The Bulgarian History Podcast

As the West reels from the Battle of Nicopolis, Beyazid goes to Anatolia to challenge a powerful new rival fresh off building a massive empire in Central Asia. The outcome of their struggle will change everything for the Ottomans. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/057-timur

The second half of two shows recapping the history of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/056-looking-back-on-the-second-bulgarian-empire-part-2 Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

The first half of two shows recapping the history of the Second Bulgarian Empire. Your support for these shows in appreciated. Go to patreon.com to make your regular monthly contribution. www.patreon.com/user?u=3271615 Find more info and images for each episode at bghistorypodcast.com Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

At the end of the Second Bulgarian Empire, let's recap what happened during the roughly 150 years of Byzantine Domination that led to the founding of that Empire. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/054-looking-back-on-byzantine-domination Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

With Bulgaria reduced to just Vidin, can a Crusade of the finest French knights and a Hungarian King finally change the balance of power in the Balkans. An Empire will end, the question is, which one? Your support for these shows in appreciated. Go to patreon.com to make your regular monthly contribution. www.patreon.com/user?u=3271615 Find more info and images for each episode at bghistorypodcast.com

From Anatolia to the Adriatic, from the Black Sea to Thessaly, Sultan Bayezid is expanding his empire in all directions. However, there are new challenges to Ottoman dominance coming. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/052-bayezid-the-lightning-bolt

As the Ottomans under Murad march to conquest to the East, North, South, and West, the people of the Balkans begin to resist. But will it be enough? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/051-resistance

As the Ottomans expand, the Balkan states gradually become simple vassals. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/050-vassals

As we reflect on the end of 4 decades of rule by Tsar Ivan Alexander, what can we see but a wasted golden age? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/049-a-wasted-golden-age

Forces gather to check the growing power of the Ottomans but nothing goes according to plan. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/048-a-disunited-front

In the first ever podcast extra, I explain how one of the worst terrorist attacks of the 20th century happened on Bulgarian soil, and how it relates to Game of Thrones. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/podcast-extra-1

As the Byzantines, Serbs, and Bulgarians battle it out, there is one clear winner in it all. And it is in this moment, that all the wars become civil wars. Your support for these shows in appreciated. Go to patreon.com to make your regular monthly contribution. www.patreon.com/user?u=3271615 Find more info and images for each episode at bghistorypodcast.com

Civil War returns to Byzantium as a new Empire emerges in the Balkans. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/046-tsar-of-the-serbs-and-the-greeks

A new Ruler rises out of Vidin, he's young, brash, confident, and ready to take on Serbia and the Byzantines. But he had no idea what lays in store for the first of the Shishmani to rule in Turnovo. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/045-the-rise-of-the-shishmani

Civil war comes to Constantinople, death comes to Turnovo, and Osman comes to Anatolia. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/044-osman

Coups, murders, and invasions continue as chaos surrounds the throne of Turnovo. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/043-the-tatars-reign

A paralyzed Tsar faces off against a world of enemies and a lowly pig farmer leads an empire-shattering rebellion. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/042-a-swineherd-takes-no-prisoners

As Bulgaria wrestles with the prospect of civil war, a new Empire emerges. In this episode, the entire region is remade. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/041-the-empire-returns

Can Bulgaria survive the fury of the Mongols and the reigns of children? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/040-the-mongols-and-the-boy-tsars

In this episode, a Kingdom will become an Empire and an Empire will vanish. Alliances will be made and broken many times over, and Bulgaria will find itself at a pivotal moment. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/039-kingdom-to-empire-empire-to-dust

With the murder of Kaloyan, the extended members of the Asen family flee in all directions as Boril (the murderer?) comes to power. Can Boril hold onto the throne when family and foreign powers alike want him dead? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/038-the-bloody-house-of-asen

In the aftermath of the fall of Constantinople, the world is more chaotic than it's been in living memory. How will Tsar Kaloyan respond? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/037-the-roman-slayer

The Fourth Crusade goes wildly off track. The results will change everything. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/036-the-queen-of-cities

As the Byzantine Empire descends into chaos, three brothers all rise to become Tsars of the new Bulgarian state. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/035-three-brothers-three-tsars

As the Komnenian Restoration collapses, what new empire will emerge from the ashes? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/034-a-new-empire

A Byzantine Emperor dreams of a new Roman Empire dominating the Mediterranean world. Where will his dreams take him and the European world? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/033-dreams-of-a-new-empire

Crusaders are heading for Jerusalem, someone is invading the Balkans, and the Seljuks are getting serious. Europe is changing fast, but where will it all lead? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/déjà-vu-all-over-again

Byzantium reaches new heights under a new Emperor and war returns to the Balkans. But what does it mean for Bulgaria? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/032-the-komnenian-restoration

With Pechenegs, Seljuks, Cumans, and Crusaders are all at the gates. Who will remake the future of Bulgaria and the Balkans? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/030-cumans-and-crusaders

The Normans are mounting a full invasion of the Byzantine controlled Balkans. After centuries away, the West is returning. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/029-the-west-returns

When the entire Byzantine world rises up against Constantinople, will the Bulgarians emerge from the ashes? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/28-nikephorus-nikephorus-nikephorus-nikephorus

As the Byzantines are assaulted on all sides, an uprising is prepared for a descendent of Tsar Samuil. Another head will be crowned, but can it remain?. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/027-heavy-are-the-crowns

A series of poor emperors weaken the Byzantines, a Bulgarian finally sits on the imperial throne, and a traitor is revealed. But as the Byzantines falter, their enemies look on with anticipation. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/026-if-byzantium-is-the-sheep-who-is-the-wolf

In this episode it's Domination, Rebellion, and more Domination. We're finally going to see how the Byzantines rule Bulgaria, and how the Bulgarians feel about being ruled. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/025-domination-rebellion-domination

In this episode we go look back at the second half of the First Bulgarian Empire in part 2 of a two part recap episode. Your support for these shows in appreciated. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/024-looking-back-on-the-first-bulgarian-empire-part-2 Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

In this episode we go look back at the first half of the First Bulgarian Empire in part 1 of a two part recap episode. Your support for these shows in appreciated. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/023-looking-back-on-the-first-bulgarian-empire-part-1 Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

And so it has come to this. 337 years after Asparukh first defeated the Byzantines and established a new state on the fringe of their world that state has finally been destroyed. The dream fo so many Byzantine Emperors has been fulfilled. Now it remains to be seen what will happen to Bulgaria and the Bulgarians as they adjust to their new status as Byzantine subjects. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/022-the-fall-of-the-first-bulgarian-empire Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

The story of Tsar Samuil comes to a close as one of the most consequential battles of Bulgarian history sends the First Bulgarian Empire towards its end. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/021-the-bulgar-slayer Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Tsar Samuil fights back as the Byzantine Emperor Basil II takes his time stripping away territories and options. Each year Basil campaigns, the noose gets a little bit tighter... Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/020-the-tightening-noose Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Following the collapse of the Eastern half of the Bulgarian Empire, the grandson of an Armenian King will take the reigns to fight disaster. But, how long can he succeed? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/019-the-comet-burns-the-west Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Bulgaria is caught between the might of the Kievan Rus and the fury of Byzantium. A Centuries old dynasty will fade to dust, but will Bulgaria perish as well? By a thread… Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/018-farewell-to-the-dynasty-farewell-to-the-east Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

The Byzantine Empire faces one of the worst defeats in its history, an emperor is crowned beyond the walls of Constantinople, and Simeon the Great earns his title. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/015-an-emperor-beyond-the-wall Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

The 10th century was a time of religious radicals. Bulgaria will fight for survival as hermits and heretics reject the very foundations of its power. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/017-the-hermit-and-the-heretic Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Tsar Peter I, son of the conqueror Tsar Simeon attempts to bring peace to his Empire and allow it to enjoy the fruits of his father's conquests. But the world around Bulgaria isn't about to sit quietly. Can Peter hold onto the gains of his father and resist pressure from all sides? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/016-a-peaceful-man-stands-alone Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

The young Tsar Simeon shows the world what he's made of, making a bold strike against the Byzantines and expanding Bulgaria's size to encompass nearly the entire Balkans. But how secure is his throne and can Bulgaria sustain all that he's won? Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/014-a-master-of-the-balkans Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

With the new title comes a new religion as Tsar Boris attempts to transform Bulgaria into a Christian European power. But how will the devoutly pagan Boyars treat this change they've been fighting for decades? Then, in part 2 of the episode, we'll hear how saints Cyril and Methodius set the groundwork for an alphabet that will one day be used by hundreds of millions. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/012-saint-and-tsar Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

It's time for the Pagans to strike back, as the Boyars and their ally take the throne and attempt to turn back the clock on Bulgaria's religious transformation. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/013-bulgaria-reborn Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Conversion, fratricide, guerrilla warfare, and a rising power in the West are what greet the successors of Omurtag as an era of Bulgarian history draws to a close. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/011-the-pagan-twilight-and-the-serbian-dawn Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

Krum is dead, and with him his dream of conquering Constantinople. Now, his son Omurtag is only a boy and it remains to be seen whether he can wrangle the Boyars and the Byzantines to save Bulgaria. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/010-the-builder Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/

A new Khan rises to power intent on crushing the Byzantines underfoot. The thing is, he just might have the cunning, skill, and brutality to do it. Supporters like you make this podcast happen! Check out www.patreon.com/bulgarianhistorypodcast to see the great perks you can get for supporting us. You can find images for this episode at: www.bghistorypodcast.com/posts/009-khan-krum Check out the book here: www.amazon.com/State-Builders-St…an/dp/6197814110/