Istanbul, ancient heart of modern Turkey, has its mythological origins in the 7th century BC. Founded as Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire by Constantine the Great, during the 1000-year Byzantine empire that followed it was a city of fabled riches. After its fall to the Turks in 1453, the strength of the Ottoman empire kept it glorious. Includes: coronation of a Byzantine emperor; triumphal entry of Mehmet the Conqueror; harems in the 16th century; death of Ataturk in 1938; Turkish baths and coffee-houses - and much more, vividly told in the words of those who were actually there.