Epic Byzantine Music - The Serpent Cast Out (Ὁ ὄφις ἐβλήθη ἔξω)

Hear, O people, the tale of the wise!
Hear the tale of Michael VIII Palaiologos and the restoration of the Roman Empire! This medieval-epic song brings to life the epic struggles of an emperor, his strategies, and heroic deeds, as foreign serpent and wolves were cast from the city walls, yet still lingered as threats to the Diamond of the Bosphorus and the restored Roman(Byzantine) Empire.

Michael VIII Palaiologos, emperor of (Byzantine)Roman Empire ruling from Nicaea, recaptured Constantinople from the Latins in 1261, ending 57 years of occupation. Facing a neglected city which was decaying under more than 50 years of foreign rule, he initiated massive rebuilding works to restore Constantinople to its former glory. Yet, the Diamond of the Bosphorus was never able to shine as before. He defeated the Latins and drove them from most Byzantine lands, yet had to make careful, strategic decisions to protect the restored Empire during this vulnerable period. The song recounts how he “outwitted the great deceiver of Rome” and formally accepted the union(at the Second Council of Lyon), while the people and clergy openly remained faithful to the one true faith. This formality will already be officially canceled by his son, Andronikos II Palaiologos. Through his brilliance in diplomacy, Michael outsmarted western rulers, thwarted their schemes, and turned their envy and pride against each other, outmaneuvering the ‘great deciever in Rome’ and ensuring their weapons would be directed against each other. Under his leadership, the Empire was secure, at least from the threats that came from the west.

The lyrics, written in Medieval(Byzantine) Greek and inspired by 13th-century imperial poetry, blend history, heroism, and epic imagery with modern melodic storytelling in a dramatic celebration of courage, strategy, and the timeless spirit of a legendary city.

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Lyrics translated to english:

Hear, O people, the tale of the wise!
Of Michael Palaiologos,
From the hands of foreign Latins
He recovered the Empress, gloriously crowned

The serpent tore through the royal hall,
Wolves prowled along the streets,
And the city walls mourned and lamented

Glory to God, the people rejoice in peace!
Glory to God, victory conquers all!
Glory to God, light rises once more,
Wolves have vanished from the streets!

The Emperor restored the city,
Tower upon tower, wall upon wall,
And the labors of the forefathers rang with fame

The great serpent in Rome wove conspiracies,
And the dogs of the west roared,
But the Emperor seized their weapons

Glory to God, word and power,
Glory to God, victory lights all,
Glory to God, glory is immortal,
The serpent was cast out beyond the gates!

Battle upon battle,
Envy consumed them,
Their swords turned against one another,
And the city was preserved

The Emperor toyed with their pride,
The great deceiver was ensnared,
The true faith remained unshaken,
The serpent’s fangs we broke

Glory to God, the city is immortal,
Glory to God, victory lights the world,
Glory to God, glory endures,
Order and peace have returned!

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