title: The Lost Capital of Byzantium: The History of Mistra and the Peloponnese
author:  Steven Runciman 
description: Mistra is one of the most romantic of the medieval cities of Europe. Sir Steven Runciman, the most elegant of Byzantine historians, has encapsulated its history, topography and personalities in a masterpiece of compressed learning. (C. M. Woodhouse <i>The Observer</i>)<br /><br />One comes away from this book certainly a great deal better informed--but also filled with a longing to see once again the view from the Pantanassa--and feel the centuries of violence settling into their grave. (Dilys Powell <i>Sunday Times</i>)<br /><br />It is a history rich with political intrigue, dynastic ambition and petty battles. It is also a history of Byzantine complexity. With the eloquence, learning and love of his subject that we have come to expect from him, Sir Steven demonstrates how Mistra is one of the tangled main roots to our golden past. (Philip Howard <i>The Times</i>)<br /><br />Deep learning and graceful style. (<i>Bulletin of the Institute of Archaeology</i>)
zlib_text: 
  
  
  # Prologue
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  Nozan Kingdom, on the Northern Continent.
  
  
  
  
  
  Nozan Kingdom was separated from Rhoden Kingdom by the Bordeaux Gulf and the
  two nations maintained a relatively friendly diplomatic relationship through
  trade.
  
  
  
  
  
  Three other countries touched upon the borders of Nozan Kingdom.
  
  
  
  
  
  The Delfrent Kingdom lied to the north of Nozan and the Salma Kingdom to the
  south. Finally, the Hiruku Theocracy sat just west of Nozan. Throughout this
  region’s history, many countries have risen and fallen.
  
  
  
  
  
  Soulia, the capital of the Nozan Kingdom, had never been invaded. The Royal
  Palace was built upon a small hill, at the base of which the city began to
  spread out from. Two defensive walls bisected the city into districts and
  acted as its primary defensive structure.
  
  
  
  
  
  The palace had been built with defense as the priority, there weren’t all that
  many decorations and its simple design gave one the impression of a large
  fort.
  
  
  
  
  
  However, the Palace’s interior was d