The Fall of New Rome. Part III

 We canceled the lecture scheduled for May 12 due to technical issues with my computer. After fixing the problem with the generous help from my neighbor, I conducted a short test session with my professor, who coordinates the Zoom lectures. The new date for the speech is May 26. This discourse will focus on the portage of ships across the Isthmus of Corinth and is based on my article, "The Battle of the Gulf of Corinth."

https://www.academia.edu/125356518/The_Battle_of_the_Gulf_of_Corinth

I have completed the editing of the third part of my article, The Fall of New Rome, subtitled From Zero to Hero and Otherwise. This section explores the challenges faced by the crusading army at Zara as its leaders deliberate on their next course of action. A controversial decision ultimately diverts the Crusade from its original planned route, directing it toward another Christian city. In the end, Christendom gained valuable insights from this ill-fated overseas venture. The paper is available at

https://www.academia.edu/129233488/The_Fall_of_New_Rome_Part_3_From_Zero_to_Hero_and_Otherwise

You can read the previous parts here:

https://www.academia.edu/127661416/The_Fall_of_New_Rome_Part_1 https://www.academia.edu/128273374/The_Fall_of_New_Rome_Part_2_The_Sack_of_Zara

I also re-edited Chapter 4 of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." Titled The World as the Trefoil, this section explores the evolution of the Mappa Mundi, or "world maps," which reflect the medieval imagination. Over the centuries, this medium transformed from simple representations of a tripartite-inhabited Earth to more intricate designs that incorporated Ptolemy's vision and reflected the influence of sea charts. This portrayal of the medieval world, encompassing both the sacred and the profane, unfolds before us.

https://www.academia.edu/129455182/The_World_as_the_Trefoil

The Fall of New Rome: The Sack of Zara

It seems that my notes have generated some interest among readers, and I feel it is important to update you on the latest developments.

I have edited the second part of my new article, "The Fall of New Rome," which focuses on the events of the Fourth Crusade. This section highlights the role of the Venetian fleet in the siege of Zara (Zadar, Croatia) and delves into the tensions within the crusading camp, while discussing the campaign's ultimate goal.

https://www.academia.edu/128273374/The_Fall_of_New_Rome_Part_2_The_Sack_of_Zara 

I am in the process of editing the third and final part of my account.

Additionally, I have uploaded the revised version of Chapter 3 of my book, "The Enchanting Encounter with the East." This updated chapter presents an enhanced version of the final chapter of Unit I: The Three Trick Questions of Mathematical Geography. It explores how medieval European scholars understood the extent of the inhabited world. Drawing on the calculations of Ancient Greek geographers, cosmographers like Henricus Martellus developed a concept of populated regions separated by vast stretches of the Ocean Sea. The following Bottom Line of Unit I summarizes the first three chapters. 

https://www.academia.edu/128448718/How_Long_Spans_the_Inhabited_World

The last paper sparked a brief discussion with a reader who prefers a different version of the stadium. For more information about the various versions, see my previous paper

 https://www.academia.edu/127881027/How_to_measure_the_Earths_circumference

I expressed my preference for a middle calculation because we are often unaware of the specific calculation methods used in different cases. In my opinion, choosing an alternative standard does not affect the overall outcome. Medieval cartographers faced a dilemma between Eratosthenes's concept of a "giant Earth" and Posidonius's idea of a "dwarf Earth." I also plan to upload two additional re-edited chapters in the future. My main focus has been the exploration of early gunpowder weapons on medieval ships. Additionally, I want to research the role of mechanical artillery onboard these vessels.

The Fall of New Rome Release 1

 I have uploaded the first part of my new article, The Fall of New Rome,

https://www.academia.edu/127661416/The_Fall_of_New_Rome_Part_1

The paper discusses why the Fourth Crusade (1203-1204) chose Venice as its embarkation point. It also explores the factors that led to the signing of the Treaty of Venice in 1201 and examines the significant gap between the intentions expressed in the pact and the actual execution of those plans. I have designed two additional parts that will be uploaded later.

  In addition, I have retrieved an updated version of Chapter Two of "The Enchanting Encounter with the East."

https://www.academia.edu/127881027/How_to_measure_the_Earths_circumference 

This article compares the estimations of the Earth's circumference made by Greek, Arab, and European scholars, setting the "mean" value of ancient measurements to facilitate their conversion to modern equivalents.

This paper has drawn the interest of many scholars, some of whom participated in the discussion. We talked about the accuracy of data regarding the Greek stadium, which is a unit of length. We also discussed my proposal to convert the stadium into meters.

I am continuing to collect data for my next research unit, "The Age of Gunpowder." I recently got hands on a remarkable book entitled "Gunpowder Galleys: Changing Technology & Mediterranean Warfare at Sea in the 16th Century," written by John Guilmartin. I am reviewing his ideas and trying to develop my own.

The Age of Gunpowder

 I am working on a new unit in my project titled "The Age of Gunpowder." In this section, I will explore the introduction of firearms on ships in the fourteenth century, the development of heavy ordnance on galleys and sailing ships during the 1400s and 1500s, and the decline of oared armed vessels in the 1700s. I am currently gathering additional data and have just begun the development process.

I read Anderson's "Oared Fighting Ships," focusing on his discussion of Mediterranean galleys, rowing alla sensile and al scaloccio, as well as the armament of the galleass.

Rodger's paper, "The Development of Broadside Gunnery," is also highly informative. In it, he discusses the effectiveness of heavy guns mounted on galleys and describes how sailing ships slowly attempted to match these oared vessels in speed, agility, and the capacity to mount heavy artillery.

 I am currently editing a new chapter on naval tactics titled "The Fall of New Rome," which focuses on the tragic history of the Fourth Crusade. I have divided a lengthy excerpt into three parts. Part I is called "The Rendezvous at Venice." This section describes the gathering of the crusading host at the head of the Adriatic Sea and highlights the leaders' failure to cover the debt for maritime transportation.

Fall of New Rome 2

I continue assessing the data collected on the Fourth Crusade, especially its diversion to Constantinople and the sack of the Queen of Cities. I began writing notes, groping my way to understanding the events. 

Donald E. Queller & Thomas F. Madden's "The Fourth Crusade: The Conquest of Constantinople"  traces the whole enterprise from its proclamation by Pope Innocent to the inception of the Latin Empire on the ruins of Byzantium. I accept the author's conclusion that found no clues for the malicious plot on the part of Venetians or Philip of Swabia against the Eastern Roman Empire. I disagree with those who search the Roman emperors to blame for the destruction of their power. Though politicians tend to make erroneous decisions, the diversion of the Crusade was a gamechanger ushering in a vicious circle of crime. 

Now, I reread Geoffrey of Villehardoiun's chronicle about the conquest. He seems to be a knowledgeable source for the train of events. We can rely on him for figures,  dates, and motives as he seems to base his plot on previous notes. 

My guess is that when the barons' envoys arrived in Venice, they had a vague idea about the logistics of the future crusade. They could only present their chivalric enthusiasm and hope that the doge would help them fulfill their dream. Enrico Dandolo talked business. He figured out the size of the fleet required for this outstanding enterprise and picked up the target, Egypt. He also used crusading rhetoric but did not forget about the commercial boost of his hometown, which he hoped to raise to new heights. The inability of crusaders to pay their debts gave the doge enormous power to use the host of warriors as pawns in his geopolitical game.