EVER WONDERED WHY THE ROMAN EMPIRE FELL? Find out in this podcast from British historian, Nick Holmes, as he tells the extraordinary story of Rome's decline and fall, and how its legacy is still central to the world we live in today. WANT A FREE EBOOK? Then head directly to Nick's website www.nickholmesauthor.com.
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In modern France, the Frankish king, Clovis, is often celebrated as the first French king. But Clovis’ Merovingian dynasty was in fact destined to fade and die. In its place, there arose a new dynasty that would become more famous: the Carolingian. But before we say goodbye to the Merovingians, I want in today’s podcast to ask the question why did they die out and why was it such a slow death? For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justini...
I wanted to let you know that my latest book, The End of Antiquity , is now available in both paperback and ebook on Amazon and will be available through most major book retailers soon. It explores the final days of the Roman and Persian empires, and how they were ultimately overwhelmed by the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD. It covers the warfare, politics, and religious upheaval of the time, but also introduces a compelling new angle: climate change. Drawing on the latest scientific re...
By the year AD 719, the Arab/Berber army had conquered Iberia and was invading Gaul or what is modern France. They seemed unstoppable. Would western Europe fall to Islam? And would the Qu’ran be taught in the schools of Oxford, as Edward Gibbon rather mischievously speculated. Of course, Gibbon knew the outcome. The Arab advance into France came to a shuddering halt at the battle of Poitiers, or Tours as it’s sometimes called, in 732 when Charles Martel, or Charles the Hammer, would inflict the ...
So, we’re starting the final season in this podcast which is on the Dark Ages. But just how dark were they? One of the main themes of this new season will be to show the striking diversity of experience within western Eurasia and North Africa during the period from AD 700 to 1000 since, while the Dark Ages were, in my view, very dark for most of Europe, outside Europe, in the Middle East and North Africa, the period after the fall of the Roman Empire wasn’t necessarily that dark. The Dark Ages h...
Apologies for the long radio silence, I’ve been busy with other projects but now I want to update you on the next and final season in this podcast which I’m super excited about because it will cover what I regard as one of the most fascinating parts of the story of the fall of the Roman Empire – i.e. what happened after the fall? Now, we all know that this time was called the Dark Ages although there’s a huge amount of debate among historians about just how dark it was. Some see it as a total co...
Why did Arabia rise so rapidly in the seventh century AD to become the dominant global superpower? In this episode, we look at a fascinating new theory. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube videos o...
The Arab siege of Constantinople in 717/718 was one of the greatest turning points in all of history. Discover why in this episode. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Rom...
In the first half of the seventh century AD, the rise of Islam seemed unstoppable. How could Byzantium survive? Luck and the invention of a medieval flame-thrower would help! For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out m...
Roman Egypt was not only the Roman Empire's wealthiest province, it was also one of the earliest bastions of Christianity. Therefore, its rapid fall to the armies of Islam has long baffled historians. Discover the surprising story of how division, betrayal and sheer bad luck caused a turning point in history. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German tr...
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 check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new Yo...
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 and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out...
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 free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Fin...
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, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check...
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 my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube vid...
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 my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube vid...
In 626 AD, Emperor Heraclius faces a critical challenge as Constantinople is besieged by a formidable Avar and Persian army. This episode details the city's tenacious defense, led by General Bonus and Patriarch Sergius, alongside Heraclius's strategic maneuvers in Anatolia. The narrative culminates in a decisive naval victory in the Golden Horn, shattering the siege and marking a turning point in the Roman-Persian wars, bolstered by Heraclius's other triumphs and the unexpected intervention of the Turks.
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 a truly remarkable emperor and soldier. And he knew what the best form of defence was. If you're looking for a good read over the Christmas Holidays, check out my latest book 'Justinian's Empire' at Amazon US and Amazon UK . And if you speak German, please take a look at the German translation of 'Th...
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 arise a new army, led by the emperor Heraclius, determined to avenge the fall of Jerusalem. Centuries later, they would be called the First Crusaders. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . Fo...
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 heart of the empire. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revol...
I thought you might be interested to know that my latest book called ‘Justinian’s Empire’ is out now on Amazon in ebook and paperback. It will be with other distributors later and also available in audiobook probably within the next six months. It's about the triumph and tragedy of Justinian’s reign. Triumph because Justinian’s general, Belisarius, recovered North Africa and Italy from the barbarians. Justinian also created a new law code that would endure to this day. And he built extraordinary...
The emperor Phocas' reign was one of the most tyrannical and bloodthirsty in all of Roman history. In North Africa, a young general rebelled against him. His name was Heraclius. He was to become the last great Roman emperor. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römisc...
We've reached a turning point in late Roman history. In 602, a Roman army officer called Phocas overthrew the emperor Maurice and began a tyrannical and bloodthirsty reign that would imperil the empire. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Ama...
Having secured peace with Persia in 592, the emperor Maurice could switch his army to the desperate situation on the western front. The Roman fight-back was in full swing. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my n...
In 590, the emperor Maurice got his big break. Civil war in Persia opened up the possibility of an entirely new world. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Roman Empire....
As the emperor Justin II descended into madness, Tiberius II stepped into his shoes. His reign would be short but eventful. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Roman Empir...
In 565, Justinian died and he was succeeded by his nephew, Justin II. How would he cope with the over-extended empire Justinian had created? For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall o...
A quick update on the next season in this podcast, starting on 14th September. It's going to be the most exciting of all - about the collapse of the ancient world in the seventh century AD, and the rise of Islam. A true turning point in history. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roma...
Did Justinian make or break the Roman Empire? Find out in this episode! For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube videos on the fall of the Roman Empire....
In this episode, we look at society and religion in the age of Justinian. And we discover something that's been hidden in the sands of Egypt for 1,500 years. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my series on the 'Fall of the Roman Empire', Die römische Revolution , on Amazon.de . Finally check out my new YouTube vid...
Justinian's wars of reconquest in the west left much of the Roman Empire weakly defended. Nowhere was this more evident than along the Danube frontier where new enemies were massing to pillage the empire and slaughter its inhabitants. They were the wolves from the north. For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Find my latest book, Justinian's Empire, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk . For German listeners, find the German translation of the first book in my serie...
