What would you have seen in Constantinople during the Golden Age of Basil II?

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[Maiorianus_Sebastian]

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[ErnestJay]

People keep referring Golden Age of Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Empire is during Emperor Justinian, but the truth is real Golden Age is during Basil II because the empire was in the prosperous time, it also peaked in science and development, while Justinian era are only the largest extent but people mostly poor and suffer especially during Justinian Plague.

[WB-senz]

I'm watching this is disbelief. I expected him to say something in the range of a population of 200, 000, maybe a little less. But half a million people? I'm speechless. Imagine being from western Europe. Largest city you ever saw had 50, 000 people at most, and then you travel to the City of the Caesars and witness Rome reborn? I understand the motivation of the Vargangians to stay and fight for the Emperor.

[nenenindonu]

The Macedonian period Basil was part of is probably the best period to live in after the Heraclian age or simply the post-Islamic era...

[marvelfannumber]

Pretty good overview. Though I think it should be pointed out that while Pagan temples were long gone by then, statues were still largely maintained. The Patria of Constantinople (8th-9th Century) provides a very long list of statues that could still be seen by then, and many of these are repeated in much later sources from the 1190's. Notable examples include the Athena Promachos from the Acropolis of Athens, several statues of Zeus in the Augustaion (right outside Hagia Sophia), Gorgons on the gate to the Augustaion, and a massive statues of Herakles in the Hippodrome. These were only melted down in 1203-1204 when the Crusaders were besieging, and later sacked the city.

Also, while the Imperial Fora were now largely cattle markets, the triumphal columns were still intact. The Column of Arcadius survived intact well into the Ottoman era, the Column of Theodosius also survived intact into the early Ottoman era, and the Column of Constantine didn't lose its statue until the first decade of the 12th Century, and the column itself is still with us today.

[MaxSluiman]

Maioranus, one can feel your love for ancient history in you narration. Well done!

[majidbineshgar]

What would you have seen in Constantinople 1000AD ? beautiful Greek was spoken, no Turkish.

[RexGalilae]

I think if we consider how the city looks today where 90% of the city in urban areas is just modern buildings and streets with only the topapki palace, galata tower and hagia sophia remaining, it's easier to imagine how the city shouldn't have looked ancient during 1000 AD

[lorgaraurelian]

Great video! I think it makes sense that old Roman temples, bathes, administrative buildings were disassembled for stone by 10th century. 1) Pagan temples were a priority target for the Church. 2) Roman bathes. Well, you see, Roman men did not relax their alone, but with slave women and other men. This also made the bathes a priority target for the Church. 3) Constantine-era administrative buildings made to accomodate beuracrats to govern the Roman Empire from Britain to Egipt. 7th+ century Eastern Roman Empire was may be 1/7 of that. So, most of that buildings were empty. After a major fire or earthquake those buildings were dismantled.

[septimiusseverus]

An excellent video, giving us an overview of Medieval Constantinople at the dawn of the second millenium. Thankyou very much for this excellent content, Maiorianus.

As a side fact, I remember reading that the triumphal column of Constantine the Great in his forum remained intact until 1106, when the statue got knocked down in a storm. Some decades later, a golden cross was erected in its place, only to be looted by the knights of the Fourth Crusade in 1204.

[aquila]

This videos are precious!
As an student of architecture who is fascinated by the demise of the classical era and Architecture of Power it is great to hear a account in such great detail

[superrobutt]

Studying Byzantine has been fantastic. My favorite periods are early Byzantine and Macedonian dynasty with an honorable mention to the 20 years anarchy. Komnenos dynasty is great too but its all downhill after that.

[alxxz]

Excellent and very informative video! Greetings from Hellas / Greece!

[loopernoodling]

Love this channel Maiorianus!

Never realised I was so interested in late Roman history until I discovered it a few months ago. I suppose it was a natural progression from being interested in the Bronze Age Collapse, and the original rise of Mesopotamia, as told by History with Cy.

I especially like the street scene illustrations - particularly those by Antoine Helbert. They look so natural - you could imagine being there!

Wish I could write this in Latin - I did study it at school, but that was over 50 years ago!

Salve dominus!

[alberto]

Formally, the longest reign emperor would be Basil II’s brother, as they were co emperors from the beginning and he outlived Basil by 3 years

[alvarogomezvivas]

Salve Maiorianus! What a legend you are! :D
I had been wanting to learn about Constantinople during this era for a long time, but it always proved hard to find much info. This video is gold!

[jg]

Mis más sinceras felicitaciones 👏 por esta saga de excelentes videos sobre la antiguedad tardía y el Imperio romano de Oriente.
👍🤝

[alxxz]

Excellent and very informative video! Greetings from Greece!

[achillesrodriguezxx]

It's kinda sad that the strong empire left by Basil II when he died collapsed in less than 50 years. Some parts of Anatolia were never recovered from the Turks even during the golden age under the Komnenos.

[SobekLOTFC]

Another great video, Sebastian- well done 👏