45. Successors to the Romans, progressive harems, and living Ottomans
Did the Ottomans see themselves as the successors to the Roman Empire? Was the Ottoman harem more progressive than others? How tolerant was the Ottoman Empire? And where are the descendants of the Emp...
20 Apr 202338min
44. The Legacy of the Ottomans, Queen of the Desert, and giant turbans
How did Ataturk view the Ottomans? What is the status of the Ottoman Empire today? Who was Gertrude Bell? And how did Ottomans wear such big turbans? Listen as William and Anita answer your questions ...
18 Apr 202345min
43. The Birth of Saudi Arabia
A Saud. A Bin Laden. A Philby. They all, along with the discovery of oil and a BBC demon, come together in the birth of the modern state of Saudi Arabia. Join William and Anita as they are joined by S...
11 Apr 20231h
42. The Fiery End of the Ottoman Empire
The Greeks are retreating to Smyrna in the face of Ataturk’s victory. The city, once one of the jewels of the Ottoman kingdom, is set to face devastation hitherto unknown. William and Anita are once a...
6 Apr 202348min
41. The Rise of Ataturk
The First World War is over. There is unrest across Anatolia, exacerbated by the Greek invasion coming through Smyrna. Turkish forces are swelling to fight back against the Greeks, and at their head.....
4 Apr 202351min
40. Origins of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Balfour Declaration was published on the 9th November 1917. It stated the intent of the British government to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This week, William and Anita are joined by Tom ...
28 Mar 202349min
39. Lawrence of Arabia and the Arab Revolt
Often understood through Peter O’Toole’s iconic display, who really was Lawrence of Arabia? His role in the First World War and the Arab Revolt had a defining effect on the Middle-East. Listen as Will...
21 Mar 202359min
38. Sykes-Picot: Carving up the Middle-East
3 characters. 2 nations. 1 disastrous deal. The Sykes-Picot agreement is often blamed as the cause for much of the unrest in the Middle-East today, but what was it exactly? Listen as William and Anita...
14 Mar 20231h
