Watch Constantinople - Istanbul. Lecture 1 of 3. From Byzantion to Nova Roma.

Constantinople - Istanbul is a historical documentary film that explores the rich and complex history of Istanbul, the ancient city that has served as the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. The movie is the first of a three-part lecture series, presented by Dr. William J. Neidinger, an expert on ancient and medieval history.

The movie begins with an introduction to the origins of Istanbul, or Byzantion as it was known in ancient times. Dr. Neidinger takes us back to the 7th century BC, when the Greeks founded the city and established it as a major trade center in the eastern Mediterranean. We learn about the early settlements that grew up around the city, as well as the various empires that controlled it over the centuries, including the Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern Turkish governments.

The bulk of the film focuses on the Byzantine period, which lasted from the 4th to the 15th century AD. Dr. Neidinger explains how the Byzantine Empire emerged from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and maintained a strong presence in the eastern Mediterranean for over a thousand years. We learn about the political, social, and economic forces that shaped the empire, as well as the major figures in Byzantine history, such as Justinian, Constantine the Great, and Basil II.

The movie also delves into the religious and cultural aspects of Byzantine society. We learn about the role of the Orthodox Church in Byzantine life, and how it influenced the art, architecture, and literature of the empire. We also see how Byzantine culture was shaped by the presence of other ethnic and religious groups, such as Armenians, Jews, and Muslims.

Throughout the film, Dr. Neidinger takes us on a visual tour of Istanbul, showing us the major landmarks and architectural wonders that have survived from the Byzantine era. We see the Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, and other iconic sites that attest to the city's rich and complex history.

The movie ends with a brief overview of the Ottoman period, which began in the 15th century and lasted until the early 20th century. We learn about the rise of the Ottoman Empire, and how it eventually conquered Istanbul and turned it into the capital of their empire. We also see how Istanbul continued to flourish as an important cultural and economic center during the Ottoman era, and how it eventually became the modern-day Istanbul that we know today.

Overall, Constantinople - Istanbul is a fascinating and informative movie that provides a deep understanding of one of the world's most important cities. Dr. Neidinger's engaging and insightful lecture style makes the film accessible to a wide range of viewers, while the stunning visuals and historical anecdotes make it an entertaining and engaging watch. If you're interested in history, architecture, or cultural studies, this film is not to be missed.

Constantinople - Istanbul. Lecture 1 of 3. From Byzantion to Nova Roma. is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 85 hours.