11. Byzantium - Last of the Romans (Part 1 of 2)

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth...
In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages. Hear about how it formed a bridge between two continents, and two ages, and learn how the impregnable walls of Constantinople were finally brought crashing to the ground.
This episode we're joined by members of the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir in London, and a number of musicians playing traditional Byzantine instruments.
** Fall of Civilizations the book is now available to pre-order: linktr.ee/fallofcivilizations **
All original music for this episode available to download to Patreon subscribers: / 39308482
PART 2: • 11. Byzantium - Last o...
SUPPORT THE SHOW HERE: / fallofcivilizations_po...
SOURCES: / 39311564
Credits:
Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas
Voice Actors:
Nicolas Rixon
Annie Kelly
Cleo Madeleine
Peter Walters
Lachlan Lucas
3D reconstructions of Constantinople by Evren Öztürk: www.artstation...
LinkedIn: / evren-%c3%b6zt%c3%bcrk...
3D reconstructions of the Theodosian Walls by Tarik Tamyurek: www.artstation...
LinkedIn: / ttamyurek
Timelapses of Istanbul kindly provided by Cüneyt Karaahmetoğlu under a Creative Commons (CC BY 3.0) license
Original Music by: Pavlos Kapralos ( / @pavloskapralos3969 )
[Also heard Petros Peloponnesios' "Nihavend Pesrev" and the ecclesiastical hymn "Agne Parthene Despina"]
Musicians:
Monooka (Monica Lucia Madas): Vocals
Alexandros Koustas: Lyra (kemence)
Konstantinos Glynos: Qanun
Theofilos Lais: Cretan lyra
Dario Papavassiliou: Santouri (greek santur)
Pavlos Kapralos: Oud
Chanters from the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral:
Michael Georgiou
Alexandros Gikas
Matthew Tomko
Stephanos Thomaides
Pavlos Kapralos
Other music by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: incompetech.com/
Title theme: Home At Last by John Bartmann. johnbartmann.com/

[@Prrocess]

I have a problem, after binging this series, other documentaries just don't measure up. Bravo man

[@mattiemathis9549]

I’m an old lady and these are the best documentaries I’ve found.

[@duanedodson1]

Yea, unfortunately, we all have that problem.

[@stardresser1]

If you do not have at least a small understanding of the ancient world, the fall of Rome, and the Byzantine empire, you have little chance of making sense of the modern geo political world...this is riveting, incredibly well done, and should be in middle and high schools everywhere! Absolutely amazing.

[@COXLLOYD]

Absolutely !

[@mtnvortex]

Unfortunately, very few understand how the effects of historical events can "echo" for centuries, or even millennia. Every midwit and their granny will regurgitate some version of the old "Those who... ...are doomed to repeat it" chestnut, but the great majority who repeat it are often among the most guilty themselves...just watching the boobtube, like empty headed parrots burping out platitudes.

[@Agapismene]

Tripe is tasty to starving man.

[@MrIluvbutts]

This channel is actually the most wonderful thing I have ever found on youtube. I am not a wealthy person; all I have to offer is my sincere thanks for this wonderful and heartbreakingly melancholy series. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the hundred billion screaming ghosts trying to tell the present their story.

[@CJBroonie]

Wow, that’s so well said.

[@Tarumarugan]

Online is the only place where something so eloquent could be written by someone rocking a banana suit in their profile 😂

[@Asad-2166]

Health is your wealth Be grateful little one, otherwise the creator will be upset 🇬🇧🙏🤗

[@Bulgarian021]

+1 , man !

[@jakemystare]

Eetu

[@amberearheart3326]

I watch these when I am in extreme depression or anxiety thank you for this comfort

[@Tikthra]

These podcasts are incredible.

[@patrickmay7038]

This is some of the best history content on KZbin, probably even the internet.

[@OMA_MetalDetecting]

Probably even the world!

[@OMA_MetalDetecting]

@@batmanwgd “this is some of the best history content on KZbin, probably even the world”. You reply “America is not the world, watch more videos” right!...🤔🤔🤔

[@Micolash_is_behind_you]

we don't have english accents either

[@philhebrank6885]

Check out historia civilis channel

@@OMA_MetalDetecting idiot #2

[@raedok3041]

Looks like history is back on the menu boys!

[@cag03hd]

Awesome reply!! 😅

[@drewh3224]

No empire lasts forever.

[@marc-andrebrunet5386]

🤘🤠👍🍻

[@bensteinmeier7635]

*excited orc howl*

[@Jobby1975]

Grond!!! Grond!!! Grond!!!

[@Pulsar3061]

I am an archaeologist living in modern day Istanbul and I fell in love with this city and its late antique past once more and this is the best production ever, thanks for the upload, what about part 2 ?

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you my friend! It's coming soon!

[@Pulsar3061]

It will be worth waiting for sure!

What about part 3????

[@firstnamelastname-we6rt]

Turkey is an archaeologists dream. Shame that the Near and Middle East don't have thousands more excavations continuously ongoing. Just too many other concerns in recent times.

[@randomuser6175]

@@simonsays6557 :D :D :D Must be great to live in a dream

[@Ophira]

There’s something so hilariously human about a city being saved from disaster not by the fear of disaster, but teams of sports fans wanting to one up each other. Genuinely touching to see that sports fans almost a thousand and a half years ago were just as insane as they are today.

[@charlesbarnett2724]

Yes. I loved that.😆👍

[@normanshaw1970]

I am in Istanbul and told my lady this story

[@Ophira]

@@normanshaw1970 did she like it?

[@normanshaw1970]

she laughed but her eyes slighty glazed over as they typically when i start talking history

[@tetrisgonzo37]

​@@normanshaw1970 same here

[@johnwhittle4737]

In the cemetery of a church in Barbados I stumbled up this tombstone : Here lyeth ye body of Ferdinando Paleologus Descended from ye imperial lyne Of ye last Christian Emperors of Greece Churchwarden of this Parish 1655-1656 Vestryman, Twentye years Died Oct. 3 1678 A direct descendant of the last Imperial family found his way to the new world,I was amazed.

[@FarmerSlayerFromTheEdoPeriod]

What remained of the Palaiologus dynasty fled to spain and even sold the title of roman emperor to the castillian crown i believe. Although the last emperor died with Constantinople, so i choose to believe he took that title with him.

[@debarpandutta6722]

i would like to know more pls

[@michael198427]

@@FarmerSlayerFromTheEdoPeriod I have have never knew this wow

[@yorgostheo6958]

Can you send me some more information about this, please? I want learn more and search about it

[@CherieFlemingHorrigan]

Wow! I would love to see that!

[@ourdictatorship]

I'm an Orthodox Christian and I'm grateful to see - and hear - such a great, historically neutral documentary about such a fundamentally Christian topic. Such a centerpiece to Orthodox history has always carried with it either a strictly hagiographic narration meant for purposes of my faith, or an academic sneer lurking just underneath the skin. I've been wanting for over a decade to see a secular presentation of the Byzantine Empire without any fashionable skew against Christianity, but rather one skewed only **toward** the gritty realities. Thank you.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, I couldn't have heard a better description of what I was going for!

[@ourdictatorship]

@@FallofCivilizations No problem. Thank you for the hard work on this video ! It's the visuals that really open up the ability to fully connect with people in the distant past with the same faith as I have, and that makes your talent to see all aspects of life all the way to Constantinople's grim end through their eyes especially remarkable and important for me. Can't wait for Part 2!

[@Johnny_Tambourine]

My wife - "The house is on fire!!!" Me - "Hush woman! So is Byzantium!"

[@jondavidgriffin]

hahaha!

[@MrIluvbutts]

Σιωπηλή γυναίκα, το ίδιο και το Βυζάντιο!

[@georgezachos7322]

@@MrIluvbutts Nope. It would be : 'Σώπασε γυναίκα. Το ίδιο και το Βυζάντιο'.

[@geraldwalker3012]

LOL

[@thatswhatsupcuz8926]

Are you playing here all week?

[@olbiomoiros]

The byzantine music used in the beginning, although indeed byzantine music, is actually written by Saint Nectarius of Aegina (1846-1920). As a famous traditional song says. H Ρωμανία κι αν πέρασεν, ανθεί και φέρει κι άλλο. The Roman Kingdom, even if in the past, flourishes and brings more. Even though now long gone, its legacy will last forever. Excellent documentary.

[@julenmiren9099]

Thank you, its a wonderfull piece of chant. Happy to know something more about It.

[@Zoro-fl2mn]

It’s not a music as much as it is a non-liturgical hymn chanted usually after the Divine Liturgy in an Orthodox Church

[@bb_arcadia5752]

Anyone know the song that plays when hes talking about the fall of constantanople in the second part

[@olbiomoiros]

@@Zoro-fl2mn yes I am aware of that, but they are often referred to as “Byzantine music”. Chants are music after all. they are not songs (I never said they are) but they certainly are music.

[@olbiomoiros]

@@dewlittle1211 yes, it is

[@jdplant9785]

Mr. Cooper, your entire geographical introduction to this episode has not left my mind since I first watched it a few months ago and it is with enduring awe that I have re-watched this segment. In fact, the groundwork geographical explanations that commence most, if not all, of your documentaries leave me spellbound since they lay a solid cornerstone that explain several events and outcomes that were to challenge various past civilizations. You are one of the great master historians who, with an absolutely magical voice, can explain complex historical concepts that even a child could willingly understand with enthusiasm. Truly the hallmark of a top-tier academic.

[@connerreid3579]

I love this kind of history podcast where, in order to give us the proper context to understand the Eastern Roman Empire, we have to start with the geological formation of the Mediterranean Sea. Great work!

[@idemeijering8695]

Your voice is perfect for this kind of documentary. Listening to your podcast really takes me to that time and lets me imagine the scene. Awesome and epic work!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thank you, so glad you think so!

[@idemeijering8695]

@@FallofCivilizations Is the Idus Vally Civilazation an idea for an episode?

[@ricoamordavila7496]

More I want more!! Subscribed!

[@mattw337]

I love the visuls put with these works of art but my imagination runs wild while listening to the original podcast.

[@kathleenwaters1139]

Ah The Voice! As a devoted Fallhead, I echo all the compliments but the Voice is causing me to reject audiobooks or podcasts solely because the voice is not “right”, ie, not Paul Cooper. Unexpected consequences!

[@ValkyrieSkyz]

I love how you go right back in time, to the very beginning. “Six million years ago...” Thank you so much for this amazing content

[@thenaiam]

Right?! I love how he does that, starting with full, even geographical, context, and follows the meandering course of history. In effect, despite the name Fall of Civilizations, the focus is really on the Civilization itself.

[@codysodyssey3818]

reminds me of that Incredibles scene "We get there when we get there!"

[@cindyleehaddock3551]

Always loved history but recently started taking free online geology classes, so love how he in so many shows adds in some geology and shows how the terrain was developed, shaped by ice ages, earthquakes or even volcanoes to become what it was or even destroyed by such.

[@jimlthor]

​@thenaiam it was pretty cool. I had never known about the Mediterranean's creation

[@botchvinik8668]

Oh yeah, because it's so clear to us today exactly "what happened" six million years ago, right.

[@staceykelley1202]

Hands down the finest History Channel anywhere on KZbin.

[@nickfranco3749]

Really such an underrated channel in my opinion. Paul's take on history is so refreshingly novel.

[@TheoKolokotronis]

Greek language has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning at least 3,400 years of written records. It is the Ancient Greek civilization kept alive with the Byzantine Empire in the Middle Ages, that shaped more than any other the European identity. Standing in these lands for millenniums, always fighting against the odds. Eternal glory to our formidable ancestors 🔥🇬🇷

[@NewYorkPickers]

The Fall of Civilizations is one of the most wonderful content I have found on KZbin. Thank you! I am grateful.

[@zacharyraphael9881]

Im so happy about this channel. I watched the history channel throughout my youth and was so disappointed as they pivoted to aliens and reality tv. Thanks for the content!!!!

[@ozgekim010]

Haha "aliens and reality tv", I laugh yet I cry 😢

[@dmctube711]

I call it the alien channel!!

[@hybridepigenes]

I have learned so much, so very much, from these podcasts. Paul Cooper is a savant teacher of history. The narrative is so generously sprinkled with anecdotes and details that you feel as if you were there in person. Love these so much. Thank you Paul Cooper.❤️

[@jeanabrown]

Amen

[@ryans3001]

just discovered these docs recently and they are top-notch!

[@drunkensailor112]

They are insane. Biggest KZbin treasure

[@righteousred723]

Cream of the crop

[@rumplestilskin007]

Absolute treasure

[@CJHBC]

Ditto been through them all twice over already amazing content

[@CJHBC]

Check out history time - Pete Kelly on KZbin too 👌

[@eriktopolsky8531]

One can`t help, but to be overwhelmed with sadness for the tragic demise of Eastern Roman Empire and the fall of once great Christian Orthodox city of Constantinople

[@Sener3690]

Unfortunately Turkey is regressing in a few important aspects. The Hagia Sophia was converted in 2020 from a world museum with some of the oldest religious art of the world into a mosque in which much of the Christian-representing art and architecture is hidden. Also, barely related but noteworthy: it’s where Jamal Khashoggi (Saudi journalist) was murdered and dismembered in an embassy

[@obabas80]

@@FutureBoyWonder greatest cities? Used to be a world metropolis. These days, just the largest city in Turkey. Lost its world renowned status a long time ago.

[@itacom2199]

@@obabas80 mostly because of the discovery of the new world

[@nikolazlatic8794]

@@FutureBoyWonder it is no longer roman , and it is no longer christian , who knows what else was lost along with the romans , their art , literature , forgoten ancient technology and historical scriptures it is an absolute tragedy it is in the hands of the turks , no matter what perspective you look at it

[@lordmasterization]

@@FutureBoyWonder Turkey is not what is used to be sadly, its having its own troubles and it has resulted in the further degradation of the city.

[@Pan472]

Mr Cooper, in advance of my comment, I'd like to give you my thanks for making this 2 part series. As a Greek, I deeply appreciate it. Came late to the documentary, but in case anyone wonders why Greeks claim the Byzantine Empire: It's because we indeed made it. The Byzantine Empire was Roman only in name. The administration and law were Roman. And based on that, we identified ourselves as "Romans" (Ρωμαίοι). But it was a *_political,_* not an ethnic identity. Because the inhabitants of the Empire were anything but Roman. They spoke Greek in their entirety, in everyday life, and was thr official language. They developed a different dogma of Christianity than Western Rome did, if we are to say that Western Rome did stop being pagan. The Byzantine Greeks developed an entirely different architecture. A completely different culture. They preserved mostly ancient Greek literature, making sense as the East was always Hellenic-dominated. The Byzantine Empire however was both Greek and Roman. Roman because it retained the name, the political entity. But it was also Greek because it retained Hellenic culture, and was made up by the Greeks in essentia. Plus: on a funny note, the choice of Byzantium, a Greek city founded in 660 BC, as the new capital, is also the embodiment of Horace's quote: "Captive Greece captured its rude conqueror".

[@silasfrisenette9226]

In fact the name, Istanbul, is Greek in origin. It comes from 'εις την πολις', meaning 'to the city'. Eis > Is-, thn > -tan-, polis > -bul (ending was dropped).

[@cianrowan8169]

I’ve just discovered this channel. I’m only 11 minutes in and I’m staggered by the quality of this documentary. It’s like something you’d find on curiosity stream, but it’s free.

[@c.h.9547]

I’m an A level student who wants to take history to a university level. Not only has this podcast inspired me to strive for such heights but it also teaches me valuable information as well as, incredible story telling technique. You remind me of why I love this subject. So when I finish my last analytical essay, telling a story just like you do, I can remember these episodes fondly as the land on which I grew. Until I too become a name in the past, just like the countless before me.

[@FallofCivilizations]

That's really lovely to hear, best of luck with your applications!

[@c.h.9547]

@@FallofCivilizations Thank you! And I hope all remains well with you through these turbulent times.

[@dougr.2398]

May you also be written into History and your name continue long past your ascent

[@ProjectDarkWolf]

Ah yes, this is why I still have faith in KZbin...

[@stoyanb.1668]

you shouldn't. and its a shame he doesnt upload his stuff to other places.

[@jw451]

I'd change "u toob' to "humanity"

[@przybyla420]

Misplaced, your faith may be...

[@Bulgarian021]

True But one should have faith in Paul Cooper more than in You tube

[@konstantinestratidis3691]

My grandfather was born in Constantinople. He remembers leaving the City with his parents during the Greek expulsion. They then arrived on the Greek island of Xios. I remember him telling me stories of the City.

[@Antaquelas]

Greek expulsion? Do you mean population exchange?

[@lucasjames7524]

If it had not been for the plagues, expensive wars to reclaim the West, and the natural disasters that nobody can foresee or prepare for adequately, Byzantium may have persisted for centuries longer than it did. Of all of the stories on this podcast, the story of Byzantium may be the one that pulls at me the most.

[@-Mitra-]

Not only that. Byzantium didn't support the Sassanid Empire in their battle against muslim hordes coming from the southeast, and thus by proxy helped in destruction of the force that kept away the nomadic tribes from moving to the west. Eight centuries later Byzantium itself crumbled to the conquest of Arabized Turks.

[@Solthebat]

Im still floored that a youtube channel consistently puts out more interesting and better produced documentaries than major networks like BBC.

[@tylerh.5878]

One of the things I love about these documentaries is the fact that you add subtitles unlike most youtube docs that only have autogenerated.

[@Eazy-ERyder]

This was absolutely WONDERFUL. Diocletian's Tetrarchy, precisely 100 years before the Roman Empire's permanent split, set the stage and formed the boundaries for what would become the Byzantine Empire's borders in the east. Thank you for the geological backstory..

[@dmaxcustom]

I cannot have enough of the melancholy all your videos have.

[@denizbaba92]

on all the previous episodes local people from mayan and aztec lands, from scandinavia, from mesopotamia, from china and so on have written about their feelings towards this podcast and now it's my turn since i'm from turkey, istanbul. each and every episodes i am amazed by the storytelling and the deep and realistic takes on the subject. we started the history of aztec from the dinosaurs and started this episode from the creation of gibraltar strait. i'm in love with the fact that you tell the side stories, the important things that touched the main story, like starting from the rise of islam to tell the sieges of constantinople, the plague, formation of constantinople and even the formation of the straits. i was always into the history, i always wanted to learn much more than they taught us in schools etc. so i know a couple of things from here and there but most of the other sources lack the deep and melancholic storytelling of this channel has. fall of civilizations is by far the best channel and my favorite on youtube. thanks for all the work. only work close to this i can think of is extra credits' history videos, and i love their justinian series.

[@selardohr7697]

Yes! This series on Istanbul, Extra Credits Justinian series, and Overly Sarcastic Productions Byzantine series have made me a bit obsessed with this time/ place. I knew next to nothing about it before watching all of these and now i know enough to understand books about the period.

[@shanemaguire8470]

I never subscribe or comment on KZbin I think this is my first time, but this is the best channel, from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@sirtnfol8476]

Never say never

[@weilandiv8310]

I had always felt the same about the fall of civilizations, how many lived there, who fell in love, who and how many died in battles etc. Thank goodness I found others who dream of this, our human past.

[@steliostokatlidis5307]

Paul I can't really say how much I appreciate and enjoy your work. I binged the 3hr, podcast version of this episode and all I can say is that I've never heard such an objective, in-depth historical view on the topic. It is even more remarkable, considering that many modern day greek historians, experts in this period, have barely reached that deep an insight. Anyways, the thing is that I consider your take on Byzantium a benchmark and if it interests you, I'd be happy to provide with greek subtitles. You and your team have my most sincere compliments, Cheers Stelios

[@Joxinus]

it's really fascinating to listen. As a non English speaker, I also learned lots of words from your podcast.

[@DiamondGirl333]

I tried studying world history but just became overwhelmed by the enormity of it and gave up early in my endeavor. I accidentally stumbled upon this video and was in amazement at the way the narrator tells these stories. Thank you so much!

[@pipebomber04]

Oh the medieval roman empire of the east. Bitter sweet as always.

[@67lionsoflisbon37]

What the History Channel used to be and still should be. Thanks for posting. This is a gift to all History buffs. Well done. On second thoughts and viewing; congratulations. This documentary is of a high order.

[@theearlofmarch]

This channel is pure class lads. This video couldn’t hit any more on my interests!

[@illustrativetexts]

Inspiring! Detailed yet colorful... They don't make many documentaries like this today. Thanks!

[@apmoy70]

1:13:22 The silk industry was so successful and profitable in medieval Greece, that led to the renaming of the whole Peloponnese peninsula to Moreas, after Morea, the name of the Mulberry tree in Greek, the leaves of which are the silkworm's preferred food. Everyone living in the Peloponnese was into silk business!

[@sna1976]

my family stole the silkworms from China....hehehe...

[@VusalMusayev-s9w]

Byzantium was the last of Romans that is true. But I do not understand why Greeks claim it to be theirs. Greeks were slaves in Roman Empire and it is amazing when former slaves are claiming for the heritage of their masters. Greeks were also slaves in Cyprus up until the islan was taken over by Ottoman. They used to cultivate sugar canes. So this is also a fact that the first slaves involved in sugar canes plantations were Greeks. Why do Greeks complain about Turks ?

[@obabas80]

@@VusalMusayev-s9w slaves? The Romans revered and simply emulated Greek culture and civilization in any way they could (and it showed). So respected were the Greeks, that the Romans, even though having “conquered” the Hellenic east, basically gave everyone there full Roman citizenship in short order. Also, the eastern Roman Empire was always Hellenic influenced since the times of Alexander whose heavy influence even Roman chains could not impose upon. The Greeks were not the Iberians, or Gauls, they were older and deeply civilized and their culture was powerful. This is why the east does not speak a Romance language today. Greek culture was too powerful. So powerful, that when Rome fell, the Greeks took the standard that was Rome and carried it for 1000 MORE years after Rome fell.

[@trkologia1628]

@@VusalMusayev-s9w they love their bubble. Dellusion is strong with them.

[@alexnorb9589]

@@trkologia1628 bubble? Delusion? Anyway, ^^ gave the answer.

[@Laughterfirst]

Can't believe I found this. My work days are filled with FOC, listening over and over. Now I get to watch on my day off. Excellent work! Thank you for bringing your art to the world.

[@ourowndevices5907]

That quote from Belisarius is one of the most badass things I've ever heard

[@gaslitworldf.melissab2897]

I finally completed reading *Count Belisarius.* I used to take on too many books at one time and finish none. I don't now, b/c I'm not likely to remember as much doing it that way. I already have a below average recall of written material. Videos such as these, help restore and shore up things learned.

[@punkrockredneck5563]

I’m a prisoner

[@williammanning1028]

I remember being captivated by the story of Byzantium when John Romer's "Byzantium: The Lost Empire" was released years ago. Like you, he told a story of a civilization in such a way that was captivating and engrossing. The sound track to his presentation was hauntingly beautiful. Nevertheless, John's story was disjointed and I had to read an overview of the history before I could make sense of it. You overcame that by presenting the story in a way that flowed. Congratulations! Really well done!

[@ThomasGazis]

What a remarkable effort by the producers of this video to "romanize" Byzantium and "de-hellenize" it at any cost! Even us modern Greeks sometimes use to call ourselves "ROMIOI" (for the shake of simplicity "ROMANS"). Does this mean that the modern Greeks are Latin Romans or Italians?

[@cscarlton24]

The music hits: literal chills. Thanks for all the research you do Paul.

[@mercrisingpisc]

An ancient soul walks among us, giving perspective. The breath of vision, is beyond words. The detail and depth. Listen carefully my children. To a story worth knowing. Knowledge worth having. All is fleeting. Learn...

[@arcanumviator]

Your intro is so immense and alluring to the ears. Indulging in the middle affair of the story and then narrating meticiliouslly written beginning story. Mastery

[@burtonblume973]

Beautifully produced epic about the first 500 years of the Byzantine Empire. Special treat is the opening story about the geologic formation of the Mediterranean Sea and the rise of human civilization around its perimeter. Drone landscape footage and animation create a consistent texture against which this drama takes place.

[@califwillie4247bd]

We all have Paul Cooper to thank for his incredible productions of History come alive for those of us who love the stories of the past. Thank You Paul so very much.

[@juanantoniogragasin1685]

I've seen a lot of documentaries about the Byzantine Empire particularly about Konstantinupoli. I've got to say out of all that I've seen this is the best documentary out there.

[@lelandunruh7896]

This is wonderful. I was in Istanbul for the second time eight months ago and my wife and I hired an excellent guide to give us a walking tour of the city. The tour lasted three hours, but you could easily spend 30 walking around and still not feel like you've seen enough!

[@plden2442]

It's called Constantinople

[@history_repeats8201]

The guides are useless and not really educated. The one we used could not tell the difference between Greek and Latin. Useless!!!

[@lelandunruh7896]

@@history_repeats8201 I have given walking tours before so I tend to judge them harshly. I've had some bad or lackluster ones over the years, but we got really lucky with this guy.

[@Pekara121]

​@@plden2442nope it's Istanbul now 🥰

[@arushatanzaniatimes9246]

I'm so ecstatic to have somehow found this channel today. Finally, lockdown is about to get educational and wholesome. I know a couple of people who will positively drool when I direct them here! Thanks so very much!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Hope you enjoy, my friend!

[@ilijas3041]

When a podcast about the fall of Byzantine Empire begins with water from Atlantic pouring through Gibraltar into Mediterranean basin... you know its gonna be fun

[@peterconway6584]

This is only the second FoC I've watched. The other was the fall of the Han Dynasty, and it begins with India breaking off from Gondwanaland. I appreciate the implicit recognition of how geography affects human history. I also like how he gets to a certain person or thing, and suddenly it's like, Let's back up and talk about this.

[@glenolsen7888]

fun but not historical ...more like a fictional account of a grab bag of loose events ...some of which are just wrong historically ..fiction dressed up as history

[@mywire]

@@glenolsen7888no that’s exactly what happened

[@RanisAthrys]

Is this made by Americans?

[@johnboston5045]

​@@peterconway6584I

[@rikihanawhiu7637]

I kinda know that I'll never get to these wonderful and historic places of earth but watching this video and listening to your podcasts I know that I can astro travel there in my dreams. Thankyou from New Zealand.

[@brianclingenpeel5123]

I think its really cool he remade all his original podcasts with visual aids and refrences.

[@vangelisskia214]

Paul the Deacon (born in the 720s), says that Maurikios was: “a Cappadocian by race . . . the first emperor from the race of the Greeks” Paul the Deacon, History of the Lombards 3.15

[@jamatheo]

The only history channel that has episodes which give me literal goose bumps (in this case, 2:30 when monastic chant begins. Such brilliant editing).

[@billbauer9795]

I hated the monastic chant.

[@stephenmarley7281]

This masterpiece is not simply remarkable; it is astonishing.

[@mspionage1743]

There is just something magical about Constantinople and Venice. I can't explain it but I feel so attached to both of them despite never visiting either.

[@chriswiggins1679]

I love this era of Roman history.

[@spottedreptile2671]

The best video I've ever seen about the history of Byzantium. The flyovers are amazing, the pictures and paintings used to supplement the narrative bring it all alive in a fascinating way. So well done, congratulations on a great video. It's something I can watch over and over. The narrator paints a sad and yet magnificent story of the desolation and destruction of a once great civilisation and city. PS. The Ken Burns is brilliant!

[@Adrian-ry6bm]

I love that intro song. It makes me feel so melancholic and feel a longing to see the past as it happened.

[@poomsiraprapasiri8448]

The first thing I did after hearing it, I went to the piano and tried to play the line and improvise around the tune.

[@skizzik121]

I see a fellow fan of Carthage! Greetings!

[@holykissme]

John Bartmann, 'Home at Last'

[@Iamleros]

This is the most objective documentation about the "heart of the world" I've ever seen before. All my history teachers failed to achieve such a great goal. It's a shame what we've become. It seems as if the past repeats itself, but more barbaric and cruel than ever.

[@mroblivious3647]

🙌 I've always been fascinated with Byzantium.....this channel is absolute platinum! 😍

[@Janika-xj2bv]

This documentary is a rare gem. It's sometimes easy for many, myself included, to just come to KZbin take content this level for granted. Unfortunately all I can do is subscribe. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us.

[@FallofCivilizations]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@alexmartya1733]

What sets this series is apart is a solid geographical base that historical events are built upon. Well done, I take my hat off!

[@Snoopy-JoeCool]

I slept through history class and woke up to this! Thank you , Paul.

[@SecondTake123]

Pay attention in class! 😂

[@Robert.Stole.the.Television]

YooooooOOOOOOOOH LET'S GOOOOOO! The slow, lingering death of Rome - tragic and enchanting story.

[@boomerisadog3899]

The apparent fate of all great empires.

[@marypartridge5154]

In,this,age and a greedy age, especially on social media, these podcasts of yours, unselfish and giving to others gives one hope in humanity. Thanking you

[@ChineseKiwi]

Cooper by name, but amazing storyteller by heart! Like others, I have watched and listened to all these episodes on repeat! It isn't just your amazing storytelling, it is how you give context, nuance and accuracy many others miss.

[@wltdo6930]

I love that you speak slowly and calmly, rather than some documentaries where they speak so quickly that I can’t follow it ❤

[@tdogboy7254]

It’s always like a present every time when these videos pop up on my notifications. Absolutely my favorite KZbin channel!!!

[@mbe102]

I was literally just watching this two days ago and thinking about how excited I am, and how awesome it would be, to see the 'Remastered' version of this video. SO excited, and glad you split it into two parts, so you don't have to work on a huge video for so long (or take eons to render :P). Excited for Part 2!

[@ColombianMusclePapi]

What a brilliant epic show this episode was. Watching part 2 tomorrow night. Thank you for this riveting lesson and entertainment.

[@nefertitib4313]

I admire and respect the amount of work put in to make these documentaries as well as the creator’s ability to tie everything together. I went to some of these places and heard the stories but often it didn’t stick because of the lack of connection between the events. Watching these series helped me put the two together and enabled me to remember them better, haha at least that’s the hope. Ask me again in 3 years...

[@vangelisskia214]

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

[@marin313]

Congratulations. This series is terrific work. A landmark in historical documentary making.

[@afz902k]

1:38:16 "Shivered to atoms", an expression that seriously needs to come back.

[@v.g.r.l.4072]

Beautiful images, insightful remarks and an all-encompassing vision of history. This is a great work.

[@Tarumarugan]

I love how this channel doesn’t sugarcoat history, they can wax poetically about how vast and impressive the Roman Empire was but in the next breath say how it reached that level through brutality, and in the next breath explain how it fell. This is about as unbiased look at history that you’ll get online.

[@internetpolification]

I joined KZbin premium and PAY for it…just to avoid adverts spoiling things. And it was entirely because of this channel

[@p0xus]

Constantinople officially was renamed to Istanbul in 1930. That means in 1852 when Gautier went to the city, it was not known as Istanbul, it was known as Constantinople.

[@FallofCivilizations]

By that time, Stamboul and Konstantiniyye were both in use in official documentation in the Ottoman empire.

[@quonit37]

This is the kind of history I'm confused that I never heard before. All these videos are so interesting and detailed

[@darkstar0554]

Make no mistake. If you think I’m doing anything but listening to this for next hour and half. You got another think coming. 😂

[@FallofCivilizations]

Hope you enjoy!

[@joshuakuehn]

@@FallofCivilizations bro we always do. Your narration and composition is incredible

[@Gracenglory5]

Same! 😂 I was so restless yesterday waiting for this 😅 Thank you FoC for all your efforts to bring us so much intriguing historical insight. Always delightful. 💖🤗🥰

[@FallofCivilizations]

@@Gracenglory5 Haha sorry for the short delay!

[@Gracenglory5]

@@FallofCivilizations lol, all is forgiven. Better late and satisfied than rushed with regrets. Art can’t be hurried.😉🤓🤩

[@clmdcc]

These videos, are beyond TV quality.

[@bigaaron]

Hey I just want to say I've probably watched this whole series like 3x in full. Thank you so much for the extremely detailed and expansive content!

[@FallofCivilizations]

Thanks for listening!

[@chriswhite4640]

Brilliant episode I really hope you continue putting stuff on KZbin I love how you give us the obscure like songhai or the Greenland settlers as well as the big names aztec, Rome, byzantium, there's so many civilisations to cover achaemenid,seleucid sassanid,mongal, mughal, to name a few obvious ones but even more obscure ones like the angevin empire or cnuts Atlantic empire, hope to keep watching your fantastic content, thanks 😁

[@djuraish]

I'm amazed at the quality of these videos. One of the best history channels on youtube. Thank you and keep making them!

[@jessicapettersson3727]

Absolutely love these documentaries. They're not only super interesting and informative, they ease my anxiety so much. Thank you so much x

[@billbauer9795]

Not sure why you aren't anxious about living in a civilization that's in the midst of the process of falling.

[@suebritt6831]

Great story about harnessing the power of the hippodrome fans to rebuild the wall of Byzantium, great series, thanks

[@johnmcbruce215]

I gotta leave a comment just to tell my love & appreciation of these works. Please keep doing what you do

[@Sassari2930]

The most enjoyable, thought-provoking and evocative documentary on Byzantium I've ever seen. (And I've seen many!)

[@JonS]

Thank you. This was absolutely gripping and vividly brought the splendor of Byzantium to life. I knew some of this, but the story of Justin was new to me, and I find it quite remarkable. I'm surprised this "rags to riches" story isn't better known and held up as an example by modern societies.

[@silverstream5140]

Better than TV production value, superb body of work on this channel 🔥

[@Bhamloud47]

Did I care much about this subject? Not really. Was I hooked after the first minute? Yes! These are just great history videos and I really mean some of the best I’ve ever seen.

[@eleon2136]

The best history podcast out right now, thank you! I ordered a signed copy of the book and am waiting for it to arrive. I can’t wait to see what’s next.