The History of Byzantium

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The story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire

  • 3 minutes 24 seconds
    What Happens Next

    I talk about what will happen with the podcast next. Send your questions to [email protected]

     

    This Sunday the 20th July I will be hosting 3 Zoom calls for Patrons at 1, 5 and 9pm UK time. It looks like I will be doing an AMA on Reddit this weekend too. I’ll post the Reddit address on the website as soon as I have it.

     

    If you’d like a History of Byzantium podcast t-shirt to commemorate 13 years of this obscure hobby of yours then go to etsy.com/shop/ImperialWares

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    15 July 2025, 3:49 pm
  • 1 hour 41 minutes
    Episode 332 - Not with a Whimper but a Bang

    Mehmed II becomes Sultan in 1451 and immediately makes plans to conquer Constantinople.


    Period: 1448-53

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    13 July 2025, 7:13 pm
  • 27 minutes 12 seconds
    Episode 331 - The Last Hope

    John VIII Palaiologos asks the Pope for an Ecumenical Council to reunite the churches. To his surprise the Pontiff says yes and a huge Byzantine contingent travels to Italy.


    Period: 1425-48

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    20 June 2025, 9:06 am
  • 30 minutes 23 seconds
    Episode 329 - Buying Time

    With the Ottoman civil war raging Manuel II Palaiologos tries to improve the Roman position and ensure his sons succeed him.


    Period: 1402-30

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    6 June 2025, 5:04 pm
  • 30 minutes
    Episode 328 - In the Nick of Timur

    Manuel II Palaiologos refuses to play vassal to Sultan Bayezid. So the Ottomans set up a permanent blockade of New Rome. The siege would last for eight years and only a miracle could save the Romans.


    Period: 1391-1402

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    30 May 2025, 6:06 pm
  • 25 minutes 37 seconds
    Episode 327 - Vassals and Pawns

    John V Palaiologos faces rebellions from his sons and Grandsons. Forcing the Romans to become both Ottomans vassals and the pawns of Venice and Genoa.


    Period: 1371-91

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    23 May 2025, 2:02 pm
  • 25 minutes 30 seconds
    Episode 326 - The Rise of the Ottomans, Part 2

    We look at the details of how the Ottomans ran their state. Including the creation of loyalty to the ruling dynasty, succession policy, military recruitment and slave trading. 


    Period: 1280-1371

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    15 May 2025, 10:39 pm
  • 19 minutes 26 seconds
    Episode 325 - The Rise of the Ottomans, Part 1

    We follow the last century of narrative from an Ottoman point of view.

    Period: 1280-1371


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    9 May 2025, 8:52 pm
  • 28 minutes 15 seconds
    Episode 324 - Just Another Beylik

    John V Palaiologos takes charge of the Empire but finds he has only one option left to save his state. He must travel West and beg for Latin help. Meanwhile the Turks conquer Thrace.


    Period: 1355-71


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    2 May 2025, 9:39 pm
  • 28 minutes 30 seconds
    Episode 323 - At Least Things Can’t Get Any Worse

    Finally in sole control of the Empire John Kantakouzenos makes plans to restore the Roman world. His plans come to nothing though as he immediately faces war, invasion and plague.


    Period: 1347-55

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    25 April 2025, 8:46 pm
  • 22 minutes 52 seconds
    Episode 322 - The Worst Civil War, Part 2

    In order to gain the throne John Kantakouzenos destroys what is left of the Roman Empire. He allows the Serbs to conquer Macedonia while his Turkish allies enslave his people.


    Period: 1343-47

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    18 April 2025, 8:16 pm
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