Conflicted: A History Podcast
Untangling history’s greatest controversies. Every month, we take a hard look at the historical conflicts that raise difficult questions, stoke controversy, and send our moral compasses spinning.
When Justinian Met Theodora – Part 3
With the Nika Riots behind them, Justinian and Theodora rebuild Constantinople and pursue a bold new agenda for the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius sails to war against the Vandal Kingdom. John the Cappadocian seeks to drive a wedge between the imperial couple.
SOURCES:
Bridge, Antony. Theodora: Portrait in a Byzantine Landscape. 1978.
Potter, David. Theodora: Actress, Empress, Saint. 2015.
Parnell, David Alan. Belisarius & Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian. 2023.
Hughes, Bettany. Istanbul: A Tale of Three Cities. 2017.
Sarris, Peter. Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint. 2023.
Kaldellis, Anthony. The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium. 2023.
Cesaretti, Paolo. Theodora: Empress of Byzantium. 2003.
Procopius. The Secret History.
Procopius. The Wars of Justinian.
Phillips, Robin. West, Jeff. Who in the World Was The Acrobatic Empress? 2006.
Norwich, John Julius. Absolute Monarchs: A History of the Papacy. 2011.
Evans, James Allan. The Empress Theodora: Partner of Justinian. 2002.
Holmes, Nick. Justinian’s Empire: Triumph and Tragedy. 2024.
Charles Rivers Editors. Justinian the Great: The Life and Legacy of the Byzantine Emperor. 2014.
Captivating History. The Byzantine Empire. 2018
Captivating History. The Vandals. 2018
Dahm, Murray. Combat: Byzantine Cavalryman vs Vandal Warrior. 2023.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Podcast Episodes
Hiroo Onoda & The Surrender of Japan
In 1974, a Japanese soldier named Hiroo Onoda emerged from the Philippine jungle, unaware that World War 2 had been over for nearly 30 years. During those three decades, Onoda waged a murderous guerilla insurgency agains…
The Gulf War 1991 – Part 3: Land of Darkness
On January 17th, 1991, Operation Desert Storm begins. As President Bush braces for high casualties, Saddam Hussein desperately seeks a path to survival. In Baghdad, Coalition air forces rain hell on Iraqi soldiers and ci…
Introducing: The French History Podcast - “The Battle of Poitiers 732”
If you’re a fan of Conflicted, we think you’ll enjoy this special featured episode of The French History Podcast. In this episode, host Dr. Gary Girod breaks down what really happened at the Battle of Poitiers, one of th…
The Gulf War 1991 – Part 2: The Storm
As the Iraqi army digs into Kuwait, the world considers how to respond to Saddam Hussein’s breach of national sovereignty. President George H.W. Bush vows that the aggression “will not stand” and begins assembling an int…
The Gulf War 1991 – Part 1: Lines in the Sand
On August 2, 1990, Saddam Hussein invaded the tiny emirate of Kuwait. The resulting conflict triggered a chain reaction that changed the world. In this first installment in a three-part series, we trace the origins of th…
40 Hours to Freedom: The Invention of the Weekend
Where does the two-day weekend come from? In this standalone episode of Conflicted, we trace the historical trajectory of that oasis of leisure and free time we call “the weekend”. From its mystical beginnings in the rel…
The Partition of India – Part 6: The Spent Bullet
As a plot to assassinate Mohandas Gandhi unfolds, the Mahatma goes to existential lengths to reconcile India’s Hindu, Sikh and Muslim communities. Meanwhile, a shadow war erupts between India and Pakistan over the pictur…
The Partition of India – Part 5: A Crisis Made Flesh
The “chief sufferers” of Partition, according to Mohandas Gandhi, were women. As the subcontinent descended into chaos, women of all three religious communities become prime targets in the war for honor and land. Across…
The Partition of India – Part 4: Unholy Rush
As Partition finally becomes reality in August 1947, the new boundary sparks a mass migration in the Punjab and Bengal. Atrocity and ethnic cleansing soon follow. The Sikhs, a long-ignored but well-armed religious minori…
The Partition of India – Part 3: A Tryst With Destiny
It’s 1947. After many long years of struggle, India is about to gain its independence from the British Empire. But freedom will come at a cost. To facilitate the handover of power, the Crown sends Lord Louis Mountbatten…
