Episode 156 - The Half Blind Leading the Blind
We discuss campaigning in the Balkans, the end of the Bulgarian war and the legend of the Bulgar Slayer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
The History of Byzantium
A podcast telling the story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 476 AD to 1453. www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Episode 155 - The Year 1000
Basil continues his campaigns against the Fatimids and the Bulgarians. We also discuss the turning of the year 1000. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 154 - A Cat Among Mice
We discuss the origins of the revived Bulgarian Empire and follow Basil as he campaigns against them and the Fatimids in the East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 153 - Basil II
Finally Basil II stands alone as master of the Roman world. Let's get to know him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 152 - Bardas Phokas
Civil war resumes as both Bardas Sclerus and Bardas Phokas rebel against Basil. An epic showdown follows which drags the Bulgarians, the Rus, Varangians, Arabs, Armenians and Georgians into the contest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 151 - Bardas Sclerus
The civil war continues with Bardas Sclerus and Bardas Phokas locking horns. Although the Imperial side emerge victorious, the price is years of tension with their new Domestic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcasting in Istanbul?
Your feedback needed on the idea of me travelling to Istanbul to record material for the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 150 - Basil Lekapenos
The narrative resumes with Basil Lekapenos elevating his great-nephew Basil II to the throne. However Bardas Sclerus immediately rebels and declares himself Emperor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 149 - Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood
The full interview with Professor Kaldellis about his book "Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood." The book is a narrative history from the time when Nicephorus Phokas took charge of the military through till the First Crusade. In our conversation we talk about sources, Basil IIs reign, the Magnates and the struggles of the 11th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Episode 148 - Sources and Magnates
We return to our interview with Professor Kaldellis to discuss Basil II's reign. We talk about our sources, about his decision never to marry and his relationship with the landed magnates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 147 - Bulgarian Solidarity
We look at a series of questions about what's been happening in Bulgaria since the peace was signed in 927. Why were the Rus able to defeat the Bulgarians so quickly? What did the Roman occupation look like? And more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 146 - What's the Plan?
Did the Romans dream of reconquering their eastern provinces? Or were their border acquisitions enough? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 145 - The Eastern Conquests
We discuss the eastern conquests and how valuable they really were. As well as the deployment and organisation of the military in the borderlands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 144 - Setting the Table
We begin our mini end-of-the-century series by talking about our sources. Huge thanks to Professor Anthony Kaldellis for talking to me about his new book "Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood." It's a narrative history covering the period from when Nicephorus Phokas took over the military until the First Crusade. This is only part of our interview focusing on the task of sifting sources to create a more realistic narrative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Byzantine Stories Episode 5 - Roman Healthcare. Part 1 - Choosing Your Provider
Part 1 is an overview of the history of Greek medicine. How it developed and what kind of treatments were on offer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 143 - Strange Trajectories
John returns home triumphant but must deal with the Fatimid attacks in the east. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Listener Survey
Please help the show by filling out our listener survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 142 - Brave in Danger
John Tzimiskes faces down the Phokas rebellion and then marches for Bulgaria to take on the Rus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 141 - How To Get Away With Murder
John Tzimiskes pacifies his domestic and foreign enemies as he consolidates his rule. However the Rus leader Sviatoslav makes the decision to move his capital to the Danube forcing the Romans to respond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 140 - Magnificent and Insufferable
Nicephorus Phokas is murdered by his nephew John Tzimiskes. We discuss the plot, the aftermath and the personalities of both men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 139 - All In A Day's Work
We cover Nicephorus' foreign policy issues during his final two years in office. Armenian, Bulgarian and Italian concerns then go on hold for one last march through Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Moving to Acast
Moving to Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 138 - Abhorring the Palace
Nicephorus stays at home to administer his realm and manages to alienate every strata of society. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 137 - Cilicia
Nicephorus leads the armies in person against Tarsus and Mopsuestia, bringing Cilicia and Cyprus back into the Empire. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 136 - The White Death of the Saracens
We discuss Nicephorus' life and career and what his rise meant for Romania. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 135 – Triumphal Procession
We catch up on what Romanus II and Sayf were up to during the Cretan expedition. Then we move forward with Nicephorus Phokas as he sacks Aleppo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 134 - Third Time's the Charm
With Nicephorus Phokas in charge of the military the Romans win a string of victories against Sayf al-Dawlah. Constantine VII decides to attack Crete again but dies before the expedition sets off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 133 - Sowing the Dragon’s Teeth with Eric McGeer
An interview with Eric McGeer about his book "Sowing the Dragon's Teeth" which charts the changes in the Roman army as it moved to an offensive deployment in the 10th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 132 - Escalating Violence
948-954. We return to the frontier where the Phokas family inflict a series of sharp defeats on Sayf al-Dawla. Sayf starts again by restoring his border fortresses and driving off Roman attacks. When Constantine Phokas is captured alive the war begins to escalate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Episode 131 - False Economy
Constantine VII seeks peace in the east but Sayf al-Dawla is not interested. The Emperor presses on with the attempted pacification of Crete. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.