The History of Byzantium

We trace the interconnected developments of the Magyars, Pechenegs and Rus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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We move on to Venice and Normandy to discuss the development of two peoples who will play a key role in the future of Byzantium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about developments in the Frankish realm as they relate to Byzantium across the past century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about the big picture status of Italy during the 10th century and why it mattered to Byzantium. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Byzantine Stories episode six announcement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss Byzantine funeral practices and the burial places of Emperors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I answer some listener questions about Basil II and Byzantine first names. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Update on schedule and Istanbul Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We cover Basil's last few years as he deals with the Fatimids, the Georgians and his own rebellious soldiers. We then wrap up his reign and bring our century to a close. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss campaigning in the Balkans, the end of the Bulgarian war and the legend of the Bulgar Slayer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Basil continues his campaigns against the Fatimids and the Bulgarians. We also discuss the turning of the year 1000. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the origins of the revived Bulgarian Empire and follow Basil as he campaigns against them and the Fatimids in the East.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Finally Basil II stands alone as master of the Roman world. Let's get to know him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Civil war resumes as both Bardas Sclerus and Bardas Phokas rebel against Basil. An epic showdown follows which drags the Bulgarians, the Rus, Varangians, Arabs, Armenians and Georgians into the contest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The civil war continues with Bardas Sclerus and Bardas Phokas locking horns. Although the Imperial side emerge victorious, the price is years of tension with their new Domestic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your feedback needed on the idea of me travelling to Istanbul to record material for the podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The narrative resumes with Basil Lekapenos elevating his great-nephew Basil II to the throne. However Bardas Sclerus immediately rebels and declares himself Emperor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The full interview with Professor Kaldellis about his book "Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood." The book is a narrative history from the time when Nicephorus Phokas took charge of the military through till the First Crusade. In our conversation we talk about sources, Basil IIs reign, the Magnates and the struggles of the 11th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return to our interview with Professor Kaldellis to discuss Basil II's reign. We talk about our sources, about his decision never to marry and his relationship with the landed magnates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look at a series of questions about what's been happening in Bulgaria since the peace was signed in 927. Why were the Rus able to defeat the Bulgarians so quickly? What did the Roman occupation look like? And more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did the Romans dream of reconquering their eastern provinces? Or were their border acquisitions enough? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the eastern conquests and how valuable they really were. As well as the deployment and organisation of the military in the borderlands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We begin our mini end-of-the-century series by talking about our sources. Huge thanks to Professor Anthony Kaldellis for talking to me about his new book "Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood." It's a narrative history covering the period from when Nicephorus Phokas took over the military until the First Crusade. This is only part of our interview focusing on the task of sifting sources to create a more realistic narrative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 1 is an overview of the history of Greek medicine. How it developed and what kind of treatments were on offer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John returns home triumphant but must deal with the Fatimid attacks in the east. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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John Tzimiskes faces down the Phokas rebellion and then marches for Bulgaria to take on the Rus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Tzimiskes pacifies his domestic and foreign enemies as he consolidates his rule. However the Rus leader Sviatoslav makes the decision to move his capital to the Danube forcing the Romans to respond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicephorus Phokas is murdered by his nephew John Tzimiskes. We discuss the plot, the aftermath and the personalities of both men. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We cover Nicephorus' foreign policy issues during his final two years in office. Armenian, Bulgarian and Italian concerns then go on hold for one last march through Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moving to Acast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicephorus stays at home to administer his realm and manages to alienate every strata of society.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicephorus leads the armies in person against Tarsus and Mopsuestia, bringing Cilicia and Cyprus back into the Empire.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss Nicephorus' life and career and what his rise meant for Romania.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We catch up on what Romanus II and Sayf were up to during the Cretan expedition. Then we move forward with Nicephorus Phokas as he sacks Aleppo.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Nicephorus Phokas in charge of the military the Romans win a string of victories against Sayf al-Dawlah. Constantine VII decides to attack Crete again but dies before the expedition sets off.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An interview with Eric McGeer about his book "Sowing the Dragon's Teeth" which charts the changes in the Roman army as it moved to an offensive deployment in the 10th century.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

948-954. We return to the frontier where the Phokas family inflict a series of sharp defeats on Sayf al-Dawla. Sayf starts again by restoring his border fortresses and driving off Roman attacks. When Constantine Phokas is captured alive the war begins to escalate.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Constantine VII seeks peace in the east but Sayf al-Dawla is not interested. The Emperor presses on with the attempted pacification of Crete.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An interview with Professor John Haldon about his book "The Empire That Would Not Die: The Paradox of Eastern Roman Survival, 640-740." In particular we discuss environmental research which helps us understand important changes in Anatolia. I think you'll be fascinated by what it can show us.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 129 is available Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Rus raid delays John Kourkouas from leading a raid into Syria. When he does though he captures the sacred Mandylion and brings it back to the capital. Soon afterwards though he and Romanus are ousted from power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Kourkouas captures Melitene, providing the Empire with its first eastern conquest in centuries. The Islamic world is alarmed at this news and the Hamdanid family begin to provide resistance. However their preoccupation with Baghdad means they may have already conceded the mountains to the Romans.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

927-8 was a terrible winter. The suffering of the common people led many to sell their farms to their wealthy neighbours. Romanus legislated quickly to put a stop to it. Meanwhile John Kourkouas led the army into Armenia with Melitene in his sights.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back in the tent with Symeon and Nicholas we learn that a title was granted that day. Symeon wanted to be hailed as Emperor. Wrangling over this title would lead to another decade of war before the two sides could come together.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Emperor Alexander dies after only a year on the throne. The next six years see an interregnum as the Patriarch, Empress and leading Generals vie to become the guardian to young Constantine VII.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We review the players in the impending struggle over the throne. And answer some more listener questions on the way.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Byzantine Stories Episode Four Announcement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I answer more of your questions including sports, Iconoclasm, prices, symbols, literature and more.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.