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Andronikos continues to terrorise his relatives. Many leave Byzantium seeking help from foreign courts. One arrives in Sicily and calls on the Normans to help him. They launch an invasion and sack the city of Thessalonica. Period: 1184-85 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When Manuel Komnenos died he left an 11 year old son as his heir. The Regency Council set up to protect him fails. Manuel's cousin Andronikos seizes the throne instead and begins a reign of terror. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We talk about why the Romans didn't have more success in fighting the Turks. Was there a better way to fight the nomads? Or was it not really about tactics but strategy? Period: 1070-1180 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We look around the Roman provinces in Anatolia to review their defensive situation and the lifestyle of its people. We also briefly talk about Turkic people who lived in Byzantium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We take a look around the parts of Anatolia which were controlled by Turkic peoples between 1080 and 1180 AD. We don’t have a huge amount of written sources to draw on but hopefully there’s enough information available to give you a better picture of what’s been happening there. We also discuss the two different groups of Turkic peoples in Anatolia - the settled and the nomads. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
On my last update I told you that because of my forthcoming fatherhood – I would be switching to a season by season format from now on. Where there are periods of silence followed by a run of episodes altogether. That is still the case. But I am making an exception for 3 episodes which I’m going to release now. This triptych of episodes covers life in Anatolia during the Komnenian century. What was life like for Romans living under Turkic rule? What was life like in Imperial territory and an ana...
Hello everyone, as you may remember our last episode was an interview with author Gordon Doherty. Gordon generously offered to give away a copy of his book – Strategos: Born in the Borderlands to one of you. We set a competition and a winner has been chosen. I will leave it to Gordon to tell you about the best entries he read and to announce the winner. I will just remind you all to check out https://www.gordondoherty.co.uk/ to learn more about his work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priv...
I have big news. A History of Byzantium baby is on the way. The purple room in the Palace is being prepared for the Autumn and I can assure you that the names Justinian and Theodora will not be under consideration. Of course I’m very excited. But it means I think we need to change the way the podcast is scheduled. I plan on being as involved as possible during the first few months of my baby’s life. And so it won’t be possible to keep a normal podcast routine. So what we’re going to do is switch...
I talk to historical fiction author Gordon Doherty about his Byzantine book series ' Strategos .' We talk about inspiration and research but also what advice he'd give to aspiring writers. We also give you the chance to win a copy of the first book in the Strategos trilogy. Find out more about Gordon and his other book series (including more Roman era stories) at his website . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
While I'm away on the third 'History of Byzantium' tour I thought it was time to talk to the man behind them - Şerif Yenen. Şerif has been a tour guide in Istanbul for decades and has published many excellent books on the subject. He has also gone online to share his love for travel through podcasts and Youtube videos. I talk to Serif about his career and ask him listener questions about what to do and see in Turkey. Contact me if you'd like to be on the mailing list for future 'History of Byzan...
April 2022 Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I answer listener questions about Manuel's reign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Manuel deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Myriokephalon. He is left out of an Italian peace conference and must negotiate a peace of his own in Anatolia. He continues his efforts to position Byzantium as a friend of the Latins. And we look at his church and financial policies. Period: 1176-80 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Manuel launches a Crusade against the Turks of Iconium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I have teamed up with Nitin Sil of the Flash Point History Youtube Channel. We are turning the podcast into a Youtube series with brilliant maps, images and animations accompanying my words. Check out our first video now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2pQjfOebdI&t=2241s charting the rise of Justinian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
While his armies were fighting in the Balkans Manuel's diplomats and fleets were busy elsewhere. Komnenos poured money into Italy to try and gain influence there. He considered alliances with the Germans, the Pope and the Normans but ultimately lost them all. He made war on Venice and tried to capture an Egyptian port. Period: 1161-73 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
History of Byzantium Tour - April 23 to May 2, 2022. The tour will visit Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus. If you'd like to come or if you'd like to hear about future tours please email thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Manuel spends the 1160s at war with Hungary. During these campaigns the Emperor adopts the Hungarian King's brother making him his heir. This enables the Romans to seize Sirmium and parts of Dalmatia. The Hungarian elites won't stand for it and try to throw the Romans out. Period: 1161-72 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
We look around Constantinople in Manuel's day. We discuss his use of the two urban palaces and the growth of the Italian population along the Golden Horn. Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When Alexios Komnenos came to power his family decided to marry their way out of the civil wars which threatened the state. By Manuel's day this meant that a new aristocracy had grown up who dominated the organs of the Byzantine state. We discuss this development and how Manuel managed his family. As well as those who resented this innovation. Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Today we talk to historian Katherine Pangonis about her book 'Queens of Jerusalem.' Not only do we talk about the fascinating lives of the women of Outremer but we also pick up Andronikos' story as he manages to scandalise all of Christendom. Find out more about Katherine at her website To listen to the book for free why not use Audible's 30-day trial Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
We pause the narrative briefly to learn more about Manuel's world. Today we talk about the Emperor's personality and relatives. Including his cousin, friend and rival Andronikos. Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With Italy and the Balkans at peace Manuel turns his attention to Anatolia. He marches to Antioch to punish those who'd wronged him. He then campaigns against the Turks with surprisingly positive results. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Manuel's Italian campaign begins brightly but ends in failure. Meanwhile his cousin Andronikos tries to kill him and more bad news arrives from Antioch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Normans raid the cities of Greece during the passage of the Second Crusade. Manuel sees this as such a worrying development that he makes the decision to prioritise the recovery of Apulia over Antioch. This sets off a series of conflicts in the Balkans and a series of missed opportunities in Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
We follow the Emperor Conrad and King Louis as they both attempt to cross Anatolia. Period: 1147-1148 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A 'Second' Crusade is called in response to the fall of Edessa in 1144. The French and German monarchs sign up leaving the Byzantines with multiple headaches to deal with. Period: 1144-1147 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John II Komnenos' youngest son Manuel takes charge of the Empire. After securing the capital and punishing Raymond of Antioch the new Emperor goes on campaign against the Turks. After chasing the Sultan of Iconium to his capital Manuel realises that fighting on the plateau is no easy business. Meanwhile the Crusader city of Edessa falls and the Byzantines don't appreciate the significance of this event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Robin discusses 'Byzantium and Italy' with Marco Capelli. Marco is the brilliant host of Storia d'Italia - a podcast telling the story of the History of Italy - in Italian. This interview is in English. Please do tell any Italian speakers you know about Storia d'Italia (italiastoria.com). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Family Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
