Rome Didn't Fall in 476: The Byzantine Empire in 15 Minutes

It is January of the year 447. An earthquake has just knocked down 57 towers of the richest city on earth, and Attila the Hun is 60 days away. Who do you get to fix the walls? Two rival chariot-racing gangs, and a pile of shovels. Those walls would stand for about 1,000 years — and yet the city would still fall, twice, and neither time the way you think. This documentary explores the complete history of the Byzantine Empire, from Constantine's New Rome, through Justinian, Theodora, the Nika riot and the Hagia Sophia, the plague, Heraclius and the double siege of 626, Greek fire, the Varangian Guard, Basil the Bulgar Slayer and the defeat of 1071, to the Fourth Crusade's sack in 1204, the recapture of 1261, and Mehmed's giant cannon in 1453. Some visual scenes are recreated using AI to help bring the story of the Byzantine Empire to life while remaining faithful to the historical record. RESEARCH & EVIDENCE USED IN THIS VIDEO • The walls of Constantinople rebuilt in 60 days after the 447 earthquake, with the builders' brag carved into the gate — the walls' story as told in the video • Constantine's refounding of Byzantium as Constantinople ("New Rome") in 330, and the fall of the western half of the Roman Empire in 476 • Justinian, Theodora and the Nika riot of 532 — the account of a historian who was there, including Theodora's "purple makes a good burial cloth" answer ("according to the story") • The Hagia Sophia, built in under six years, with its forty windows and its "hanging from heaven on a golden chain" reputation; Justinian's law code • The plague that arrived on grain ships from Egypt; Phocas, Heraclius and the True Cross; the double siege of 626 • The Arab siege of 717 and Greek fire ("Roman fire") • The Byzantine gold coin that kept its weight for about 700 years • The Varangian Guard, and the runic name "Halfdan" scratched on a Hagia Sophia railing • Basil, the Bulgar Slayer; the 1071 defeat and capture of Romanos, and the Sultan's question ("according to one story") • Alexios's letter to the Pope, the Crusades, and Anna's history of the age • The Fourth Crusade and the sack of 1204; the bronze horses taken to Venice (and Napoleon's later theft); the 1261 recapture • Orban's cannon, the harbor chain, the 70 ships dragged over the hill, and the fall on 29 May 1453; Mehmed's title "Caesar of Rome"; the name "Byzantine" coined about a century after the fall #ByzantineEmpire #History #Constantinople #RomanEmpire #HagiaSophia