Basileus

Book excerpt: This is a book on emperors of Byzantine Empire in Christian Greek dominion that ruled Late Antique and Medieval East Europe from 330 to 1453 CE as the inherited Roman state that fell in Western Rome in 476 CE. From the golden, renowned Queen of Cities, Constantinople, city of Constantine, holy men, travelers, pilgrims, merchants, ambassadors, and many other people from all walks of life filled its streets. Finally, there was the emperor, the master of this city, and an empire once stretching from the Black Sea to Spain until its fall to the powerful Turks in the fifteenth century. In a line of Basilioi, triumph, tragedy, trust, and betrayal were lifelong dramas for the men and women in the purple sitting on the palace throne.