The History of Byzantium

We look at listener questions about this period of narrative. Were the Varangian Guard still employed at Nicaea? Had Greek Fire been lost? How many Emperors are actually Saints? Why did Nicaea win? Sh...

21 Jul 202435min

We talk about the challenges which Michael Palaiologos and the Nicaens faced as they prepared to move back to Constantinople. Period: 1204-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

17 Jul 202422min

We talk about the Latin occupied parts of Byzantium. What was life like for the conquered and the conquerors? Was the occupation a colonial enterprise?Period: 1204-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

10 Jul 202427min

Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us the story of the Fifth Crusade. To learn more check out his book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East. Hosted on Acast....

3 Jul 202454min

For our 300th episode I decided to do something different. I chose my 10 greatest Byzantine Emperors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Jun 202422min

With Constantinople back in Roman hands we explore the one vantage point we've ignored: the last Latin Emperor Baldwin II. Dr John Giebfried returns to give us Baldwin's biography.Period: 1215-61 Jo...

19 Jun 202448min

Theodore Laskaris II beds down his father's conquests in Europe. But his early death sees his family sidelined by Michael Palaiologos. The new Emperor needs some victories to legitimise his seizure of...

12 Jun 202429min

With the Bulgarians and Turks hobbled by the Mongols the field is clear for Nicaea. John Vatatzes annexes a huge swathe of European territory and is widely recognised as the true Roman Emperor. Hosted...

5 Jun 202423min