Asia too. Unfortunately it would seem that these are quite common for people in power no matter nationality, ideology or race.

[@titsbitchmcgee7502]

It's nice to be humble, but sometimes it's better to just get to the point.

[@RexGalilae]

It's a testament to Justinian's brilliance that the Empire survived the Nika riots, Persian invasions, the Justinian Plague and the 536 Event mostly intact when we could've excused it for collapsing entirely during this period

[@adolphbismark4331]

Like all 29 Illyro-Roman Emperors, Justinian was also great. Just like Claudius Gothicus, Decius, Diocletian, Constantine the Great, Constance II, Valentinian the Great, Anastasius etc.

[@RexGalilae]

@@adolphbismark4331 How can you mention great Illyro-Roman Emperors without mentioning Aurelian? XD It's true. The Illyrians saved and Restored the Roman Empire on so many occasions. It's tragic to see that only a small population remains of the Illyro-Roman community today aka the Aromanians.

[@RexGalilae]

@@adolphbismark4331 Btw, I also think Valentinian is overrated as hell. All these emperors like him and Theodosius just snagged the epithet for their religious beliefs, not their achievements as emperors

[@adolphbismark4331]

The descendants of the Illyro Romans today are Albanians, not aromanians. Aurelian , Diocletian, Clodius Gothicus, Constantine, evan Justinian's father were speaking a dialect of Albanian or proto Albanian. Vlachs are unknown in their origins and are local latinised populations, nothing to do with the 29 Roman Illyrian emperors

[@RexGalilae]

@@adolphbismark4331 This is absolute cap. Albanians were only attested to live in Epirus and we have no historical record to prove that any Roman Emperor, most of whom were born around Sirmium (modern day Serbia/Bosnia) considered himself Albanian. That's some laughable nationalist nonsense lmao. The Illyrians we know were thoroughly romanized people who only spoke Latin and, depending on geography and education, some Greek. It's like if people of Sparta claimed Alexander to be a Spartan. The Vlachs aren't a single ethnic group. It's an endonym assigned to all Romance speaking people in the Balkans Hailing from Illyria, Dacia, Moesia, etc. The Aromanians, being Romance speaking people of Illyria are the only spiritual successors to the Latin speaking Illyrians who saved the empire. You can leave your glory heists to someone else

[@Nordic_Barbarian]

This event in ancient Germanic culture (Scandinavia in particular), is also possibly the inspiration for the Fimbulwinter, when they had 3 years of winter without any summer in-between. Another youtuber called "viking stories" made a interesting video talking about it last week.

[@LoudRevised]

What if you Wanted to reconquer the Roman Empire But God said *Cold*

[@zxera9702]

This is sad can we eat our babies

[@mikeshogunlee]

What if somebody said a meme, but everyone thought you were bashing their religion cause they are snowflakes? (Christian gang by the way)

[@khalidgagnon8753]

@Amperoar M0001 ........ Are you trolling people? If so.... Congrats 😉 If not.......... Why????

[@aleksapetrovic6519]

What if you Wanted to drive the Zoroastrian infidels from Jerusalim But God's Chosen People said *OPEN DA GATE!*

[@mikeshogunlee]

What if you wanted to invade Japan, But God Said; *WET*

[@powahpower2463]

People in 2021: 2020 IS THE WORST YEAR! Kings and General, and other historians: Actually...

[@karansjet3823]

Dinosaurs: Amateurs!

[@wojtek1582]

Yep 2020 is very, very, very faaaar from being worst.

[@dibaterman]

I keep seeing this, what exactly made 2020 worse than 2001 or 2003? What about 1939 or 1927? 1918 was pretty bad also 1887 is also supposed to be really bad. All of those dates have wars, that led to mass famine and millions dying. To my knowledge 2020 by comparison would have been more comfortable inconvenience. I mean if let's say the world went to war with a with one another polarized by various ideologies in a way that history would remember it maybe as being about the consequence of germ warfare then I could understand 2020 being that year. Especially if Nukes were used in response by different nations... Maybe my expectations are too high?

[@rockoorbe2002]

Ackhthually....

[@aragorniielessar1894]

2020 is not even among the top 1000 worst years in history.

[@someguy7723]

Norse mythology is heavly shaped by the harsh winters that happend in those years. Fimbulwinter is believed to be inspired by it

[@aidansumner8364]

*Germanic Mythology

[@alltheframes9015]

@@aidansumner8364 *not Greek mythology

[@user-yj7ve5zv9n]

@JZ's BFF wasn't the Odin Wotan thing much earlier

[@gustavoritter7321]

@@aidansumner8364 No, just Norse mythology, the Germans didnt have anything related to Fimbulwinter

[@sealbeegle9785]

​@@gustavoritter7321 norse mythology IS german you genius

[@byzantinetales]

I first heard the theory of the Arab peninsula becoming more fertile due to this short climate change and helping the Arab population explode just before the great conquests, on the Byzantine history podcast. It’s really amazing how nature has affected world history and we tend to overlook it and I am really glad to see such topics being shown to a wider audience.

[@adolphbismark4331]

Roman history podcast, not " byzantine ". Yes this event didnt allow the Romans to conquer all west and increased the number of arabs. Romen evan sent an expedition to today's Yemen in 26 BC and conquered it easily but said it was not worthwhile

[@persianprince2012]

Allah was paving the way for his servants to gain authority on earth after the message of jesus, who is a muslim, was violated and changed..Truth has come and falsehood has perished for it is bound to perish..this gave way for the great enlightenment and islamic golden age...jesus himself foretold about the coming of Muhammad whose army defeated the descendants of the romans who wanted to kill jesus..thus establishing the kingdom of heaven..unfortunately the muslims were tempted by luxuries and lost the essence of their religion..Allah unleashed Gengiz khan..the rest is history

[@berserk_xvi9552]

@@persianprince2012 And why would Allah wait 500 years for that?

[@jean-louispech4921]

i was thinking on the impact of this event on the rise of the Muslims over Romans and Persians. With all the damages on populations and economy, both empires should have been weakened even one century after, i guess.

[@fencingmitch]

@@persianprince2012 but if no one can change Allah's word how was Jesus' message violated or changed? Also to quote as Zakir Naik "nowhere in the bible when Jesus said there is a prophet Muhammad coming."

[@FalloutKultist]

Not The Worst Year before I come To Make A Visit.

[@noobatthetower8747]

Praise the sublime lord chingis khan

[@Toumahitoedits]

Timur/Tamerlame: I’m with you there my fellow Nomadic Horse Lord Chinggis!

[@Paris-xv9sj]

Well we are talking about History, not personnal experience, but I got it.

[@slacksviii9824]

@@ktheterkuceder6825 nah man, more along the lines of, in his own words, a purger of sins

[@slacksviii9824]

@@ktheterkuceder6825 that was attila the hun, i was quoting Ghengis Kahn

[@Twigs1836]

I love how the wolf on the Göktürk flag "dies." Details like this are why I'm subscribed.

[@sickturret3587]

@@comradekenobi6908 probably there was for half a year. then a nation with a cucumber in their flag annexed them without a fight

[@pajtmvorvndeifneif]

I didn't knew that but happy to have good audience company 😀

[@CoffeeSuccubus]

@@comradekenobi6908 Formosa's flag

[@turkesenveroglu2049]

Bilge Kağan disliked it 🤬

Actually, the video gets it wrong there. Gokturks skyrocketed after 551, replacing Rouran completely.

[@matthewboyle2641]

Europeans in 640: complain Somebody who lived through 536: Oh my sweet summer child, what do you know of fear? Fear is for the winter, fear is for the long night, when the sun hides its face for years at a time."

[@gorilladisco9108]

GRRM is really lazy. 1500 years, and he still hasn't finish his book.

[@soumajitsen1395]

I doubt if anyone lived for 104 years but eh, still, acceptable lol

[@TheVoiceOfReason93]

For the guys in Scandavania, the 'Year 536 Event' must had been like the beginning of Fimbulvetr, and with it Ragnarok.

[@kirithekitsune3599]

I believe that's what they got the myths from, they were inspired by this

[@HistoryOfRevolutions]

The great persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi once wrote: "And while one is brought up with luxury and caresses, and is thrown bewildered and despairing into a dark pit, another is lifted from the pit and raised to a throne where a jeweled crown is placed on his head. The world has no shame in doing this; it is prompt to hand out both pleasure and pain and has no need of us an our doings"

[@radiomutant2543]

I dont know what to say Its first time i see someone uses ferdowsi phrases A happy thing to see .

[@HistoryOfRevolutions]

@@radiomutant2543 hello my friend. Check out my work. I have many videos on Iranian history.

[@apalahartisebuahnama7684]

Such a world we're living in

[@bpalpha]

Yes, there is certainly nothing the population could do to stop such injustice. Now go make the King more money!

[@enricomanno8434]

At this point of the history no more Persians but Iranians

[@1996koke]

2020: I'm the worst year in history 536: Hold my plagues and famines

[@knowledgedesk1653]

2021: hey

[@longyu9336]

We live in extraordinarily boring times in the grand scope of things and that's a good thing.

[@knowledgedesk1653]

@@TAKE_BACK_BRITAIN Laughs severly in 1346.

[@connormac4401]

@@ktheterkuceder6825 nothing that happened in the Cold War come close to WW1 or WW2, left alone the Spanish Flu

[@SetTrippin82]

@@connormac4401 ignorance.

[@justinian-the-great]

Oh I remember pre-536. Those were the good old days. The days when you could destroy the Vandals and reconquer Rome without a thousand bullsh*t plagues falling upon you......

[@magnus1249]

can i have a signiture

[@cjraymond8827]

You ruined Italy, Justinian!

[@joshsharp7897]

Another factor that I assume could have contributed to disease after the eruption was lack of vitamin D since it comes from the sun and also helps strengthen the immune system

[@makakaben]

536 ac.: I'm your worst nightmare ! 65.000.000 b.: hold my rock

[@petergray7576]

66 million years is the current consensus estimate.

[@fabioartoscassone9305]

Toba 75000 bc (perhaps,not so sure): hold my BURNING&SMOKING cigarette

[@LurkerAnonymous]

BEST YEAR FOR MAMMALS THOUGH!

[@erlienfrommars]

230M BC: you don't say?

[@LurkerAnonymous]

@@erlienfrommars What's so bad about the Triassic?

[@mbgdemon]

"Ah yes, we were able to figure out that the crisis had ended when there was a spike in ATMOSPHERIC LEAD"

[@alexk7973]

yes, apparently having poison in the air is a sign humans are doing just fine 😅

[@andreymudik2905]

Its fine, its just a temporary spike, itll stabilize

[@Juanito_Peligroso]

Smelt baby smelt!

[@MrBigCookieCrumble]

*_Mine that ore, smelt some more!_*

[@khalidgagnon8753]

Ironic.....

[@newswithdcruz4277]

2020: I am the worst year in human history 536: That's cute, kid

[@djordjekrsmanovic]

Justinian tries to restore the roman empire Some random volcano on the other side of the world:"I'm gonna stop you right there"

[@muneirovalibas6194]

Justinian : ROMA VICTOR!!!!!! Volcano : lol chill bro

[@MrSteveK1138]

Others: "2020 was the worst year." Kings and Generals: "Hold my wine..."

[@sirunklydunk8861]

2020: I'm the worst year in human history 536: AMATEAUR!!!!

[@Kintabl]

Yes, if you follow MSM. They are showing everything as ''end of the world''. WW1, Spanish flu, WW2 are nothing compere to Covid.

[@dominictoretto9645]

@@Kintabl 2020 was a nice but boring year

[@delradian6473]

I rarely leave comments on any channel but I want to say this. I've been watching you guys for years. Not long after you guys started. So thank you a lot. I have always loved history and you guys have kept me interested in it. So thanks

[@knightofsvea604]

I knew that the dark ages started back then... But not that it was LITTERLY darker and colder on the planet. I Guess, History is our greatest weapon, and education the only way to Freedom.. Thanks KnG for another absolut great video ❤️

[@nuoiptertermer4484]

The dark ages did not start then. They started in 410 with the Visigoth's sacking of Rome.

[@luxemag4347]

@@nuoiptertermer4484 No. Dark Ages are called so because of the lack of records. They are "Dark" to us because we lack written historical records. Dark Age isn't exclusive of the Medieval Age, which is just a peculiar arrangement between land ownership and workforce, in contrast to the previous situation.

[@Rymontp]

Definitely my favourite history channel. A lot of videos overlap with the topics in my history course so these are really helping with my grades. We actually read one of Procopius' works yesterday and now there's a video in which he is mentioned!

[@ernestov1777]

Think about this for a moment. Your ancestors survived this and now we are talking about their sacrifices to survive. They didn't give up, and we shouldn't either. Our descendants will appreciate our sacrifices.

[@quattrosaltiinpadellaconbu7143]

@@g.rogowski2462 there is an interesting historical event about Ligurian mothers reported by the greek philosopher Posidonio: basically he went to Marsillie to meet an old friend that possessed some cultivated camps there, and among his workers there were also Ligurians being nearby their territories. He had tell to Posidonio that one day a pregnant ligurian woman had give birth during the work day; she cleaned the baby and herself in a near river and after cotaing him to not get cold, she went back to work like nothing happened. The field owner approached her and askedastonished "but...you have just give birt to that baby?", so she replied "yes, and so?" "are you not too tired for work?" "yes, but i need money to grow him", so the greek gave her the pay for the day and ordered her to back to home. The ligurians also (like the rest of celtic people), gave great importance to women, in their society before the advent of christianity, both sexes were equal in power and roles. For example there were women warriors and often archeologists find sculptures of armed womens and tombs of girls with weapons. Other greeks and roman historians reported that when Marsillie was founded by the greeks they encountered the local tribe, and the king offered a diplomatic marriage between her daughter and one of the settlers. But the greeks where amazed by the fact that Gyptis (the ligurian princess) had to choose her husband and not her father

[@hebber1961]

In no way does covid compare to this or any other plagues in the past. Covid....tis but a scratch. So many people trying to make it the epic level event of their lifetime to compare with others real struggles of the past. It knocked us off our soft cushion for a bit and most troubles have been due to the reaction or over-reactions.

[@jgappy5643]

@@quattrosaltiinpadellaconbu7143 my grandmother has done the same with one of her children. Tough times.

[@jgappy5643]

@@hebber1961 so true. I see people who most likely have been vaccinated and still wear a mask (which our CDC has said that masks are not effective). The biggest plague is not covid, but fear which is fed on a daily basis by the media and digested by millions who are not willing enough to form their own opinion.

[@battousaithekingslayer9913]

@@hebber1961 facts bro i say this all the time we live in the easiest time period in history we have technology better medicine and everything

[@paul1780]

The score at the end so majestic and damning. So happy I found this channel 5 years ago, this Team just keeps getting better from the Best. The animation by itself is if Age of Kings Campaign Intro and outro was made now, that's how I feel.

[@699CHIP]

This channel isn’t the channel we deserve, but it’s the one we need right now

[@giacomomanfredi6465]

I am never full of Byzantine History! Thank you as always K&G!

[@adolphbismark4331]

Roman history. " Byzantine " is a fake terminology invented by German historians in the 16th century

[@novelseeker4410]

@@adolphbismark4331 you are saying “fake terminology” as if terminology isn’t fundamentally arbitrary. It’s like saying you can’t call the Roman Republic the “Roman Republic” because it’s actually “SENATVS POPVLVSQVE ROMANVS”. The Byzantine Empire is a useful term to distinguish between the unified Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire after the west fell (or even before that). Constantinople is nowadays known as Istanbul too, and nobody is disputing that it is the same city. Tl;Dr calling it the Byzantine Empire is just as valid as calling it the Eastern Roman Empire.

[@LittleBaboon]

@@novelseeker4410 Disagree. Terminology, albeit arbitrary, is invented to serve a purpose. What is the purpose of using Byzantine instead of Roman? Bear in mind that even "Eastern Roman" can also be deemed as inaccurate, in this particular time period. After the Fall of Rome there wasn't really a True Western Roman Empire. There is only The Roman Empire - moved to Constantinople. So by definition "Byzantine" is meaningless as there is no Eastern nor Western Empires. Creating terminology just because it is easier to use, might be a property of a linguistic dynamic but it should not be used in a historical debate and/or article.

[@novelseeker4410]

@@LittleBaboon The term “Byzantine” might not be used to distinguish between the eastern and western Roman Empire after the west fell, but it can still distinguish the different time periods of the classical Roman Empire of Rome from the medieval Byzantine Empire of Byzantium. It reflects a change in time and territory, the same way you distinguish the Roman Republic and the Kingdom of Rome as different time periods and governments of the same empire.

[@LittleBaboon]

@@novelseeker4410 While true, the term was not adopted (and frankly, not even crafted at its core) to be used in the way you just explained. Byzantine is, for some reason, used to describe a "Different" Polity from the Roman one. Which is 100% inaccurate. It is not employed to describe a different Period of the Roman Empire's History. So by definition "Byzantine Empire" is a wrong , meaningless shallow attempt to portray History, the way historians want to portray it, because it is simpler for them. There is no such thing as Byzantine Empire, it never existed and probably, never will.

[@lars3712]

Amazing video. I actually wrote my bachelor thesis on the historiography of this subject in Scandinavia. You guys have done outstanding research!

[@cook658]

After watching any Kings and Generals' video, I feel my history knowledge is more profound than half an hour before. Thank you!

[@feelingchanvre928]

Wow this is a great documentary! I love the mix of science and history, it tells the story differently than in your other videos and adds so much.

[@emperornapoleon6204]

Rome just wouldn’t die, and so the Earth itself had to intervene. I have always found the catastrophic visual of 536 and the subsequent period to be the most compelling. No matter how poor 2020 might have been, I am thankful to be here.

[@alpharomeo1401]

Nice animations. Brilliant presentation and most importantly, the narrator's voice is pure joy and a treat for the ears. Best history channel ever.

[@devereuxbirdzell]

Kings and Generals, making my pandemic experience just a little better with your excellent videos. Thank you!

[@youvebeengreeked]

*I'd make a 2020 reference, but you lot in the comments are already doing a fine job.*

[@WASRGP]

😆🖤👊🏼🤘🏼✌🏼 Good thing they're reminding us... I damn near forgot.. 🥴😆😷

[@forlornfool221]

far East coincidence? hmm

[@ernestov1777]

@@GrandAdmiralGamez Nah is actually a good year. Normality is returning.

[@talhaawan5968]

@@ernestov1777 um I hope this normality goes well and Doesn't lead to a boom of another wave. In europe the restrictions are easing down and yesterday i went outisde just to enjoy opening if resturants and well It was crowded as fck with literally 30 percent of people wearing masks in Malls

[@thomasrial4444]

@@ernestov1777 maybe for you, not for India

[@joshuapowell2548]

Humans in 536: Worst year ever Humans in 2020: Worst year ever Dinosaurs: LOL

[@SpenyGreenwoodie]

By far the best channel on all sorts of history....keep it up buddy!

[@Miloun]

Your documentaries are getting better and better. Hats off to you! And respect to the script writer of this one.

[@ekmalsukarno2302]

Kings and Generals, please make a video on the Malacca Sultanate. Thank you very much.

[@mohddmalaysiayt4558]

Agree

[@asmrnaturecat984]

@@mk9650 the natives pronounce it as melake (mer lark cur) but europeans couldn't pronounce it right , and couldn't even spell ot right, should have spell it as malakka

[@Killzoneguy117]

You know, I love this channel for its educational content. But with everything going on, with my province in the grip of another lockdown, with this pandemic dragging on and on and on day after day, I really think I needed this video. This video really helped put in perspective just how much worse things could be. And that there really is no guarantee in life that you will live without calamity. In a strange sort of way, this actually makes me feel much better about the state of our world right now. It gives me a sense of hope. If people could survive 536 AD, maybe I can survive 2021 AD.

[@PrinceVega]

Indeed, my friend. Concerning the lockdowns, slowly but surely, the world is coming back to normal. Be careful and stay healthy, all will be well! Have a nice day!

[@regaininglife9084]

Except the pandemic going on now is a man-made crisis and purely political.

[@manugamer9984]

@@regaininglife9084 if people like you have survived 536 we have truly nothing to fear

[@jasonsharp3331]

Agreed. Or imagine being in Europe during the 1st or 2nd World War. There are numerous examples of times in history much worse to live in than 2020. Covid-19 was a minor inconvenience compared to those.

[@nadzach]

I hope you are well and happy.

[@barbaralucas1220]

Great video love it, so interesting. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge 😊☺️

[@AlxanderBrd]

Lesser sunlight also means less vitamin D which we know is a crucial pillar of the immune system.

[@Yum_Yum_Delicious_Cum]

+ fertility, testosterone and a lot more. So people didnt only starve their hormones wouldn't work right so ontop of the depression they got from their families dying and hunger they got it extra ontop from hormonal imbalance

[@untruelie2640]

I always wondered what the "dark sky event" in the "The Last Roman" campaign of Total War: Attila was. Here is the answer. It's quite intriguing how many historical events and processes are caused by or lined to natural phenomena. Like the climate change that was partially responsible for the great migration period in late antiquity. As always, the quality of your video is without equals. :D

[@vitaeth4949]

Total War Atilla age - Last roman had this event. Every turn is one month and you have to build granaries because fertility drops to 0

[@LordEsel88]

It's a very interesting challenge when the historical natural disasters happen in the game.

[@Noinoanoe]

I was so confused when playing until I googled why

[@GaborSzabo747]

I always thought the growing winter is just a stupid addition to make the Attila campaign harder chapter by chapter. Turned out, I was wrong. LOL

[@Cherb123456]

Wow! Incredible, enjoyed to a great extend! Thank you!

[@footlong24seven]

Bro these videos are awesome. Procopius is definitely on my reading list. The dark/middle age is such a fascinating topic.

[@angrymanwithsillymoustasche]

Only 30s kids know how terrible was that year... [530's kids]

[@cumunist2120]

The 1930s were also pretty bad

[@angrymanwithsillymoustasche]

@@cumunist2120 yes

[@HustlerMitch]

Imagine if that big event didnt happen and the 500's were just normal. Did someone say Roman Empire part 2?

[@tondajenej3449]

Part 1 never ended baby

[@HowlingWolf518]

Leave Italy alone and the Ostrogoths restore Rome anyway (albeit as a separate empire). All Justinian did was set the Byzantines up for the Sassanids to kick their asses.

[@alessandrogini5283]

Maybe yes... Or simply, make a better successor of justinian

[@alexandrostheodorou8387]

@@HowlingWolf518 If Justinian actually got tax revenues and had won the war quickly in Italy it would have monumental to recapturing Spain and Gaul. Belisaurius retook North Africa in less then 2 years. Belisaurius actually took over Italy quickly, but when Justinian recalled him Ostrogoths re attacked and took every back again causing a 20 year campaign.

[@HowlingWolf518]

@@alexandrostheodorou8387 The Byzantines were lucky the Gothic War went as smoothly as it did - Belisarius actually came close to losing a few times. Trying to attack the Visigoths *and* Franks *and* hold Italy would've been suicidal.

[@UltraVista007]

Very very interesting video! I've learned so much, thank you for that!!

[@dam9845]

You provide such great material to your viewers. I appreciate all of your hard work. I truly appreciate it!

[@michaeldavis2906]

100% agree with you! This is exactly the type of learning content that I always hope to come across when I’m watching learning videos, and it influences me to binge watch more! It’s absolutely incredible the amount of work that was put into making this video! This is how I hope schools revolutionize learning methods!

[@talahari2441]

The intro sound is faster, I just noticed it since I like hearing it

[@Dfathurr]

2020 : i'm the worst year ever 2021 : hold my beer 536 : amateurs

[@liamw6562]

Let’s be real 2021 has been no where near as bad as 2020

[@mariush.composer]

@@liamw6562 fr, this year its basically 2020 extended, but last year around this time, we had so many unique disasters already - Australia, US-Iran, Beginning of the Pandemic, Start of the US Riots etc etc

[@simonedagostino9358]

410: hold my Rome sacking

[@TheLincolnrailsplitt]

This is one of the best videos produced by this channel.

[@chrisadlc1]

Another amazing video, like always . You guys are great

[@JuTakii]

Well you cannot deny that’s an intriguing title, lol!

[@hannibalb8276]

@@ktheterkuceder6825 The video / authors aren't claiming 536 was the worst year, simply that ancient peoples thought it was, and why they believed so.

[@BenDover-gd3mf]

The Justinian-Belasarius combo always reminds me the Ocrtavian-Agrippa combo. Brutal, and the legacy enduring.

[@reaver5]

I love it when it when I see a new king and generals video being released

[@nervsouly]

I saw this topic on another channel last year already, but I`m glad it has now also been featured by K&G.

[@snappysnu1154]

This just makes Justinian look like a god-like hero

[@saudkm7698]

Meanwhile in the deserts, the people were glad it was a few degrees cooler. They might thought it was the best year ever! 🤣

[@gbolahanafolayan]

I really appreciate the work you guys do

[@gamingextreme87]

Hi guys, I love the music you use towards the end. Seems like your description says its by EpidemicSound, but would you be willing to share the track for people to listen to outside of one of your videos?

[@andikasa5541]

One of the greatest documentaries king and generals have ever realised,a mixing of facts from the past,an intriguing description of events and of course the worst year in history!

[@lushbIood]

it's rarely said out loud but the starvation and the plague has a very unfortunate link. when you're starving and you've eaten your friends, family and the dog. you're most likely gonna eat the rats as well.

[@garymartin7369]

With jellybeans!

[@unvunb7157]

Just another great video from kings and general, thank you.

[@ScapularSaves]

Brilliant video. You seem to allude to the episodes of Silverius and Vigilius with Belisarius at the beginning of the video. I believe you touched upon that before somewhere. 536 is definitely a year of terrible things.

[@thaneofwhiterun3562]

Kings and Generals: *Makes History Video* This comment section: Allow me to make an old joke

[@rueisblue]

Seriously the comments are always so cancer, shame bc the channel is absolutely top class

[@RMBII91]

@@rueisblue Almost every single KZbin video has some variation of the same 10 "jokes" it's so lame and tiresome. But like you said at least the video and channel are great!

[@beezybuzyfamily]

And arguing is everywhere

[@arpitarunmishra]

Historians- "Worst year to be alive in the history of the planet" The comet that wiped out the dinosaurs- "Am I a joke to you?"

[@jordanetherington1922]

Oxygen Holocaust: *cracks knuckles*

[@khepasomaster7953]

What about the permic triassic extinction that happened about 250,000,000 years ago that killed 96% of the worlds population?

[@edgargabriel6640]

I can read about these years in the books of our village here. How dark this time was. It got darker afterwards: from the Roman empire down to darkest mideaval horror. Greetings from South Germany.

[@halam899live8]

Great video today keep it up your doing amazing job

[@jona.scholt4362]

Robin Pearse did a couple of fantastic episodes (the series is fantastic in general, picking up the torch from Mike Duncan) of his podcast The History of Byzantium, on the Justinian Plague and how it devastated the empire, as well how Yersinia Pestis works, which was fascinating and disgusting at the same time. I highly recommend it if you have an interest in The Roman Empire after the fall of the west.

[@stevenkobb156]

"...keeping in mind the possibility of wrongness." I love it. That should be our global mantra.

[@alexandersvir2422]

Amazing channel!!! Thank you

[@drakesmith6132]

Love the artwork!

[@Brandonhayhew]

2021 and 2020: worst years. 536: you two needs some history lessons!

[@khalidgagnon8753]

Yep

[@TN51234]

For me 2020-2021 is same as 2000 xd nothing rly changed from that time, still not going outside and gaming 15/h day.

[@FlorenceFox]

I mean, we're not even half way through 2021, so there's still time...

[@khalidgagnon8753]

@@FlorenceFox ...................... I hate it when someone has a good point.....

[@mattep74]

2020 is not even the worst year in the last 100. 1939 to 1945 is much worse.

[@frankthetank8799]

Anyone else hear the fly buzzing noises in the video and thought there was a fly in the room with you?

[@d3adweight]

Insane production quality

[@Theunknownpast_official]

Amazing video this is really interesting well done

[@JeyyPi]

Wow, and East Rome still stood nearly 1000 years after this eruption!

[@khalidgagnon8753]

They were tough as nails.... And even then they had periods where they completely stabilized the situation and made the empire impervious to attack, rebuilt the nation as a whole and pulled off the impossible somehow..... They'd get a set of morons afterwards who wrecked EVERYTHING prior.... Somehow....

[@khalidgagnon8753]

Rome in essence was both tough as nails and doomed to fail at the same time....

[@yonathanrakau1783]

@@khalidgagnon8753 it wasnt doomed to failed but series of unexpected events do happen in courses of history. Its hard to imagine rome ever fell to a middle ages peasant as it was hard to imagine europe declining to normal person before ww1

[@LordEsel88]

@@khalidgagnon8753 Empires tend to fall sooner or later, but it's still impressive that the Eastern Roman Empire remained standing for such a long time.

[@khalidgagnon8753]

@@LordEsel88 true, true....

[@benbehzadpour1177]

Videos like this give me such hope. If my ancestors could survive that, I can survive 2020 and 2021. At least the damn sun hasn't been blotted out...

[@TimothyPossible]

Bill Gates has a plan to dim the sun

[@mahadlodhi]

Great video as always

[@acedrafter]

Thank you for sharing ❤️

[@David_ESP]

*Governments nowadays* : "Noooo. Why do I have to handle this pandemic when I'm ruling? 2020 and 2021 are the worst years of my life!!" *Justinian looking from heaven* : "Hehehe, noobs. 536 AD goes brrr"

[@almister]

This format is deader than the Byzantine empire

[@nathanpangilinan4397]

Modern governments at least don't have to worry about handling a mass famine on top of the pandemic.

[@David_ESP]

@@almister Thats why I live in 1212 :D

[@LuisBrito-ly1ko]

“And thus with the 4 plagues of Sword, Famine, Pestilence, and Wild Beasts raging everywhere throughout the world, the annunciations foretold by the Lord through his prophets came to fulfillment.”

[@unkownoflife5959]

Who wrote this?

[@LuisBrito-ly1ko]

@@unkownoflife5959 Hydatius

[@unkownoflife5959]

@@LuisBrito-ly1ko And from what book

[@LuisBrito-ly1ko]

@@unkownoflife5959 The Chronicle of Hydatius

[@unkownoflife5959]

@@LuisBrito-ly1ko And this was an eyewitness to what was happening in 536?

[@bluesraincancun9217]

Once again, another great vid.

[@mireauxrascian]

An excellent video. Thank you.

[@VladiSSius]

Tiktok generations : "0Mg 2o20 iS thE W0rSt yeAr In HiSt0rY!!1!!" Ancient generations : "Are we look like jokes to you!?"

[@thefisherking78]

Modern times may be stressful and confusing, but let's not take our comforts for granted.

[@brennan7032]

Didn’t Historia Civilis do a video with the same title? Another great channel

[@abuhamza1970]

The book Catastrophe by David Keys explains this event and it’s subsequent knock-on effects beautifully

[@JawsOfHistory]

I love that 536 C.E. started off as some controversial claim, but the more people try to disprove it, the more they end up agreeing on it.

[@tomriley5790]

That's basically just good science...

[@adamhbrennan]

But was Justinian “brave” enough to stare down an eclipse?

[@anonymbigfox]

No, he was no stable genius ;)

[@isaiahwolftail867]

Wow good video im surprised its fresh. I thought it it was one of their old videos lol. No wonder y it sounded so good

[@axlefoxe]

Great video, really good stuff