Show Notes
The Byzantine Empire didn’t have to fall—history simply chose differently.
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 is often presented as the inevitable end of a decaying empire—but what if that narrative is completely wrong? In this episode of History Rage, historian and author Laura Bolick dismantles one of history’s most persistent myths: that the Byzantine Empire was doomed long before the Ottoman cannons fired.
Drawing on her book Saving Byzantium: The Struggle to Salvage an Empire, Laura reveals a world full of missed opportunities, fragile alliances, political infighting, and last-minute efforts that nearly changed history. Rather than a slow collapse caused by decadence, the Byzantine story is one of diplomacy, survival, and desperate attempts to rally Western support that very nearly worked.
At the heart of this story are two remarkable figures—Cardinal Johannes Bessarion and Isidore of Kiev—who risked everything to secure military aid from Western Europe. Their mission to unite the Orthodox and Catholic Churches was intended to bring the crusading forces that might have saved Constantinople. Incredibly, Ottoman commanders themselves nearly abandoned the siege before a final breakthrough changed the course of history forever.
This episode explores the deeper causes behind the fall of Byzantium, including Western complacency, internal European conflicts, and the dangerous assumption that great cities could never truly fall. It’s a powerful reminder that history isn’t predetermined—it's shaped by decisions, timing, and human choices.
In This Episode, We Discuss: Why the fall of Constantinople was not historically inevitable How Western Europe failed to support Byzantium when it mattered most The political and religious tensions between Orthodox and Catholic Churches The role of crusades in late medieval diplomacy How the Ottomans engineered one of history’s most remarkable sieges What Byzantium’s fall teaches us about modern geopolitical complacency
About the Guest Laura Bolick is an art historian and researcher specialising in late medieval Byzantium and Renaissance intellectual culture. Her work focuses on the cultural survival of Byzantium and the figures who fought to preserve its legacy.
Book: Saving Byzantium: The Struggle to Salvage an Empire Buy from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781398122192 (Using this link supports independent bookshops and the podcast.)
Follow Laura Bolick Check your preferred bookseller for Saving Byzantium: The Struggle to Salvage an Empire Look out for talks, articles, and appearances connected to Byzantine and Renaissance history
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Why This Episode Matters History often looks inevitable in hindsight—but as this episode reveals, the fall of Byzantium was anything but certain. From near-abandoned sieges to failed crusades and shifting alliances, the fate of Constantinople hung on fragile moments and human decisions. Understanding those moments doesn’t just reshape medieval history—it challenges how we think about the future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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