At the end of the fourteenth century, it seemed that the free Hellenic states were doomed. By the year 1400, the majority of Hellenes lived in the dominion of the Ottoman Sultan, and many others, especially in the islands, were under the government of the Venetians or of local Italian lords. The Emperor ruled over a small and dwindling domain, and in Constantinople the population was impoverished and dwindling in numbers. The fall of the Imperial city should have sealed the fate of the Empire. Given the circumstances, the revival of New Rome can be fairly described as miraculous...
The Orthodox church believes that in a time of great need, a great man will emerge to save the Church and the Empire from its enemies.
And perhaps they're right. After all, one always has.
Sir Steven Runciman, The Second Revival, pp. 97
(Harvard University Press, Newboro, Massachusetts)
(Harvard University Press, Newboro, Massachusetts)
The Orthodox church believes that in a time of great need, a great man will emerge to save the Church and the Empire from its enemies.
And perhaps they're right. After all, one always has.
Sir Kenneth Clark, Civilization: A Personal View
