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 Byzantine state. 
We discuss this development and how Manuel managed his family. As well as those who resented this innovation.
Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 239 - The New Aristocracy

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.

History

Society & Culture

We follow Theodore Laskaris as he escapes from Constantinople and establishes a new state at Nicaea. Crowned as the new Roman Emperor he must face down rivals on every side including the Turks.
Period: 1204-12 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 290 - The Despot, Theodore Laskaris

With Baldwin and Boniface dead the Bulgarians run riot across Thrace. Their Tsar Kaloyan attempts to capture Thessalonica and ponders whether he could become the new Roman Emperor.
Period: 1204-07 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 289 - Kaloyan, Tsar of Bulgaria

After throwing a huge strop Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat, is made King of Thessalonica.
He sent his men to conquer most of Greece but the Bulgarians were on his tail.
Period: 1204-07 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 288 - Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat

The Latins agree to stay for another year and to conquer the whole of the Roman Empire. They elect Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainaut to be their Emperor and all seems well. It only takes a year for everything to fall apart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 287 - Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainaut

The narrative returns as we head back to 1204 and the sack of Constantinople. The arrival of the Latins had actually splintered the Roman world into at least 13 different states.
With a little help from the 2008 film 'Vantage Point' we will be following the different perspectives of these actors as they deal with the fallout from the sack.
We begin with the story of Alexios V Doukas who fled the city just before it fell.
Period: 1204 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 239 - The New Aristocracy

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