The History of Byzantium

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The story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire

  • 5 minutes 44 seconds
    3 things you might like

    Hello everyone,


    Here are 3 podcast-related things you may be interested in.


    Roman Graphic Novel

    Friend of the show Marco Capelli has made a comic book set in 6th century Italy. It follows two figures that we know about from an Ostrogothic jewellery collection that was discovered in 1938. A Roman Patrician Stephanus who marries a Gothic noblewoman Valatrud. They are subjects of King Theodoric who is trying to create a functioning Gothic-Roman kingdom in Italy. But their union comes shortly before Italy submerges into chaos. And Justinian sends Belisarius out to retake the home peninsula.

    You can get your hands on a copy in English or Italian. In paper or in a digital format. Plus loads of other goodies are available from Marco’s Kickstarter campaign.

    The Kickstarter ends on October 11th so act now.


    Tour of Greece

    Lantern Jack, the host of the podcast Ancient Greece Declassified, is leading a tour to Greece.

    It’s taking place from January 3rd to the 11th 2025. And it visits every site connected with the famous war between the Persians and the Athenians and Spartans. If you want to go you will visit the Acropolis, the Straits of Salamis, Marathon, Eubeoa, Thermopylae, Delphi, Plataea and you’ll get to try on Hoplite Armour!

    Click here to find out more


    The History of Byzantium T-Shirts

    Finally my new friend Magnus who creates Roman themed merchandise on Etsy has created an actual History of Byzantium podcast t-shirt. Or I should say t-shirts. Branded with the podcast logo you have several to choose from. I’m sure they will light up any occasion you go to with looks of confusion and bewilderment. But I think they look beautiful.


    Check them out here. He also has t-shirts and mugs celebrating lesser figures than me – such as Constantine, Justinian, Basil II, Marcus Aurelius and others.


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    27 September 2024, 9:48 am
  • 27 minutes 25 seconds
    Episode 311 - The Next Generation

    When Andronikos' son dies he ponders whether to disinherit his Grandson Andronikos III. This prompts two bouts of civil war as the younger generation try to force change on their elders.


    Period: 1310-1328


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    17 September 2024, 8:24 pm
  • 25 minutes 3 seconds
    Episode 310 - The Catalan Company

    Andronikos roles the dice and hires the Catalan Grand Company to fight the Turks. Those who advised the Emperor not to hire them could never have imagined just how badly things would go. Meanwhile Latin forces continue to take Aegean islands for themselves.


    Period: 1281-1303


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 September 2024, 3:47 pm
  • 22 minutes 56 seconds
    Episode 309 - Cautious and Weak

    We look at Andronikos II Palailogos' domestic arrangements and European wars. After disbanding his fleet to save money the Emperor was repeatedly humiliated by the Venetians. We also look at the Emperor's personality to understand why he was not best suited to the difficult times he lived in.


    Period: 1281-1303


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    4 September 2024, 11:20 pm
  • 28 minutes 18 seconds
    Episode 308 - The Fall of Anatolia

    The arrival of the Mongols in Anatolia would eventually lead to the expulsion of the Romans. Mongol dominance of the plateau sent waves of tribes into Byzantine territory. It was a crisis which the Emperor Andronikos was not equal to.


    Period: 1281-1303


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    28 August 2024, 1:27 pm
  • 20 minutes 54 seconds
    Episode 307 - Healing the Divisions

    The Union of Lyons had unleashed bitter division within Byzantium. We follow Michael and his son Andronikos as they try to make peace with the various factions that had opposed them. 


    Period: 1281-1310


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    21 August 2024, 1:12 pm
  • 36 minutes 53 seconds
    Episode 306 - Church Union

    The Pope responds with despair to the news of Constantinople's fall. He calls for a Crusade to restore the Latin position. The man who answers is the brother of the King of France, Charles of Anjou. Michael Palaiologos is willing to do whatever it takes to stop them. This means he must agree to church union.


    Period: 1261-82


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    14 August 2024, 1:43 pm
  • 22 minutes 26 seconds
    Episode 305 - The Return from Exile

    Michael VIII Palaiologos enters the city of Constantine for the first time. He has a lot of work to do to rebuild the city and restore its prestige. He must also navigate a complex diplomatic position which sees his forces in action on five fronts simultaneously.


    Period: 1261-5


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    7 August 2024, 7:00 pm
  • 35 minutes 49 seconds
    Episode 304 - Questions XIV

    We look at listener questions about this period of narrative. Were the Varangian Guard still employed at Nicaea? Had Greek Fire been lost? How many Emperors are actually Saints? Why did Nicaea win? Should they have moved back to Constantinople? Were the Romans Greeks now? 


    Period: 1204-61


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    21 July 2024, 2:13 pm
  • 22 minutes 27 seconds
    Episode 303 - Pinch Me

    We talk about the challenges which Michael Palaiologos and the Nicaens faced as they prepared to move back to Constantinople. 


    Period: 1204-61


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    17 July 2024, 10:19 pm
  • 27 minutes 29 seconds
    Episode 302 - Colonial Occupation

    We talk about the Latin occupied parts of Byzantium. What was life like for the conquered and the conquerors? Was the occupation a colonial enterprise?


    Period: 1204-61


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    10 July 2024, 10:12 pm
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