The unprecedented success of Volume I of "The Empire of Constantinople", with the bold ideas we expressed, for a book on the so-called Byzantine history, allows us with joy to present Volume II, which covers the long period from the successors of Justinian to the First Sack of the City by the Crusaders (1204). During this long period, the Empire gradually loses its Roman character and acquires a Hellenic form, which becomes more pronounced in the final phase, unfortunately ending with the Second Sack in 1453. Our goal is not only to refer to the military and religious events but also to the emergence of new peoples who appear for the first time on the historical stage. Many of these peoples disappeared over time, but they all left some historical imprint. However, some continue their historical journey, having taken from the Empire of Constantinople the necessary guiding lights.

And something else that we consider important: throughout its long duration, the Empire presents many dark spots and has a religious and spiritual aroma completely different from our own. However, without this aroma that spread to the West and the East, the modern world would not have its current form. The Empire continues to exist with a thousand and two expressions in the space of the Christian world and in the space of Islam. And not only as a religious presence but also as a secular presence, which constitutes for contemporary humanity a tremendous political and cultural asset.