Byzantium in science fiction, fantasy, and horror, with Przemysław Marciniak

A conversation with Przemysław Marciniak (University of Silesia) about books of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and alternative history that are either set in Byzantium or have a Byzantine ambiance. We talk about the features that signal a Byzantine setting and what the latter is good. Basically, we chat about books that we liked (or did not like).
The conversation is based on Przemek's chapter 'Fantastic(al) Byzantium: The Image of Byzantium in Speculative Fiction,' in M. Kulhánková and P. Marciniak, eds., Byzantium in the Popular Imagination: The Modern Reception of the Byzantine Empire (I.B. Tauris 2023) 249-260.
Byzantium & Friends is hosted by Anthony Kaldellis, a Professor at the University of Chicago.

[@JesseKeegan]

❤

[@sleepinthemorningcalm]

2:56 I remember this quote from my history professor (in Canada 2017 or 2018) regarding Byzantium
“Nothing of consequence for history ever really happened there. They weren’t developing science or reason or philosophy. They were spending all their time lounging around debating the number of wings on angels, or how many ranks of angels there were.”

[@prodromosandreou108]

Three books that could be mentioned are:
1. Baudolino by Umberto Eco
2. Σκούφος από πορφύρα Μάρω Δούκα
3. Περί της εαυτού Ψυχής Ισιδωρος Ζουργός

[@fantasygrunt8357]

Paradox videogames mentioned rahhhhhhhhh