Justinian and Theodora Parts 1 and 2 - Extra History Reaction

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Join our team on patreon and see my reaction to Episodes 3 and 4 a day early! www.patreon.com/vth

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Thanks For this!🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@Rwscienceguy]

after this series, you should check out extra histories Khosrau Anushirawan series, this is the persian perspective of this time period, and the beef that Khosrau and Justinian had with one another was hilarious and goes in depth in that one.

[@extrahistory]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and feature our content! It's an oldie bug a goodie!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

@@extrahistory You guys are the Best alingside this series! You deserve it!

[@mandyb8675]

Ironically, Flavius Bellasarius will lose a battle just after Dara in the same way he won Dara. Basically, sub commanders pushed to make an unnecessary attack and commit to a battle that wasn’t even needed. His army became disorganized, his flank was routed and then the rest of his army collapsed. The battle almost ended his career but his loyalty to Justinian during the Nika riots saw him get another chance to prove himself.

[@tadijastankovic4350]

Byzantines are level 999 at bulding Churches

[@isaacgeorgebeisnerlumbang2707]

*Romans

[@lukashradecky5492]

TÜRKİYE 100000 STEALİNG CHURCHES 💪🏿💪🏿🇹🇷🇹🇷

[@rogerroger9960]

Max lvl of construction in RuneScape. Lol

[@blacksheep2396]

To bad they got the civil war debuff

[@Figgy_Jub]

And bureaucracy

[@daverockefeller7486]

Hagia Sofia was turned back into a mosque a couple of years ago by Turkeys leader Erdogan, to win political favours with his conservative, religious base of voters.

[@santon2420]

Hello Chris, the Hagia Sophia was a museum from 1935 until 2020 and now its a mosque again (very controversial decision by Erdogan). Love that you are doing this series!

[@anadaere6861]

Ah, shame, I think it would be better as a museum, where both the Orthodox and Muslim designs are left untouched

[@HDreamer]

It would, but Erdogan needs the support of the very religious parts of the turkish population in Turkey (and of the Nationalistic Turks living outsude Turkey, mainly in Germany), as most of the liberal city population doesn't like him.@@anadaere6861

[@GageEakins]

I have been waiting for you to do this series for a while. Can't wait for your reactions to this one. I think it is one of their best.

[@Crytica.]

Yes! This is an amazing series! I hope you will love it as much as I did!

[@kevinneutzling8267]

Procopius’s Secret History was likely either commissioned by a disillusioned noble like they mentioned or it may have been an exit strategy for Procopius. With such a new dynasty and an empire beset on many sides, Procopius may have written this book as a way to endear himself to anyone who ever overthrew Justinian.

[@samrevlej9331]

Oh wow this is an old one. It's a good series, but as it was made so many years ago, there are some inaccuracies that people will point out in the comments. Still, this is what got me interested in Byzantine history, so I hope you like it. I'd also suggest Overly Sarcastic Productions: History Summarized series on the Byzantine Empire if you're interested in a broader look at this topic.

[@melkor3496]

Oh I know he won’t see this but I do hope he can in the future react to Overly Sarcastic Productions 3 part series on the Byzantine empire that would be a great reaction series.

[@SEAZNDragon]

@@melkor3496 or Blue's compilations of his Ancient Rome videos.

[@TheGyldenaut]

it’s technically a 17/18 part series, because there’s a series documenting the Iranian side of this period in their Khosrau series, which is my favorite series they have.

[@yochitoranaga]

I also believe that Suleiman's series can be considered a part of this. His series comparisons to Justinian are pretty much on the nose.

[@stillbrian9448]

There is a fnatastic 2 hour documentary by Epic History TV about Justinian, Belisarius and their reconquest of the west. I recommend you check it out. It's cut down to like 5 or 6 pieces

[@sammalla5238]

You were probably already recommended this but the roman history series by Dohavatty is definitely a must watch. It's unhinged and might not be appropriate for the channel & the viewers but atleast give em a go on your own time Anyways, love your content

[@P99s-s]

I second this

[@enclavesoldier8893]

It’d be funny, but I don’t want to subject the poor man to that.

[@Darkblender5]

I can only imagine what his reaction to Christ Cuckery would be lmao

[@sammalla5238]

@@Darkblender5 I mean, IT WAS 💀

[@MorbSquad420]

Hell yeah, I've loved this ever since I was 10. Now I'm big into Eastern Roman History & plan on reenacting as Emperor St. John III

[@Pharaoh_Tutankhamen]

How's that coming along?

[@ThomasG_Nikolaj]

As an Eastern Orthodox ☦ Christian, I respect this!

[@WilliamTehConqueror]

Was hoping for the Epic History series on Belisarius but this is good as well

[@nickpolizzi9612]

Hoping for this one too.

[@shaggycan]

The chariot races were always the number 1 sport. Rome is remembered for Gladiators but the chariots were actually always #1. Gladiatorial combat was more of a religious celebration. At least that's how they started.

[@steveclarke6257]

Ok in the Description of Dara they lay out the Sassanid order of battle, but the troops labeled are incorrect. They are looking at how the Persia of the Achaemenid Empire from 400-300bce in describing Immortals in the line of battle. By the time of Justian the Sassanid dynasty used Heavily armoured Mounted Catefractoii lancers, backed up with the lighter Asaravan Mounted Archers, with the force supported by lighter foot spearmen, slingers and a formation of War Elephants. Now by the act of digging fortifications Belisarius, it makes cavalry less useful, so some would dismount and act as foot troops, but they are not often trained to fight in rigid formations and be disadvantaged as a result.

[@alexiospeverell]

This is an excellent series! They have a Persian/Khosrau series that takes place at the same time, it would be ideal to watch that after this one.

[@P99s-s]

I could talk at length about the strengths and weaknesses of this series, but I just want to point out a few things I find interesting 1. They talk about the Reconquest of Justinian as if it was a planed "dream", today scholarship mostly agrees that he more or less stumbled into it 2. Procopius…oh procopius, they dismiss his secret histories, which is almost never done now since it’s been proven as being by him In the critical edition from Haury in the early 1900s. The secret Histories are vital to our understanding of him and thereby his regular histories, dismissing it is a vital error 3. Procopius relationship with Belisarius is… weird. People disagree on if the histories of the wars of Justinian were written as an account praising his former commander and glorifying him, or if Procopius obvious disillusionment with belisarius sets the stage for all the indirect criticism we identify 4. A recent paper argues that the secret history may have been conceived by procopius as a sort of shield. It seems a power grab by justinians cousin Germanus or other prominent figures may have seemed likely around 550/1, which is where we date the text. So procopius, being one of thr biggest profiteers of Justinian’s reign may have wanted to have the hypercritical "real opinion" text in his back pocket in case of regime change. Otherwise there was little reason for him to give his identity as the author when it was just meant for a small oppositional circle

[@octavianpopescu4776]

Yay! Being Eastern European and Eastern Orthodox, the Byzantine Empire holds a special place in my heart. The (Un)Holy (Non)Roman (fake) Empire was a sad joke compared to the glory of the City of the World's Desire.

[@JHawke1]

Hagia Sofia has been made into a mosque relatively recently again. It was turned into a museum in the 20s ish, Erdogan repealed it and it now functions as a mosque again.

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

Seen Hagia Sophia in person around 2007. It was crazy but they keep finding new mosaic inside under the paint and it seems to be hard to keep a balance of the Muslim historic part of it and the ancient Byzantine part of it. On the other side of it, you have the Blue Mosque which is giant and impressive and on the other direction i think it's a Suleiman mosque and some museums. Sultanamet at night with some Çay in hand was pretty great ! Fun travel experience, too bad the country changed so much now...Istanbul is still worth it !

[@joshiahalexander4917]

HistoryMarche’s video on the Battle of Dara is extremely detailed and a great visualization of Belisarius’ tactical genius

[@Romalac]

I know this will already be a sizeable time commitment, so it's completely understandable if you'd rather separate them- but the series on Khosrau Anushirawan ties directly into this one, so I'd highly recommend following up this with that one if possible.

[@rafaelcanosantos3554]

I've been in Turkey and I can say that Hagia Sofia is breathtaking

[@hughjass4736]

How was Constantinople?

[@heh9392]

I just stopped playing eu4 as Byzantium to come and watch thid video, I endedup conquering Rome and northern Egypt

[@nickhimes2736]

I think it's awesome that there's a relief of Justinian in the House Chamber in the Capitol, along with other famous lawmakers like Napoleon and Hammurabi.

[@Crytica.]

One of the most important things a good king/emperor can do is place the right people in the right places. This is something not a lot of people have an eye for. And you can be a great commander, a hero or a great politician with a lot of power; if you don't have the right network around you then stuff will just not function as you want it to go. Besides Justinian I can think of two others real quick(Probably even better picks out there) that had an eye for this and those are Washington and Charlemagne.

[@kenw.1520]

2 years? Why did you put it off for two years? *12 parts* Oh. Okay. Now I get it.

[@SupremeSupervillain_]

Belisarius was literally the only reason Justinian even won back Rome and parts of the old western empire. Justinian kept putting him in bad situations while favoring other generals. I'm surprised bel stayed so loyal 😂

[@blossomylion]

Hey Chris if you get around to it, Epic History TV has a series on this exact subject thats really good (per usual) and focuses on the General Belisarius, the last great Roman general

[@gazlator]

2:35 Oh I can assure you, Chris, you'll be blown away by the Haghia Sophia - it truly is an architectural "marvel" as you say - more mind-boggling when you remember just how rapidly the whole church was constructed, compared the to many, many decades and centuries that many other later medieval Western Gothic cathedrals took to build, even in their basic layout.

[@D2RCR]

This is Extra History's magnum opus, I'm so glad you're doing this one.

[@stephenparker6362]

Hi, Chris, so glad you're doing this, I don't know much about this time but it's fascinating. Looking forward to the rest.

[@JKR9488]

I went the Hagia Sophia a few years ago and was a beautiful building, you get to see the mixture of cultures aswell as some surviving Byzantine Mosaics. Definitely one of my favourite historical buildings.

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

Finally you watch Justinian and Theodora

[@aznslacka]

I was there in May. They turned the hagia Sophia from a museum back into an active mosque again.

[@YuganM17]

Belisarius by Epic HIstory TV would be a great series to follow up with this series on!

[@carlosantoniolabate1644]

With you I learn about history ofc, but also english because, as a spanish speaker, I dont need subtitles with you because you speak well, articulated and calmly. Keep the good work! (It's not a lot of money, but believe my currency is awful)

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

Thank so you much for your support and kind words!

[@Mtioo1]

Finally a series about the Byzantine Empire or East roman empire? I'll just call them the East Byzantine Empire

[@soumajitsen1395]

Hey there Chris, just wanted to share a bit of knowledge. Not covered by the series (can't blame them though), Belisarius' first few battles were major defeats against the Persians, although he is probably not to be blamed for them (he shared command with another general). And Justinian did not really trust Belisarius all that much, because he always had some other commander share command with him (because, you know, Rome is really prone to power-hungry generals), and that might be one of the only flaws of Justinian's reign, which I can't really blame him for.

[@SplendidFactor]

Flavius Belisarius, my favourite Roman General.

[@matthewy2j]

Good stuff, arguably my favourite series from Extra History.

[@peacecorenathan556]

ITS HAPPENING!!!!!! This is the series that got me to fall in love with EH and with late antiquity, will be watching with rapt interest

[@extrahistory]

❤

[@nickshaffer9961]

Penn State made it into a video!!! We Are!!! Hahaha loved seeing that

[@justjozua1827]

1:51 Didn't know Extra History was a Chud

[@Aelxi]

Now you should do EHTVs Belisarius series too

[@dilanbehruz484]

if you really want to learn more about this time period, I suggest watching kings and generals series on Belisarius. Covers the events happening in this series with more focus on the actual campaigns and arguably the greatest general of all time Belisarius.

[@Hendricus56]

Since it also relates to this series but is a bit newer, I would suggest doing the Khosrau series as the next Extra History series. Plus it's just a 5 part series

[@nyxhighlander9894]

Yess my favorite emperor and his gang

[@vodyanoy2]

YESSSSSSS this is Extra History's best series ever made

[@Joker-yw9hl]

Oh god this is my favourite extra history series. Total War: Attila has a pretty fun campaign called the Last Roman where you can play as Belisarius, starting just after the North African landings. Highly recommended!

[@earlybird2835]

YES!!! Been waiting for so long for you to react to (what I believe to be) the best and absolute peak of Extra History. And your commentary only makes it better Chris. Thank you

[@ashleypenn7845]

Perfect timing! I just finished watching the entire series in preparation for our homeschool unit on the fall of Rome/rise of the Byzantines.

[@JLHFans]

That used to be one of my favourite story and video....

[@rantingtheverse008]

YESSSSSS!!! This was my reaction when I saw the notifications! Excited for this series!

[@ppc2210]

Oh my god I've been waiting since 2020 for this series. I cant believe you're finally watching it.

[@dbach1025]

Hey Chris, did you see Michigan stadium on there. I am surprised you did not insult the Maize and Blue. Lol. Great reaction. This is going to be a great series.

[@VloggingThroughHistory]

the best insult I could give was to simply ignore it :)

[@dbach1025]

@@VloggingThroughHistory a very wise man indeed. God bless and congrats on your success and making your dreams come true.

[@sonne9338]

Dont comment normaly at all but I just have to say I really think this is one on the best, if not the best episode of extra credits. They let you escape into the mind of Justininan and dream I love it !

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

God yes !! It's one of the best serie of Extra History and one of their first !The last great Byzantine emperor, his incredible wife and one of the most underrated general in all of history, Belisarius. So much important history rarely learned !!

[@redaleta]

Really appreciate you \saying that none of us make it on our own. We are always standing on someone's shoulders. We just need to be smart enough not to piss on the person on whose shoulders we stand.

[@crimsonfucker4167]

Just a head up this series should be called Justinian and Belisarius as Theodora only plays a major role in a single ep. If ya want much more in-depth and detailed series I recommend the flash point history of Byzantine.

[@Killachow23]

I'm so excited you have gotten back to some more ancient/antiquity type stuff. Anything Roman or Byzantine is an immediate watch from me!

[@gheddafiduck8239]

This is an actual “blue” chant translated: Burn here! Burn there! Not a green anywhere!

[@caseclosed9342]

Watching this because I’m going to see the Hagia Sofia in a couple of weeks as part of a tour with my church in Greece and Turkey. And as other people have already commented, it’s a mosque again and the women in my tour group were told they’d need to wear a hijab when visiting it.

[@YukoValis]

The mark of a great leader isn't someone that knows everything, but understands that they don't know everything. More importantly will go out and get input from great minds to help them rule. Something George Washington did as well.

[@Thraim.]

Yes, time for Dan content.

[@ubiergo1978]

Who anyone who reads science fiction... in Foundation (Isaac Asimov), Cleon is Justinian and... Bel Riose, well... Balisarius. =P

[@ferdinandfoch7816]

The Hagia Sophia was a cathedral from its construction in 537CE until 1453, including a few decades as a Roman Catholic cathedral during the Latin Empire. Then, it was a mosque for nearly 500 years until 1935 when it became a museum. Then, in 2020 Erdogan reverted the Hagia Sophia into a mosque, a move that was met with a lot of controversy within Turkey between secularists and highly religious Muslims. Despite its reversion to a mosque, it remains open to visitors outside of religious services.

[@damienhenning3298]

The Great Mustafa Kemal ("Ataturk") changed the Aya Sofia into a museum for all to visit, experience and appreciate...Not a mosque or church. But I hear that Turkey's current Dictator Erdoğan has changed it BACK into a Mosque! (I hope he didn't cover up all the amazing Christian Mosaics that have taken decades of effort to restore since the mosque days) Shame....

[@brianhiles8164]

A couple of observations -- all from memory, so.... + The _Demes_ (a collective plural) is pronounced /dem-es/, not /deemz/. _Erf!_ + The _Reds_ were another quasi-political faction in addition to the _Blues_ and _Greens._ They do not figure nearly as much as the other two will. + Scholars are comfortable to assert, and I agree, that Justinian and Theodora were _not_ “devoted fans“ of one or the other of these factions. In public, both were ostensive advocates of one versus the other, so as to judge and measure the _zeitgeist_ of their demands and desires. + The whole “demon-worshipper“ thing has been misunderstood by modern readers. In his book, [Historia] _Anecdota_ by Procopious, this Palestinian historian recounts the anecdote (eh?) of a visiting cleric dignitary wishing to plead a case at Justinian´s court, but (as he must have described retroactively) he had a vision of the “King of the Demons“ sitting on the Byzantine throne in the place of Emperor Justinian, and refused to enter the throne room. It appears that in this regard Justinian had this in common with Vizier Imhotep and (mythological but based on a historical figure) _King Ravana_ (of the Ramayana). I hope _this_ made it into the series!

[@johnnamorton6744]

One of the take aways here... is that in the Founding of the USA and to a lesser extent Canada... the people that wrote the Constitution and the Charter had seen time and again what a succession crisis had done in their own history and strived to avoid it at all cost. It's only been VERY recent in American history that family "Heirs" in American Politics have been seen as a thing. The Kennedy's were probably the best example of people who tried to make their family an Heir of American Politics and a pressence still felt today as a Kennedy is running for office. The Bush's, the Clintons... etc just for some other examples. John Q Adams faced backlash as people thought he was trying to turn the Adams name into Royality. You see in this time period the most important act of the ruler is having a male heir. While this story throught "Rome" (as the contempory people still called it Rome) worked at it, they continued to make the same mistake over and over making crisis after crisis. It is the downfall of Empires and Republics when the name of the ruler becomes more important than the people. Just one of those lessons of history that every generation thinks they can do better.

[@rogerroger9960]

I love what you said about the stagnation of really what boils down to innovation within the American people. Typically tho, that spikes when faced with an exponential threat. Like WW2. And I think people are starting to realize the experiment Nixon started with China and them "naturally becoming a democracy with interaction with the west" is crap. And that China is an exponential threat. Seeing that will go far to bringing back that American hope and innovation. Strong men bring good times, but good times bring up weak and decadent men. These weak men bring upon bad times. And we are heading into bad times.

[@shaggycan]

24:11 Augustus was another team building Emperor. Know what you're good and more importantly what you're NOT good at and put the best in those positions, and if possible marry them into your family.

[@johnnamorton6744]

So a couple things not mentioned but might come up... In reguards to the Persians ... you have to understand that this conflict is one of the principle causes of the rise of Islam. These conflicts over centuries had weaken both sides and Persia had taken Jerusalem in those years. So when the Arabs took out Persia in the 8th century this left the Romans vulnerable. Had the emperor of Persia contracted the Arabs as allies its quite possiable that Rome falls. It almost fell anyhow as the Muslims did fight to the gates of the city. Its going to be a lot of what happens here that will have ramifications in the upcoming years. The second thing of note here kinda talked about here are the religious things of note. Christianity had become the "Offical" religion of Rome a couple hundred years ago but there were still religious wars being fought. There's at best a few conflicts that didn't need to happen because of the corruption of the church. The church had so many confrances trying to solidify itself that impact the day to day events that even the Emperior's wife was attacked. The religious reforms weakened the religion to corruption and you are seeing throughout the christian world a lot of sectarian violence because people were not following the right "Fathers".

[@robbyv109]

This series of videos is what got me into my love for history. I'm glad to see you cover it!

[@reversetape6984]

Unfortunately, the Haghia Sofia has been turned back into a mosque by the Turkish president

[@zacharyclark3693]

There is a debate over calling the Eastern Roman Empire Byzantines or Romans. Byzantines is traditionally used by historians, but they called themselves Romans, so some people argue that they should be seen as a continuation of the Roman Empire, instead of a completely separate entity. I can it see both ways, but if the latter argument is taken into account, then the Roman Empire lasted until the end of the Middle Ages.

[@ivantituss]

So, basically you took work of another channel, didn't add nothing new info besides some short personal opinion, and you try to make content on it. This is disrespectful for extra history channel and for us, the viewers. Do your own work.

[@orionriftclan2727]

Honestly I think something like a cure to aging is a dream we should make reality, or a room temp superconductor. Honestly give science even a fraction of the US military budget and thing if the possibilities

[@irondwarf66]

Pretty sure by saying 1000 years he's implying the laws handed been unified since the expulsion of the king in rome

[@benjaminbuers4402]

You know I was so nervous watching this because I love your videos. But I’ve studied this subject for a very long time. But I love the info you’ve added at contributed

[@kylebarbre4421]

Every success in history is impossible without luck and opportunity. Doesn’t matter how awesome someone is, if they can’t leverage that awesomeness, they can’t do what their ability says they can.

[@5552-d8b]

Unfortunately for Justinian his dream of going after the west to remake the Roman Empire cost him dearly even after death. Him focusing on the west left him exposed on the east and even though he managed to maintain the empire. Everything he built fell down after he died. What he gained in the west he lost. The war with the Persians also weakened both his empire and the Persians would fall to the up and coming ottomans that eventually led to the Ottoman Empire that would end the Byzantine empire in a slow downfall. The crusaders made the death quicker and the ottomans finished what was left.

[@rogerroger9960]

Another side thing. I really like how to emphasized "who is the historical source that is writing this historical record?" Its a great point. A lot of the negativity written about Columbus while he was alive eas made by his chief political rival in relation to sailing to the new world. And everyone just takes it at face value. 🙄

[@bthsr7113]

The death of dreams is the dawn of stagnation. Dreams shouldn't be your only guide, but for as important as it is to know when to settle, if don't aspire to greater, you can't get better. The settling and stagnation of space exploration is a particularly sad tale.

[@austin8775]

Belisarius is nowhere near Napoleon and Alexander. Extra history remained the worst channel even before they went full virtue signalers

[@user-ld4xx1el6q]

Chris, all of the dreams, including the moon, are anathema. As a Christian pastor government-based dreams must be seen as about fallen humanity. The only dream that matters is leading the lost world to Jesus and any dream based upon human effort is sin.

[@saiien2]

I would definitely like to see Belisarius series from Epic history TV here. It's the same age and it's glorious.

[@HDreamer]

yh Caesar was murdered as a tyrant, but that was by elements of the senatorical upper class. Says nothing about his standing with the rest of the roman people and especially not about he is viewed two Civil Wars down the road, when people barely remember the real person.

[@Rayen015]

Just a suggestion, but you may want to watch the episode about early christian schisms during this series at some point as well. It would be an interesting episode for you to do as well with your experience And education as a pastor.

[@Zeitgeist2000]

Hail Caesar, rightful ruler of europe and true heir to Constantinople. long may the momory of rome burn in our psyche pushing us to even greater heights and achievements in pursuit of glories long since past.

[@mrppbutt3643]

If any of you are interested in this story the videos “the last of the Romans” by Fall Of Empires are incredible

[@ziernielsen3337]

Long have i waited

[@majorianus8055]

Wow ive been waiting for years to see you react to Byzantine history. Hope you can watch Kings and Generals too!

[@Nikolaj11]

What, not a fan of Trumps wall-related and Mexican-paying dreams VTH?

[@fireyjon]

for everything that it's worth I am pro-torturing rich people to make them pay their taxes. (this is a joke because but I feel the need to mention it because it may not come across that way through text)

[@mikkitoro8933]

I would have offered the commander that bath, then slain him where he bathed. It would prove him right, but him being right would be the death of him.

[@benjaminbuers4402]

The Hagia Sofia is the only church that has been a catholic, orthodox, and Islamic church.

[@dr.atheist3087]

Didn't realize you reacted to this series i guess lucky me finding it 11 days later so can watch the full series lmao