Countries That Don't Exist Anymore: Recent Episodes

CTDEA Team

Join Ed and Phil O'Meara as they look at countries lost to the mists of time. We’ll have stories, sketches, songs and guests. Have you ever heard of the Republic of West Florida? Or how about the Soviet Republic of Bavaria? Subscribe to hear their stories, learn and maybe even laugh.

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Was Atlantis really an Ice Age super advanced civilisation? Or was the Atlantis described by Plato really a confused account of the ancient Minoans?

We dip into conspiracy theories, pseudo-history and a world of legendary bull.

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Who were the Minoans of Crete? Were they really Europe's first civilisation? Ed travels to the Palace of Knossos for CTDEA On The Road to find out if it was the real home of the Minotaur or if the Greek myths were a load of old bull.

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Ed & Phil watch the 1964 Christmas classic Zulu starring Michael Caine. Does it hold up in 2024, did Caine ever say "Stop chucking those bloody spears at me?" and more importantly - is it historically accurate?

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How did a cow-obsessed pastoralists go from 1500 people to a fighting force that could defeat the British Empire? Who were the Zulus, why were they called the Black Spartans and why were they so into cow poetry?

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Past Phil and Ed sat down to watch the movie Edge of the World, featuring James Brooke, the Raj of Sarawak (S03 E05). In real life, James Brooke was a towering pillock, but can Jonathan Rhys Myers do him justice?

No.

Check out our orginal episode on the Raj of Sarawak: S03 E05 Raj of Sarawak - Countries That Don't Exist Anymore | Podcast on Spotifyand visit our website: ctdeapod.com

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When the sons of Louis the Pious separated the Holy Roman Empire into three, everybody thought it would be temporary. But it wasn't. But why did Middle Francia look so weird? And was it the most important kingdom in European history?

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This week we profile poet turned dictator Gabriele D'annunzio and his rowdy, partying state The Endeavour of Fiume. But was he the father of fascism or just a very naughty boy?

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You might know that Alexander the Great invaded India, but did you know that Greek colonists and founded their very own Athens in Afghanistan? Find out about the Ancient Greeks of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Plus is melon oil as good as olive oil? Spoilers: no.Check out our website: ctdeapod.com where you can read articles, get in touch or donate to the show. Follow at @ctdeapod on Facebook or X/ Twitter.If you like the show, please leave a review!This episode was greatly inspired by The Hellenistic Age Podcast.

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It's the long-awaited series 5 of Countries That Don't Exist Anymore! Ed & Phil head to sub-Saharan West Africa to check out the glittering Medieval empire of Wagadou (AKA the Ghana Empire). Did a 7-headed python god really rain gold? Did the fun-hating Almoravids end it all? We examine on the myths and mysteries of Wagadou!Contact us at ctdeapod@gmail.com or at our website: ctdeapod.com where you can donate to the show.Follow us @CTDEApod on X and Facebook and never miss another update.

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We discuss Prey, the latest movie in the Predator franchise very unexpectedly set in 18th century Comancheria. (Never would have predicted that one.) In this movie we follow Naru, a Comanche hunter who takes on an alien visitor...and our preconceptions. Oh yeah!

We give our verdict, talk historical accuracy and wonder whether Jordan Peterson would like it. Spoilers: no.

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We return to Comancheria to follow the Comanche as they take on first the Texas Rangers and then the US Army. And we follow the story of the charismatic Quanah Parker - half Texan, half Comanche - as he leads the last stand of the Quahadi band.

Warning: mild language.

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Who were the finest light cavalry in the world in the early nineteenth century? Who were the toughest and most brutal of the "Plains Indians"? Whose very name meant "man who wants to kill me all the time"?

Meet the Comanche and their prairie empire of Comancheria.

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Phil & Ed chat through their favourite countries in the show so far:

Alt Clut

Sarawak

Bavarian Soviet Republic

Aksum

Taiping

Inca Empire

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We have a very informal fireside chat with comedian and writer Mike Shephard about Alt Clut, British identity and the underwhelming lives of Medieval saints.

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Don't miss the greatest hits of Countries That Don't Exist Anymore, the giant platinum mega hit edition. Coming soon to Patreon! New regular episode of next Thursday. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/ctdeapod. Contact us at ctdeapod@gmail.com or at our website: ctdeapod.com and read the history games article.

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What was the last great Brythonic kingdom of the Old North? Alt Clut, the Kingdom of the Rock. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/ctdeapod.

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Imagine forming own country...but it only lasting a day? In 1939, this is was the Ruthenians of Czechoslovakia did to defend themselves against Hungarian aggression. These days, they're part of Ukraine and having to fend off yet another tyrant.

But looking back, who was Avgustyn Voloshyn? What was the Sic? And why did their governor work out of a museum giftshop?

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We're joined by historian, author and podcaster, Anirudh Kanisetti. He's a Deccan expert thanks to his brilliant book Lords of the Deccan. 

He talks us through historical video games, fashionable pineapples and why history is too often told from a Western perspective. 

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This time, the Mughal Empire goes from ruling almost all of India to a suburb of Delhi. And they face new challenges from the always troublesome Deccan, the Persians and just about everyone else. Meanwhile the East India Company shows us capitalism at its best... i.e. asset stripping.

All the while, there is much poking of eyes, strangling of mothers and pushing of elephants into crevices.

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We travel to the Indian subcontinent to explore the mighty Mughal Empire. As the descendants of the Mongols, they created a mighty Islamic state which dazzled the world with illuminated tapestries, incredible buildings and a moralising parrot.

Find out about Akbar the Great who ruled in splendour and Humayun the Lucky, who fell down some poorly lit stairs and died.

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We chat to one-time lost child and now bonafide Bonaparte expert, Everett Rummage - host of The Age of Napoleon podcast. We delve into the psychology of Bonaparte to ask if he could ever have been happy with exile on Elba, plus Everett gives us the sordid details of Bonaparte's spreadsheet love life.

On CTDEA, we never shy away from the difficult questions, like what's the best name for a podcast - History on Horseback or Emperors on Surfboards? Find out!

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When Napoleon Bonaparte lost the battle of Paris he was punished - with his own country! Lasting less than a year, Bonaparte became the emperor of the Principality of Elba and its 12,000 inhabitants.

But was Bony N really going to be happy on a small Mediterranean island, and why was he so obsessed with fish pranks? Find out right here!

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We're dangerously close to the release of series 4! Expect more of everything CTDEA - more history, more jokes, more songs and more guests as we cover The Principality of Elba, the Mughal Empire and many more. Well, 4 actually. 

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Ben returns to CTDEA to discuss Jet Li blockbuster The Warlords about the crushing of the Taiping Rebellion (Series 2, episode 1). Is it historically accurate, is it a good movie and what's with all the flying bread rolls?

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The CTDEA Team chat to friend Ben about citizenship, the Principality of Sealand and the pros and cons of life as a subject of Peppa Pig. 

Plus, Ed and Been try to answer questions so they can remain British citizens. Will they succeed or does deportation loom? 

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Is the North Pole a country? And if not, who could claim it? In the first episode of our in-between series catch ups, Phil and Ed cover the North Pole, the history of Christmas and the man they call Santa Claus.

Merry Saturnalia to all you CTDEAers!

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For our series 3 finale, comedian and CTDEA regular Mike Shephard joins us to chat about why high-tech ancient aliens built mud-brick Sumer...or they did they? Plus, Mike and Ed go head to head with an ancient cultures quiz. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/ctdeapod.

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What has Sumer ever done for you? How about writing, wheeled vehicles, bureaucracy, the plough, urban civilisation, key Old Testament stories and mathematics? But it's not all bad. They also helped establish beer as an important way to fritter away your wages.

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The CTDEA Team watched 2003's The Last Samurai - based at the time of the Satsuma Rebellion and starring Tom "Xenu" Cruise as Nathan Algren - a re-imagining of the Republic of Ezo's Jules Brunet. Is The Last Samurai a realistic depiction of Japan in the late nineteenth century or is it a Nipponian Braveheart? We found out.

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What happens when supporters of the Shogun try to set up their own American-style republic? Don't worry. We'll samurai-se it for you.

So nippon down and join us for a tale of honour, bravery and way too much suicide. It's the Republic of Ezo.

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We're joined by anthropologist, travel writer and witty raconteur, Nigel Barley. We talk the life and times of Sir James Brooke, the oddities of empire and his excellent book, White Rajah.

We also introduce Nigel to the other great shyster, L Ron Hubbard. Could there be a book in that?

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What happens when a spoilt British brat decides to travel to Borneo and start his own kingdom? Why that would be the Raj of Sarawak. Follow James Brooke as he sets up a kingdom based on mood swings and hangs a crocodile for murder.

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Joining us on Countries That Don't Exist Anymore is historian, comedian, presenter and author Iszi Lawrence.

We talk suffragettes, historical oddities and the life and times of Dido, Queen of Cathage. Can Iszi beat Phil in our one-on-one Carthage quiz? 

Yes, probably.

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In our final part of our Carthage epic, we meet Hannibal Barca as he runs rings around the Romans before going toe to toe with ultimate nemesis, Scipio - whose earliest claim to fame was that he was never barked at by a dog. 

But who will win?

We also learn how to pay off war indemnities in a super quick time and why juicy fig jealousy can lead to the destruction of a city.

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Who was the only power that the Romans were really afraid of? Join us for the first of a two parter on the EPIC North African powerhouse - Carthage. We'll find out why Dido didn't go down with her ship, why you shouldn't get a war elephant drunk and why Hamilcar "Flash" Barca was the ultimate PR man.

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We sat down with Fin Dwyer of the Irish History Podcast to talk about the Dublin Vikings in the context of Irish history and why you can't get a good pint of Guinness in many of the world's Irish pubs. 

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When the Vikings set up Dublin as a raiding and trading station, little did anyone expect it to turn into a kingdom that lasted 300 years! Least of all the warring factions of Celtic Ireland. Load up your longboat with axes and craic, it's the Viking Kingdom of Dublin. Deadly! Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/ctdeapod.

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We asked you to ask us questions, and (some of) you sure did! Plus, Ed tests to see if Phil has been paying attention in the CTDEA Big Fat Quiz of the Year...and a half.

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To kick off series 3 of CTDEA, we travel to the steamy jungles of Brazil to check out the Quilombo dos Palmares - the state founded by runaway slaves that gave the King of Portugal sleepless nights - and Zumbi, its charismatic zombie king and Brazilian national hero. Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Get in touch with questions for our AMA next episode. Email ctdeapod@gmail.com. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter and give us a like on Facebook and never miss another update.

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We're very nearly back! Stay tuned for series 3, where you'll hear about the Viking Kingdom of Dublin, Quilombo dos Palmares, Carthage, Sumer, the Raj of Sarawak and the Republic of Ezo! Plus great guests, songs, sketches and even more Phil than ever before!

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Sebastian Major from Our Fake History drops into help us separate Spartan fact from what Spartan fiction.

Check out Our Fake History here: https://ourfakehistory.com/

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We talk to Derek from The Hellenistic Age Podcast about making his podcast, Sparta and the power of bristling hedgehog formations - aka the phalanx.

Check out Derek's podcast here: https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/

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Who would literally get cheese or die trying? Who thought that walls were for wimps? Which crazed military society was the best place to be for an ancient Greek woman? It's surprising Sparta! Strap on your armour of inquiry and join our phalanx!

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Actor and comedian Kieran Hodgson talks trains, David Tennant and the joys of reading obscure history on his Honeymoon.. 

Identify the revolutionary with Whose Is This Life? and try it yourself at: https://www.ctdeapod.com/post/bavarian-soviet-republic-quiz

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What's does a communist in lederhosen look like? What happens when you appoint a bank robber as police chief? And did Lenin really know where the missing key to the ministry toilet end up? Find out all about Germany's most whimsical revolution. Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Be sure to get in touch with questions and comments. In the follow up episode, we'll be talking to BBC Radio 4's "Chinese Comedian" star Ken Cheng.

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BBC comedy writer Mike Shephard returns for more musings on Willoughyland and beyond. What's a manboob? Who was England's first female novelist? Who founded Uzbekistan? These are just the things you'll pick up if you listen in.

And don't forget to play along with our Who's that place named after quiz which you'll find on ctdeapod.com.

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Would you move to somewhere with eyeball eating worms, face eating jaguars and terrifying tropical diseases? What if there were nudey ladies? It worked on English colonists going to Willoughbyland in Guiana.

But what happened to England's jungle colony? We find out.

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If you enjoyed this episode, check out Willoughbyland by Matthew Parker.

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Aksum is of the greatest empires of all time, but why is it so little known about in the West? Would there have been Islam without Aksum's Christianity? Is the oldest complete and surviving Christian gospel in the world really Ethiopian?  We talk to globetrotting archaeologist Dr Jacke Philips about her Aksum obsession and answer listener questions. Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter. Axum book recommendations: 1. Niall Finneran, The Archaeology of Ethiopia 2. David Philipson, Foundations of an African Civilisation 3. Stuart Munro-Hay, Aksum: An African Civilisation of Late Antiquity

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It's the ancient and medieval African Empire that barely gets a look in the classroom - the mighty Ethiopian empire of Aksum. Why have a horse pull your golden chariot when an elephant will do just as well? Brush off your Ge'ez, sharpen your stelae and don't let that ark of the covenant melt your face off, it's Aksum time!

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We mine the brain of historical big hitter Professor Kathy Burke about the California Gold Rush and the Republic of Rough and Ready. Find out what it took to be a genuine 49er and why you probably wouldn't want to try it yourself. Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting. Enjoyed the first series of CTDEA? Please help us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts.

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The California Gold Rush created many things - fortunes, the American Dream, environmental devastation...but a new country? Meet the Republic of Rough and Ready. Starting your own country to not pay tax isn't that unusual - looking at you USA. But cancelling your country to get drunk? That's real frontier spirit! Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Be sure to get in touch with questions and comments. In the follow up episode, we'll be talking to distinguished historian Professor Kathy Burke - so let us know your questions. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter and give us a like on Facebook.

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We talk to star of Radio 4 and TV Ken Cheng about Incels, the UK comedy circuit (almost the same subject) and the weird life of Hong Xiuquan (like a combination of those two things). 

Plus we play TWO quizzes about the kings of the Taipei - Taiping vs Lie-ping and Which king did that thing?

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

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What's the bloodiest cult of all time? Jim Jones? Nope. David Koresh? Pfft. Amateur. Nope, it's the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom which sprang up in nineteenth century China when one aspiring civil servant failed his exams and decided he was the brother of Jesus Christ.

Confused? You will be. You will be. (Yoda).

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Be sure to get in touch with questions and comments. In the follow up episode, we'll be talking to BBC Radio 4's "Chinese Comedian" star Ken Cheng.

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Did you enjoy series 1? No? Sshhh...

Join us for series 2 where we'll be covering Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Republic of Rough and Ready, Axum, Soviet Republic of Bavaria, Willoughbyland and Sparta.

Plus we'll have some amazing guests, songs, sketches and competitions...maybe.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode.

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Remember to SUBSCRIBE to keep us existing!

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Comedian, writer and pirate game creator Alasdair Beckett-King climbs onboard to talk pirates, point n click Monkey Island homage, Nelly Cootalot and 13th century rubbish islands.

Know your pirate slang? Join us for Buccaneer Balderdash. Who was the best pirate? We play Flying Gang Top Trumps to settle it, and you can too: https://www.ctdeapod.com/post/pirate-top-trumps

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

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We head to the sun-drenched Bahamas in the early 18th century to visit the Republic of Pirates. Meet Blackbeard, Benjamin Hornigold and other famous and infamous members of the legendary Flying Gang. 

Was the Republic of Pirates just a base for thievery or was it a revolutionary attempt to cast off colonial oppression? Jump onboard and find out.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Be sure to get in touch with questions and comments. In the follow up episode, we'll be talking to Nelly Cootalot creator and comedian Alasdair Beckett-King - so subscribe and make sure you don't miss it.

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YouTube sensations Map Men (aka Jay Foreman and Mark Cooper-Jones) join the CTDEA Team to chat about making Map Men and top-knotch Inca trivia.

Did an Inca couple literally "tie the knot" by binding themselves together? Find out in Knot Truth or Not Truth - where we delve deeper into fascinating Quipu culture.

And where in history were prostitutes required to be blonde? We cover that too. For some reason.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

Enjoying CTDEA? Please help us by leaving a review? Not enjoying CTDEA? Please help us by not leaving a review.

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Join the CTDEA Team as we discover the Inca Empire, South America's answer to the Romans. Without metal, the wheel or beasts of burden, the Inca managed to build a massive empire filled with incredible architectural achievements and technological wizardry that will BLOW YOUR MIND - according to Inca Buzzfeed.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Be sure to get in touch with questions and comments. In the follow up episode, we'll be talking to Map Men - so subscribe and make sure you don't miss it.

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Comedian, actor and writer Lucy Frederick joins us for Fourth Roman Republic flavoured chat. Lucy takes a virtual tour around the eternal city but has to spot the fraudulent sites in our Roman or Fauxman quiz.

PLAY ALONG: https://www.ctdeapod.com/post/roman-or-fauxman

Is Garibaldi the best teatime companion? Find out in Celebritea and Biscuits. 

Plus, Ed reveals his Facebook banning scandal for pushing the show TOO HARD. Hear all about it before the tabloids have their way.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

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Forget the first, second and third Roman republics, Countries That Don't Exist Anymore is all about the Fourth Roman Republic. Join Mazzini, Garibaldi and a pretty peeved pope (plus Ed and Phil) to hear the story of revolution, invasion and attempted Italian unification.

Plus, find out answers to the following: did the Pope prefer All Saints or Girls Aloud? Why were there two Sicilies? And what happens when Garibaldi goes into Beast Mode?

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Get in touch with questions and comments.

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Full episode transcript here.

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We talk to comedian, TV personality and 15th in line to the Ottoman throne, Naz Osmanoglu about the prequel to the Ottoman Empire - AKA the Sultanate of Rum. Can Naz work out which crimes his royal ancestors committed in Who Do You Think You Aren't? Which monk hates the Sultanate most? Is it Roger the Monk or Peter the Monk? Find out! 

Ed admits to more historical errors in confessions of the Fifth Crusade. Phil takes on the role of Byzantine Emperor/ tabloid journalist and there's some confusion about whether Sultan Mehmet IV was a cabbage farmer or a wheelwright. 

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting. 

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Countries That Don't Exist Anymore whisks you away to the Sultanate of Rum, AKA medieval Turkey. Join Ed and Phil on a trade route through Anatolia, stopping at the caravanserais of conquest, gentrification and the Crusades.

Why did one sultan think he was German? What did Kilij Arslan have to do with the Anglo-Saxons? And could a lowly governor in the Sultanate ever become Emperor of Constantinople? Find out right now... or after that nap. 

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. Get in touch with questions and comments. 

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting. 

Full episode transcript here.

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We talk to comedian, social media whirlwind and Mystery on the Rocks podcaster Sooz Kempner about the Republic of West Florida. Play along with Guest vs Host as Sooz and Phil battle it out to answer questions about those pesky Kemper Brothers. We hear about St Francisville's most haunted house, West Florida's least reasonable judge and answer your exister questions.  Phil challenges us to a special Countries That Don't exist Anymore Would I Lie To You challenge. Sooz talks Sonic the Hedgehog and treats us to her most up-to-date Rainbow impressions. Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode. Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting. What else? Oh yeah. Remember to SUBSCRIBE to keep us existing! Want to find out more about the Republic of Florida? We'd recommend William C Davies' brilliant book The Rogue Republic: How Would-Be Patriots Waged the Shortest Revolution in American History.

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This time on Countries That Don't Exist Anymore, we take an early Spring Break in the Free and Independent Republic of West Florida. A grandiose sounding republic in early nineteenth century North America that lasted for less time than Bros. Who was Fulwar Skipwith? Why did milk defeat the Spanish Empire? And don't miss our Kemper Brothers hoedown.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode.

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

Full episode transcript here.

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Unfortunately since we recorded the episode the Dominion of West Florida (https://dbwf.net/) is no more. I guess they were sick of waiting for Elizabeth!

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We talk to comedian, writer and history buff Mike Shephard about the Medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia and its depiction in modern culture thanks to BBC's The Last Kingdom and History Channel's Vikings. Plus, we uncover the secret history of Alton Towers, the cost of a severed foot in Wergeld and Hitler makes a predictable cameo.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode.

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

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Controversial wergeld price list comes via "Wergeld: Crime and the compensation culture in Medieval England" Prof Anthony Mussan, University of Exeter, which you can listen to here.

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In the first ever episode of the first ever series of Countries That Don't Exist Anymore, we look at the Medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia - from its founding by little Ickle to its eventual stomping on by the Vikings and absorption into Wessex. Find out which Mercian kings made the Top Ten, who King Offa was and why he seemed so keen on Allah and how much wergeld a werewolf was worth.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions and comments which we'll address in our next episode.

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitter for fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

Full episode transcript here.

What else? Oh yeah. Remember to SUBSCRIBE to keep us existing!

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It's Countries That Don't Exist Anymore! The historical entertainment podcast about countries that don't exist anymore. Join Ed and Phil O'Meara as they explore nations lost in the historical fog - from the Kingdom of Mercia to the Republic of West Florida. And some other ones.

Check out the CTDEA WEBSITE for articles, episode transcripts and news. You'll also be able to get in touch with questions, comments and unsolicited marketing.

Follow us @CTDEApod on Twitterfor fun facts, news and poorly-informed shouting.

What else? Oh yeah. Remember to SUBSCRIBE!