Podcast Episodes

Byzantine Fiction special offer

The Guardians of Byzantium - Book 2 is now available. Listen for a special offer to get hold of both books today.

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Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Episode 273 - Rome and Persia: The 700 Year Rivalry with Adrian Goldsworthy

I talk to historian Adrian Goldsworthy about his new book. It covers the 700 year rivalry between the two great powers of the ancient world. Everything from Crassus having gold poured down his throat…

Published on 2 years, 4 months ago

Episode 271 - Twilight Cities with Katherine Pangonis

I talk to Katherine Pangonis about her new book - Twilight Cities: Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean. In it she travels to Tyre, Carthage, Syracuse, Ravenna and Antioch to tell their stories and exp…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

Episode 270 - Loss, Suffering and Enslavement

We look at the stories of three different Romans who had to deal with their city being sacked. Through their experiences we come to a better understanding of the loss felt by those who lived through …

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

June 2023 Schedule Update

June 2023 Schedule Update

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Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

Episode 269 - Questions XIII

Our final batch of questions for this century includes queries about the Hippodrome, diplomatic marriages, national identity and political legitimacy. We also enjoy an update on the Crimea, the Jewis…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

Episode 268 - The Collapse of the Komnenian System

We take a look at the pros and cons of the Komnenian system. Then trace why it was causing enough resentment to lead to provincial separatism.

We then move on to discuss the army and the bureaucracy a…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

Episode 267 - Provincial Separatism with Nathan Websdale

Nathan Websdale is a PHD candidate at Oxford University and President of the Oxford University Byzantine Society. His work is focussed on ethnic identification, social inclusion and self-determinatio…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

Episode 266 - Questions XII

More questions to tackle this week. Comparing the sack of 1204 to the sack of Rome in 410. Questioning the Byzantine system of succession and the roots of their decline. And pondering whether other E…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

Episode 265 - The 10 Greatest Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis

Professor Anthony Kaldellis has just completed a new history of Byzantium which will be published in October 2023. So I cheekily asked him if he would list his 10 greatest Emperors. Graciously he agr…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago