Synopsis for first lecture in series on 'Three Names, One City' beginning Thursday 4th January @ 2pm

NB Synopsis of morning course to follow

Earliest History

1 Introduction to The City, finishing with one word PLACE

2 Etymology of Byzantium

3 Founded (667 BC) by Greek city of Megara, near Athens

4 Storm Clouds from The East: Persia

5 Greek divisions, Athens and Sparta

6 Storm Clouds from The West: Rome

7 Caught in Roman Civil War 195 AD

8 Is it all over before it even really starts?

First Booklist

Istanbul by Bettany Hughes

Istanbul by Thomas Madden

I shall be adding books weekly, but these two are both general histories.