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

On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth...

In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival - the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages. Hear about how it formed a bridge between two continents, and two ages, and learn how the impregnable walls of Constantinople were finally brought crashing to the ground.

This episode we're joined by members of the St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral Choir in London, and a number of musicians playing traditional Byzantine instruments.

Credits:

Sound engineering by Thomas Ntinas

Voice Actors:

Nicolas Rixon
Annie Kelly
Cleo Madeleine
Peter Walters
Lachlan Lucas
David Kelly

Timelapses of Istanbul kindly provided by Cüneyt Karaahmetoğlu under a Creative Commons (CC BY 3.0) license

[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

[LizardoiL]

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

[dusteye]

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

[kfilippi]

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

[birthe]

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

[pauliedibbs]

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

[brianvirgin]

Byzantium is such and underappreciated part of western culture.

[firatsanliturk]

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

[spricket]

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

[shepaaaarrrrrd]

There are few things I get actively excited for on YouTube, but this is most assuredly one.

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

[michaelmacdowall]

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

Thank you so much for your time and dedication to excellence. Keep up the great work.

[Weeeeessel]

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

[laura-ann.]

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

[lucisferre]

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

[Pan]

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

[davidpacheco]

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

[CD-lxsc]

I just feel so lost for words, I can just feel the people in their comings and goings when I close my eyes and listen to you describing the city, bustling with life. Life of a forgone day. Poetic and moving. Great episodes!

[stevensammons]

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

[unstoppable-ar]

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

[mr.e.knight]

I hope you do an Ottoman Empire episode sometime in the future. Such a rich history, and it would be a great companion piece to this excellent duology. Thank you so much for what you do!

[magyarbrit]

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