I know we’re talking about a polity that lasted a thousand years, but the dramatic shifts are so impressive: the loss and regaining and loss again of Italy and Africa; the ability to adapt, reconsolidate and resist –as opposed to, say the Sassanians — after the massive losses of Egypt, Syria and the Levant (I bet there are a few people in the latter regions right now that wish that had never happened…) ; the see-sawing in the Balkans, and in Anatolia even after Manzikert; the temporary reconquest of Antioch and northwestern Syria… The one constant until the very end — except for the Huns’ orgy of 1204 — being the City herself. A legitimizing principle of amazing power must have been behind that tenacity.
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Jadde: from Bosnia to Bengal 
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