46. By Sword and By Song: The Byzantine Warrior Hero with Chrysovalantis Kyriacou
In this episode, I'm joined again by Dr. Chrysovalantis Kyriacou where we discuss the ακριτικά τραγούδια i.e., the Acritic Songs! These are heroic ballads from the borderlands that emerged between the...
2 Jan 50min
*SPECIAL!* Dark Christmas Folklore in "Motherwitch," a Film by Minos Papas
Merry Christmas! 'Tis the season to light your fireplaces and put out your colanders -- the 12 Days of Christmas are here! And of course you know, that means those pesky Kalikantzari (Christmas goblin...
25 Dec 202544min
Primary Source XLVI: The Acritic Songs
The Acritic Songs are a collection of Byzantine folk songs whose origins date back to the 9th-11th centuries. These songs celebrate the exploits of the "Acritae," or the frontiersmen, who patrolled th...
15 Dec 20252min
45. (in)Conspicuous Consumption: The Material Culture of Medieval Cyprus with Maria Parani
Material culture-textiles, ceramics, furniture, even the games people played-offers us a window into the lived experience of a diverse society. From the magnificence of the Lusignan court, with its go...
2 Dec 202543min
Primary Source XLV: The Travels of Wilbrand von Oldeburg
To begin with, I'd like to draw your attention to the music in this primary source. It is called J. II. 9 (Turin Codex) also known as the Cyprus Codex, an anonymous manuscript created at the Nicosia c...
15 Nov 20252min
*BONUS!* Armenian-Cypriots with Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra
The history of Armenians in Cyprus is traced back to centuries, shaped by waves of migration, resilience, and cultural contributions. In this episode, I sit down with Alexander-Michael Hadjilyra to ex...
10 Nov 202537min
44. Piety and Passion: Women in Medieval Cyprus with Angel Nicolaou-Konnari
The legal status of women in medieval Cyprus was influenced by a mix of Byzantine, Frankish, and local customs. While legal frameworks varied, women often faced limitations on property ownership and i...
2 Nov 20251h
Primary Source XLIV: From the Pen of Stefano Lusignan
Stefano Lusignan (also known as Étienne de Lusignan) was a member of the Lusignan family, which ruled over Cyprus during the medieval period. He is known for his historical works, particularly his chr...
15 Okt 20251min
