MAP#36 – Popes Behaving Badly

MAP#36 – Popes Behaving Badly

Author: The Archivist May 14, 2013 Duration: 43:15

The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, successor of Saint Peter and leader of the Catholic Church. Pious men aspire to the chair and humbly accept the position. At least that's what we'd like to believe. But not all popes were righteous men, some weren't even Christian! 

In this episode of the Medieval Archives Podcast we are going to look at some of the worst Popes of the Middle Ages.

I play a music clip during the episode provided by The History Teachers. They produce fantastic historical songs set to current and classic hits! Visit their sites and support their music. They are inspiring history students across the globe. Find The History Teachers on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/historyteachers, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/historyteacherz and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/historyteacherz. 

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In this episode we discuss:

  • A Pope who put his dead predecessor on trial
  • The Pope who ran a male brothel
  • The Pope who gave us the Pornocracy
  • A ruler who deposed three Popes and installed his own
  • A Pope so despicable they gave him a TV show
  • And more...


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Step into the world of Medieval Archives, where host The Archivist guides you through the sprawling, complex landscape of a thousand-year era. This isn't just a parade of dates and famous names. Instead, each episode is a deep exploration, peeling back the layers of popular legend to examine the tangible realities of medieval life. You'll hear about the strategic calculations behind what we call epic battles, the fragile alliances within courtly intrigue, and the quiet rhythms of survival in villages far from castle walls. The podcast is built on a foundation of historical evidence, carefully separating enduring fact from compelling fiction. By focusing on the people-from monarchs and saints to merchants and peasants-and the beliefs that guided them, the narrative connects these distant events to our understanding of today. Whether discussing the rise of a kingdom, the fall of a dynasty, or the evolution of a simple tool, the aim is to provide context and clarity. Tune in for a thoughtful, accessible journey that treats history not as a static record but as a continuous, human story. The medieval world was one of profound transformation, and this series seeks to illuminate how it was truly lived, felt, and shaped by those who were there.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Medieval Archives
Podcast Episodes
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