ShadowsOfConstantinople
@theeasternromans.bsky.social
Memorializing Eastern Roman civilization and Constantinople. Follow me for academically sourced “Byzantine” history!🇺🇸/🇬🇷
Today we remember the fall of Constantinople!
New Rome, the city of Constantine, the Queen of Cities. It was the center of an ancient civilization, not just a capital. It was a center point and beacon of the Roman world.
On May 29, 1453 it fell, conquered by the Turks!
New Rome, the city of Constantine, the Queen of Cities. It was the center of an ancient civilization, not just a capital. It was a center point and beacon of the Roman world.
On May 29, 1453 it fell, conquered by the Turks!
May 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Today we remember the fall of Constantinople!
New Rome, the city of Constantine, the Queen of Cities. It was the center of an ancient civilization, not just a capital. It was a center point and beacon of the Roman world.
On May 29, 1453 it fell, conquered by the Turks!
New Rome, the city of Constantine, the Queen of Cities. It was the center of an ancient civilization, not just a capital. It was a center point and beacon of the Roman world.
On May 29, 1453 it fell, conquered by the Turks!
On MAY 11, 330AD the world changed!
Constantine the Great re-founded the city of Byzantion, transforming it into a new imperial capital.
Over time Constantinople blossomed into a grand city truly worthy of the title New Rome, eventually becoming the center of the Roman world!
Constantine the Great re-founded the city of Byzantion, transforming it into a new imperial capital.
Over time Constantinople blossomed into a grand city truly worthy of the title New Rome, eventually becoming the center of the Roman world!
May 11, 2025 at 1:18 PM
On MAY 11, 330AD the world changed!
Constantine the Great re-founded the city of Byzantion, transforming it into a new imperial capital.
Over time Constantinople blossomed into a grand city truly worthy of the title New Rome, eventually becoming the center of the Roman world!
Constantine the Great re-founded the city of Byzantion, transforming it into a new imperial capital.
Over time Constantinople blossomed into a grand city truly worthy of the title New Rome, eventually becoming the center of the Roman world!
In reality, exactly the same thing would have happened!
The same exact Old World diseases would have spread among the natives. The Ottomans also viewed land ownership and usage the same way Europeans did, so the same settler conflict with the natives would have been inevitable!
The same exact Old World diseases would have spread among the natives. The Ottomans also viewed land ownership and usage the same way Europeans did, so the same settler conflict with the natives would have been inevitable!
April 21, 2025 at 3:07 PM
In reality, exactly the same thing would have happened!
The same exact Old World diseases would have spread among the natives. The Ottomans also viewed land ownership and usage the same way Europeans did, so the same settler conflict with the natives would have been inevitable!
The same exact Old World diseases would have spread among the natives. The Ottomans also viewed land ownership and usage the same way Europeans did, so the same settler conflict with the natives would have been inevitable!
Today is Easter.
During the medieval period in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia would have been a spectacle of piety at Easter!
Relics of the Passion were venerated there during Easter week. There were imperial processions to the Hagia Sophia.
Imagine that?
During the medieval period in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia would have been a spectacle of piety at Easter!
Relics of the Passion were venerated there during Easter week. There were imperial processions to the Hagia Sophia.
Imagine that?
April 20, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Today is Easter.
During the medieval period in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia would have been a spectacle of piety at Easter!
Relics of the Passion were venerated there during Easter week. There were imperial processions to the Hagia Sophia.
Imagine that?
During the medieval period in Constantinople, the Hagia Sophia would have been a spectacle of piety at Easter!
Relics of the Passion were venerated there during Easter week. There were imperial processions to the Hagia Sophia.
Imagine that?
Those poor old walls of Constantinople…
It’s bricks receding like an old man’s hairline…
It’s bricks receding like an old man’s hairline…
April 19, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Those poor old walls of Constantinople…
It’s bricks receding like an old man’s hairline…
It’s bricks receding like an old man’s hairline…
Why did medieval people value history?
“History is agreed to be as profitable as the other useful things in life, inasmuch as it brings mortal affairs back to life or gives them youthful vigor, and does not allow them to be swept away and concealed in the depths of oblivion.”
“History is agreed to be as profitable as the other useful things in life, inasmuch as it brings mortal affairs back to life or gives them youthful vigor, and does not allow them to be swept away and concealed in the depths of oblivion.”
April 16, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Why did medieval people value history?
“History is agreed to be as profitable as the other useful things in life, inasmuch as it brings mortal affairs back to life or gives them youthful vigor, and does not allow them to be swept away and concealed in the depths of oblivion.”
“History is agreed to be as profitable as the other useful things in life, inasmuch as it brings mortal affairs back to life or gives them youthful vigor, and does not allow them to be swept away and concealed in the depths of oblivion.”
OTD: April 15, 1071 The fall of Bari to the Normans under Robert Guiscard, which marked the end of Roman territory in Italy.
It was significant, as it opened up the Balkans to future Norman invasion just as Anatolia was invaded by the Turks. This hindered the imperial response.
It was significant, as it opened up the Balkans to future Norman invasion just as Anatolia was invaded by the Turks. This hindered the imperial response.
April 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM
OTD: April 15, 1071 The fall of Bari to the Normans under Robert Guiscard, which marked the end of Roman territory in Italy.
It was significant, as it opened up the Balkans to future Norman invasion just as Anatolia was invaded by the Turks. This hindered the imperial response.
It was significant, as it opened up the Balkans to future Norman invasion just as Anatolia was invaded by the Turks. This hindered the imperial response.
At St. Marks’s Basilica in Venice there is a porphyry statue of the Four Tetrarchs looted from Constantinople in 1204, surrounded by marble spolia.
There is a white fragment on the bottom right of the purple statue, a piece of which was found in Istanbul in the 20th century!
There is a white fragment on the bottom right of the purple statue, a piece of which was found in Istanbul in the 20th century!
April 14, 2025 at 5:54 PM
At St. Marks’s Basilica in Venice there is a porphyry statue of the Four Tetrarchs looted from Constantinople in 1204, surrounded by marble spolia.
There is a white fragment on the bottom right of the purple statue, a piece of which was found in Istanbul in the 20th century!
There is a white fragment on the bottom right of the purple statue, a piece of which was found in Istanbul in the 20th century!
A “Byzantine” style depiction of Aragorn from Lord of the Rings.
April 14, 2025 at 12:41 AM
A “Byzantine” style depiction of Aragorn from Lord of the Rings.
OTD: April 13, 1204
The Fourth Crusade begins a comprehensive and ruthless sack of Constantinople, irreparably shattering though not ending the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantinople would never be the same again, the last beacon of antiquity was extinguished.
The Fourth Crusade begins a comprehensive and ruthless sack of Constantinople, irreparably shattering though not ending the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantinople would never be the same again, the last beacon of antiquity was extinguished.
April 13, 2025 at 4:57 PM
OTD: April 13, 1204
The Fourth Crusade begins a comprehensive and ruthless sack of Constantinople, irreparably shattering though not ending the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantinople would never be the same again, the last beacon of antiquity was extinguished.
The Fourth Crusade begins a comprehensive and ruthless sack of Constantinople, irreparably shattering though not ending the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantinople would never be the same again, the last beacon of antiquity was extinguished.
The Basileus Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos
April 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Basileus Constantine XI Dragases Palaiologos
An incredible portrait of the last ever Roman Emperor (1449-1453), Constantine XI Palaiologos, was recently found at the Monastery of Taxiarches of Aigialeia in Greece.
We now have a glimpse of his possible appearance, and here is a faithful AI reconstruction to help us imagine!
We now have a glimpse of his possible appearance, and here is a faithful AI reconstruction to help us imagine!
April 8, 2025 at 2:54 PM
An incredible portrait of the last ever Roman Emperor (1449-1453), Constantine XI Palaiologos, was recently found at the Monastery of Taxiarches of Aigialeia in Greece.
We now have a glimpse of his possible appearance, and here is a faithful AI reconstruction to help us imagine!
We now have a glimpse of his possible appearance, and here is a faithful AI reconstruction to help us imagine!
Eastern Roman history is like a buried treasure, when discovered it is so easy to become enthralled and absorbed.
But it’s also easy to just pass by it without paying it much attention!
But it’s also easy to just pass by it without paying it much attention!
March 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Eastern Roman history is like a buried treasure, when discovered it is so easy to become enthralled and absorbed.
But it’s also easy to just pass by it without paying it much attention!
But it’s also easy to just pass by it without paying it much attention!
An anonymous Western source from 1437 observed that the Emperor in Constantinople governed “a territory that could be crossed in eight days by horse, and in barely two days in its width, but when they are at war they control only the coastal forts.”
Essentially a city-state!
Essentially a city-state!
February 4, 2025 at 1:32 AM
An anonymous Western source from 1437 observed that the Emperor in Constantinople governed “a territory that could be crossed in eight days by horse, and in barely two days in its width, but when they are at war they control only the coastal forts.”
Essentially a city-state!
Essentially a city-state!
A depiction of Constantinople in the 6th century, with the Hagia Sophia and the Column of Justinian visible.
It was a majestic product of late antiquity, and went on to be the shining city upon a hill of medieval Christendom!
It was a majestic product of late antiquity, and went on to be the shining city upon a hill of medieval Christendom!
January 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
A depiction of Constantinople in the 6th century, with the Hagia Sophia and the Column of Justinian visible.
It was a majestic product of late antiquity, and went on to be the shining city upon a hill of medieval Christendom!
It was a majestic product of late antiquity, and went on to be the shining city upon a hill of medieval Christendom!
“In the days of Justinian, ships around Constantinople were terrorized for over 50 years by a whale whom locals called Porphyrios, presumably from the dark-wine color of its skin.”
The angry whale sank ships and terrified others, some changed routes.
It was like the Moby Dick of the Roman Empire!
The angry whale sank ships and terrified others, some changed routes.
It was like the Moby Dick of the Roman Empire!
January 25, 2025 at 3:40 PM
“In the days of Justinian, ships around Constantinople were terrorized for over 50 years by a whale whom locals called Porphyrios, presumably from the dark-wine color of its skin.”
The angry whale sank ships and terrified others, some changed routes.
It was like the Moby Dick of the Roman Empire!
The angry whale sank ships and terrified others, some changed routes.
It was like the Moby Dick of the Roman Empire!
Gondor in Lord of the Rings is based on the medieval Roman Empire & Constantinople.
Tolkien wrote in Letter 131:
“In the south Gondor rises to a peak of power, almost reflecting Númenor, and then fades slowly to decayed Middle Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium”
Tolkien wrote in Letter 131:
“In the south Gondor rises to a peak of power, almost reflecting Númenor, and then fades slowly to decayed Middle Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium”
January 24, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Gondor in Lord of the Rings is based on the medieval Roman Empire & Constantinople.
Tolkien wrote in Letter 131:
“In the south Gondor rises to a peak of power, almost reflecting Númenor, and then fades slowly to decayed Middle Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium”
Tolkien wrote in Letter 131:
“In the south Gondor rises to a peak of power, almost reflecting Númenor, and then fades slowly to decayed Middle Age, a kind of proud, venerable, but increasingly impotent Byzantium”
Aerial section of the Hagia Sophia in the 6th century by artist Julia Lillo
January 19, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Aerial section of the Hagia Sophia in the 6th century by artist Julia Lillo
The Constantinople H-1B crew
January 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The Constantinople H-1B crew
If you are the Roman Emperor in Constantinople in 1452, what do you do to fix this situation?
January 3, 2025 at 4:21 PM
If you are the Roman Emperor in Constantinople in 1452, what do you do to fix this situation?
An Anatolian Greek New Years tradition!
Aetakia, Double Eagle cookies.
The oldest family member, holding an eagle, would say: “As beautifully and proudly as the eagle flies, so beautifully and proudly may our family fly."
Then family members kissed his hand and took a cookie!
Aetakia, Double Eagle cookies.
The oldest family member, holding an eagle, would say: “As beautifully and proudly as the eagle flies, so beautifully and proudly may our family fly."
Then family members kissed his hand and took a cookie!
January 1, 2025 at 3:01 PM
An Anatolian Greek New Years tradition!
Aetakia, Double Eagle cookies.
The oldest family member, holding an eagle, would say: “As beautifully and proudly as the eagle flies, so beautifully and proudly may our family fly."
Then family members kissed his hand and took a cookie!
Aetakia, Double Eagle cookies.
The oldest family member, holding an eagle, would say: “As beautifully and proudly as the eagle flies, so beautifully and proudly may our family fly."
Then family members kissed his hand and took a cookie!
Wishing a Happy New Year to all the Roman history lovers out there! May the next year be fulfilling for all….and also full of learning about Constantinople and those Romans that went on nearly a millennium after 476!
December 31, 2024 at 10:43 PM
Wishing a Happy New Year to all the Roman history lovers out there! May the next year be fulfilling for all….and also full of learning about Constantinople and those Romans that went on nearly a millennium after 476!
It’s incredibly strange that while Ancient Greece and Rome are included as part of the history of Western civilization, the direct continuation of the Greco-Roman world, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, is often excluded and disconnected.
It makes really makes no sense!
It makes really makes no sense!
December 31, 2024 at 4:18 PM
It’s incredibly strange that while Ancient Greece and Rome are included as part of the history of Western civilization, the direct continuation of the Greco-Roman world, the eastern half of the Roman Empire, is often excluded and disconnected.
It makes really makes no sense!
It makes really makes no sense!
Quality illustrations of 12th - 13th century Eastern Roman soldiers by v_ayuban
December 29, 2024 at 8:49 PM
Quality illustrations of 12th - 13th century Eastern Roman soldiers by v_ayuban
Truly amazing work by HistoryIn3D to make this reconstruction of the Arch of Constantine the Great in Rome. The colors, stone texture, and realistic setting really bring it to life!
December 28, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Truly amazing work by HistoryIn3D to make this reconstruction of the Arch of Constantine the Great in Rome. The colors, stone texture, and realistic setting really bring it to life!