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 334 - State Builders from the Steppe with Eric Halsey
I talk to Eric Halsey about his new book State Builders from the Steppe: A History of the First Bulgarian Empire.
In it he chronicles the rise and fall of the Bulgars as they arrive in the Balkans and forge a state that would be a thorn in the Byzantine side.
I thoroughly recommended the book. It’s well researched, easy to read and it’s nice to hear about a subject so intimately entwined with Byzantine history from a different perspective.
Find the book on Amazon or check out the Bulgarian History podcast where Eric takes the Bulgarian story all the way to the present.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Podcast Episodes
Episode 335 - 10 Influential East Romans with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 1
As we look back at Byzantium I turned once more to Professor Anthony Kaldellis. I asked him to present a list of ten influential East Romans who were not featured heavily in the political narrative.Anthony Kaldellis is a…
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 wo…
More Patreon Zoom Calls, more podcasts and more thank yous
More Patreon Zoom Calls, more podcasts and more thank youshttps://www.patreon.com/historyofbyzantium Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What Happens Next
I talk about what will happen with the podcast next. Send your questions to thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com This Sunday the 20th July I will be hosting 3 Zoom calls for Patrons at 1, 5 and 9pm UK time. It looks like I wi…
Episode 332 - Not with a Whimper but a Bang
Mehmed II becomes Sultan in 1451 and immediately makes plans to conquer Constantinople.Period: 1448-53 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 331 - The Last Hope
John VIII Palaiologos asks the Pope for an Ecumenical Council to reunite the churches. To his surprise the Pontiff says yes and a huge Byzantine contingent travels to Italy.Period: 1425-48 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/…
Episode 329 - Buying Time
With the Ottoman civil war raging Manuel II Palaiologos tries to improve the Roman position and ensure his sons succeed him.Period: 1402-30 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episode 328 - In the Nick of Timur
Manuel II Palaiologos refuses to play vassal to Sultan Bayezid. So the Ottomans set up a permanent blockade of New Rome. The siege would last for eight years and only a miracle could save the Romans.Period: 1391-1402 Hos…
Episode 327 - Vassals and Pawns
John V Palaiologos faces rebellions from his sons and Grandsons. Forcing the Romans to become both Ottomans vassals and the pawns of Venice and Genoa.Period: 1371-91 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform…
Episode 326 - The Rise of the Ottomans, Part 2
We look at the details of how the Ottomans ran their state. Including the creation of loyalty to the ruling dynasty, succession policy, military recruitment and slave trading. Period: 1280-1371 Hosted on Acast. See acast…
