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.
Episode 333 - The Bachelorhood of Basil II with Mark Masterson
To mark the 1000th anniversary of his death we revisit the bachelorhood of Basil II.
My guest is Mark Masterson — until recently Associate Professor of Classics at Victoria University of Wellington (retired 2025). His work explores masculinity, desire, and male social bonds in the Roman world.
In his book Between Byzantine Men he discusses an oration written in Basil's day which may shed light on his intimate life.
Find out more about Professor Mark Masterson here and check out his two books on male relationships within the Roman world.
Between Byzantine Men: Desire, Homosociality, and Brotherhood in the Medieval Empire
Routledge (2022)
Man to Man: Desire, Homosociality and Authority in Late-Roman Manhood
The Ohio State University Press. (2014)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Episodes
Episode 352 - Crusader Storm with Nicholas Morton
This is our last chance to talk about the Crusades on this podcast. So I put listener questions to Dr Nicholas Morton.Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University i…
Episode 351 - The 10 Worst Byzantine Emperors
I pick the 10 Worst Byzantine Emperors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 350 - Questions XIX
I answer your questions about where the Romans got their gold from, how Romania ended up with a Romance language, Byzantine games of polo and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 349 - Questions XVIII
I answer your questions about the Secret History, eunuchs, the Doukas name, the Byzantine crown, the Crown of Thorns and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 348 - Trebizond! Part Two
We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1297-1453.The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube channel of Farya Faraji. Farya is a musicologist who col…
Episode 347 - Trebizond! Part One
We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1204-1297.The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube channel of Farya Faraji. Farya is a musicologist who col…
Episode 346 - What If?
I tackle your counter factual questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 345 - The Immortal Emperor
Did you hear that Constantine XI didn't die? That he was taken below ground by an angel and will one day return. We explore all the myths which attached themselves to the final Roman Emperor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c…
Episode 344 - Cold Case: Constantine XI
I investigate the death of the Emperor Constantine XI. What happened to him on the last day of his life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 343 - The End of Crusading and the Third Rome
We look at the reaction to the fall of Constantinople in Venice, Rome and Russia. And briefly discuss those who claimed descent from Constantine XI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
