Saving Byzantium

Did Constantinople’s fall in 1453 end the Byzantine Empire as neatly as we think? Dr. Eleanor Janega and Dr. Laura Bolick unpack the Empire's dramatic final years and reveal a story far more complex than simple decline. Through the lives of Isidore of Kiev and Bessarion, they explore desperate diplomacy, church union, Ottoman expansion, and the political gambles behind the demise of Constantinople. MORE The Rise of Constantinople with Bettany Hughes Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify The Fall of Constantinople Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify Gone Medieval is presented by Dr. Eleanor Janega. Audio editor is Amy Haddow, the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. All music used is courtesy of Epidemic Sounds. Gone Medieval is a History Hit podcast. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Saving Byzantium is an episode from Gone Medieval by History Hit.

This episode is 1:02:27 long.

This episode was published on Apr 28, 2026.

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