On the outskirts of modern Istanbul, a line of ancient walls lies crumbling into the earth…

In this episode, we look at one of history’s most incredible stories of survival – the thousand-year epic of the Byzantine Empire. Find out how this civilization suffered the loss of its Western half, and continued the unbroken legacy of Rome right through the middle ages. Hear about how it formed a bridge between two continents, and two ages, and learn how the impregnable walls of Constantinople were finally brought crashing to the ground.

This episode, we’re joined by the choir from the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in London, and a number of musicians playing traditional Byzantine instruments such as the Byzantine lyra, the Qanun and the Greek Santur.

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