Alexander III and Zoë (912-920) (Byzantium: The Rise of the Macedonians Book 2)

This 9,500 word micro-book is the second in Lars Brownworth's "Byzantium: The Rise of the Macedonians" series.

As the last glimmer of sunlight faded on the evening of June 4, 913, the emperor Alexander led a torchlight procession into the Hippodrome. Behind him came a crowd of astrologers and magicians carrying the incense burners and sacred vestments that had once adorned Constantinople’s holiest churches. The gathering halted before a large bronze statue of a boar, its gleaming tusks and bristling neck already hung with garlands of flowers. Tonight the emperor would pray for a miracle, hoping that the power of the ancient bronze would restore his withered limbs. Back at the palace, his pale and frightened nephew Constantine lay huddled, unaware that the true Macedonian Dynasty was being coaxed back to life through Alexander’s blood. One way or another, the future of the empire would be decided tonight.

Lars Brownworth created the genre-defining 12 Byzantine Rulers podcast, which prompted the New York Times to liken him to some of history's great popularizers. Recently, he finished a book titled Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization, which is available in bookstores now. He speaks at various conferences and is currently working on a new podcast that brings to life the reign of the Normans.

• Leo the Wise (886-912) (Byzantium: The Rise of the Macedonians Book 1)
• Romanus Lecapenus: The Great Pretender (Byzantium: The Rise of the Macedonians Book 3)
• The Dark Ages 476-918 A.D.
• Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire That Rescued Western Civilization
• The Normans: From Raiders to Kings
• The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings