Podcast Episodes

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 Empe…

Published on 1 year, 3 months ago

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 E…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

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: 1281-131…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

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. …

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

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 positio…

Published on 1 year, 4 months ago

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? S…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

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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Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

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/p…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

Episode 301 - The Fifth Crusade with Nicholas Morton

Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us the story of the Fifth Crusade. To learn more check out his book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East. 

Hosted on Acast…

Published on 1 year, 5 months ago

Episode 300 - The 10 Greatest Byzantine Emperors

For our 300th episode I decided to do something different. I chose my 10 greatest Byzantine Emperors.

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Published on 1 year, 6 months ago