The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters PREVIEW: Epochs #236 | The Fourth Crusade - Part I with Furius Pertinax
Nov 9, 2025
Join historian Furius Pertinax, also known as Marcus, as he dives into the fascinating world of the Byzantine Empire. He shares how a BBC documentary ignited his passion for this overlooked era. The discussion highlights Constantinople's founding, the cultural memory of Byzantium in Italy, and the empire's pivotal moment in 1204. They explore changes in administration, military reforms under Heraclius, and the debate surrounding Byzantine identity. This conversation unveils the complexities of a civilization that transformed the course of history.
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Documentary Sparked Lifelong Interest
- Marcus discovered his passion for Eastern Roman history after watching the 1997 BBC series I, Caesar as a child.
- He credits Brian Cox's narration for sparking long-term interest and repeated viewings on VHS and DVD.
Byzantium Is More Than An Epilogue
- The later thousand-year history of Byzantium often gets reduced to a short epilogue after Justinian.
- Marcus argues that the empire's millennium of history deserves far more attention and detail than typical summaries provide.
Constantine's Founding Gesture
- Marcus recounts Constantine's founding gesture by planting a spear on the new peninsula that became Constantinople.
- He notes the rapid urban expansion that led to later construction of the Theodosian Walls.