Podcast Episodes

Episode 334 - State Builders from the Steppe with Eric Halsey

I talk to Eric Halsey about his new book State Builders from the Steppe: A History of the First Bulgarian Empire.

In it he chronicles the rise and fall of the Bulgars as they arrive in the Balkans and…

Published on 8 hours ago

Episode 333 - The Bachelorhood of Basil II with Mark Masterson

To mark the 1000th anniversary of his death we revisit the bachelorhood of Basil II.

My guest is Mark Masterson — until recently Associate Professor of Classics at Victoria University of Wellington (…

Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago

More Patreon Zoom Calls, more podcasts and more thank yous

More Patreon Zoom Calls, more podcasts and more thank yous

https://www.patreon.com/historyofbyzantium

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Published on 4 months, 1 week ago

What Happens Next

I talk about what will happen with the podcast next. Send your questions to thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com

This Sunday the 20th July I will be hosting 3 Zoom calls for Patrons at 1, 5 and 9pm UK tim…

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

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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Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

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

Hosted on …

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

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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Published on 6 months, 3 weeks ago

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.…

Published on 7 months ago

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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Published on 7 months, 1 week ago

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

Hoste…

Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago