Byzantium The Lost Empire full documentary by John Romer

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[@rovingrom]

Great to see this again and thank you so much for posting! I worked with John Romer on Episode 4, at the Painted Monasteries of Bucovina in Romania in January 1997 (sequences starting: 3:05:30, 3:23:40....). John Romer was amazing to work with - even though it was only 3 days it was an experience I will never forget! It was the very first contract I had in what turned out to be 21 years of running my own small travel company in Romania, from which I have just retired (September 2018). There are things I learnt from John in those 3 days, that I have continued to pass on to my tour clients throughout the 21 years. But it is John's ability to draw in his audience, through his own enthusiasm and unique style of presentation, that I tried to emulate on my tours - with a small degree of success I like to believe! What an incredible opportunity it was to work with John at the very start of my tour career!

[@johntomlinson6849]

I taped and re-watched this series again and again after Channel 4 showed it in the mid-1990s. I loved the poignant sequences in Romania and the terrible sadness they invoked about the loss of a civilisation.

[@boxsterman77]

It’s evident the is enthralled in his subject matter. He’s a story teller, and everyone loves a once upon a time, esp when it happens to be true.

[@MegaLivingIt]

Yes, and quite a poet. His books are fine but he shines in the videos brings it to life.

[@giuseppelogiurato5718]

Romer sometimes has a way of speaking like he's telling a child a bedtime story... I like it... I also like how this documentary is not littered with extra "experts/commentators" or any corny reenactments; just one continuous narrative and lots of relevant footage.

[@Junmitis]

The architecture is just mind-blowing. Every time the camera shifted from those beautiful structures to the ugly cities that are there nowdays it felt like shifting from a pleasant dream of spring to a nightmare from hell. An empire of innovators, talent for creation, all lost forever. Truly sad. Thanks for the narration Mr. Romer, it felt like taking a trip back to the past, your passion for history really shows.

[@Ntyler01mil]

The music in this documentary is amazing, at turns bombastic, haunting, or longing. The music over the credits is especially devastating.

[@gabrielt3277]

Did you find any track names ?

[@Ntyler01mil]

It appears that the music was made just for this documentary by composer Howard Davidson.

[@gabrielt3277]

Aahh, anyway it s amazing !

[@brober]

Yes. I have always thought the score hauntingly beautiful.

[@JohnnyLodge2]

Does anyone know the instruments used? Especially the string instrument

[@connornicholas8628]

This man’s passion for the subject really shines through in the way he presents.

[@DonDog123]

I'm so very fascinated by the Byzantines. I love everything about them. The way they called themselves Romans when they had become something completely different, new AND amazing. We call them Byzantines but for them, they thought of and called themselves: true Romans (which they TRULY were). They also thought themselves to be Hellenes(Which the CERTAINLY WERE). And last but certainly not least, they considered themselves to be the ONE TRUE successor to the Roman empire(WHICH THEY 100%, ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY, UNDENIABLY WERE the successors to the ORIGINAL Rome! The Holy "Roman" Empire can suck it. They were neither, Roman nor, an Empire.). Their languages (Early=Latin Mid-late=Greek) were beautiful, sophisticated languages. Their architecture was incredibly beautiful as well (I can only imagine that their final form during it's later years as a a small Greco-Roman city-state[{poleis/polis}], it' must have been at it's absolute pinnacle of architecture and artwork, all in ONE place! I would be struck with uncontrollable shock and awe!). If you've ever looked at the Byzantine churches/basilicas then, you'll realize what I mean. The mosaics were covered in gold and aesthetically-pleasing, soft, colors. The roman style of dome (The hagia sophia has a dome almost as big as the one on the Pantheon!) was mixed with and made were made ON TOP OF the "roman" square building style(Such as the same design used on the baths of Diocletian.). At such heights and with such amazingly large domes that looked like the were levitating above the ground, the people thought it was an act of god (even more so now since, it survived and wasn't even damaged by many LARGE earthquakes.). The domes look so amazing on the inside and they give you a feeling of euphoria and puts you in a transcendent and meditative state. The exterior architecture of the buildings made a HUGE impression on and, were a LARGE influence on modern architecture. Their clothes were pretty cool.(Not as cool as traditional/old-school Roman clothing but, they DID have a lot of jewelry and intricate patterns on their Toga(?)/Tunic(?) things. They also had intense wars with great victories and not-so-great but still, heroic, brave and Roman-patriotism filled losses were still quite admirable. They were just an amazing civilization. One of my favorite Empires/Kingdoms of all time! Please help raise awareness about this amazing culture so maybe someday, we'll get a good Byzantine movie!

[@anastasiamichaelgrigoriado7650]

Wow! Loved your thoughts. Unfortunately, you are indeed one of those few interested...

[@jhonatansoto1285]

@@anastasiamichaelgrigoriado7650 Few of us are fascinated with greek medieval history. To be honest, before i am gone from this earth, just want to visit Constantinople (Istambul) and visit the ancient ruins of the Queen of the Cities...

[@anastasiamichaelgrigoriado7650]

@@jhonatansoto1285 If you feel this way, you should really visit the Queen City. But when you go you must remember that most of her wonders are hidden and what is left for public consumption may not be enough to the learned visitor's eye. Don't be disappointed, because if you visit the city with the eyes of your soul, of all your senses and your imagination wide open, then you will surely "see" a lot more. When I first visited Constantinople there was this strange feeling that overwhelmed me. I found out that it was not just crazy me but most of those fascinated with the story of the city and its people do feel the same. This is an old feeling that has endured through time and it will get to you if, when you are there, you also visit the Patriarchate at Fanari and the church of Panagia Vlaherna. You will then realize that "this Constantinople" is not an ancient or medieval relic but something still alive and vibrant. Try not to box yourself in a tour (where you may hear all kinds of bull), wear comfortable shoes and walk. Go to Agia Sofia stand under her dome and try not to hear anything else but your own breath. Walk along the walls especially the part close to the palace of Porfyrogennitos (the one called Tekfur saray) and a bit further north where the palace of Vlahernes used to be. Then touch the walls and if you don't feel the battles they've seen then you may return to this page and tell me I am indeed stupid. And if you get the chance, go to Mystra (in Greece) to the lost capital of Byzantium as sir Steven Runciman calls it and there, you will get a full "shot" of the wonder of those times.

[@jhonatansoto1285]

@@anastasiamichaelgrigoriado7650 Indeed. The Eastern Roman Empire is an idea, and to understand its magnificent past, you dont need to just go and visit the ruins in a simple tour, you need to sense and listen to the echoes of the past... I want to have that opportunity and how can i forget Mystra, where Constantine XI was crowned, to go there and visit that chamber were he was claimed as emperor, that feeling of visiting the past, it is going to be unique...

[@runkeral901]

Me too!And what is not to love about it?;)

[@tomashize]

Strange and sad to see him walking through Palmyra so recently destroyed by Islamic State. The 80 year old who ran the site for 30 years hid several artifacts. IS tortured him but by all accounts he still hadn't told them when they beheaded him. What a brave man. RIP

[@aaronjaben7913]

+Pagan Pilgrim yes, very

[@tomashize]

It's an evil old Religion/ideology and that's for sure. The Mongols would have given them what for. Imaging if the Old Gods rose up and set about them with great wrath...

[@PanSzawu]

Jad Ibrahim they abide by the Quran and Hadith closer than you do

[@mikeappleget482]

Catherine H. Much of the U.S. army has skulls on their uniform. Just google “skulls on U.S. military uniform” and you’ll see dozens of examples. Nazi germany was Christian, so is America. U.S. is a fascist country.

[@SJ-xb7lg]

Muslims rebuilded constantinople and made it great again after crusaders sacked it and left it to rot. Shut your dirty lying setpent mouth up.

[@hashbrownz1999]

This documentary conveys emotion and historical facts in a way that gives me the chills. Excellent documentary.

[@katerinasmoldyreva7340]

Romer’s historical documentaries are probably the best that I know of. A very knowledgeable scolar, an amazing storyteller, he always blurs the borders of time and space and makes me feel that I am standing right there and then. He makes that long passed world alive again. I really do wish that he had made many more of these fascinating documentaries! Thank you John Romer!

[@АнталияНедвижимость]

Respect to Greek Culture. You have a very nice culture.

[@mavromanitari9739]

Every culture is a great culture! Ours just happens to be one of the oldest still in existance.

[@donbryant58]

I am green with envy of Mr.Romer. To be able to personally to view and observe the very stuff of legend.

[@raggrubbyzance2876]

This is probably the sadest movie ever please like if you cry every single time

[@byzantinetales]

At least it happened! It could have ended much earlier during the Arab conquests!

[@aris9560]

"And if Romania passed; she blooms and brings more..." bad translation, i know :D

[@historify.54]

I like to believe I am open-minded and objective to the turns of history but this story moves me like no other. As a Christian and a retired history teacher, Byzantium, for all its majesty and tragedy, is a lesson for the West today. Romer is a magnificent storyteller. We need more like him.

[@stuartwray6175]

What's the lesson?

[@Littlegoatpaws]

The most underrated of the great civilizations, and one to whom the West really owes more than it knows. Some scholars nave called it "an age of medieval degeneracy and illiteracy" and other such, not worthy of note. Not at all so! The Byzantines... Really a continuation of Rome, actually preserved classical philosophy for posterity and was literate while much of Europe was in the pall of illiteracy and schisms. I should point out a misguided crusade instigated by up and coming Western rustics ultimately brought Constantinople down, the Turks only took what was left. It doesn't get the respect and acknowledgement it deserves and it's high time we review our understanding of history with a less cynical look at one of the most important in influential powers of the last millennium.

[@hailalexander93]

Slagar The Cruel they also prevented Islam from going into Europe until the Ottomans made it to Austria.

[@Littlegoatpaws]

@@hailalexander93 Yes they did. The Parisian and Venetian skylines would be filled with minarets right now without the Byzantines to hold them back and how did they thank them for it? By sacking and plundering them.

[@hailalexander93]

Slagar The Cruel yeah it's a sad story. The Pope wanted it for himself before the Turks got to it.

[@dlwatib]

@ 4:30 No one quite knows why Constantine chose to make Byzantium his new capital? Not true! Byzantium was in a very strategic location because it controlled the Bosphorus strait. Of course it also had an excellent harbor. It was also easily defended, and central to the Eastern half of the empire. The Danube and Euphrates river valleys were in easy reach of an army headquartered at Byzantium. Wikipedia also says that Byzantium had recently had extensive building work done by Septimius Severus and Caracalla, so Constantine didn't have to start from scratch. The tetrarchy had already been ruling from outside Rome for some time. Rome was too far from the frontiers. It's probable that it wasn't all that pleasant for rulers to live at any more. Being officially 1072 years old at the time, it was probably a pretty skanky place. It didn't have a lot of choice bare land for building on (Nero apparently resorted to secretly starting a fire when he wanted to clear land to build a new palace, which he blamed on the Christians), and there was a lot of in-fighting among the elite families. Under Diocletian, a new major Western capital had already been established at Mediolanum (Milan,Italy). Constantine's father had ruled from Augusta Treverorum (Trier, Germany), and Constantine had had a hand in the building campaign there. Constantine's father had also ruled from a Western capital at Eboracum (York, England) and died there. The major Eastern capital was at Nicomedia (Izmit, Turkey), and the minor one was at Sirmium (Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Neither of these were as well situated as Byzantium. Nicomedia was close to Byzantium, about 62 miles away, but its harbor was a dead end and it did not control the Bosphorus or the Danube. There are legends about Constantine being guided by God to Byzantium, and also guided by God when it came time to lay out the defensive walls for the city. But Byzantium had enough advantages that mystical messages were unnecessary for a man with as much military and administrative prowess as Constantine.

[@jeradclark8533]

Excellent comment.

[@PtolemyAtheling]

dlwatib I admire his fascination of the East Roman Empire but the fact he keeps calling it Byzantium and refers that name as a "spicy word" shows that he has the limited western idea of what that culture was. Still it's nice to see some documentary about what is now phrased as the Byzantine Empire. It's by far the most underrated civilization of middle ages by most TV historians. If you or me could have the means to make a documentary with good funding it be great to say the least. The more we shoe interest here on the internet the better chance we can get a good documentary or film on the East Roman Empire. Personally I would love a Tora Tora Tora style film with Basil II vs Samual the great of Bulgaria.

[@jeradclark8533]

***** That would be an excellent doc. Gibbon referred to the byzantine empire as Roman.

[@TheVaughan5]

Jerad Clark Yes, it was of course the Eastern Roman Empire and like most Western historians, Gibbon dismissed it as being of no real consequence - I can only conclude that this is a result of a huge guilt complex over the desecration of Constantinople by the "Christian(?)" Crusader army in the 13th c.

[@PtolemyAtheling]

cameronpaul The Pope did excommunicate the soldiers and they were lead in by a usurper but the western would should feel guilt for the 4th crusade. I feel that Greece deserves the financial aid without austerity for all the terrible things that Western Europe especially Italy have done to the Greek world.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Really childish comments here, but we are on the internet. Fascinating documentary. Romer really bring s history to life.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

Some people like to play the victim. Cheap way of gaining moral high ground. Also blinkered religious and nationalist dogma don't invite nuanced historical analysis.

[@PhrygianPhrog]

+Keith L. Ergodan is an A-grade ass and most (sensible) Turks seem to be sick of his antics. Let's hope things can improve.

[@leo333333able]

Turks absolutely did not seem to be sick of Erdogan when they helped put down the coup. Turkey is as Keith L says going to see some real trouble ahead. 10-20 years US EU Russia may be leveling the place for the air.

[@azmhyr]

I didn't know that there was a "Turkish lobby" lobbying for Turkish interests.

[@azmhyr]

Erdoğan is not even a Turk by blood, he said so himself on various occasions that he's a Georgian, and models his regime after his fellow Georgian Joseph Stalin.

[@TheChiconspiracy]

It's funny how we insist on calling it "Byzantine", which nobody in the Empire actually called themselves, and was coined nearly a century later by a Western European historian. They themselves called themselves Romans, as did most of their neighbors, because they were the continuation of the Eastern Roman Empire, and retained much that made Rome successful. The Western European dominated histories however, still teach that the Roman Empire "fell" in the 400s. Utter nonsense.

[@TheChiconspiracy]

Martin .Luther Julius Caesar and all educated Romans spoke Greek, often to each other in fact. Was Caesar not a proper Roman? Greek cultural influence had existed LONG before the Roman Empire came about. Even the west was a synthesis of Latin and Greek culture, not a distinct "Roman" culture compared to the Eastern Territories. It would be like saying the eastern part of Canada isn't really Canadian because they speak French.

[@TheChiconspiracy]

Martin .Luther "I think that the Argument for or against calling them Romans is hard to make, since the Roman empire of the Kommenian period had very little in-common with the Rome of Julius " By what definitions? I can stretch and say The Rome of Julius had very little in common with the Rome of the early republic. The United States of today looks wildly different to it's founding. Should it be called something else? "Byzantine" Rome retained the Roman legal system, civil administration, highly organized and disciplined army, mastery of civil engineering (public baths and aqueducts in contrast to their much smellier western neighbors) systems of education, ect. Saying they're "not really Romans" when they called rightfully called themselves as such (not to mention their Persian, Arab, and Balkan neighbors) is absurd. It was a continuous 1000 year Roman empire after the Western half had fallen.

[@milostosic2862]

+TheChiconspiracy Well, I must agree with Chiconspiracy...Eastern part of empire which survived was high influnced by Greeks since Alexander conquest and Helenism... Yes, in Eastern Roman Empire ( Byzantium) they have spoken in Greek, but in the west, it was even more rare to speak Latin...Only in Italy Latin have been spoken for a while. In Gaul, Hispania, Brittania, Africa that Germanic tribes was a bit more different from Romans than Greeks in the Eastern part...ANd emperors in 3rd century? Were they Romans? Who was Constantine father Eutropius? Some Ilyrian Romaniyed peasent? And who was direct ancestor of Constantine in the time of August? Probably some Ilyrian barbarian... So tell me, plz, what does mean to be Roman? It s more about culture, tradition and heretagy than speak of the common people or geographycaly place. And Byzantine preserved Roman heritagy more than that barbaric in the west if u get my point...But people from the west like to imagine different cuz they denied that Byzantine was a center of culture, tradition, education all that was important to Rome since the renesance...

[@EgorAnanyev]

+TheChiconspiracy Russians and Bulgarians, to their north, always called them Greeks.

[@TheChiconspiracy]

+Egor Ananyev The Rus tried to claim the mantle of "Rome" for themselves, and the Bulgarian empire was an enemy or subject state of Constantinople for most of its existence. No different than the jealous western European powers and their exercises in denial.

[@granskare]

When Ataturk began the present Turkish republic, he turned the Hagia Sophia into a museum, he abolished the sultan and the caliphate.

[@jmitterii2]

And when the Pirates take over, we'll rename it City of Many Colanders. A dish of noodles for all. And abolish the acts that are worthy of being abolished.

[@nikoshriklidis4195]

Yes ,when Kemal ordered Agia Sofia to be a mosque,then Turks turned to public Toilet or worst.

[@LordDirus007]

He was a great Leader. Who understood the need for Freedom of Religion. God, Allah or whoever created Life, gave us free will.

[@LordDirus007]

@@nikoshriklidis4195 No they turned it into a Mosque when the city fell in the 1400s Kemal actually turned it into a secular Museum. Open to all(That is how it should be) In 1453, after the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire, it was converted into a mosque. In 1935 the secular Turkish Republic established it as a museum. In 2020, it re-opened as a mosque

[@bloedblarre]

@@LordDirus007open to all why? Do you understand the word sacred? Why allow the devil into the house of God

[@samael5300]

some say The Theotokos became the standard battle icon of the Byzantine Empire because the thing every soldier misses the most in his final moment is his mother.

[@samael5300]

IF THE MARINETS AROUND THE CHURCH ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY DEMOLISHED AND ERASED FROM THE MEMORY OF MAN, THEN I SHALL USE THE LANDS AND PEOPLE OF TURKEY AS MY SUPERVIRUS BREEDING GROUND, AND NONE SHALL DARE TO OPEN ANY BORDER TO ANY TURK... man, woman, or child.

[@samael5300]

the turk king must have both his testes removed with a dull and rusty razor blade without any anesthesia, he must then eat them in front of his own wife. I do not permit his wife nor his children to look away nor cover their ears as this happens in the same room.

[@samael5300]

afterwards, he must write a 10000000 page book in perfect completely original English on the taste of his own blood and semen I shall not permit him to die until it is written, completed by hand and submitted for my review personally.

[@samael5300]

may your ignorance and vanity be a lesson to the rest. Woe to allah. Woe to islam.

[@Rodelero]

Christ is Risen

[@Monkeysfist221]

I think I saw this documentary really long time ago in a history class when I was 14. This doc has a pretty unique vibe to it. There is nothing super flashy or too in your face. It’s very laid back, just a guy giving a really good summary of a really unique and under appreciated part of history. The Eastern Romans are probably my favorite empire. And I definitely consider them Roman although Greek culture had definitely taken over by this time.

[@LondonPower]

Romans didnt have any culture probably only the Colosseum and arenas 😂😂 what culture is this to enjoy to see lions eating women and children..

[@LondonPower]

The eastern Romanns are Greeks they used to go to theatre making Olymbic games studying philosophy and history 😂

[@LondonPower]

Roman's from inside the Rome probably 1% of the population in the byzantine empire 😂😂

[@gabrielt3277]

This is definitely one of the most awesome documentaries that I have seen lately. John Romer is an amazing teacher !

[@ad5584]

Make Anatolia Greek again! ;)

[@azmhyr]

The population of Greece is about the same of Istanbul. How do you suppose you repopulate Anatolia? You'll call the diaspora on us?

[@azmhyr]

The Mailman It was a very simple statement: "Make Anatolia Greek again". I didn't hear nothing about how or why it would be "better" were it Greek, just that it should be that way. Whether it was meant to be taken seriously, well I cannot know. I only stated that it was not possible to make it so.

[@ad5584]

@azmhyr You aren't very popular with the ladies, are you?;)

[@azmhyr]

sirrus dundle Well, does it matter?

[@PosthumousAddress]

Yes, I would also like to hear an answer to Azmhyr's question. He posed a valid question, and all he receives in response is pathetic abuse. The fall of the Byzantine Empire was an utter tragedy, but it's history now. It is a mistake to obsess over trying to change what is a fait accompli for anyone alive today

[@mouadchaiabi]

The soundtrack is so nostalgic I wanna go back and live in Byzantine Constantinople.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constantinople

[@bluewolvesstudios2822]

Ever hear of the song, Istanbul, Not Constantinople

[@mouadchaiabi]

@@bluewolvesstudios2822 got a link?

[@bluewolvesstudios2822]

@@mouadchaiabi kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmexq4maaNV6mqc

[@Tiger74147]

RIP Palmyra. ISIS is a blight.

[@Sovnarkom]

+Tiger74147 The Russian army is undertaking a joint operation with UNESCO to demine the city. Assad has vowed to rebuild the city. Some of the largest structures were preserved because ISIS wanted to conserve their explosives.

[@storm1968eu]

John Romer does an excellent job explaining our 'modern' age through defining moments and evolutions in the 'ancient' world. Such contrast with present day sensation-fuiled special-effects-packed video-gamed half-history telling like seen on Discovery Channel and the likes.

[@ssgar6191]

Gosh this video documentary gets me every single time no matter how many times I watch this video, l still have a sense of sorrow N beginning the miixed joyful feelings!!!Cause I know story ; John Roman is a brilliant presenter of history...Eterna Victrix Imperium Romano Crucesignatus 🇺🇸🇻🇦

[@ragael1024]

i both love and hate this empire. it could have survived, but so many failed at their jobs, while others simply cared only for themselves. so many emperors without a care of ruling the state, enjoying the life of royalty as the empire was being beaten all around. too many sought a life of philosophy... and ignored the military requirements of a true emperor. very few managed to find a balance, and even fewer followed them. sad, really. the reason why i love it is not because it was the greatest empire, not because it was european, nor because of its religion. it is because of its endurance. it was stubborn, and its last emperor fought and died to defend it, like any true leader should. unlike the sassanid king of kings, who fled and died in obscurity, Konstantinos XI died a noble death. whatever the legends around this fact, he did not retire into a life of security and stability, he did not fear the end. if being a roman emperor meant anything at that point... he was it. that's why i love this empire. and that is why i lament it.

[@annabanana2623]

Epic!

[@godsgrace44]

This is one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. You can just hear the narrator's passion for the subject coming out in his voice.

[@stgeorges8220]

Byzantium in our hearts ..

[@lindaodden2902]

Wonderful Documentary. I really admire Mr Romer, his documentaries should be elementary in schools. His way to convey the history is amazing.

[@DeimosComics]

Ματώνει η καρδιά μου.

[@athanasioslinatsas6984]

Joe Swanson Τι θα μπορούσε να ήταν σήμερα η Ελλάδα και η Βασιλεύουσα...

[@corypedigo3567]

I pray to God that my son shall walk the streets of Constantinople and pray in the Hagia Sophia once what was stolen from us has been reclaimed! Orthodoxy or death! Lord have Mercy!

[@mouadchaiabi]

That's never gonna happen, christboy.

[@eduardovalentin9416]

I too pray for that reality someday

[@Tekirdag5984]

Death

[@10minlaterugotdropoed88]

That’s idea haven’t died hundreds of years and eventually will become truth. Funny fact: In the middle of the 1st Balkan war, while the Bulgarian army is 60km away from Istanbul, bulgarian king Ferdinand ordered to the Bulgarian craftsmanship to made a golden Cross which he will put back on the of Hagia Sofia.

[@trevorjames9366]

bring back dutch New Amsterdam, down with New York City!

[@urbanrider7981]

John Rommers passion for history is fantastic

[@rogersmith8386]

A truly remarkable and beautiful documentary about an incredible civilisation and culture which permeates the ages to this day and will continue to do so long after our time 😊♥️

[@georgethanos7700]

ON THE NATURE OF THE BYZANTINES THE NIKA RIOTS. "NIKA" actually is the imperative form of the Greek verb ΝΙΚΩ (to win) and proves that the crowd at that time spoke Greek. "Win! Win!" is the shout we could hear today in a modern hippodrome full of English-speakers. "Vinci! Vinci!" it would be the cry of a Latin-speaking crowd. But at the 6th century AD, the Eastern Empire was totally hellenized and the crowd shouted "NIKA! NIKA!"; that is "win!" in Greek. This is also the case with the most illustrious buildings in the capital. HIPPODROME was the official name of Constantinople's race track (meaning "horse-track" in Greek) and not CIRCUS, its Latin counterpart. As we can further see in 2mins30secs of this video, all parts of the Hippodrome have also Greek names. SPHENDONE is called the far end and means "slinger" in Greek (because its form resembles a slinger pocket) and KATHISMA ("seat" in Greek) is the name of the Emperor's throne. Furthermore, the most iconic building of Constantinople - the Hagia Sophia cathedral - has its name in Greek (literally meaning "Holy Wisdom" and consequently God's Wisdom). Sophia and Sophy is a common female name today; it means exactly that: Wisdom. A variety of words also exists using the prefix "sopho-" (Greek for wisdom): Sophomore, sophist, Sophocles etc. If Hagia Sophia was built by Romans she would be named "Santa Sapienza" or something like that. THE GREEK LANGUAGE DURING THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE It is not a chance that about 4 decades after the Nika riots, Emperor Mavrikios aknowledged exactly that fact: That the people of the Byzantine Empire were not speaking Latin at all; so he decreed that all official documents were to be issued in both Latin (to mantain continuity with the old Roman Empire) and Greek "because this is the language of the people". In the same direction, Emperor Heracleios decreed 20 years later, that all official documents should be issued exclusively in Greek and not in both Greek and Latin "because the people doesn't speak it (the Latin) any more". Indeed, there are no recorded official documents in Latin since 610 (10 years after his decree). This process however (i.e. the bilingual issue of the imperial decrees) had begun centuries earlier. For example the famous "Edict of maximum prices" of Emperor Diocletian was carved in Latin to the west and in Greek to the east. The year was 301 AD. (Both stones have been recovered today). ROMAN CONQUEST OF GREECE The conquest of the then Greek world (modern Greece, Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt etc.) by the Romans was a gradual process that lasted about three centuries. It was a copmplex approach in order to succumb all the kingdoms of the Diadochoi (Alexander the Great's successors) by the famous Roman policy of "freedom of Greece". It was not a process that lasted a lone decisive battle or a single war. After that process was completed, around the begining of the first century AD, a new reality emmerged: A unified Roman world with two cultural components: One Latin-speaking in the Western Empire and another Greek-speaking in the Eastern part. Most Roman aristocrats at the time spoke Greek too. This fact was recognized (amongst others) by famous Roman poet and philosopher Horace in his Epistles, book II, epistle I, line 63: “Graecia capta ferum victorem capot et arts intuit agrestic Latino”. (Conquered Greece took captive her savage conqueror and brought her arts into rustic Latium). FROM ROME TO BYZANTION For that reason, when in 330 AD Roman Emperor Constantine the Great (a Romanised Illyrian-Greek) transferred the Imperial capital from Rome to a prosperous Greek settlement named Byzantion (founded by Greek king Byzas almost a millennium before) he knew he was entering a territory that everyone were speaking Greek and had virtually no natural Latin-speakers. That's why historians (since 15th century AD) begun calling the Constantinople-centered Empire "Byzantine" and not "Roman": Because, especially after the fall of Rome to the Germanic tribes (476 AD) nothing "Roman" or "Latin" was left into it. For that reason, modern linguistics also adopt this thesis. The language of that era is classified as "Constantinopolitan Greek" and not as "Constantinopolitan Latin". The term "Byzantine-Greeks" is also coined to describe the dominant ethnicity of the Byzantine Empire. THE TIME MACHINE If, using a time machine, a modern person had travelled to the Byzantine Empire and had asked a Byzantine-Greek the question "What are you?" he would have received one of the two following answers: 1. If this was a citizen of the Capital, he would have gotten the answer "ΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ/POLITES" short form in Greek of the word "Constantinopolitan" (CONSTANTINOPOLITES). 2. But if the Byzantine was coming from anywhere else in the empire, he would have said: "Eemae Romios" ("I'm a Roman" in Greek). If that time traveler had gone to a medieval European middle-class citizen and pointing towards a Byzantine-Greek had asked the former: "Who is he?" the European would have easily replied "This is a Greek". If the same time traveller comes to modern Greece and asks randomly a Greek "Eesae Romios?" (“Are you Roman?” In Greek) he will get the stunning answer "Yes!". If furthermore he asks a modern Greek from Instabul (modern Constantinople) “Eesae Politis?” he will also get the same positive answer as 1500 years ago. ROMANIANS OR GERMANS ARE ROMANS? So, are modern Greeks Romans? Of course not. As modern Romanians are not Roman just because they still run a country named “Romania”. As modern Germans are not Romans too, just because their medieval empire was named for a thousand years “Holy ROMAN Empire”. One’s true nature is not determined by how he calls himself; but instead by objective elements. I may call myself a neurosurgeon but just this does not make me one. Mycenaean-Greeks never call themselves “Greeks”. But everyone in the world today agrees that the army that Agamemnon landed on Troy were Greeks. RUMS AND ROMIOI MEANING CHRISTIANS, NOT ROMANS At the early stages of the Byzantine Empire, when Christianity was spreading, the demonym HELLENES was reserved only to pagan Greeks in order to distinguish them from ROMIOI who were the "Christian Greeks". When gradualy all Greeks became Christians and Rome was lost from the Empire, that distinction became meaningless and the term ROMIOI became a descriptive demonym for all Greeks that lasts untill today. In fact, Rum (Romans) was the word that also medieval Arabs used for Christians, not Romans. CONCLUSION For all the above reasons and in order to lift the confusion of the true essence of the Byzantine-Greeks, modern historians still call them Byzantines or Byzantine-Greeks but never Romans. The demise of Rome (that at the time of its conquest by the Goths was a shrinking city of 50 thousand) and the contemporaneous growth of the Greek east (note: in the same era Constantinople - formerly known as Byzantion - was a thriving Greek city heading towards its first million in population) led historians to this shift of name: Because all the imperial decisions were not anymore made in Latin Rome but in Greek Byzantion (Constantinople). NON CONSTANTINOPOLITAN BYZANTINES WERE USING THE DEMONYM “ROMIOI” FOR POLITICAL (SUCCESSION LINE) AND RELIGIOUS REASONS, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE IN EUROPE WERE CALLING THEM “GREEKS” AND THEIR KINGDOM “GREEK EMPIRE”! SO, IT IS AN IMPORTANT ERROR TO CALL “ROMANS” THE BYZANTION-CENTERED EMPIRE WHO SPOKE GREEK AND HAD GREEK ANCHESTRY. THIS NAME SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR THE ROME-CENTERED EMPIRE WHO SPOKE LATIN AND HAD LATIN ANCHESTRY. THANKS FOR READING.-

[@damasek219]

This is the best documentary on Byzantium and one of the best I've ever seen overall. So nicely, captivatingly presented, much more like a story than just a bunch of blank historical statements.

[@edwardtoon6542]

This documentary is a masterpiece

[@SuperOctimusprime]

This documentary is so calming, it almost made me forget that I have two exams on Byzantium coming up!

[@bluegass]

Seen this before---Well worth a re-watch. Terrific Byzi Doc!!

[@nicoangel690]

Simply the most magnificent documentary of a Crown Jewel of History....Constantinople

[@anishbhattacharya460]

Even the father of Islamic enlightenment and knowledge is BYZANTINE.

[@christopherjcarson]

Had no idea,I’ve learned something new,by your comment! This series was brilliant, I thought,and I’m surprised it hasn’t been repeated by one of the ordinary main television channels!

[@massivedamagegaming9004]

Nothing offends me more than hearing the call to prayer in Constantinople.

[@ALeaud]

Nothing offends me more than seeing white people in Aboriginal Australia.

[@Valencetheshireman927]

Someday it will be returned to Christendom.

[@nickharling4402]

Utterly superb documentary from such an insightful and knowledgable man. Bravo Mr Romer!

[@kevinKronnack]

For a fun drinking game take a shot every time he says Byzantine.

[@t3hgraemek]

lol that would be suicide by alcohol

[@marcelcostache2504]

There is no Byzantine just Roman to make it simple call them Eastern Rome.

[@stormworks4882]

@@marcelcostache2504 a lot changed in that millenium. If were talking about 400ad I might agree with you. but by 1400 they had developed a distinct culture from latin Rome. both claimed the heritage though.

[@FrithonaHrududu02127]

Ive been fascinated by Byzantium since i was 10 years old. I think its so cool that 80+ years before the discovery of the Americas the freaking Roman Empire still existed. I know theres lots of folks that would quibble with that but its still pretty cool.

[@briangross]

Greek language but not ethnic Greeks as we know them today from the small current country called Greece. Greek was widely spoken among the Eastern Mediterranean nations as the main trade language. Yet the Emperors, the Church clergy, the army, and the artists, although they spoke Latin and Greek, were mostly not of Greek ethnicity. The Empire was made up of many nationalities - Thracians, Macedonians, Illyrians, Bythinians, Carians, Phrygians, Armenians, Lydians, Galatians, Paphlagonians, Lycians, Syrians, Cilicians, Misians, Cappadocians, etc. The Greeks composed only a small portion of this multi-ethnic Empire. I’m American and speak English but it doesn’t mean I’m ethnically English! Greek and all national chauvinism is QUITE tiresome. It’s time to stop insisting this nation is better than that one, or somehow you are better because your nation was better than that one. It’s food for the simple minded.

[@sto_karfi842]

The greek population was enormous in the eastern empire.It was probably the 1/3 of total population.Macedonians, Odryssian Thracians, Dardanian thracians were of greek origin, the eastern tribes were incorporated into the greek nation by assimilation, it was a process they chose themselves, slow but centuries are enough to fully assimilate, there were some occasions were the central authority pushed for hellenization but generally it was a process none could avoid just like Mithridates chose to fully hellenize his realm every place in anatolia was towards this!Armenia survived the wave of assimilation as they were from time to time under the Persians and had a significant history already!In the end modern greeks are a mix of the leftover of the Eastern ancient tribes and still bare their ancient tribe names, like the cappadocians, and the main core of the greek nation along with the leftover of the balkan tribes that have been fully lost into the greek culture!So talking about the greekness of Byzantium it might be tricky, as modern greece is byzantium, but ancient Greece is only a part of it, obviously the heart but still a part.As Constantine said, the Roman empire has two great cultures, Latin and Greek, as Roman is the Latin, as such is the Greek!

[@theofanisspanos6153]

what you say may be true but all those ethnicities along with the greeks had been hellenized and they call themselves romaioi that meant . greek speaking orthodox. a non-Greek speaking was not romaios. We the modern greeks still call ourselves romaioi along with greeks and hellenes before 100 years and sometimes we still do

[@TheMarshmelloKing]

Much love for empress Irene for saving the images

[@junesilvermanb2979]

Sarantapechaina

[@SameBasicRiff]

Wow! around 8:40 an idea pops into my head about the transition from a plurality of gods affecting human behavior - mars, cupid, athena, etc.... to a plurality of saints portraying human potential for proper behavior. Amazing. And all around Greece. Truly the bastion of modern thought.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greece

[@ninamirkovicka]

Constantine was born in the city of Niš (ancient Naisus) today Serbia (Balkan, Europe) .

[@ninamirkovicka]

Update as I watch: It is disputable was Justinian was born in ancient Taurisium (Macedonia)or Justiniana Prima (Serbia) .

[@lordbirdwood250]

Istanbul is pronounced "Con-stan-tin-opol" Even muslims call it Kunstantuniah.

[@eternalm3859]

Romer was sent by God to do this documentary, utterly amazing!

[@aydenlinden9661]

Would anyone know the music used in this documentary and where it came from? I plan on making a video about the Last Night of Byzantium and want to use this incredible music

[@willfox1037]

One of the greatest documentary films ever made. John Romer is in a class of his own.

[@leifkeane]

Wonderful! This sort of thing ought to be taught in school!

[@joebaxley1503]

ABSOLUTELY

[@treesb201]

I love this documentary! I owned it on tapes years ago. Thank you for sharing this.

[@johnmcclellan9020]

Sadly Hagia Sophia is now a mosque to our great shame. May Christ not see what has become of his Cathedral in Constantinople.

[@junesilverman8154]

Long Live CHRIST The King

[@janewhitely964]

He sees.

[@johngiblin789]

That is not true - you can visit HS and it is fine .. it is a Muslim country .. so show some tolerance

[@basilforth]

I sincerely appreciate the enthusiasm of the tour guide.

[@Opa-Leo]

How can an empire that lasted 1100 years be "lost"?. (one of the longest lasting empires. if not the longest). The West chose to ignore it, as it didn't serve its interests to discuss it. So, it should say "ignored" instead of "lost".

[@hailalexander93]

Kascio GG yeah the Pope is still pissed off about it 😂

[@Contegrimani]

Only a little remark. Not only in western Asia "Rum " was a word meaning "Greek/Christian Orthodox". In today Italy ROMANo/i is a common family name, that in Middle Age was a surname indicating people comimg from "byzatine" regions of South Italy and originally speaking Greek.

[@TheMarshmelloKing]

I’ve watched this doc many times and only now noticed it was produced by TLC. How far they’ve fallen…

[@junesilverman8154]

TLC is an American cable television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. First established in 1980 as The Learning Channel, it initially focused on educational and instructional programming. By the late 1990s, after an acquisition by the owners of Discovery Channel earlier in the decade, the network began to pivot towards reality television programming-predominantly focusing on programming involving lifestyles and personal stories-to the point that the previous initialism of "The Learning Channel" was phased out.

[@dietrichdietrich7763]

@@junesilverman8154 this is a TLC documentary? no way, I just thought they made home improvement shows for old people to snooze to. Times are certainly have changed, with downfalls and improvements included. That's history!

[@urbanrider7981]

Johns narrative is so poetic,it takes you in and you close your eyes and your there,the gold,silver and memories.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poetry

[@jackwaldron4619]

Ataturk made St. Sophia Church/Mosque by law, a museum. And it is still today, a museum.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum

[@Tiger74147]

This guy's voice is soothing as hell.

[@brucehutchison3946]

Tiger74147 almost like a Moody Blues record,lol.

[@eduardovalentin9416]

1:43:12 making me cry. Geeze, the story of Orthodox Christianity and the Byzantine empire is a sad one.

[@aris9560]

Imagine being French today while Paris remains occupied and destroyed by the Algerians 100s of years ago. Imagine being British while London fell to the Indians long ago and still held today....

[@silver4831]

Very much frustrates me such ancient history isn’t looked after by those now living in the country, I know they might be Muslims but its part of human history.

[@ryanbowler6212]

Aside from the recent Haga Sophia conversion, the Turks are generally pretty good at taking care of their historical sites, at least compare to Arabs and the like

[@engineere2865]

I'm a recent john romer convert and enjoyed this series. Although not as much as his earlier Egyptian documentary focusing on every day life. Though trying to encompass the whole of the byzantine empire must have a been a mammoth task. I've always been drawn to the every day life rather than the kings and queens. Especially as history can and is distorted for various reasons regarding both.

[@bretdouglas9407]

The hat. The hat. It's all about the marvelous hat

[@kathyhalton8352]

Which? :D

[@kitt3h]

😂

[@johnstuercke3438]

I first saw this fantastic series on TLC. I loved it so much, I bought the videos when released. The Christian Empire was taken down by the jealousy of the West. Very sad, and watched it so much I've been to Istanbul 6 times and Ravenna once. And to top it off, I stopped believing in a god, long before I watched this. Also love J.S. Bach, but that's about me. Pure fascination with a superior world, ever more so now that we teeter from Oligarchy to Fascism in America. That later scene when he walks into a dingy mosque, which used to a church. He lifts up the carpet, and then the floorboard, and underneath, the gilded floor of Byzantium. A devastating loss. The entire 4th Crusade was simply an organized sacking. I've been to Venice once, but still consider them to be the enemy. It's also a miserable city, as if cursed. No one smiles. They are an unhappy lot. Good. I will not be back.

[@junesilvermanb2979]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venice

[@GeorgePapageorgakis]

kebaps' thinking and mentality: "Einstein is genius! If I kill Einstein I will become genius too ! ! !" Doughhh....

[@andrewpendlebury1103]

Great documentary John,Thankyou for your work.

[@AmazinGraceXOXO1]

All I can think of is how long it would have taken to get messages back and forth to Rome. Can u imagine riding a fucking horse for 2 months? And if u stopped to eat, pee and sleep.....forget it.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Message

[@Tyler.i.81]

The relic's taken alone from Byzantium is very sad desecration of Christian relic's is something God will never forget.

[@DivergentStyles]

The Roman culture is better then the dominant cultures on the world now, I also deeply respect the Chinese and the Japanese traditional way of life.

[@TheMoorgoth]

I agree Roman culture is fascinating.

[@ismailcahya5951]

+Revan ....if a little bit too.....hierarchical

[@TheMoorgoth]

ismail cahya Yeah maybe but still very interesting

[@ismailcahya5951]

+Revan .....and imperialistic......and full of orgies..tell you what, i fully agree!!

[@TheMoorgoth]

ismail cahya :D and had great architecture

[@nelsongllrd]

Great documentary! What a wonderful and epic journey into our past! what a beautiful sad hopeful ending.

[@georgekyriazis1]

Make (literally) all of Turkey GREECE AGAIN.

[@Beautiful_Sacred_Land]

thanks so much for uploading.

[@jankorinek6404]

Heart touching.

[@junesilverman8154]

Cor Jesu Sacratissimum

[@anastasiamichaelgrigoriado7650]

I guess in this one case it is both "the singer and the song" that make the difference. This amazing part of history that actually and positively influenced our world, from the Renaissance to date, though biased "historians" and so called "intellectuals" as Voltaire and Gibbon, even Bury and Mango have tried to convince us otherwise, is being wonderfully and passionately narrated by the brilliant intellect and the soothing voice of John Romer. I've watched this documentary over and over again. And each time I think to myself how strange and utterly selfish it is that none of us realizes that we are not eternal but we are simply passing by.Today I read some of the comments and I just couldn't shake the desire to write my own. History is not written by historians per se, but by those eye witnesses of an event or a whole era in their own language and way. Historians should have the decency to take all primary sources and interpret them accordingly and objectively. Unfortunately, there are those who try to manipulate the past for the sake of their present, their personal petty views and their misguided thought. Whether simply influenced or purposely selecting this path, by doing so a professional historian or a classic "know-it-all" twit is responsible for dangerously distorting what should be preserved untainted. And this does not differ at all from the open and brazen use of history for political (even allegedly religious) aims. But the twist in all this is that if an event, a historical period has been recorded, no matter how much one tries to manufacture the truth one will eventually fail. Say, if a genocide has been recorded no matter how much one tries to sweep it under the rug it is not going to work. After all, (as much as it is an era of bullshit) ours is the epoch of research, lab testing and information, so nothing may remain covered up or distorted for long. Unfortunately and ironically, though, this is the era of the uneducated and uninterested. Thank God for those few like John Romer, sir Steven Runciman, Helene Ahrweiler, Angeliki Laiou, the Syrian tortured and finally decapitated scholar Khaled al-Asaad, who preserve the past as it should be. (so that the future morons may have a chance to a better world).

[@anastasiamichaelgrigoriado7650]

One more thing. Among the comments below, I read that there is no absolute truth in History. Well, if we are talking about the Proto-Hellenic period (like seven thousand years ago) when there were no written records and a historian may attempt to "recreate" this part of prehistory based on other findings, then one may agree that there may or should be some speculation. Historical, recorded events are characterized by absolute truth. What may be debated is the cause of an event, the pretext which led to the event, and its effect. Think a little bit! Constantinople was sacked by the "Latins" in 1204 - isn't this an absolute truth? Constantinople fell in 1453 - isn't this an absolute truth? The language spoken throughout the empire (officially since Heraclius at the beginning of the seventh century) was Greek - isn't this an absolute truth? And so on. You may state your opinion on, say, the causes of iconoclasm, or you may debate on whether Alexios I Comnenos should have dealt with the first crusade the way he did. And even in such cases, you will be talking about absolute historical truths. If one should doubt a historian of our times, then one should look for the right answers reading ALL primary sources concerning an event, or at least reading more than one contemporary historical analysis.

[@Pollyfy999]

My only comment is that I am shocked by the level of uninformed, opinionated, unstructured drivel in the comments. I can find 3 comments that make any sense. I found the documentary had a religious and Russian slant, but that does not necessarily mean it is wrong, what we should be doing is trying to see their point of view and making up our own mind, and discussing the views. There are no absolute truths in history,

[@grayfox345]

What a documentary one of the best I’ve seen and I’ve seen a lot of documentaries

[@APrintmaker]

A well spent three and a half hours. Magnificent in it's scope, intimate in its presentation. As with any complex subject, simplification leads to errors in specifics, but if you are sufficiently motivated you can seek more complete scholarship elsewhere. At first I did not like the speech patterns of the narrator, but as the story unfolded I forgot about how it was said and found myself immersed in what was said; a great story well told.

[@leifkeane]

Franklin Hoffman Agreed.

[@magnustoth8506]

Back when Britain could be counted on to produce the best television you were ever likely to see.

[@markwiygul6356]

recorded with low volume. can't hear despite speakers turned all the way up

[@metalltitan]

Does anyone here know where I can find the music score for this documentary? I know that it was composed by Howard Davidson and it's listed as one of his works but I cannot find it anywhere for sale or download. Any leads would be greatly appreciated.

[@PaxiKaksi]

Byzantium was not all about Constantinople......

[@Salvus967]

Mario Tsatsev Yeh I wanted a documentary that talked about the empire's military campaigns and stuff...This is kind of shit.

[@daveunbelievable6313]

a golden empire, of course everyone wanted a piece

[@MrBrunosvensson]

Only 3 and a half hours? Damn!

[@clarkharney8649]

The City of Byzantium (Constantinople): the New Rome; A good life, a peaceful life, rich and plenty. Old Western Ancient Rome had originally been modeled by the great cities of the East, like Antioch and Alexandria. In a sense, Rome never fell, it simply went back home again. Constantinople; 475-555 anno Domini ☺️

[@dougmphilly]

art history at its finest.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art_history

[@teddygonx6384]

I miss documentaries with such detail and passion like this one

[@drsoxami]

Read the book of Obadiah to see what God said he will do to turkey. The book is not based on whether anyone believes it or not.

[@stevenvalett1231]

Amazing documentary.

[@cybersasho]

The real classic ancient rome died around 230s when the severan dinasty collapsed. Things were MUCH different after that.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Severan_dynasty

[@cccwolfturkccc]

Yes its true the turkish soldier did cut off the emperors head and put it on a stake but when sultan muhammed found out he had the head of that soldier ! He wanted the emperor alive because he was impressed how the emperor was willing to defend his city ! He called the emperor an honorable man and a worthy enemy ! Why wont you guys also state this! It is said the emperor fought like a common soldier next to his troops and didnt hide or runaway when he had the chance and sultan muhammed greatly respected that

[@sto_karfi842]

Come on, he executed Lukas Notaras, because his council advised him that his offer to make him prime minister of the City, was a mistake, so he demanded from Lukas something he would obviously refuse, and he then had the proper excuse to execute him, rather see his son in the harem of Mehmet, he even had the last desire to first see the execution of his son in order to be sure that such disgrace wouldn't occur, he was an enemy of the Ottoman dynasty as he was a free Roman under the Palaiogians, but in the case of being conquered, he was pro-Ottoman, but still in the end he died, brave or not he died...

[@papasgeorge3421]

We will retake ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ and asia minor soon.

[@silenceseaandsky]

1:03:30 The "1500 year old press photo" from byzantium showing the procession on an ivory carving is a part of the treasury of Trier cathedral / Germany. It was donated to the treasury ca. mid 19th century. Makes me wonder where it has been all these centuries before....

[@SatCollinz]

"why do maps always open the wrong way?" literal lol

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map

[@KenDelloSandro7565]

The infidel really desecrated the Christian city. What a shame. It's a sacrilege what they did to God's Churches especially Hagia Sofia. UNFORGIVABLE! If only they stayed in Arabia....

[@Valencetheshireman927]

The world would be a better place had they just stayed in Arabia.

[@VantageNoir]

It really shows their idealogy is deficient but that's the case, they are funded on the Arian heresy.