The History of Byzantium: Recent Episodes
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We welcome back Father John Strickland to answer your questions about Orthodoxy.
In part one we tackle the Orthodox view on salvation and purgatory. As well as the role of the Ecumenical Patriarch and thoughts on the Byzantine understanding of how the divine played a role in daily life. Then we finish with the Orthodox view of Catholicism, Church Union and evangelisation.
John is the pastor of an Orthodox Church in Poulsbo in Washington State. He wrote a four-volume series about the history of Christian civilization called Paradise and Utopia. He’s also recorded a podcast of the same name as an accompaniment to the books which you can find wherever you get your podcasts or at www.ancientfaith.com.
Stream: Orthodox Questions. Part 1
Download: Orthodox Questions. Part 1
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This episode is brought to you by Telepaideia, a collection of live online courses in Latin, Ancient Greek, and the classical humanities offered by The Paideia Institute. Visit www.paideiainstitute.org/telepaideia to browse the course catalogue and register!
I interview David Hendrix the man behind the incredible website ‘The Byzantine Legacy.’ It was David who showed me around Istanbul when I first visited in 2018. His website is an amazing resource for anyone who wants to know what survives from Byzantium today.
David is leading a tour of Byzantine Macedonia in September 2025.
Check out the Byzantine Legacy website and Youtube channel. Follow David on Instagram, Facebook and X. And support him at Patreon.
Stream: The Byzantine Legacy with David Hendrix
Download: The Byzantine Legacy with David Hendrix
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We look at listener questions about feudalism, the Catalans, the Armenians and many other topics.
Pic: Roger de Flor Street in Valencia
Stream: Questions XVI
Download: Questions XVI
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We look at listener questions about Andronikos II. Why was he so useless? Why did no one overthrow him? How poor was the Empire? And many more.
Pic: Chrysobull (Imperial decree) depicting Andronikos II alongside Christ, AD 1301.
Stream: Questions XV
Download: Questions XV
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It’s time we talked about Orthodoxy in more detail. I ask Father John Strickland to explain the Divine Liturgy, and it’s Byzantine origins, to me.
John is the pastor of an Orthodox Church in Poulsbo in Washington State. He has also written a four-volume series about the history of Christian civilization called Paradise and Utopia. And he’s recorded a podcast of the same name as an accompaniment to the books. He also wrote the Making of Holy Russia: The Orthodox Church and Russian Nationalism before the Revolution.
Stream: The Divine Liturgy with Father John Strickland
Download: The Divine Liturgy with Father John Strickland
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Marco Cappelli, the man behind the Storia D’Italia podcast, has created a Roman history comic book. Ammianus – the Twilight of an Era tells the story of the incredible change that took place across Italy during the 6th century.
The comic is so good it made me cry. I interview Marco about why he decided to make this and where the inspiration came from.
Get your own copy in Italian, English or Latin! And in physical or digital form here.
Stream: A Roman Comic Book with Marco Cappelli
Download: A Roman Comic Book with Marco Cappelli
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Pic: The Capture of Constantinople in 1204, oil painting by Tintoretto (1580).
Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us about developments on the sea during the Crusading era. We discuss why Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi were able to dominate the waves. And talk about the ships they used and how they fought.
Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now.
Stream: The Mediterranean with Nicholas Morton
Download: The Mediterranean with Nicholas Morton
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Hello everyone,
Here are 3 podcast-related things you may be interested in.
Roman Graphic Novel
Friend of the show Marco Capelli has made a comic book set in 6th century Italy. It follows two figures that we know about from an Ostrogothic jewellery collection that was discovered in 1938. A Roman Patrician Stephanus who marries a Gothic noblewoman Valatrud. They are subjects of King Theodoric who is trying to create a functioning Gothic-Roman kingdom in Italy. But their union comes shortly before Italy submerges into chaos. And Justinian sends Belisarius out to retake the home peninsula.
You can get your hands on a copy in English or Italian. In paper or in a digital format. Plus loads of other goodies are available from Marco’s Kickstarter campaign.
The Kickstarter ends on October 11th so act now.
Tour of Greece
Lantern Jack, the host of the podcast Ancient Greece Declassified, is leading a tour to Greece.
It’s taking place from January 3rd to the 11th 2025. And it visits every site connected with the famous war between the Persians and the Athenians and Spartans. If you want to go you will visit the Acropolis, the Straits of Salamis, Marathon, Eubeoa, Thermopylae, Delphi, Plataea and you’ll get to try on Hoplite Armour!
Click here to find out more
The History of Byzantium T-Shirts
Finally my new friend Magnus who creates Roman themed merchandise on Etsy has created an actual History of Byzantium podcast t-shirt. Or I should say t-shirts. Branded with the podcast logo you have several to choose from. I’m sure they will light up any occasion you go to with looks of confusion and bewilderment. But I think they look beautiful.
Check them out here. He also has t-shirts and mugs celebrating lesser figures than me – such as Constantine, Justinian, Basil II, Marcus Aurelius and others.
Enjoy,
Robin
Pic: Silver basilikon coin of Andronikos II and Andronikos III
When Andronikos’ son dies he ponders whether to disinherit his Grandson Andronikos III. This prompts two bouts of civil war as the younger generation try to force change on their elders.
Period: 1310-1328
Stream: The Next Generation
Download: The Next Generation
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Andronikos roles the dice and hires the Catalan Grand Company to fight the Turks. Those who advised the Emperor not to hire them could never have imagined just how badly things would go. Meanwhile Latin forces continue to take Aegean islands for themselves.
Period: 1303-1310
Pic: Roger de Flor parades the Catalan Company before Andronikos and the court (Painting by José Moreno Carbonero)
Stream: The Catalan Company
Download: The Catalan Company
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We look at Andronikos II Palailogos’ domestic arrangements and European wars. After disbanding his fleet to save money the Emperor was repeatedly humiliated by the Venetians. We also look at the Emperor’s personality to understand why he was not best suited to the difficult times he lived in.
Period: 1281-1303
Pic: Andronicus II Palailogos. From a fresco in the Moni Agiou Ioannou Prodromou monastery, Greece.
Stream: Cautious and Weak
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The arrival of the Mongols in Anatolia would eventually lead to the expulsion of the Romans. Mongol dominance of the plateau sent waves of tribes into Byzantine territory. It was a crisis which the Emperor Andronikos was not equal to.
Period: 1281-1303
Pic: 19th-century depiction of Osman (the founder of the Ottoman dynasty) by Konstantin Kapıdağlı
Stream: The Fall of Anatolia
Download: The Fall of Anatolia
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The Union of Lyons had unleashed bitter division within Byzantium. We follow Michael and his son Andronikos as they try to make peace with the various factions that had opposed them.
Period: 1281-1310
Pic: Andronikos II Palaiologos from the manuscript of George Pachymeres’ ‘Historia‘
Stream: Healing the Divisions
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Left Pic: Michael VIII Palaiologos from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ by Kibea. Right pic: Statue of Charles of Anjou by Arnolfo di Cambio c. 1277
The Pope responds with despair to the news of Constantinople’s fall. He calls for a Crusade to restore the Latin position. The man who answers is the brother of the King of France, Charles of Anjou. Michael Palaiologos is willing to do whatever it takes to stop them. This means he must agree to church union.
Period: 1261-82
Stream: Church Union
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Pic: The Deesis mosaic from the gallery of the Hagia Sophia. Created after the return to Constantinople in 1261.
Michael VIII Palaiologos enters the city of Constantine for the first time. He has a lot of work to do to rebuild the city and restore its prestige. He must also navigate a complex diplomatic position which sees his forces in action on five fronts simultaneously.
Period: 1261-5
Stream: The Return from Exile
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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? Should they have moved back to Constantinople? Were the Romans Greeks now?
Period: 1204-61
Pic: Saint Constantine I
Stream: Questions XIV
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We talk about the challenges which Michael Palaiologos and the Nicaens faced as they prepared to move back to Constantinople.
Period: 1204-61
| Pic: Michael VIII Palaiologos. Miniature portrait in a manuscript of George Pachymeres’ Historia, early 14th century |
Stream: Pinch Me
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Pic: Chlemoutsi Castle (in Andravida in the Peloponnese) was built by the Latin rulers of the Principality of Achaea.
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
Stream: Colonial Occupation
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Picture: Crusaders attack the tower of Damietta in a painting by Cornelis Claesz van Wieringen
Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us the story of the Fifth Crusade.
Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now.
In it he offers a panoramic account of the Mongol invasions of the Middle East during the thirteenth century, examining these wars from the perspectives of the many different societies impacted by their conquests, including of course Byzantium. In its pages you can also find out more about the drama of the Fifth Crusade.
Period: 1218-19
Stream: The Fifth Crusade
Download: The Fifth Crusade
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Picture: Justinian | Heraclius | Basil II | Alexios Komnenos, from thecollector.com
For our 300th episode I decided to do something different. I chose my 10 Greatest Byzantine Emperors.
Stream: The 10 Greatest Byzantine Emperors
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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.
Pic: Seal of Baldwin II
John completed his PhD in Medieval History at St Louis University in 2015 and has subsequently worked at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and since 2022 has been a faculty member at the University of Vienna, where he teaches History and Digital Humanities. His academic work focuses on the Crusades, the Crusader-States, and European interactions with the Mongols.
Period: 1215-61
Stream: Baldwin II with John Giebfried
Download: Baldwin II with John Giebfried
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Map: The Nicaean Empire in 1257 from The Byzantine Hellene by Dimiter Angelov
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 power and the fates reward him beyond all expectations.
Period: 1255-61
Stream: The Providence of God
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Picture: Silver Coin (Aspron trachy) of John III Vatatzes
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.
Period: 1237-54
Stream: The Rise and Rise of Nicaea
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We talk to Dr Nicholas Morton about the arrival of the Mongols into the Byzantine world. Their confrontation with the Seljuks of Anatolia will have serious consequences.
Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now.
In it he offers a panoramic account of the Mongol invasions of the Middle East during the thirteenth century, examining these wars from the perspectives of the many different societies impacted by their conquests, including of course Byzantium.
Stream: The Mongol Storm
Download: The Mongol Storm
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While Epirus was rising and falling, Nicaea was consolidating. John Vatatzes, the new Emperor, was competent at home and abroad. After years of consolidation he decided to besiege Constantinople. But he didn’t act alone he invited an unlikely ally to join him.
Period: 1215-37
Pic: John III Vatatzes from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by Kibea
Stream: The Forgotten Siege
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Theodoros Doukas the leader of the Roman state of Epirus leads his people to ever greater heights in the 1220s. He captures Thessalonica and drives towards Constantinople itself. Doukas declares himself Emperor but does he have the resources necessary to reach the Hagia Sophia?
Pic: Electrum coin with Theodoros (left) blessed by Saint Demetrius.jpg
Period: 1215-30
Stream: The Rise and Fall of Epirus
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Today we look at Constantinople itself. What was the physical state of the city and what was the Latin administration like? Guiding us today is Dr John Giebfried.
John completed his PhD in Medieval History at St Louis University in 2015 and has subsequently worked at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and since 2022 has been a faculty member at the University of Vienna, where he teaches History and Digital Humanities. His academic work focuses on the Crusades, the Crusader-States, and European interactions with the Mongols.
Reacting to the Past Games
Stream: Governing Constantinople with John Giebfried
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Today we look at the parts of the Roman Empire we haven’t covered so far in the post-siege narrative. This includes Attalia, Trebizond and the multiple acquisitions of Venice. Helping me is Dr John Giebfried from the University of Vienna.
Stream: Episode 292 – Venice and the Rest of the Empire with John Giebfried
Download: Episode 292 – Venice and the Rest of the Empire with John Giebfried
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Michael Komnenos Doukas would have had a forgettable career if it wasn’t for the chaos which followed Manuel Komnenos’ death.
But the twists of fate allowed him to found a new state in Epirus (Western Greece) which would eventually seize huge parts of the Roman world.
Period: 1204-15
Stream: Episode 291 – Michael Doukas of Epirus
Download: Episode 291 – Michael Doukas of Epirus
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We follow Theodore Laskaris as he escapes from Constantinople and establishes a new state at Nicaea. Crowned as the new Roman Emperor he must face down rivals on every side including the Turks.
Map: The Empire of Nicaea
Period: 1204-12
Picture: Laskaris’ forked beard on his coins (Dumbarton Oaks)
Stream: Episode 290 – The Despot, Theodore Laskaris
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With Baldwin and Boniface dead the Bulgarians run riot across Thrace. Their Tsar Kaloyan attempts to capture Thessalonica and ponders whether he could become the new Roman Emperor.
Picture: St. Demetrius Killing Kaloyan. Mosaic from Visoki Dečani Monastery in Kosovo
Period: 1204-07
Above: Statue of Kaloyan in Varna, Bulgaria
Stream: Episode 289 – Kaloyan, Tsar of Bulgaria
Download: Episode 289 – Kaloyan, Tsar of Bulgaria
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After throwing a huge strop Boniface, the Marquis of Montferrat, is made King of Thessalonica.
He sent his men to conquer most of Greece but the Bulgarians were on his tail.
Picture: The Acrocorinth where Leo Sgouros took refuge from Boniface
Period: 1204-07
Stream: Episode 288 – Boniface, Marquis of Montferrat
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The Latins agree to stay for another year and to conquer the whole of the Roman Empire. They elect Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainaut to be their Emperor and all seems well. It only takes a year for everything to fall apart.
Picture: Statue of Baldwin I in Mons (capital of Hainault), Belgium
Period: 1204-05
Stream: Episode 287 – Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainaut
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The narrative returns as we head back to 1204 and the sack of Constantinople. The arrival of the Latins had actually splintered the Roman world into at least 13 different states.
With a little help from the 2008 film ‘Vantage Point’ we will be following the different perspectives of these actors as they deal with the fallout from the sack.
We begin with the story of Alexios V Doukas who fled the city just before it fell.
Period: 1204
Stream: Episode 286 – Vantage Point
Download: Episode 286 – Vantage Point
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I speak to Rob and Jamie from the podcast Totalus Rankium. Their show is a light hearted ranking of every Roman Emperor from Augustus to Constantine XI. It’s a really fun listen and they include all the amusing stories which I edited out of Byzantine history.
They have a sister show where they rank American Presidents. Find both shows here.
Stream: Episode 285 – Totalus Rankium
Download: Episode 285 – Totalus Rankium
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Alexander Christie-Miller was the Turkish correspondent for the Times Newspaper between 2010 and 2017. He has written a book called ‘To the City’ about the people who live along the Theodosian Walls in Istanbul today. He tells the story and charts the sweeping changes they’ve experienced in Turkey over the past 50 years. It’s a brilliant read, ideal for those of you who have visited Istanbul or plan to.
Alexander Christie-Miller is from Wiltshire in the UK, studied in Dublin and was then in Istanbul for 7 years. He was the Times Turkish correspondent during that period and his writing has also appeared in Newsweek, The Atlantic, Der Spiegel and the White Review amongst other publications.
Stream: Episode 284 – To The City with Alexander Christie Miller
Download: Episode 284 – To The City with Alexander Christie Miller
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Professor Kaldellis’ new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere.
In the final episode in this series he answers more of your questions. Amongst the topics we cover are citizenship, class, counter-factuals, academia and AI.
Stream: The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 5 – More Questions
Download: The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 5 – More Questions
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Professor Kaldellis’ new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere.
In this episode he answers your questions. Including succession mechanisms, taxation, the Senate, usurpers, Belisarius, Maurice and many more topics.
Byzantine collage by Amy Reilly
Stream: The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 4 – Your Questions
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Hey everyone,
I’m very excited to announce that we have dates for the 2024 History of Byzantium tours to Turkey!
The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul (above)
We will be running our classic podcast tour in May and September. This includes five days in Istanbul followed by visits to Cappadocia and Ephesus. Cappadocia offers a stunning landscape where we visit the cave towns where the Romans lived in hard times. Ephesus is the best preserved Roman city after Pompeii.
The Golden Gate in Istanbul (above)
We wanted to give you a choice of dates and so are running two tours. But I’ve found it hard to be away from my family for such a long period. So I will be on the May tour for the first six days and then leave you to explore Cappadocia (2 days) and Ephesus (1 day) with Serif Yenen (our brilliant tour leader). By then you will have made friends with other listeners and you can ask Serif about the time he gave Oprah Winfrey a guided tour!
On the September trip I am going to stay at home. Guests will be in the capable hands of Serif and David Hendrix. David is the man behind the fabulous Byzantine Legacy website (www.thebyzantinelegacy.com) and social media channels. David is American but now lives in Istanbul and is cataloguing all the Byzantine sites that have survived. They are both brilliant guides and will bring Byzantium to life for you.
Here are the dates and details:
May 17-26, 2024 (6 days in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus – Robin with you for 6 days) NOW SOLD OUT
https://serifyenen.com/tours/history-of-byzantium-tour-1
August 30-September 8, 2024 (6 days in Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus – David Hendrix steps in for Robin) PLACES STILL AVAILABLE
https://serifyenen.com/tours/history-of-byzantium-tour-with-david-hendrix-serif-yenen-2
Email me if you have any questions (thehistoryofbyzantium at gmail.com),
Robin
The History of Byzantium podcast
A new book has come out about that most famous of Byzantines. It’s called Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint by Peter Sarris and it is excellent. It is not a dramatization of his career but a brilliantly researched account of his life and time in office.
Track his evolving thinking through the amazing range of sources we have for his reign and gain a deeper understanding of the interesting times he lived in.
The book is on sale everywhere including on Audible.com. To listen to the book for free check out Audible’s service here.
Stream: Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint with Peter Sarris
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This beautiful map of the Crusader States has just been put on sale. Adomas, the artist, is offering 15% off any map at his store for podcast listeners. Just use the code Byzantium at his online store. mapklimantas.etsy.com
‘The Emperor’ by Matthew Storm: http://tinyurl.com/juj44cdb. The Heraclius story is so epic that it took two books to cover. Book 1 is called the Exarch’s son. And Book 2 is THE EMPEROR: Heraclius Battles Persia for the Life of Rome.
‘The Gardens of Byzantium’: http://tinyurl.com/nhh6b4jw A romance about Asana (a Persian woman) and a Roman soldier who are brought together by Heraclius’ war.
Professor Kaldellis’ new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere.
In our third conversation we walk through the narrative picking out interesting things to talk about. The creation of Constantinople, Justinian’s personality, Heraclius’ achievements and life under the Sassanian occupation to name a few.
Pic: Map of the Sassanid Empire during the war with Heraclius
Stream: The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 3 – The Narrative
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50 episodes ago Dr Maximilian Lau came on the podcast to talk about John II Komnenos. Max kindly shared his book with me before publication to guide the podcast through John’s reign.
Now he is back on the show to catch up on the next century of Byzantine history and to give us the great news that the book has been published.
The book is ‘Emperor John II Komnenos: Rebuilding New Rome 1118-1143’. You can buy the book here and if you use the discount code AAFLYG6 you can 30% off.
Stream: Catching up with Max Lau
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Professor Kaldellis’ new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere.
In our second conversation we discuss the adoption of Christianity as the Roman religion. How much did Roman society change as a result? Why was early Christianity so riven with disputes?
We also talk about the function of the law in Roman society. How did it help define individual rights and responsibilities beyond criminal behaviour?
Pic: Mosaic of John Chrysostom in the Hagia Sophia
Stream: The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 2 – Christianity and the Law
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Professor Kaldellis’ new history of Byzantium is out now in the USA and on Kindle everywhere. He has kindly agreed to talk to us about it across 4 episodes!
In this first conversation we discuss the new Roman government that Constantine established in 330AD. What was the ‘personality’ of government? How did it achieve legitimacy in the eyes of the people? Was it really a Republican Monarchy?
Stream: The New Roman Empire with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 1 – Government
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Tom Holland is the author of half a dozen brilliant books on the ancient world. He has now written three on the Roman Empire. The latest ‘Pax’ takes the story from the death of Nero to that of Hadrian. It’s the golden age of Roman power and yet insecurity and anxiety lie under the surface. I talk to Tom about how he gains insight into people so utterly different to us.
Stream: Pax: War and Peace in Rome’s Golden Age with Tom Holland
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American author Robert Bruton takes us through his Master’s thesis on the role of climate change and plague in the decline of Roman fortunes in the 6th century.
He is also writing a trilogy of historical fiction novels about the life of Belisarius.
Find out more about Robert and his work here.
Stream: Climate Change in the 6th Century with Robert Bruton
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Professor Kaldellis returns to give us his 10 Worst Emperors. He is a Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago and the author of dozens of books and articles on key aspects of Byzantine history. Find out more here. Stream: The 10 Worst Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis Download: The 10 Worst Emperors with […]
I talk to historian Adrian Goldsworthy about his new book. It covers the 700 year rivalry between the two great powers of the ancient world. Everything from Crassus having gold poured down his throat to Heraclius returning the True Cross to Jerusalem. Dr Goldsworthy is an award winning historian of the classical world. He has […]
In response to a listener question I decided to produce a whole episode talking about points of comparison between Byzantium and ‘Game of Thrones.’ To listen to this episode support the podcast at the highest level on Patreon. You will get access to over 30 bonus episodes of the show and won’t have to listen […]
I talk to Katherine Pangonis about her new book – Twilight Cities: Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean. In it she travels to Tyre, Carthage, Syracuse, Ravenna and Antioch to tell their stories and experience what remains. It’s a fantastic book for those who want to learn more about these ancient power centres and be inspired […]
We look at the stories of three different Romans who had to deal with their city being sacked. Through their experiences we come to a better understanding of the loss felt by those who lived through the fall of Constantinople in 1204. NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG EARS. Pic: Illustration of the sack of Thessalonica by the Arab […]
Our final batch of questions for this century includes queries about the Hippodrome, diplomatic marriages, national identity and political legitimacy. We also enjoy an update on the Crimea, the Jewish communities of Byzantium and the Varangian Guard. I also talk about the perception of time and rank some dynasties.
Pic: Augustus. Does his dynasty compare favourably to the Komnenoi?
Stream: Questions XIII
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We take a look at the pros and cons of the Komnenian system. Then trace why it was causing enough resentment to lead to provincial separatism.
We then move on to discuss the army and the bureaucracy and the people of Constantinople. Looking at how each was affecting political stability in the run up to the Fourth Crusade.
Pic: The remains of the Church of St John at Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir). Philadelphia was one of the centres which broke away from Constantinople to go it alone.
Stream: The Collapse of the Komnenian System
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Nathan Websdale is a PHD candidate at Oxford University and President of the Oxford University Byzantine Society.
His work is focussed on ethnic identification, social inclusion and self-determination in the Byzantine World, c.1200-c.1230.
Nathan graduated with a BA (First Class) in History from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2016 and an MA (Merit) in Late Antique and Byzantine Studies from the Intercollegiate University of London in 2017.
I talk to Nathan about the thorny issue of provincial separatism before and after the Fourth Crusade.
Picture: A map showing the areas which were not under Byzantine control before the sack of Constantinople in 1204. The shaded areas were being held by provincial rebels or foreign powers. From the article ‘La decomposition de l‘empire byzantin’ by Nicolas Oikonomides (from the book Byzantium from the Ninth Century to the Fourth Crusade)
Stream: Provincial Separatism with Nathan Websdale
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More questions to tackle this week. Comparing the sack of 1204 to the sack of Rome in 410. Questioning the Byzantine system of succession and the routes of their decline. And pondering whether other Emperors rose to power like Alexios Angelos – on the back of a foreign army.
Pic: The Sack of Rome by the Barbarians in 410 by Joseph-Noël Sylvestre, 1890
Stream: Questions XII
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Professor Anthony Kaldellis has just completed a new history of Byzantium which will be published in October 2023. So I cheekily asked him if he would list his 10 greatest Emperors. Graciously he agreed to apply his immense knowledge to this frivolous topic.
He is a Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago. This is his third interview on the History of Byzantium. I talked to him about two of his books ‘The Byzantine Republic’ and ‘Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood: The Rise and Fall of Byzantium, 955 A.D. to the First Crusade.’ But he is the author of over a dozen books on Byzantium along with translations of texts and many articles. Find out more here.
Stream: The 10 Greatest Emperors with Anthony Kaldellis
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I answer more questions about the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople. What was the reaction of other nations? Did people see it as sign of the end times? What did the Byzantines think of the Templars and Hospitallers? What were the religious differences between the Orthodox and the Catholics?
Pic: A member of the Knights Templar in the popular imagination
Stream: Questions XI
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I answer more questions about the Fourth Crusade and the sack of Constantinople. We talk about why the Roman response was so feeble and if anything else could have been done? Along with questions about the tombs of the Emperors, statues, coins and ships.
Pic: Baldwin of Flanders enters Constantinople by Eugène Delacroix (1840)
Stream: Questions X
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I answer listener questions about the Fourth Crusade. This episode focuses on the big picture. Who is to blame? Was it inevitable?
Pic: The Venetians climb the sea walls from thecollector.com
Stream: Questions IX
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Antakya after the earthquake (ABCNews.go.com)
This is a special episode to urge listeners to donate to the ongoing relief effort in Turkey and Syria. I interview two expert guests about the situation with a particular focus on the city of Antakya (Byzantine Antioch).
Andrea De Giorgi is a Professor of Classical Studies at Florida State University. He specializes in Roman urbanism and visual culture and has written many books and articles on the subject. He co-authored the fantastic book Antioch. A History which I thoroughly recommend. Dr. De Giorgi has also directed excavations and surveys in Turkey, Syria, Georgia, Jordan, and the UAE. Since 2013, he has codirected the Cosa Excavations in Italy and, since 2021, the Coastal Caesarea Archeological Project in Israel; currently, he is studying the 1930s Antioch and Daphne collections at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Katherine Pangonis is a historian and author of the book ‘Queens of Jerusalem’ who I interviewed back in episode 238 of the podcast. Her second book – to be published this summer – is called ‘Twilight Cities: Lost Capitals of the Mediterranean.’ In it she explores famous cities from antiquity like Tyre, Carthage and Ravenna. Cities who once ruled whole Empires and were littered with magnificent buildings but have been somewhat forgotten. One of the cities she covers is Antioch. She also hosts the podcast – Women Who Dared to Write.
Stream: Antakya Appeal
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This is an appeal for you to donate to one of the various charities who are rushing to the scene at this moment to help the survivors. You have a number of options. You may have campaigns being run in your country by reputable organisations. So here in the UK the Disaster Emergency Committee have launched an appeal that has raised millions. This is an organisation which brings a group of charities together. In this case Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and Islamic Relief amongst many others.
dec.org.uk/appeals/
To help specific groups directly:
The White Helmets are volunteers who have been operating in Syria for many years. They help evacuate people from dangerous areas and offer medical help.
https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/
AKUT Search and Rescue Association. They are a non-governmental organisation offering emergency and disaster relief to people caught up in natural disasters in Turkey.
https://www.akut.org.tr/en/donation
AHBAP an independent civilian organisation who offer disaster relief to communities in need across Turkey. This is the organisation that the kind listener who prompted me to make this appeal recommends.
https://ahbap.org/disasters-turkey
International Red Cross
https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/syria-emergency
I’m sure you’ve heard about the horrific earthquake which struck Turkey on the 6th February. As I’m recording this over 25,000 people have been confirmed dead. Many, many more will be reported so in the coming weeks. Tens of thousands have been injured. And the UN is now saying that at least 870,000 people need food urgently. While millions of people across Turkey and Syria have been made homeless.
This is an appeal for you to donate to one of the various charities who are rushing to the scene at this moment to help the survivors. You have a number of options. You may have campaigns being run in your country by reputable organisations. So here in the UK the Disaster Emergency Committee have launched an appeal that has raised millions. This is an organisation which brings a group of charities together. In this case Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and Islamic Relief amongst many others.
dec.org.uk/appeals/
To help specific groups directly:
The White Helmets are volunteers who have been operating in Syria for many years. They help evacuate people from dangerous areas and offer medical help.
https://www.whitehelmets.org/en/
AKUT Search and Rescue Association. They are a non-governmental organisation offering emergency and disaster relief to people caught up in natural disasters in Turkey.
https://www.akut.org.tr/en/donation
AHBAP an independent civilian organisation who offer disaster relief to communities in need across Turkey. This is the organisation that the kind listener who prompted me to make this appeal recommends.
https://ahbap.org/disasters-turkey
International Red Cross
https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/syria-emergency
Turkish Red Crescent
https://www.kizilay.org.tr/Bagis/BagisYap/404/pazarcik-depremi-bagisi
St Mark’s Square – an imitation of a Byzantine forum. St Mark’s Basilica is prominent with the bronze horses taken from the Hippodrome.
The ‘Pillars of Acre’ (from the Church of St Polyeuktos) and the Porphyry statue of the Tetrachs. Both sit outside St Mark’s Basilica in Venice and both were taken from Constantinople.
We discuss what happened once the Latins started looting. How were the Byzantines treated? What was taken and what has survived?
Period: 1204
Pic: The Colossus of Barletta. Most likely this is the Emperor Leo I (457-74 AD)
Stream: The Sack
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‘The Taking of Constantinople’ by Palma Le Jeune (1544–1620)
‘Conquest of Constantinople’ by David Aubert (1449-79)
Fire Damage at Constantinople 1203-4 from Michael Angold’s book ‘The Fourth Crusade Event and Context’
The Latins assault the city and Alexios Angelos Komnenos flees. Alexios Angelos becomes Emperor and empties the treasury into the Crusaders’ hands. But when he runs out of money the two sides face an inevitable confrontation.
Period: 1203-4
Pic: Alexios V Doukas – “Mourtzouphlos.” (Miniature portrait from a 15th-century codex containing a copy of the Extracts of the History by Joannes Zonaras))
Stream: The Fourth Crusade (Part 2)
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The Crusaders camped opposite the Blachernae Palace (above)
Pope Innocent calls for a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem. A group of French Knights decide to form an expedition to Egypt and make a deal with Venice to transport them. But when they can’t pay the bill the mission goes awry and ends up at Constantinople.
Period: 1198-1203
Pic: Dandolo brings the plan for the Fourth Crusade to the people of Venice (by Gustave Dore)
Stream: The Fourth Crusade (Part 1)
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Alexios Angelos faces down one internal rebellion after another as the Roman Empire continues to contract. The biggest threat to his throne comes from disgruntled aristocrats and the people of Constantinople.
Period: 1195-1202
Pic: Henry VI, Holy Roman Emperor, who demanded money from the Romans to fund his Crusade (from the Codex Manesse, c. 1304)
Stream: Almost Ungovernable
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Isaac Angelos does his best to secure his position and confront the Bulgarians. But he is overthrown by his brother at the head of a coalition of aristocratic families.
Period: 1189-95
Pic: Alexios III Angelos (Miniature portrait from a 15th-century codex containing a copy of the Extracts of the History by Joannes Zonaras)
Stream: What Could Be More Trustworthy than a Brother?
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Frederick Barbarossa leads his contingent across Anatolia. He must confront the Turks along the way and capture Iconium. Meanwhile the Kings of England and France land in the Holy Land and take on Saladin.
Period: 1188-89
Pic: The death of Frederick Barbarossa by H.Vogel (19th century)
To listen to this episode join the History of Byzantium Patreon at the ‘Ad-Free Bonus Feed’ level of support.
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The routes of the German, French and English Kings during the Third Crusade (from erenow.net)
As soon as news reached the West that Jerusalem had fallen a new Crusade was called. The German, French and English Kings all led armies East but only Frederick Barbarossa went by land. He led a large army across the Balkans towards Constantinople and Isaac Angelos had to decided whether to treat him as friend or foe.
Period: 1188-89
Stream: The Third Crusade (part 1)
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I speak to author Ben Duval, author of the book: “Saladin the Strategist: How the Crusaders Lost the Holy Land.”
We go through Saladin’s career starting with how he captured Egypt. Then how he built the coalition which defeated the Crusaders. Finally we watch on as he traps them at Hattin and then sweeps across the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Buy the book here, follow Ben on twitter @byzantinemporia and find out more about his work here.
Stream: Saladin the Strategist with Ben Duval
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Isaac Angelos begins his reign by defeating the Normans and making as many alliances as he can to secure his position. Unfortunately he rejects an offer from two Vlach Chieftains Peter and Asen. They turn on the Romans and found the Second Bulgarian Empire north of the Haemus Mountains.
Period: 1185-87
Pic: Isaac II Angelos (Miniature portrait from a 15th-century codex containing a copy of the Extracts of the History by Joannes Zonaras)
Stream: The Second Bulgarian Empire
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Killing of Stephen Hagiochristophorites by Isaac Angelos, c. 1473, miniature by Jean Colombe in Les Passages d’outremer, BNF.
A 15th century depiction of the death of Andronikos. Original in the Bibliothèque Nationale, France.
Andronikos continues to terrorise his relatives. Many leave Byzantium seeking help from foreign courts. One arrives in Sicily and calls on the Normans to help him. They launch an invasion and sack the city of Thessalonica.
Period: 1184-85
Stream: The Sack of Thessalonica
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When Manuel Komnenos died he left an 11 year old son as his heir. The Regency Council set up to protect him fails. Manuel’s cousin Andronikos seizes the throne instead and begins a reign of terror. Period: 1180-83 Pic: Andronikos I Komnenos. Miniature portrait from a 15th-century codex containing a copy of the Extracts of […]
Hello everyone, Here’s an update on my progress: I have finished writing all the episodes between Manuel’s death and the 4th Crusade. I have now run into the complex historiography surrounding the sack of Constantinople. This will be one of those 2 hour long episodes which takes several weeks to put together. The plan is […]
We talk about why the Romans didn’t have more success in fighting the Turks. Was there a better way to fight the nomads? Or was it not really about tactics but strategy? Period: 1070-1180 Stream: Retaking Anatolia Download: Retaking Anatolia RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback to the […]
We look around the Roman provinces in Anatolia to review their defensive situation and the lifestyle of its people. We also briefly talk about Turkic people who lived in Byzantium. Period: 1070-1180 Stream: Life in Byzantine Anatolia Download: Life in Byzantine Anatolia RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback […]
We take a look around the parts of Anatolia which were controlled by Turkic peoples between 1080 and 1180 AD. We don’t have a huge amount of written sources to draw on but hopefully there’s enough information available to give you a better picture of what’s been happening there. We also discuss the two different […]
I have big news. A History of Byzantium baby is on the way. The purple room in the Palace is being prepared for the Autumn and I can assure you that the names Justinian and Theodora will not be under consideration. Of course I’m very excited. But it means I think we need to change […]
I talk to historical fiction author Gordon Doherty about his Byzantine book series ‘Strategos.’ We talk about inspiration and research but also what advice he’d give to aspiring writers. We also give you the chance to win a copy of the first book in the Strategos trilogy. Find out more about Gordon and his other […]
While I’m away on the third ‘History of Byzantium’ tour I thought it was time to talk to the man behind them – Şerif Yenen. Şerif has been a tour guide in Istanbul for decades and has published many excellent books on the subject. He has also gone online to share his love for travel […]
I answer listener questions about Manuel’s reign. Period: 1143-80 Stream: Means and Ends Download: Means and Ends RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback to the podcast: – Either comment on this post. – Or on the facebook page. – Leave a review on Itunes. – Follow me on […]
Manuel deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Myriokephalon. He is left out of an Italian peace conference and must negotiate a peace of his own in Anatolia. He continues his efforts to position Byzantium as a friend of the Latins. And we look at his church and financial policies. Period: 1176-80 Stream: Not […]
Manuel launches a Crusade against the Turks of Iconium. Period: 1174-76 Stream: The Battle of Myriokephalon Download: The Battle of Myriokephalon RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback to the podcast: – Either comment on this post. – Or on the facebook page. – Leave a review on Itunes. […]
I have teamed up with Nitin Sil of the Flash Point History Youtube Channel. We are turning the podcast into a Youtube series with brilliant maps, images and animations accompanying my words. Check out our first video now charting the rise of Justinian.
While his armies were fighting in the Balkans Manuel’s diplomats and fleets were busy elsewhere. Komnenos poured money into Italy to try and gain influence there. He considered alliances with the Germans, the Pope and the Normans but ultimately lost them all. He made war on Venice and tried to capture an Egyptian port. Pic: […]
Manuel spends the 1160s at war with Hungary. During these campaigns the Emperor adopts the Hungarian King’s brother making him his heir. This enables the Romans to seize Sirmium and parts of Dalmatia. The Hungarian elites won’t stand for it and try to throw the Romans out. Period: 1161-72 Stream: Hungary for Security Download: Hungary […]
We look around Constantinople in Manuel’s day. We discuss his use of the two urban palaces and the growth of the Italian population along the Golden Horn. Period: 1143-61 Stream: Manuel’s Constantinople Download: Manuel’s Constantinople RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback to the podcast: – Either comment on […]
When Alexios Komnenos came to power his family decided to marry their way out of the civil wars which threatened the state. By Manuel’s day this meant that a new aristocracy had grown up who dominated the organs of the Byzantine state. We discuss this development and how Manuel managed his family. As well as […]
Today we talk to historian Katherine Pangonis about her book ‘Queens of Jerusalem.’ Not only do we talk about the fascinating lives of the women of Outremer but we also pick up Andronikos’ story as he manages to scandalise all of Christendom. Find out more about Katherine at her website To listen to the book […]
We pause the narrative briefly to learn more about Manuel’s world. Today we talk about the Emperor’s personality and relatives. Including his cousin, friend and rival Andronikos. Period: 1143-61 Pic: Maria of Antioch, Manuel’s second wife (Manuscript miniature, Vatican Library) Stream: Manuel and Andronikos Download: Manuel and Andronikos RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If […]
With Italy and the Balkans at peace Manuel turns his attention to Anatolia. He marches to Antioch to punish those who’d wronged him. He then campaigns against the Turks with surprisingly positive results. Pic: The Tomb of Kilij Arslan II in the courtyard of Alâeddin Mosque, Konya Period: 1158-1161 Stream: Why Make Peace? Download: Why Make Peace? RSS […]
Manuel’s Italian campaign begins brightly but ends in failure. Meanwhile his cousin Andronikos tries to kill him and more bad news arrives from Antioch. Period: 1152-1158 Stream: Sundered by Gold Download: Sundered by Gold RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback to the podcast: – Either comment on this […]
The Normans raid the cities of Greece during the passage of the Second Crusade. Manuel sees this as such a worrying development that he makes the decision to prioritise the recovery of Apulia over Antioch. This sets off a series of conflicts in the Balkans and a series of missed opportunities in Syria. Period: 1147-1152 […]
In a bonus episode for Patreon supporters (at the $6 level) we follow the Emperor Conrad and King Louis as they arrive in the Holy Land and attempt to besiege Damascus. We then retrace our steps to the start of the Crusade and go through what the Latins were saying about the Byzantines during their […]
We follow the Emperor Conrad and King Louis as they both attempt to cross Anatolia. Period: 1147-1148 Stream: The Second Crusade, Part 2 Download: The Second Crusade, Part 2 RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium If you want to send in feedback to the podcast: – Either comment on this post. – Or on the […]
A ‘Second’ Crusade is called in response to the fall of Edessa in 1144. The French and German monarchs sign up leaving the Byzantines with multiple headaches to deal with.
Pic: The Crusaders arrive at Constantinople by Jean Fouquet
Period: 1144-1147
Stream: The Second Crusade, Part 1
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John II Komnenos’ youngest son Manuel takes charge of the Empire. After securing the capital and punishing Raymond of Antioch the new Emperor goes on campaign against the Turks. After chasing the Sultan of Iconium to his capital Manuel realises that fighting on the plateau is no easy business. Meanwhile the Crusader city of Edessa falls and the Byzantines don’t appreciate the significance of this event.
Pic: Manuel Komnenos (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)
Period: 1143-1146
Stream: The Sack of Edessa
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The History of Byzantium
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Robin discusses ‘Byzantium and Italy’ with Marco Capelli. Marco is the brilliant host of Storia d’Italia – a podcast telling the story of the History of Italy – in Italian. This interview is in English. Please do tell any Italian speakers you know about Storia d’Italia (italiastoria.com).
Stream: Discussion with Marco Capelli about Byzantium and Italy
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My father passed away last night. I am now with my family and will be spending time with them. The podcast will be back soon. Thanks for your understanding and support.
Today we talk to the man whose research has guided our last few podcasts Dr Maximilian Lau.
Dr Lau is Adjunct Professor of Economic History at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, and also a Research Associate in History at St Benet’s Hall, University of Oxford. He has been studying 12th century Byzantine history for many years now and the fruits of that labour can be found in his forthcoming book “Rebuilding New Rome. The Foreign Policy of John II Komnenos.”
The book is written and will be out next year and Dr Lau very generously shared it with me in advance. It’s been incredibly helpful in part because of its quality but also because it follows a format similar to our narrative episodes. It is a chronological account of John’s military and political activity with a discussion of the sources as each incident unfolds. As Dr Lau explains in the interview – John’s reign often gets short shrift in popular Byzantine books because our Roman sources cover him fairly briefly. But there are plenty of other sources to work with and Dr Lau has synthesised them to create a new history of John’s reign.
Period: 1118-1143
Stream: John Komnenos with Dr Maximilian Lau
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John hunting boar in Cilicia, French manuscript of the 14th Century
Last time we watched as John Komnenos attempted to untangle the Gordian knot which Anatolia had become. After campaigning against the Danishmends – John moved on to Cilicia and Antioch. The Emperor attempted to enforce his rights without angering the Latins. A trick which he failed to pull off. Today John will be forced to go through the whole process all over again. But when he reaches the gates of Antioch this time he won’t take no for an answer.
Period: 1138-1143
Stream: Forgiveness not Permission
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Political makeup of Anatolia c1130 AD
John II Komnenos is finally free to campaign in Anatolia. If he can keep the Turks quiet then he can make it to Antioch where his real goal lies. But once there will he risk outraging Latin opinion by assaulting the city or will he negotiate a deal to bring the city back into the Empire?
Period: 1127-1138
Pic: John does battle with the defenders of Shaizar while Raymond and Joscelin sit, inactive, in their camp. French manuscript, 1338
Stream: Just Take the Damn City
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- Mosaic from the Hagia Sophia. John II Komnenos, Mary and Christ, Empress Irene
John II Komnenos takes charge of the Empire and campaigns immediately in Anatolia. But he is soon beset by the complications of the new position Byzantium finds itself in. Serbians, Steppe tribes, Hungarians and Venetians all demand his attention. Enemies and allies are crowding the chess board and John must make each move very carefully.
Period: 1118-1127
Stream: A Crowded Chessboard
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Picture of John and Irene by Antoine Helbert (www.antoine-helbert.com)
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In our 10th Byzantine Story we look at the life of a provincial magnate. Our way into this world is a text called ‘Advice and Anecdotes’ written by a man named Kekaumenos. He lived in the period after Basil II’s death (1020s-1070s) and was a General and governor.
He wrote this text at the end of his life to give advice to those who had to navigate the Imperial system. It gives us invaluable insights into provincial life and the pressures a man in his position faced.
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The Incidental Music used is “Future Idyll” from Purple-Planet.com
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Solidus of the Empress Pulcheria The Trier Ivory (we believe depicting Pulcheria receiving the relics of St Stephen) In part three we look at the role of Empress. The one position in society where a woman could attain true power over men. We also look at the life story of the 5th century Empress Aelia Pulcheria – the woman who helped define the role.
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The Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from Purple-Planet.com
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