Despatches from Byzantium: July 2016

Sunday 24 July 2016

Mistra - walking through a Byzantine city

Enjoy a short stroll through the city that was the centre of the last renaissance of the Byzantines - the spectacular ruins of Mistra in the Peloponnese.

Welcome to Despatches...

Few periods in history are as rich in intrigue, action, treachery, romance and valour as that of the Byzantine Empire. "Despatches from Byzantium" brings together a wide range of stories - true stories - of the men and women who populated this sprawling realm, one of the longest lasting empires and in its time the most prosperous state in the world.

Although some historical background is presented in the Pages section, the intention is not to provide a constant or sequential historical narrative. Rather it is to recount historically accurate episodes from over a thousand years which show both the best and the worst of humanity as lived out and experienced by the eastern Romans, the Romaioi, the people of Byzantium.

For fuller narratives or more on particular aspects of Byzantine history and culture, a wide range of links to academic and other sites are available on this site - please see below.

Meanwhile, enjoy your journey back to a time of splendour and intrigue, honour and deception in the Despatches from Byzantium.