Explore every episode of the podcast The History of Byzantium
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 309 - Cautious and Weak | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:22:56 | |
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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 308 - The Fall of Anatolia | 28 Aug 2024 | 00:28:18 | |
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. | |||
| Episode 299 - Baldwin II with John Giebfried | 19 Jun 2024 | 00:48:32 | |
With Constantinople back in Roman hands we explore the one vantage point we've ignored: the last Latin Emperor Baldwin II. Dr John Giebfried returns to give us Baldwin's biography. Period: 1215-61
John completed his PhD in Medieval History at St Louis University in 2015 and has subsequently worked at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and since 2022 has been a faculty member at the University of Vienna, where he teaches History and Digital Humanities. His academic work focuses on the Crusades, the Crusader-States, and European interactions with the Mongols. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Byzantine Stories, Episode 9 - Women in the Byzantine World. Part 1 - Immense and Immeasurable | 14 Jul 2021 | 00:33:16 | |
As you may know I have already produced three episodes about Women in the Roman World which are available for you on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon. I now present three more episodes about Women in the Byzantine World. And these episodes are very much a continuation of that series. In part one we talk about how the arrival of Christianity affected Roman women. We also hear a couple of Saints' Lives. These tales give us a rare glimpse of how women appeared in popular culture. This first episode is free but parts 2 and 3 are only available on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon. The Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from Purple-Planet.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Women in the Byzantine World announcement | 14 Jul 2021 | 00:01:41 | |
Hello everyone,
I am back with three bonus episodes for you about Women in the Byzantine World. These episodes should be available within an hour or so of this update.
Since women get much less attention than they deserve in our narrative I’ll put the first of these episodes out for free for everyone to enjoy. Parts 2 and 3 though are only available on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon or at thehistoryofbyzantium.com.
Since I’m very late with these bonus episodes they will be available to anyone whose subscription at the website ran out in the last year. So if you had a subscription which ran out any time from July 2020 and you haven’t renewed or switched to Patreon just email me and I’ll add the episodes to your account manually. That email is thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com.
These 3 episodes are a continuation of another 3 parter I recorded a couple of years ago called Women in the Roman World. If you like what you hear in part 1 of the new series but want to hear more about women’s lives in the Greco-Roman world then do check out those episodes. Either at Patreon or at thehistoryofbyzantium.com. But just to remind you episodes will no longer be available from the website from October.
I am now moving on to work on another Byzantine Story and then it will be back to the narrative.
Take care and thanks for listening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| An update on the schedule of the podcast, May 2021 | 13 May 2021 | 00:01:15 | |
An Update on the schedule of the podcast, May 2021 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Backer Rewards Episode 16 - Russia and Byzantium with Professor Sergey Ivanov | 16 Apr 2021 | 00:32:37 | |
Our sixteenth Kickstarter backers reward episode looks at the relationship between Byzantium and the Rus and later Russia in conversation with Professor Sergey Ivanov. Professor Ivanov is a Russian scholar who has been studying Byzantium for many decades. He currently works in the Institute of Oriental and Ancient Studies at the National Research University “Higher School of Economics” in Moscow. He has written several books about Byzantium as well as contributing hundreds of articles to the field. His areas of study include Byzantine religious missions, the cultural influence of Byzantium on the Rus', Holy Fools and Constantinople itself. He has also taken part in public lectures and debates on the legacy of Byzantium in modern Russia. To see his full list of publications please click here . His books ‘Holy Fools in Byzantium and Beyond’ and ‘Pearls before Swine: Missionary Work in Byzantium’ have been translated into English. As have a number of articles and other book chapters. To read a public lecture which Professor Ivanov gave in 2009 about “The Second Rome as Seen by the Third: Russian Debates on the “Byzantine Legacy” please click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Merchandise | 10 Mar 2021 | 00:02:12 | |
High Speed History have Byzantine-themed merchandise available! The good people over at Highspeedhistory.com have produced a range of delightful items featuring our beloved Byzantium. We’re talking t-shirts, hoodies, bags, clocks, towels and stickers amongst many other items. I’m very pleased to say that some of your ideas have made their way into the collection. I asked for your input on social media and you came up with great ideas. If you want to celebrate your love of Justinian or Belisarius then an Empire Strikes Back t-shirt could be yours. Or if you’ve been dying to show your support for the Green faction or the Blues but they won’t let you in the Hippodrome anymore then fear not because a Green or Blue iphone case or mouse mat or t-shirt could be yours. Or what about the most adorable item of all – a baby grow with porphyrogennitos on it. Come on, how could you resist? Please go to www.highspeedhistory.com/byzantium to check out the full range. If you decide to buy something then use the code ‘byzantium’ at checkout to get a pound or dollar off each item you purchase. And you’ll be helping out the podcast as I will get a little something for sending you there. Anyone can buy these items – they ship worldwide. And this discount also applies to any items you purchase from the Greek or Roman sections of the website. Yes High Speed History has merch from a variety of historical eras check them all out at highspeedhistory.com. I also did a written interview for the site to lure in those of you who find me weirdly interesting. So if you want to know my favourite film or what I’d put on a billboard in a busy city then check out the interview here. Happy browsing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 225 - Belisarius in Metal | 04 Mar 2021 | 01:03:54 | |
When I announced I would be taking a break back in the Autumn I received an email from listener Brian Sherry offering to produce an episode of the show for me. He told me about the metal band Judicator recording an entire album about Belisarius. And he very kindly offered to interview them on my behalf. I said yes and Brian got lead singer and writer John Yelland on the phone and they talked about turning the life story of Justinian’s most trusted General into a full metal album. Today's episode is an edited version of that interview. They talk through the concept and the choice of moments in Belisarius’ life to capture in song. And they play a few snippets of music to give you an idea of what the album sounds like. If you’d like more then the full 2 hour interview is available on Judicator’s Youtube channel. And of course if you’d like to buy the album - Let There Be Nothing – go to judicatormetal.bandcamp.com or check it out on Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your music. I am still working on the bonus content I owe many of you. I will be back at some point in Spring with the narrative. For now enjoy the interview. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 224 - The Coup of Anna Komnene with Leonora Neville | 23 Feb 2021 | 00:33:17 | |
Our final episode on Alexios' reign returns us to our first. Back in episode 197 we interviewed Professor Leonora Neville about Anna Komnene. That interview set us up to cover Alexios' reign and the First Crusade with Anna as our primary source. But the last question I asked that day was about the succession from Alexios to John and Anna's supposed coup attempt. Here we finally hear Professor Neville's argument that Anna did no such thing. We also briefly look at our main historian for our next period of narrative - Niketas Choniates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 223 - Questions VIII | 16 Feb 2021 | 00:38:55 | |
We look at your questions about Alexios and the Crusades. Listeners wanted an update on the state of Byzantium's army, economy and administration. How much credit or blame should Alexios get for the events of his reign? What about his relationship with his family? Were the Latins tougher fighters than the Byzantines? And several more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Schedule and Patreon Update. | 11 Feb 2021 | 00:08:03 | |
Three new episodes are coming your way in the next three weeks. New narrative episodes will come at some point in the Spring. I am still busy working on the Istanbul videos and Byzantine Stories. Also we have a new Patreon https://www.patreon.com/historyofbyzantium. Bonus episodes will no longer be available at thehistoryofbyzantium.com from October 2021. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| An update on the schedule of the podcast | 14 Oct 2020 | 00:04:29 | |
Hello everyone, This is a short update about the podcast and the likely schedule for the next few months. The main takeaways are: - The narrative will resume around Spring 2021 - In the meantime I will be producing bonus episodes and videos from Istanbul. As well as doing work for my Dad and taking a little time out for my mental health. - At least two more free episodes about Alexios will be coming soon. Including a Q&A about his reign and the Crusades so do send your questions in. You can comment on the thread below. Thanks for your support and understanding, Robin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 298 - The Providence of God | 12 Jun 2024 | 00:29:02 | |
Theodore Laskaris II beds down his father's conquests in Europe. But his early death sees his family sidelined by Michael Palaiologos. The new Emperor needs some victories to legitimise his seizure of power and the fates reward him beyond all expectations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 222 - The Good Helmsman | 02 Oct 2020 | 00:26:21 | |
Alexios tries to forge a coalition against Antioch but has to abandon his plans when Anatolia comes calling again. The Emperor leaves this world frustrated by his failure to outmanoeuvre the Normans but his record in office is impressive nonetheless. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 221 - The Triptych | 24 Sep 2020 | 00:26:59 | |
Bohemond heads back to Western Europe to recruit a new army. He leads them back to the Balkans to capture Dyrrhachium but Alexios is waiting for him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 220 - The Crusade of 1101 | 15 Sep 2020 | 00:31:20 | |
More armed pilgrims arrive at Constantinople in the wake of the fall of Jerusalem. Alexios advises them to avoid the Turks of Anatolia but they ignore him. Meanwhile Alexios' attempts to put pressure on Antioch are thwarted by Bohemond's nephew Tancred. Finally we return to Constantinople to check in with the Komnenian regime and watch a man get burnt to death. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 219 - A Spectacular Interruption or Jerusalem is now available | 04 Sep 2020 | 00:02:38 | |
It's the end of the First Crusade and this episode is for sale. Either at the website or at https://www.patreon.com/thehistoryofbyzantium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 218 - The Siege of Antioch | 16 Aug 2020 | 01:47:00 | |
The Crusaders set up a siege of Antioch. The vast size of the city makes it impossible to fully encircle. What follows is a battle of attrition as the Crusaders wait for the Turkic garrison to make a mistake and the garrison await reinforcements. Meanwhile Alexios makes his way to the centre of the Anatolian plateau to consolidate the return of Byzantine power. He also awaits news from Antioch. Time Stamps - each section is broken up by our drum sound effect 00.00-03.05 Introduction 03.06-08.47 Why did the Crusaders have to capture Antioch? 08.48-14.22 Baldwin at Edessa 14.23-17.14 The political fragmentation of Syria 17.15-27.35 The geography of Antioch 27.36-33.52 Early stages of the siege 33.53-46.35 Winter stalemate. Suffering and desertions. Bohemond and Robert of Flanders drive off forces from Damascus 46.36-54.42 Victory over the forces of Aleppo 54.43-62.18 More fully surrounding the city 62.19-77.09 Antioch falls 77.10-84.24 The Crusaders besieged. Kerbogah attacks from the Citadel 84.25-87.46 Desperation and talk of surrender 87.47-92.03 Alexios goes home 92.04-100.19 The final battle 100.19-107.00 Conclusion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 217 - Diverging Paths | 02 Jul 2020 | 00:22:28 | |
The Byzantines recover the West Coast of Anatolia while the Crusaders cross the plateau. As they travel the Westerners begin dropping like flies and come to hate the land they've come to liberate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 216 - The Battle of Dorylaeum | 28 Jun 2020 | 00:32:26 | |
The Crusaders march out from Nicaea on their way to Antioch. First stop is at Dorylaeum on the Anatolian plateau. But the forces of Kilij Arslan are lying in wait. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Final reminder about the Intelligent Speech Conference | 25 Jun 2020 | 00:02:42 | |
This is your final reminder about the Intelligent Speech Conference taking place this Saturday 27th June. I'll be taking part in two sessions and if you want to be there go to https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ to get tickets Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 215 - The Siege of Nicaea | 19 Jun 2020 | 00:27:08 | |
Alexios directs the Crusaders to Nicaea where they set up a siege. Behind the scenes though the Emperor was busy negotiating with the city's garrison. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Basil II may have been gay! Intelligent Speech tickets still available for $10 | 18 Jun 2020 | 00:01:22 | |
Basil II may have been gay! Just one of the 'Hidden Stories' I'll be talking about at the Intelligent Speech Conference in a week's time. Tickets are still available for $10 until the 19th June. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 297 - The Rise and Rise of Nicaea | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:23:35 | |
With the Bulgarians and Turks hobbled by the Mongols the field is clear for Nicaea. John Vatatzes annexes a huge swathe of European territory and is widely recognised as the true Roman Emperor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Buy Intelligent Speech tickets now! Prices going up! | 15 Jun 2020 | 00:04:15 | |
I'm a part of two sessions at the Intelligent Speech Conference on June 27th. Please consider buying your ticket today before prices go up! https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 214 - The Prince's Crusade | 12 Jun 2020 | 00:36:22 | |
The senior nobles of the First Crusade make the journey to Constantinople. There Alexios asks them to swear an oath of allegiance to him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 213 - The People's Crusade | 05 Jun 2020 | 00:18:41 | |
Our narrative resumes as the so-called People's Crusade crosses the Danube and heads for Constantinople. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Intelligent Speech Conference 2020 | 29 May 2020 | 00:01:48 | |
I will be taking part in the Intelligent Speech Conference on June 27th. I will be part of a panel talking about how medieval history is depicted in popular culture. And giving a talk about the hidden voices of Byzantium. Find out more at intelligentspeechconference.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 212 - Who went on Crusade and why? | 17 May 2020 | 00:27:27 | |
How many people went on Crusade? Who were they and who was in charge of them? Why did they go? What does all this mean for Byzantium? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 211 - Why people went on Crusade with Sharyn Eastaugh | 13 May 2020 | 00:18:29 | |
Sharyn Eastaugh from the History of the Crusades podcast explores why people responded to Urban's call. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 210 - What did Urban say? | 08 May 2020 | 00:21:08 | |
We follow Urban as he crosses into France and spends over a year on tour. We talk about the steps he took to prepare for the announcement of the Crusades. Then we break down what we believe he said and why he said it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 209 - What about Jerusalem? | 03 May 2020 | 00:12:08 | |
We briefly talk about events in Jerusalem and the wider Levant on the eve of the First Crusade. Had anything happened there that could have sparked the Crusades? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 208 - The Call from the East with Peter Frankopan | 27 Apr 2020 | 00:44:36 | |
An interview with Professor Peter Frankopan about his book 'The First Crusade: The Call from the East.' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 207 - What did Urban want? | 24 Apr 2020 | 00:29:01 | |
We talk about Pope Urban's shaky political position on the eve of the Crusade. As well as discussing the wider Papal reform movement and how military violence came to be a part of their plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 296 - The Mongol Storm with Nicholas Morton | 29 May 2024 | 00:44:39 | |
We talk to Dr Nicholas Morton about the arrival of the Mongols into the Byzantine world. Their confrontation with the Seljuks of Anatolia will have serious consequences. Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now. In it he offers a panoramic account of the Mongol invasions of the Middle East during the thirteenth century, examining these wars from the perspectives of the many different societies impacted by their conquests, including of course Byzantium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 206 - What did Alexios want? | 22 Apr 2020 | 00:18:51 | |
We discuss what Alexios really wanted from the West. Was he surprised by the Crusading army that formed or had he been lobbying for something similar? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 205 - Introducing the Crusades | 20 Apr 2020 | 00:17:09 | |
A quick introduction to the Crusading topic and a discussion of how religious interpretations of historical events can be particularly distorting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 204 - Komnenian Reforms | 26 Mar 2020 | 00:33:25 | |
We look at events in Constantinople during Alexios' first fifteen years in power. Including reforms to the court, the coinage and social care. We conclude by talking about Alexios' personality. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 203 - The Pecheneg Wars, again | 13 Mar 2020 | 00:32:43 | |
Alexios campaigns in Europe for a decade dealing with Pechenegs, Cumans and Serbs. But his supporters begin to question his priorities as Anatolia sinks into the mire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 202 - A Wild West Vibe | 08 Mar 2020 | 00:29:37 | |
With Alexios constantly at war in Europe during the 1080s he could only deal with Anatolia through diplomacy. He searched in vain for allies who could stabilise the situation but by 1095 realised he would have to turn West for the manpower needed to campaign in person. For the Romans who actually lived in Anatolia the situation had a Wild West vibe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 201 - A Narrow Escape | 28 Feb 2020 | 00:32:38 | |
Alexios marches back out to fight the Normans only to be beaten again and again. Finally he comes up with a strategy to throw them out of the Balkans but must embrace the Venetians ever closer as a result. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 200 - A Tribute to Professor Mark Whittow | 24 Feb 2020 | 00:27:02 | |
For our 200th show I pay tribute to the scholar who has had the most influence on this podcast - Professor Mark Whittow. Sadly Professor Whittow died in 2017 and he is a huge loss to academia and Byzantine Studies in particular. I take you through three articles he wrote about political power in Byzantium to give you a taste of the kind of insights that have shaped the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 199 - The Battle of Dyrrachium | 14 Feb 2020 | 00:29:37 | |
Robert Guiscard, the Norman leader in Southern Italy, invades the Empire. He surrounds the key port city of Dyrrachium and Alexios gathers an army to stop him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 198 - Heavy Lifting | 09 Feb 2020 | 00:28:57 | |
Alexios Komnenos leads a revolt and quickly captures the throne from Nicephorus Botaneiates. But to truly understand this coup we need to explore the dynastic dual of Doukas and Komnenos. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 197 - Anna Komnene with Leonora Neville | 24 Jan 2020 | 00:49:59 | |
Our best primary source for Alexios Komnenos reign is The Alexiad written by his daughter Anna Komnene. I talk to Professor Leonora Neville about Anna's life and writing and how she overcame the obstacles facing a woman trying to write history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 295 - The Forgotten Siege | 22 May 2024 | 00:27:26 | |
While Epirus was rising and falling, Nicaea was consolidating. John Vatatzes, the new Emperor, was competent at home and abroad. After years of consolidation he decided to besiege Constantinople. But he didn't act alone he invited an unlikely ally to join him. Period: 1215-37 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| The House of War is live | 23 Jan 2020 | 00:03:26 | |
4 new episodes based on the original House of War episode are now available for purchase. Listen to this update for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| Episode 196 - Cultural Revival | 17 Jan 2020 | 00:29:24 | |
We explore the revival of intellectual and literary culture over the past century. We focus particularly on the work of Michael Psellos and Symeon the New Theologian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||
| January 2020 Update | 14 Jan 2020 | 00:07:30 | |
An update on the podcast, the Kickstarter projects and a couple of recommendations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | |||