thehistoryofbyzantium

Byzantine Stories. Episode 9 - Women in the Byzantine World. Part 3 - The Empress

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.

The Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from Purple-Planet.com

Byzantine Stories, Episode 9 - Women in the Byzantine World. Part 2 - The Convent

In part 2 we visit the Byzantine convent. A place where women could escape the traditional roles society expected of them.

We also hear the life stories of two more female Saints. These tales may be the closest we get to the lives of real middle-Byzantine women.

The Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from 2021-07-14 22:01:59 +0000 UTC View Post

Byzantine Stories, Episode 9 – Women in the Byzantine World. Part 1 - Immense and Immeasurable

As you may know I have already produced three episodes about Women in the Roman World which are available for you on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon.

I now present three more episodes about Women in the Byzantine World. And these episodes are very much a continuation of that series. In part one we talk about h...

Women in the Byzantine World announcement

Hello everyone,

I am back with three bonus episodes for you about Women in the Byzantine World. These episodes should be available within an hour or so of this update.

Since women get much less attention than they deserve in our narrative I’ll put the first of these episodes out for free for everyone to enjoy. Parts 2 and 3 though are only available on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Pa...

An update on the schedule of the podcast

An update on the schedule of the podcast

Backer Rewards Episode 16 – Russia and Byzantium with Professor Sergey Ivanov

Our sixteenth Kickstarter backers reward episode looks at the relationship between Byzantium and the Rus and later Russia in conversation with Professor Sergey Ivanov.

Professor Ivanov is a Russian scholar who has been studying Byzantium for many decades. He currently works in the Institute of Oriental and Ancient Studies at the National Research University “Higher School of Econom...

Merchandise

High Speed History have Byzantine-themed merchandise  available!

The good people over at Highspeedhistory.com have produced a range of  delightful items featuring our beloved Byzantium. We’re talking t-shirts,  hoodies, bags, clocks, towels and stickers amongst many other items.

I’m very pleased to say that some of your ideas have made their way i...

Episode 225 – Belisarius in Metal (an interview with John Yelland from Judicator)

When I announced I would be taking a break back in the Autumn I received an email from listener Brian Sherry offering to produce an episode of the show for me. He told me about the metal band Judicator recording an entire album about Belisarius. And he very kindly offered to interview them on my behalf.

I said yes and Brian got lead singer and writer John Yelland on the phone and the...

Episode 224 – The Coup of Anna Komnene with Leonora Neville

Our final episode on Alexios' reign returns us to our first. Back in episode 197 we interviewed Professor Leonora Neville about Anna Komnene. That interview set us up to cover Alexios' reign and the First Crusade with Anna as our primary source. But the last question I asked that day was about the succession from Alexios to John and Anna's supposed coup attempt. Here we finally hear Professor N...

Episode 223 – Questions VIII

We look at your questions about Alexios and the Crusades. Listeners wanted an update on the state of Byzantium's army, economy and administration. How much credit or blame should Alexios get for the events of his reign? What about his relationship with his family? Were the Latins tougher fighters than the Byzantines? And several more.

Schedule and Patreon Update

Three new episodes are coming your way in the next three weeks. New narrative episodes will come at some point in the Spring. I am still busy working on the Istanbul videos and Byzantine Stories. Also we have a new Patreon https://www.patreon.com/historyofbyzantium Bonus episodes will no longer be available at th...

Episode 222 – The Good Helmsman

Alexios tries to forge a coalition against Antioch but has to abandon his plans when Anatolia comes calling again.  The Emperor leaves this world frustrated by his failure to outmanoeuvre the Normans but his record in office is impressive nonetheless. 

Pic: by Diogo DaCunha. Check out more of his work on Instagram @diogos_tales. Or 2020-10-02 16:33:04 +0000 UTC View Post

Episode 221 – The Triptych

Bohemond heads back to Western Europe to recruit a new army. He leads them back to the Balkans to capture Dyrrhachium but Alexios is waiting for him. Pic:  Anna pondering her portrayal of Bohemond by Nikos Boukouvalas from deviantart.com 

Episode 220 – The Crusade of 1101

More armed pilgrims arrive at Constantinople in the wake of the fall of Jerusalem. Alexios advises them to avoid the Turks of Anatolia but they ignore him. Meanwhile Alexios' attempts to put pressure on Antioch are thwarted by Bohemond's nephew Tancred. Finally we return to Constantinople to check in with the Komnenian regime and watch a man get burnt to death. Pic: Basil the Bogomil (from 'Rul...

Episode 219 – A Spectacular Interruption (or Jerusalem!)

After their victory at Antioch the Crusaders agree to pause for a few months to rest. Bohemond and Raymond argue over who will keep the city. When neither Alexios or Urban will come to help them out they have to make decisions for themselves. These choice hinge on whether Raymond of Toulouse can both lead the Crusade and carve out a piece of the Levant for himself. In the process Raymond will l...

Episode 218 – The Siege of Antioch

The Crusaders set up a siege of Antioch. The vast size of the city makes it impossible to fully encircle. What follows is a battle of attrition as the Crusaders wait for the Turkic garrison to make a mistake and the garrison await reinforcements. Meanwhile Alexios makes his way to the centre of the Anatolian plateau to consolidate the return of Byzantine power. He also awaits news from Antioch....

Episode 217 – Diverging Paths

The Byzantines recover the West Coast of Anatolia while the Crusaders cross the plateau. As they travel the Westerners begin dropping like flies and come to hate the land they've come to liberate. 

Episode 216 - The Battle of Dorylaeum

The Crusaders march out from Nicaea on their way to Antioch. First stop is at Dorylaeum on the Anatolian plateau. But the forces of Kilij Arslan are lying in wait. Picture by Gustave Doré (19th century)

Final reminder about the Intelligent Speech Conference

 This is your final reminder about the Intelligent Speech Conference taking place this Saturday 27th June. I'll be taking part in two sessions and if you want to be there go to https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/ to get tickets 

Episode 215 - The Siege of Nicaea

Alexios directs the Crusaders to Nicaea where they set up a siege. Behind the scenes though the Emperor was busy negotiating with the city’s garrison. Pic:  The Siege of Nicaea and the Turkish attack of 16 May 1097 from Victory in the East by J France

Episode 214 - The Prince's Crusade

The senior nobles of the First Crusade make the journey to Constantinople. There Alexios asks them to swear an oath of allegiance to him. Pic: Bohemond of Antioch by Merry-Joseph Blondel c1800 

Episode 213 – The People’s Crusade

Our narrative resumes as the so-called People’s Crusade crosses the Danube and heads for Constantinople. Pic:  Peter the Hermit on Crusade. Engraving from painting by Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)

Episode 58a - The Origins of Islam

We explore the Origins of Islam and how they relate to the formation of the Caliphate.

Episode 183 – The Fall of Michael V (fundraising episode)

We follow the short reign of Michael V from the death of his uncle to his dramatic fall just four months later.

Episode 129 – Born in the Purple (Fundraising Episode)

We explore the life of Constantine VII. What was it like spending 25 years under the thumb of the Lecapeni? What did he really think of them? What did he do with his time? We also look at the many works published during his reign for clues to his personality.

Episode 77 – Leo and Irene (Fundraising Episode)

Leo IV begins his reign promisingly before dying at the age of 30. He would be replaced in power by his wife Irene. We look at the rituals an Empress would be forced to go through to be accepted into the Palace to try and gain an insight into Irene’s position as regent.

Episode 28 – After the Apocalypse (Fundraising Episode)

With Justinian struggling with the Plague Theodora takes charge of the Empire and makes a decision with profound consequences. When Justinian does recover he is faced with an Empire collapsing around him. He has to reorganise the Empire’s finances and redirect its armies as war resumes on every front.

Episode 168a – Travellers to Constantinople

We go through the sources used to construct episode 168. We survey foreign visitors to Constantinople and the thoughts of local Byzantines on their monuments. Through this survey we begin to discover the Byzantine sense of their past.

Episode 168 – A Guided Tour

What would a foreign visitor to Constantinople expect to see and hear?

Byzantine Stories. Episode 8 – Cyprus: 565 – 965 AD

Our first Byzantine Story nominated by a listener is Byzantine Cyprus. We chart the history of the island from the death of Justinian to the re-conquest by Nicephorus Phokas. Between 649 and 965 the island was in a tributary relationship with the Islamic Caliphate which dominates our discussion. By combing through the sources we can piece together a narrative of the period and gain a few glimps...