The History of Byzantium

Finally in sole control of the Empire John Kantakouzenos makes plans to restore the Roman world. His plans come to nothing though as he immediately faces war, invasion and plague. Period: 1347-55 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 25 April 2025

In order to gain the throne John Kantakouzenos destroys what is left of the Roman Empire. He allows the Serbs to conquer Macedonia while his Turkish allies enslave his people. Period: 1343-47 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Andronikos III Palaiologos died on the 15th June 1341. Four months later his nearest and dearest were at each others throats. His right hand man John Kantakouzenos declared himself Emperor but was rejected by the people at every turn. Refusing to give up he invited foreign powers to intervene on his behalf. Period: 1341-43 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 April 2025

Andronikos III Palaiologos takes charge of a Roman state still recovering from the loss of Anatolia and the raids of the Catalans. He takes on the challenge with enthusiasm and tangles with the Turks, Latins and Serbs. He also reunites Epiros and Thessaly with Constantinople. Period: 1328-41 Check out my episodes on the First Crusade which have been turned into videos by @Empire-Builders Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 April 2025

This is part two of my Q&A with Father John Strickland. We talk about the Protestant reformation, Autocephalous churches and connections to Byzantium amongst other topics. John is the pastor of an Orthodox Church in Poulsbo in Washington State. He wrote a four-volume series about the history of Christian civilization called Paradise and Utopia. He’s also recorded a podcast of the same name as an accompaniment to the books which you can find wherever you get your podcasts or at www.ancientfaith.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 7 March 2025

This episode is brought to you by Telepaideia, a collection of live online courses in Latin, Ancient Greek, and the classical humanities offered by The Paideia Institute. Visit www.paideiainstitute.org/telepaideia to browse the course catalogue and register!  It’s my pleasure today to welcome back Father John Strickland to the podcast. Four episodes ago we talked in detail about the Divine Liturgy and its place at the heart of Byzantine life. I put out the call for listeners to ask questions. Particularly those of us not familiar with Orthodoxy or ecclesiastical issues in general. And Father Strickland has kindly returned to answer them. The questions are wide ranging and so demand thorough answers which Father John provides. So we decided to split them over two episodes. Today we tackle the Orthodox view on salvation and purgatory. As well as the role of the Ecumenical Patriarch and thoughts on the Byzantine understanding of how the divine played a role in daily life. Then we finish with the Orthodox view of Catholicism, Church Union and evangelisation. John is the pastor of an Orthodox Church in Poulsbo in Washington State. He wrote a four-volume series about the history of Christian civilization called Paradise and Utopia. He’s also recorded a podcast of the same name as an accompaniment to the books which you can find wherever you get your podcasts or at www.ancientfaith.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2025

This Saturday – the 8th February 2025 is the Intelligent Speech online conference. A gathering of fellow history podcasters. Who will be talking about Deception – lies and forgeries. There are 3 keynote speakers in Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse, Otto English and Wesley Livesay. Along with a host of fun roundtables packed with podcasting talent. I will be on two panels. They are back to back so from 11 am – 1pm Eastern Standard time you will get all the History of Byzantium you need.  I will be on a panel discussing Byzantine deception and playing a game of historical call my bluff. So come and find out how good a liar I am.  Go to intelligentspeechonline.com to find out more. And use the code Sophia. As in Hagia Sophia to get a discount on your ticket. See you on Saturday.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 February 2025

This episode is brought to you by Telepaideia, a collection of live online courses in Latin, Ancient Greek, and the classical humanities offered by The Paideia Institute. Visit www.paideiainstitute.org/telepaideia to browse the course catalogue and register!  I interview David Hendrix the man behind the incredible website 'The Byzantine Legacy.' It was David who showed me around Istanbul when I first visited in 2018. His website is an amazing resource for anyone who wants to know what survives from Byzantium today. David is leading a tour of Byzantine Macedonia in September 2025. Check out the Byzantine Legacy website and Youtube channel. Follow David on Instagram, Facebook and X. And support him at Patreon.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 January 2025

Happy New Year. I have two interviews coming out shortly for you to enjoy. One with David Hendrix of the Byzantine Legacy website (www.thebyzantinelegacy.com) and a return visit from Father John Strickland to answer more questions about Orthodoxy. Both those episodes are being sponsored by Telepaideia. a collection of live online courses in Latin, Ancient Greek, and the classical humanities offered by The Paideia Institute. You can take beginner classes in Latin and Ancient Greek. Visit www.paideiainstitute.org/telepaideia to browse the course catalogue and register!   If you’d like to hear me being interviewed about my life and the podcast then check out the Ancient Office Hours podcast (www.theozymandiasproject.com/podcast). Hosted by the charming Lexie Henning it’s a podcast that interviews academics and podcasters about their work in history. And I really enjoyed talking to her. Finally do get your tickets for the podcast conference Intelligent Speech. I will be live on Saturday 8th February as part of 2 roundtables. Go to intelligentspeechonline.com to find out more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 January 2025

We look at listener questions about feudalism, the Catalans, the Armenians and many other topics.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 16 December 2024

We look at listener questions about Andronikos II. Why was he so useless? Why did no one overthrow him? How poor was the Empire? And many more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 9 December 2024

I have another 3 things to tell you. Tomorrow, as in Sunday 1st December, I will be hosting 3 Zoom Calls for Patrons, where you can ask me anything. This is a reminder for those of you already on Patreon. And if you’re not but want to get on the call then you could just sign up for $1 and join in the conversation. The calls are at 2pm, 5pm and 8pm in Coordinated Universal Time. Which is essentially the same as Greenwich Mean Time but apparently we don’t want to show off too much about that. Anyway, hopefully you’ll be free then. Second thing to tell you is that tour dates for 2025 have been provisionally agreed. They are May 17-26th and Oct 11-20th. The first tour will be in Istanbul for five days before visiting Ephesus and other sites in Western Anatolia. While the October tour will also spend five days in Istanbul before visiting Nicaea and Cappadocia. Remember these are provisional dates before you ink them into your diary. But they should be made official soon. Email me [email protected] to get on the mailing list so you can get booking information as soon as it’s available. Finally you may have a heard an unfamiliar voice introducing this update. That was Kirin Tsang from Frugalflyer.ca. Kirin was on our last tour back in October and has written a review of our journey down Turkey’s west coast for FrugalFlyer.ca. You can read that review at frugalflyer.ca/blog and hear about what it’s like to be on one of our tours.  As the name suggests the folks at Frugalflyer try to help you gather points and rewards so you can travel better and cheaper. They have their own podcast where they share tips and ideas with you. It’s the Miles Ahead podcast so search for Miles Ahead wherever you get your podcasts to find out more. I look forward to speaking to some of you tomorrow and seeing some of you in 2025.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 30 November 2024

It's time we talked about Orthodoxy in more detail. I ask Father John Strickland to explain the Divine Liturgy, and it's Byzantine origins, to me. John is the pastor of an Orthodox Church in Poulsbo in Washington State. He has also written a four-volume series about the history of Christian civilization called Paradise and Utopia. And he’s recorded a podcast of the same name as an accompaniment to the books. He also wrote the Making of Holy Russia: The Orthodox Church and Russian Nationalism before the Revolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 November 2024

Marco Cappelli, the man behind the Storia D'Italia podcast, has created a Roman history comic book. Ammianus - the Twilight of an Era tells the story of the incredible change that took place across Italy during the 6th century. The comic is so good it made me cry. I interview Marco about why he decided to make this and where the inspiration came from. Get your own copy in Italian, English or Latin! And in physical or digital form here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 15 November 2024

Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us about developments on the sea during the Crusading era. We discuss why Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi were able to dominate the waves. And talk about the ships they used and how they fought.Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 6 November 2024

Hello everyone, Here are 3 podcast-related things you may be interested in. Roman Graphic NovelFriend of the show Marco Capelli has made a comic book set in 6th century Italy. It follows two figures that we know about from an Ostrogothic jewellery collection that was discovered in 1938. A Roman Patrician Stephanus who marries a Gothic noblewoman Valatrud. They are subjects of King Theodoric who is trying to create a functioning Gothic-Roman kingdom in Italy. But their union comes shortly before Italy submerges into chaos. And Justinian sends Belisarius out to retake the home peninsula.You can get your hands on a copy in English or Italian. In paper or in a digital format. Plus loads of other goodies are available from Marco’s Kickstarter campaign.The Kickstarter ends on October 11th so act now. Tour of GreeceLantern Jack, the host of the podcast Ancient Greece Declassified, is leading a tour to Greece.It’s taking place from January 3rd to the 11th 2025. And it visits every site connected with the famous war between the Persians and the Athenians and Spartans. If you want to go you will visit the Acropolis, the Straits of Salamis, Marathon, Eubeoa, Thermopylae, Delphi, Plataea and you’ll get to try on Hoplite Armour!Click here to find out more The History of Byzantium T-ShirtsFinally my new friend Magnus who creates Roman themed merchandise on Etsy has created an actual History of Byzantium podcast t-shirt. Or I should say t-shirts. Branded with the podcast logo you have several to choose from. I’m sure they will light up any occasion you go to with looks of confusion and bewilderment. But I think they look beautiful. Check them out here. He also has t-shirts and mugs celebrating lesser figures than me – such as Constantine, Justinian, Basil II, Marcus Aurelius and others. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 September 2024

When Andronikos' son dies he ponders whether to disinherit his Grandson Andronikos III. This prompts two bouts of civil war as the younger generation try to force change on their elders. Period: 1310-1328 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2024

Andronikos roles the dice and hires the Catalan Grand Company to fight the Turks. Those who advised the Emperor not to hire them could never have imagined just how badly things would go. Meanwhile Latin forces continue to take Aegean islands for themselves. Period: 1281-1303 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2024

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 Emperor's personality to understand why he was not best suited to the difficult times he lived in. Period: 1281-1303 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2024

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 Emperor Andronikos was not equal to. Period: 1281-1303 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2024

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: 1281-1310 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2024

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. Michael Palaiologos is willing to do whatever it takes to stop them. This means he must agree to church union. Period: 1261-82 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2024

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 position which sees his forces in action on five fronts simultaneously. Period: 1261-5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2024

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? Should they have moved back to Constantinople? Were the Romans Greeks now?  Period: 1204-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 21 July 2024

We talk about the challenges which Michael Palaiologos and the Nicaens faced as they prepared to move back to Constantinople.  Period: 1204-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 July 2024

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/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 July 2024

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. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 3 July 2024

For our 300th episode I decided to do something different. I chose my 10 greatest Byzantine Emperors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 26 June 2024

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 John completed his PhD in Medieval History at St Louis University in 2015 and has subsequently worked at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and since 2022 has been a faculty member at the University of Vienna, where he teaches History and Digital Humanities. His academic work focuses on the Crusades, the Crusader-States, and European interactions with the Mongols. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2024

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 of power and the fates reward him beyond all expectations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2024

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2024

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 Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now. In it he offers a panoramic account of the Mongol invasions of the Middle East during the thirteenth century, examining these wars from the perspectives of the many different societies impacted by their conquests, including of course Byzantium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2024

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 he didn't act alone he invited an unlikely ally to join him. Period: 1215-37 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2024

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 himself Emperor but does he have the resources necessary to reach the Hagia Sophia? Period: 1215-30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2024

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 History at St Louis University in 2015 and has subsequently worked at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and since 2022 has been a faculty member at the University of Vienna, where he teaches History and Digital Humanities. His academic work focuses on the Crusades, the Crusader-States, and European interactions with the Mongols. Reacting to the Past Games: https://reactingconsortium.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2024

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 Giebfried from the University of Vienna. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2024

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 Greece) which would eventually seize huge parts of the Roman world. Period: 1204-15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2024

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 Greece) which would eventually seize huge parts of the Roman world. Period: 1204-15 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2024

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: 1204-12 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2024

With Baldwin and Boniface dead the Bulgarians run riot across Thrace. Their Tsar Kaloyan attempts to capture Thessalonica and ponders whether he could become the new Roman Emperor. Period: 1204-07 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2024

After throwing a huge strop Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat, is made King of Thessalonica. He sent his men to conquer most of Greece but the Bulgarians were on his tail. Period: 1204-07 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2024

The Latins agree to stay for another year and to conquer the whole of the Roman Empire. They elect Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainaut to be their Emperor and all seems well. It only takes a year for everything to fall apart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2024

The narrative returns as we head back to 1204 and the sack of Constantinople. The arrival of the Latins had actually splintered the Roman world into at least 13 different states. With a little help from the 2008 film 'Vantage Point' we will be following the different perspectives of these actors as they deal with the fallout from the sack. We begin with the story of Alexios V Doukas who fled the city just before it fell. Period: 1204 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2024

I speak to Rob and Jamie from the podcast Totalus Rankium. Their show is a light hearted ranking of every Roman Emperor from Augustus to Constantine XI. It's a really fun listen and they include all the amusing stories which I edited out of Byzantine history. They have a sister show where they rank American Presidents. Find both shows here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 11 March 2024

Alexander Christie-Miller was the Turkish correspondent for the Times Newspaper between 2010 and 2017. He has written a book called ‘To the City’ about the people who live along the Theodosian Walls in Istanbul today. He tells the story and charts the sweeping changes they've experienced in Turkey over the past 50 years. It's a brilliant read, ideal for those of you who have visited Istanbul or plan to. Alexander Christie-Miller is from Wiltshire in the UK, studied in Dublin and was then in Istanbul for 7 years. He was the Times Turkish correspondent during that period and his writing has also appeared in Newsweek, The Atlantic, Der Spiegel and the White Review amongst other publications. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 27 February 2024

Professor Kaldellis' new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere. In the final episode in this series he answers more of your questions. Amongst the topics we cover are citizenship, class, counter-factuals, academia and AI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 22 February 2024

Professor Kaldellis' new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere. In this episode he answers your questions. Including succession mechanisms, taxation, the Senate, usurpers, Belisarius, Maurice and many more topics. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 14 February 2024

On today’s update I’m going to tell you about when the narrative is coming back, about podcast tours to Turkey in 2024 and about how Anthony Kaldellis is answering more questions than I told him to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 12 February 2024

A new book has come out about that most famous of Byzantines. It's called Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint by Peter Sarris and it is excellent. It is not a dramatization of his career but a brilliantly researched account of his life and time in office.Track his evolving thinking through the amazing range of sources we have for his reign and gain a deeper understanding of the interesting times he lived in.The book is on sale everywhere including on Audible.com. To listen to the book for free check out Audible's service here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 31 January 2024

This beautiful map of the Crusader States has just been put on sale. Adomas, the artist, is offering 15% off any map at his store for podcast listeners. Just use the code Byzantium at his online store. mapklimantas.etsy.com ‘The Emperor’ by Matthew Storm: http://tinyurl.com/juj44cdb. The Heraclius story is so epic that it took two books to cover. Book 1 is called the Exarch’s son. And Book 2 is THE EMPEROR: Heraclius Battles Persia for the Life of Rome. ‘The Gardens of Byzantium’: http://tinyurl.com/nhh6b4jw A romance about Asana (a Persian woman) and a Roman soldier who are brought together by Heraclius’ war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2024