Podcast Episodes

Episode 299 - Baldwin II with John Giebfried

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

J…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Episode 298 - The Providence of God

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 o…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Episode 297 - The Rise and Rise of Nicaea

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.

Hoste…

Published on 1 year, 6 months ago

Episode 296 - The Mongol Storm with Nicholas Morton

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 Profess…

Published on 1 year, 7 months ago

Episode 295 - The Forgotten Siege

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…

Published on 1 year, 7 months ago

Episode 294 - The Rise and Fall of Epirus

Theodoros Doukas the leader of the Roman state of Epirus leads his people to ever greater heights in the 1220s. He captures Thessalonica and drives towards Constantinople itself. Doukas declares hims…

Published on 1 year, 7 months ago

Episode 293 - Governing Constantinople with John Giebfried

Today we look at Constantinople itself. What was the physical state of the city and what was the Latin administration like? Guiding us today is Dr John Giebfried.

John completed his PhD in Medieval Hi…

Published on 1 year, 7 months ago

Episode 292 - Venice and the Rest of the Empire with John Giebfried

Today we look at the parts of the Roman Empire we haven't covered so far in the post-siege narrative. This includes Attalia, Trebizond and the multiple acquisitions of Venice. Helping me is Dr John G…

Published on 1 year, 7 months ago

Episode 291 - Michael Doukas of Epirus

Michael Komnenos Doukas would have had a forgettable career if it wasn't for the chaos which followed Manuel Komnenos' death.

But the twists of fate allowed him to found a new state in Epirus (Western…

Published on 1 year, 8 months ago

Episode 290 - The Despot, Theodore Laskaris

We follow Theodore Laskaris as he escapes from Constantinople and establishes a new state at Nicaea. Crowned as the new Roman Emperor he must face down rivals on every side including the Turks.

Period…

Published on 1 year, 8 months ago