Podcast Episodes

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 110 "Green Arabia"

Season 1 Episode 110

In this episode, we look at climate history and ask whether the rise of Islam was helped by more favorable climatic conditions during the Late Antique Little Ice Age?

For a free ebook, maps and blogs …

Published on 5 months, 2 weeks ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 109 "Climate, Plague and Catastrophe"

Season 1 Episode 109

In this episode, we revisit the 'Late Antique Little Ice Age' and the Justinianic Plague, and consider whether these contributed to the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD.

For a free ebook, maps …

Published on 5 months, 3 weeks ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 108 "The Last of the Sasanians"

Season 1 Episode 108

After defeating the Romans at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636, the first Islamic Caliphate turned its attention to Persia. The fighting there would be even more decisive than against the Romans. 

For a fr…

Published on 6 months, 1 week ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 107 "The Battle of Yarmuk: Rome's Greatest Defeat"

Season 1 Episode 107

In August 636, near the Yarmuk river in modern-day Syria/Jordan, a battle was fought between the new Islamic Caliphate and the Roman Empire that would change the course of history. 

For a free ebook, …

Published on 6 months, 2 weeks ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 106 "Muhammad's Revolution"

Season 1 Episode 106

As Rome and Persia fought the last war of antiquity, they scarcely noticed a revolution was taking place in Arabia. A revolution led by a man named Muhammad.

For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out…

Published on 6 months, 4 weeks ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 105 "Heraclius Triumphant"

Season 1 Episode 105

Heraclius was one of the greatest of all Roman Emperors and soldiers, and in 628-30 he secured a complete victory over Rome's oldest enemy - Sasanian Persia.

For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out…

Published on 7 months, 1 week ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 104 "The Siege of Constantinople"

Season 1 Episode 104

The Roman Emperor Heraclius faced his gravest challenge yet in AD 626 as the Avars and Persians closed in on the capital city, Constantinople. But the year ahead would be full of surprises.

For a free…

Published on 7 months, 2 weeks ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 103 "The Best Form of Defence"

Season 1 Episode 103

The year AD 622 was a difficult one for the Roman Empire and its emperor, Heraclius. Surrounded by the Avars in the west and the Persians in the east, the position looked hopeless. But Heraclius was …

Published on 8 months, 1 week ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 102 "The First Crusaders"

Season 1 Episode 102

In 615, the Roman Empire was on its knees. The Persians had conquered most of Syria and the Levant and were poised to invade Egypt, the empire's richest province. But from the ashes of defeat would a…

Published on 8 months, 2 weeks ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 101 "The Darkest Hour"

Season 1 Episode 101

When Heraclius seized the throne from Phocas, you might think the Romans had got lucky. But no! The first few years of his reign were nothing short of disastrous as the Persians advanced into the hea…

Published on 8 months, 3 weeks ago