The History of the World Podcast, written and presented by Chris Hasler

Volume 4 The Medieval World, Episode 8, The Byzantine Empire, Part 3. you. Oh, you know, you know, you know, now.

You know, now, oh, oh, Oh, you know. Our story of the Byzantine Empire brings us to the early 8th century and the rise of the Iarian dynasty of imperial rulers, beginning with Leo the third.

Leo took control of the Byzantine Empire and the capital city of Constantinople was immediately besieged by the

Umayyad Islamic Caliphate from their heartlands in Syria. As we discovered during the last episode Leo was able to overcome this

siege thanks to the use of the incendiary weapon known to history as Greek fire and some good fortune with the

Umayyads suffering some defections and inclement weather conditions.

The Umayyads retreated and the Byzantine's under Leo the third were able to move forward. Leo's legacy to history as a Byzantine ruler is also remembered for the impact that he would

have on Byzantine Christianity, and this would reverberate through history, through the era of the Christian

Crusades and right up until the present day.

Christianity was ushered from humble beginnings as a rebellious sect of Judaism by the Roman Empire

who made it their state religion and oversaw the conversion of millions.

Before this period, the Christians still set up patriarchates in

major cities within the Roman Empire,

including Alexandria, Antioch Antioch and Rome itself.

When the iconic Constantine the Great encouraged Christianity in the fourth century, Patriarchates were established in Constantinople and Jerusalem.

These five Patriarchates were recognised as the Pentarchy, which were officially the five supreme Christian patriarchets. Fast forward to the 8th century and three of the Pentaki

Petrarchates had been lost to the Islamic Caliphate, namely Antioch,

Jerusalem and Alexandria.

So now it was just Rome and Constantinople.

Rome would consider itself to be the spiritual home of Christian rule, with it being the Roman Empire's traditional home.

Constantinople would consider itself to be the spiritual home of Christian rule with it being the modern capital

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