Michael Obrevk Act 1 Scene 1 Summary

Scene 1: Here Michael Obrevko, the host, introduces the audience to the show. He describes who he is, and what the show is about. He also introduces a snobbish Brandon Dinner, a man with a Ph.D. in Byzantine Empire history. Michael says that Mr. Brandon Dinner has recently come back from a trip to Constantinople. This causes some annoyance to Brandon as his correct title is Doctor. Dr. Brandon also corrects Michael by saying Constantinople is actually present day Istanbul, Turkey. Dr. Brandon tells the audience and Michael that Constantinople, founded in 326, was a very important place as it was the capitol of the Byzantine Empire. He also says that it was founded by Constantine the Great, and because of its geographic location (on 7 hills)

He says that before the break, they were discussing Constantinople, or modern day Istanbul. They will now talk about special events, places, and people important to the Byzantine Empire such: the Justinian, Justinian’s Code, Nika Riots, Theodora (wife) Dr. Brandon immediately starts describing Justinian after Michael finishes his spiel. He says that Justinian ruled the Byzantine Empire for nearly 40 years (527-565), and it was marked by large territorial expansion. Because of these expansions and other reasons, Justinian’s Code was created (AKA Corpus Juris Civilis). These codes consisted of four books that included reforms in state taxation and legislation. This then formed the foundation of the western legal system. In addition, He says that Justinian took a very large role in shaping Christian church policy and fought to destroy the remaining Greco-Roman paganism and competing Christian sects. Furthermore, after the Nika Riots of 532, he initiated a great amount of construction in efforts to rebuild Constantinople. The Nika Riots occurred because of Justinian’s decision to appoint noble positions to people outside of the aristocratic class. The most famous person to have been selected was Justinian’s wife, Theodora, who was a former circus traveler. Because of the outrage people felt towards Justinian’s policies, riots formed at the Hippodrome of Constantinople in the early 590’s. These riots lead to the

Brandon got Michael fired from his own show. Brandon picks up from where the discussion ended before the commercial break. He now discusses people and places important to the Nika Riots by continuing the discussion on Theodora (Justinian’s wife), illustrating Belisarius, and describing the Hippodrome. Dr. Brandon begins by continuing the description of Theodora (wife). He says that she lived from 492 to 548, and eventually rose to become one the most powerful women of the Byzantine Empire. While she did acquire a very high political position, she was not born into the Patrician class. She was also responsible for the continuation of Justinian’s rule during the Nika Riots. As Justinian and his officials prepared to flee because of the reckless riots, Theodora convinced them to stay. As a result, Justinian appointed his men to attack the rioters. They wound up killing nearly 30,000 of them. Dr. Brandon now talks about Belisarius. He says that Belisarius was a Byzantine general (began commanding at about the age of 25) and a very important figure during the rule of Justinian. Under his military leadership, the Empire was able fight, and reconquer land such as that under the Sasanian Empire, North African lands, and much more. He lived from 500 to 565 A.D. He was also an important general in the Nika riots, as he commanded troops to exterminate nearly 30,000 people at the Hippodrome, further gaining Justinian’s trust. Finally, he