HIST 4100 – 01/02 – ONLINE: Ancient World Civilizations

A collection of primary texts in English on government, culture, and religion in Byzantium.

Illustrations and 3D reconstructions of Constantinople by artist and theatrical set designer Antoine Helbert.

Diarmaid MacCulloch discusses the rise of the Greek Orthodox Church in Constantinople and the rise of the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow (60 mins).

This Youtube channel provides 3D video reconstruction of Constantinople as it might have appeared in the year 1200.

Far from disappearing after the Hellenistic age, Greek art flourished with the rise of Christianity and the Orthodox church (25 min).

Relates how the Ottomans, led by Sultan Mehmed II, laid siege to Constantinople; finally taking the city in 1453, marking the end of the last vestige of the Roman Empire (26 mins).

Paintings, mosaics, carvings, and ceramics facilitate an exploration of Byzantine iconography as it evolved from Hellenistic and Roman themes to abstractions that go beyond classical representation.

A team of seismic engineers investigates how the Hagia Sophia has survived so many earthquakes since its opening in 537 CE.