The History of Byzantium

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What's The History of Byzantium about?

A podcast telling the story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 476 AD to 1453. www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episode 278 - The New Roman...

11.08.2023

Professor Kaldellis' new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere. In our second conversation we discuss the adoption of Christianity as the Roman religion. How much did Roman society change as a result? Why ...

The History of Byzantium episodes:

11.08.2023 Episode 278 - The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 2 - Christianity and the Law Professor Kaldellis' new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere. In our second conversation we discuss the adoption of Christianity as the Roman religion. How much did Roman society change as a result? Why ...
11.01.2023 Episode 277 - The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 1 - Government Professor Kaldellis' new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere. He has kindly agreed to talk to us about it across 4 episodes! In this first conversation we discuss the new Roman government that ...
10.19.2023 Episode 276 - Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age with Tom Holland Tom Holland is the author of half a dozen brilliant books on the ancient world. He has now written three on the Roman Empire. The latest 'Pax' takes the story from the death of Nero to that of Hadrian. It's ...
10.11.2023 October 2023 Update October 2023 Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
09.22.2023 Episode 275 - Climate Change in the 6th Century with Robert Bruton American author Robert Bruton takes us through his Master’s thesis on the role of climate change and plague in the decline of Roman fortunes in the 6th century. He is also writing a trilogy of historical fiction novels about the ...
08.22.2023 Episode 274 - The 10 Worst Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis Professor Kaldellis returns to give us his 10 Worst Emperors. He is a Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago and the author of dozens of books and articles on key aspects of Byzantine history. Find ...
08.18.2023 Byzantine Fiction special offer The Guardians of Byzantium - Book 2 is now available. Listen for a special offer to get hold of both books today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
08.13.2023 Episode 273 - Rome and Persia: The 700 Year Rivalry with Adrian Goldsworthy I talk to historian Adrian Goldsworthy about his new book. It covers the 700 year rivalry between the two great powers of the ancient world. Everything from Crassus having gold poured down his throat to Heraclius returning the True Cross ...
07.14.2023 Episode 271 - Twilight Cities with Katherine Pangonis I talk to Katherine Pangonis about her new book - Twilight Cities: Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean. In it she travels to Tyre, Carthage, Syracuse, Ravenna and Antioch to tell their stories and experience what remains. It's a fantastic book ...
07.06.2023 Episode 270 - Loss, Suffering and Enslavement We look at the stories of three different Romans who had to deal with their city being sacked. Through their experiences we come to a better understanding of the loss felt by those who lived through the fall of Constantinople ...
06.02.2023 June 2023 Schedule Update June 2023 Schedule Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
05.19.2023 Episode 269 - Questions XIII Our final batch of questions for this century includes queries about the Hippodrome, diplomatic marriages, national identity and political legitimacy. We also enjoy an update on the Crimea, the Jewish communities of Byzantium and the Varangian Guard. I also talk ...
05.14.2023 Episode 268 - The Collapse of the Komnenian System We take a look at the pros and cons of the Komnenian system. Then trace why it was causing enough resentment to lead to provincial separatism. We then move on to discuss the army and the bureaucracy and the people ...
05.05.2023 Episode 267 - Provincial Separatism with Nathan Websdale Nathan Websdale is a PHD candidate at Oxford University and President of the Oxford University Byzantine Society. His work is focussed on ethnic identification, social inclusion and self-determination in the Byzantine World, c.1200-c.1230. Nathan graduated with a BA (First Class) ...
04.21.2023 Episode 266 - Questions XII More questions to tackle this week. Comparing the sack of 1204 to the sack of Rome in 410. Questioning the Byzantine system of succession and the roots of their decline. And pondering whether other Emperors rose to power like Alexios ...
04.14.2023 Episode 265 - The 10 Greatest Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis Professor Anthony Kaldellis has just completed a new history of Byzantium which will be published in October 2023. So I cheekily asked him if he would list his 10 greatest Emperors. Graciously he agreed to apply his immense knowledge to ...
04.06.2023 Episode 264 - Questions XI I answer more questions about the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople. What was the reaction of other nations? Did people see it as sign of the end times? What did the Byzantines think of the Templars and Hospitallers? ...
03.30.2023 Episode 263 - Questions X I answer more questions about the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople. We talk about why the Roman response was so feeble and if anything else could have been done? Along with questions about the tombs of the Emperors, ...
03.23.2023 Episode 262 - Questions IX I answer listener questions about the Fourth Crusade. This episode focuses on the big picture. Who is to blame? Was it inevitable? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03.04.2023 Antakya Appeal with Andrea de Giorgi and Katherine Pangonis This is a special episode to urge listeners to donate to the ongoing relief effort in Turkey and Syria. I interview two expert guests about the situation with a particular focus on the city of Antakya (Byzantine Antioch). Andrea De ...
02.14.2023 A personal appeal from a listener A personal appeal from a listener who has family in Antakya. This is an appeal for you to donate to one of the various charities who are rushing to the scene at this moment to help the survivors. You have ...
02.11.2023 An appeal for help for Turkey and Syria dec.org.uk/appeals/ To help specific groups directly: The White Helmets are volunteers who have been operating in Syria for many years. They help evacuate people from dangerous areas and offer medical help. https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/ AKUT Search and Rescue Association. They are a ...
02.07.2023 Episode 261 - The Sack We discuss what happened once the Latins started looting. How were the Byzantines treated? What was taken and what has survived? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01.31.2023 Episode 260 - The Fourth Crusade (Part 2) The Latins assault the city and Alexios Angelos Komnenos flees. Alexios Angelos becomes Emperor and empties the treasury into the Crusaders' hands. But when he runs out of money the two sides face an inevitable confrontation. Period: 1203-4 Hosted on ...
01.24.2023 Episode 259 - The Fourth Crusade (Part 1) Pope Innocent calls for a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem. A group of French Knights decide to form an expedition to Egypt and make a deal with Venice to transport them. But when they can't pay the bill the mission ...
01.18.2023 Episode 258 - Almost Ungovernable Alexios Angelos faces down one internal rebellion after another as the Roman Empire continues to contract. The biggest threat to his throne comes from disgruntled aristocrats and the people of Constantinople. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
01.10.2023 Episode 257 - What Could Be More Trustworthy than a Brother? Isaac Angelos does his best to secure his position and confront the Bulgarians. But he is overthrown by his brother at the head of a coalition of aristocratic families. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
12.28.2022 Episode 255 - The Third Crusade (part 1) As soon as news reached the West that Jerusalem had fallen a new Crusade was called. The German, French and English Kings all led armies East but only Frederick Barbarossa went by land. He led a large army across the ...
12.21.2022 Episode 254 - Saladin the Strategist with Ben Duval I speak to author Ben Duval, author of the book: "Saladin the Strategist: How the Crusaders Lost the Holy Land." We go through Saladin's career starting with how he captured Egypt. Then how he built the coalition which defeated the ...
12.13.2022 Episode 253 - The Second Bulgarian Empire Isaac Angelos begins his reign by defeating the Normans and making as many alliances as he can to secure his position. Unfortunately he rejects an offer from two Vlach Chieftains Peter and Asen. They turn on the Romans and found ...
12.06.2022 Episode 252 - The Sack of Thessalonica Andronikos continues to terrorise his relatives. Many leave Byzantium seeking help from foreign courts. One arrives in Sicily and calls on the Normans to help him. They launch an invasion and sack the city of Thessalonica. Period: 1184-85 Hosted on ...
11.29.2022 Episode 251 - A Lion Pouncing on a Large Prey When Manuel Komnenos died he left an 11 year old son as his heir. The Regency Council set up to protect him fails. Manuel's cousin Andronikos seizes the throne instead and begins a reign of terror. Hosted on Acast. See ...
08.25.2022 Episode 250 - Retaking Anatolia We talk about why the Romans didn't have more success in fighting the Turks. Was there a better way to fight the nomads? Or was it not really about tactics but strategy? Period: 1070-1180 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...
08.18.2022 Episode 249 - Life in Byzantine Anatolia We look around the Roman provinces in Anatolia to review their defensive situation and the lifestyle of its people. We also briefly talk about Turkic people who lived in Byzantium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
08.10.2022 Episode 248 - Life in Turkic Anatolia We take a look around the parts of Anatolia which were controlled by Turkic peoples between 1080 and 1180 AD. We don’t have a huge amount of written sources to draw on but hopefully there’s enough information available to give ...
08.08.2022 August 2022 Update On my last update I told you that because of my forthcoming fatherhood – I would be switching to a season by season format from now on. Where there are periods of silence followed by a run of episodes altogether. ...
06.14.2022 And the Winner is Hello everyone, as you may remember our last episode was an interview with author Gordon Doherty. Gordon generously offered to give away a copy of his book – Strategos: Born in the Borderlands to one of you. We set a ...
05.11.2022 Baby and New Schedule I have big news. A History of Byzantium baby is on the way. The purple room in the Palace is being prepared for the Autumn and I can assure you that the names Justinian and Theodora will not be under ...
05.05.2022 Episode 247 - Writing Byzantine Fiction with Gordon Doherty I talk to historical fiction author Gordon Doherty about his Byzantine book series 'Strategos.' We talk about inspiration and research but also what advice he'd give to aspiring writers. We also give you the chance to win a copy of ...
04.20.2022 Episode 246 - Travelling to Turkey with Şerif Yenen While I'm away on the third 'History of Byzantium' tour I thought it was time to talk to the man behind them - Şerif Yenen. Şerif has been a tour guide in Istanbul for decades and has published many excellent ...
04.16.2022 April 2022 Update April 2022 Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
04.05.2022 Episode 245 - Means and Ends I answer listener questions about Manuel's reign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03.29.2022 Episode 244 - Not Completely Unreasonable Manuel deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Myriokephalon. He is left out of an Italian peace conference and must negotiate a peace of his own in Anatolia. He continues his efforts to position Byzantium as a friend of ...
03.22.2022 Episode 243 - The Battle of Myriokephalon Manuel launches a Crusade against the Turks of Iconium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
03.11.2022 The History of Byzantium on Youtube - Flash Point History I have teamed up with Nitin Sil of the Flash Point History Youtube Channel. We are turning the podcast into a Youtube series with brilliant maps, images and animations accompanying my words. Check out our first video now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2pQjfOebdI&t;=2241s charting ...
03.10.2022 Episode 242 - Manuel’s Follies While his armies were fighting in the Balkans Manuel's diplomats and fleets were busy elsewhere. Komnenos poured money into Italy to try and gain influence there. He considered alliances with the Germans, the Pope and the Normans but ultimately lost ...
02.26.2022 History of Byzantium Tour - April 23 to May 2, 2022 History of Byzantium Tour - April 23 to May 2, 2022. The tour will visit Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus. If you'd like to come or if you'd like to hear about future tours please email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See ...
02.22.2022 Episode 241 - Hungary for Security Manuel spends the 1160s at war with Hungary. During these campaigns the Emperor adopts the Hungarian King's brother making him his heir. This enables the Romans to seize Sirmium and parts of Dalmatia. The Hungarian elites won't stand for it ...
02.14.2022 Episode 240 - Manuel’s Constantinople We look around Constantinople in Manuel's day. We discuss his use of the two urban palaces and the growth of the Italian population along the Golden Horn. Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
02.04.2022 Episode 239 - The New Aristocracy When Alexios Komnenos came to power his family decided to marry their way out of the civil wars which threatened the state. By Manuel's day this meant that a new aristocracy had grown up who dominated the organs of the ...

Older episodes

The History of Byzantium

What's The History of Byzantium about?

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The History of Byzantium episodes:

Episode 278 - The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 2 - Christianity and the Law

Episode 277 - The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 1 - Government

Episode 276 - Pax: War and Peace in Rome's Golden Age with Tom Holland

October 2023 Update

Episode 275 - Climate Change in the 6th Century with Robert Bruton

Episode 274 - The 10 Worst Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis

Byzantine Fiction special offer

Episode 273 - Rome and Persia: The 700 Year Rivalry with Adrian Goldsworthy

Episode 271 - Twilight Cities with Katherine Pangonis

Episode 270 - Loss, Suffering and Enslavement

June 2023 Schedule Update

Episode 269 - Questions XIII

Episode 268 - The Collapse of the Komnenian System

Episode 267 - Provincial Separatism with Nathan Websdale

Episode 266 - Questions XII

Episode 265 - The 10 Greatest Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis

Episode 264 - Questions XI

Episode 263 - Questions X

Episode 262 - Questions IX

Antakya Appeal with Andrea de Giorgi and Katherine Pangonis

A personal appeal from a listener

An appeal for help for Turkey and Syria

Episode 261 - The Sack

Episode 260 - The Fourth Crusade (Part 2)

Episode 259 - The Fourth Crusade (Part 1)

Episode 258 - Almost Ungovernable

Episode 257 - What Could Be More Trustworthy than a Brother?

Episode 255 - The Third Crusade (part 1)

Episode 254 - Saladin the Strategist with Ben Duval

Episode 253 - The Second Bulgarian Empire

Episode 252 - The Sack of Thessalonica

Episode 251 - A Lion Pouncing on a Large Prey

Episode 250 - Retaking Anatolia

Episode 249 - Life in Byzantine Anatolia

Episode 248 - Life in Turkic Anatolia

August 2022 Update

And the Winner is

Baby and New Schedule

Episode 247 - Writing Byzantine Fiction with Gordon Doherty

Episode 246 - Travelling to Turkey with Şerif Yenen

April 2022 Update

Episode 245 - Means and Ends

Episode 244 - Not Completely Unreasonable

Episode 243 - The Battle of Myriokephalon

The History of Byzantium on Youtube - Flash Point History

Episode 242 - Manuel’s Follies

History of Byzantium Tour - April 23 to May 2, 2022

Episode 241 - Hungary for Security

Episode 240 - Manuel’s Constantinople

Episode 239 - The New Aristocracy

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