Podcast Episodes

Episode 207 - What did Urban want?

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.

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Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Episode 206 - What did Alexios want?

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?

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Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Episode 205 - Introducing the Crusades

A quick introduction to the Crusading topic and a discussion of how religious interpretations of historical events can be particularly distorting.

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Published on 5 years, 8 months ago

Episode 204 - Komnenian Reforms

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.

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Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Episode 203 - The Pecheneg Wars, again

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.

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Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Episode 202 - A Wild West Vibe

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 …

Published on 5 years, 9 months ago

Episode 201 - A Narrow Escape

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 r…

Published on 5 years, 10 months ago

Episode 200 - A Tribute to Professor Mark Whittow

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 Byz…

Published on 5 years, 10 months ago

Episode 199 - The Battle of Dyrrachium

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.

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Published on 5 years, 10 months ago

Episode 198 - Heavy Lifting

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.

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Published on 5 years, 10 months ago