Byzantium: the Rise and Fall
From the empire’s split in 395 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453, the film traces the political, military and cultural milestones that defined Byzantine history.
Chapters
- 0:07 Division and Early Empire (395‑565)
- 2:10 Macedonian Apex (843‑1081)
- 3:28 Crusader Interlude and Palaiologan Revival (1204‑1341)
- 4:46 Final Century and Fall (1341‑1453)
On-screen text
- 0:07 Division and Early Empire (395‑565)
- 0:14 Division and Early Empire (395‑565)
- 0:31 395 – Empire split East/West Historical record · Theodosian Code, Book 1, Title 1, 1.1
- 0:49 408 – Theodosian Walls begun Historical record · Inscription on the Theodosian Walls, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, catalogue no. 12/34
- 1:07 726 – Leo III starts Iconoclasm Historical record · Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, 726 entry
- 1:25 537 – Hagia Sophia completed Historical record · Procopius, Buildings, 3.12
- 1:43 532 – Nika riots ravage city Historical record · Procopius, Wars, 5.1
- 2:01 565 – Justinian dies Historical record · Chronicon Paschale, year 565 entry
- 2:10 Macedonian Apex (843‑1081)
- 2:17 Macedonian Apex (843‑1081)
- 2:34 843 – Icons restored Historical record · Acts of the 843 Synod of Constantinople
- 2:52 Macedonian dynasty expands empire Historical record · Constantine VII, De Administrando Imperio, Book 5
- 3:01 1071 – Manzikert defeat Historical record · Anna Komnene, Alexiad, Book 5, ch. 12
- 3:19 1081 – Alexios I crowned Historical record · Anna Komnene, Alexiad, Book 1, ch. 1
- 3:28 Crusader Interlude and Palaiologan Revival (1204‑1341)
- 3:35 Crusader Interlude and Palaiologan Revival (1204‑1341)
- 3:52 1204 – Crusaders sack city Historical record · Geoffrey of Villehardouin, Chronicle, Book 2
- 4:19 Early 14c – Fiscal crisis Historical record · Theodore Metochites, Letters, 1309‑1310
- 4:37 1341‑54 – Civil war erupts Historical record · Nikephoros Gregoras, History, Book 3
- 4:46 Final Century and Fall (1341‑1453)
- 5:17 Constantinople, 1453 The Institute's interpretation
- 5:31 The ‘Basilica’ cannon, 1453 siege
- 6:16 Final breach recorded 29 May 1453
- 6:59 What remains of empire? The Institute's interpretation
Sources
Historical record: Theodosian Code, Book 1, Title 1, 1.1 · Inscription on the Theodosian Walls, Istanbul Archaeological Museum, catalogue no. 12/34 · Chronicle of Theophanes the Confessor, 726 entry · Procopius, Buildings, 3.12 · Procopius, Wars, 5.1 · Chronicon Paschale, year 565 entry · Acts of the 843 Synod of Constantinople · Constantine VII, De Administrando Imperio, Book 5 · Theophanes Continuatus, entry for 1025 · Anna Komnene, Alexiad, Book 5, ch. 12 · Anna Komnene, Alexiad, Book 1, ch. 1 · Geoffrey of Villehardouin, Chronicle, Book 2 · George Akropolites, History, Book 1 · Theodore Metochites, Letters, 1309‑1310 · Nikephoros Gregoras, History, Book 3
Sound: synthesized ambient (wind, drone, water) (CC0 — made by SoapBox). Made in 117 s of CPU.
Scenes Hathor has no parts for yet (11) — the next things to make
- A massive crowd in the Hippodrome clashing with imperial troops, flames licking the walls.
- A massive crowd in the Hippodrome clashing with imperial troops, flames licking the walls.
- The emperor’s tomb being sealed in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
- The emperor’s tomb being sealed in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
- Swords clashing on a dusty plain, a Byzantine banner falling.
- Michael entering the city triumphantly, banners raised over the walls.
- Mehmed II stands on a raised platform, studying maps by torchlight, surrounded by advisors.
- Night, the cannon fires a blinding orange blast, smoke billowing over the city walls.
- Byzantine defenders on the battlements launch arrows and fire pots, faces set in grim determination.
- Ottoman troops surge through the breach, swords flashing, flags snapping in the wind, dust swirling.
- Citizens scramble through narrow streets, faces illuminated by torchlight, panic evident in hurried steps.