Podcast Episodes

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 55 "Attila's Bride"

Season 1 Episode 55

In AD 450, a Roman princess called Honoria contacted Attila the Hun. She asked him to stop an arranged marriage with a man she disliked. Attila replied: why not marry me instead?

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Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 54 "Dinner with Attila"

Season 1 Episode 54

In 447, Attila struck the Eastern Roman Empire. It was the largest military engagement for half a century. After peace was agreed, the Romans sent an embassy to have dinner with Attila...and assassin…

Published on 2 years, 5 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 53 "Attila the Hun"

Season 1 Episode 53

In the 430s, a new Hunnic leader rose to power. Soon his name would strike fear into the hearts of the Romans. It was Attila.

For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 52 "The Fall of Africa"

Season 1 Episode 52

In AD 433, Aetius secured his position as the effective ruler of the Western Roman Empire. With the help of the Huns, he defeated the Burgundians and Visigoths. But a disaster was about to strike the…

Published on 2 years, 6 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 51 "The Rise of Aetius"

Season 1 Episode 51

In AD 425, the six-year-old Valentinian III became emperor of the west. Another child emperor created another power vacuum. His mother, Galla Placidia, would try to hold onto power but could she thwa…

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 50 "All Quiet on the Eastern Front"

Season 1 Episode 50

In this episode, we find out what was happening in the eastern half of the Roman Empire after the sack of Rome in AD 410. And it won't be long before an eastern army arrives in Ravenna. 

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Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire BONUS Episode "The Strange Tale of Attila, Honoria and Milan""

Happy New Year 2023! This is a bonus episode about my recent trip to Milan where I was struck by the strange absence of Roman remains - and found the answer in the strange tale of Attila the Hun and …

Published on 2 years, 7 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 49 "Restoring the Roman Name?"

Season 1 Episode 49

The year is AD 410. Rome has been sacked. Is this the end of the western empire? Not yet. And the next few years will be full of surprises. 

For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickh…

Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 48 "Was Climate Change Rome's Real Killer?"

Season 1 Episode 48

In this episode, we reflect on the reasons for the sack of Rome in AD 410, and ask whether climate change on the steppe-lands of Asia was the ultimate cause?

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Published on 2 years, 8 months ago

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 47 "The Decline of the Roman Army"

Season 1 Episode 47

Why didn't the Roman army defend the city of Rome better when it was sacked in AD 410? Many historians blame the internal conflict within the empire. But the Roman army was also in terminal decline. …

Published on 2 years, 9 months ago