The Empire 900 AD
With the Caliphate in decline the Romans take a greater interest in the Armenian lands on their eastern border. We explore the fragmented landscape and politics of Armenia and take a quick glance at Cilicia and the forts beyond.
Period: 802-912
Download: The Frontier
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Europe and the Near East 900AD (worldhistorymaps.info)
Political division of Europe and Middle East from Colin McEvedy’s Atlas of Medieval Europe
Samarra today (from bestourism.com)
We begin our end of the century episodes in the East. Since 838 the great Caliphal armies have not been seen in Anatolia. We explore why as the Caliphate slowly pulls itself apart across the 9th century.
Period: 802-912
Download: Abbasid Decline
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Hey everyone,
As most of you know I am deep into research for the end of the century episodes. Unlike the narrative I have to learn about a whole topic before going back and turning it into an episode. So things take longer than usual but once the research is done I can usually turn out 3 episodes in quick succession.
There would have been an episode out last week but my microphone of 8 years (!) finally quit on me. So I am installing a new recording system which as you can imagine is adding to the amount of time it takes me to get to the next episode.
Please bear with me and thanks in advance for your patience,
Robin
The Imperial District in Constantinople
The Hippodrome by Antoine Helbert (antoine-helbert.com)
Relief of Porphyrius the Charioteer (now in the Istanbul Archeological Museum)
2nd relief of Porphyrius the Charioteer (now in the Istanbul Archeological Museum)
In part 2 we go down to the Hippodrome floor to see the glorious arena Constantine built and discover how a race was won. Then we cover the life story of Porphyrius from child prodigy to retiring champion. Finally we see the historical detective work which made this story possible.
If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:
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Chariot race in the Circus Maximus (turkeyfile.com)
Chariot racing depicted on the Lampadii Diptych (art.com)
The life of Porphyrius the Charioteer is not one we can dive in to. Very little is known about him but thanks to two unusual sources we can sketch the existence of this fascinating character. In part one we explore the history of Roman spectacles so that we can fully understand the context of Porphyrius’ world.
If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:
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Leo (kneeling) venerating Christ from a mosaic in the Hagia Sophia
Leo enters the second half of his reign desperate to leave the Empire to a healthy son. Meanwhile his military are successful on land but suffer at sea.
Period: 900-912
Download: The Four Wives of Leo VI
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Hello everyone, this is an update on the subscriptions and the Byzantine stories series.
It was the 26th July 2015 when I released the special feed which you can subscribe to that gives you access to all the paid-for episodes I’ve produced.
We are now 2 weeks away from that 12 month period coming to an end. For those of you who bought the subscription back then, you will soon get an email offering you the chance to resubscribe.
The price has gone up to $42 as the History of Byzantium will soon be my only job. It’s very exciting as I can spend more time researching the show, producing episodes more quickly and discovering more fascinating lives that the narrative glossed over in our Byzantine Stories series.
You can resubscribe as soon as you receive the reminder email. Your new 12 month sub will begin when your old one ends so you can renew early and be all set up ahead of schedule.
In that 12 month period you will get another six bonus episodes. In addition to the six you got in this 12 month period. And don’t worry, number six for this year is just about to come out. It covers the life of the greatest charioteer of the 6th century but also delves into the history of Roman chariot racing and the Hippodrome in particular. It’s going to be a two part episode. So part 1 will be your sixth bonus episode and part 2 will be the first of the new 12 month period.
For those of you who subscribed later on in 2015 or in 2016, you don’t need to do anything. You will get an email reminder 2 weeks before your sub comes due.
Let me know if you have any questions thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com. And thank you for listening.
Robin
Leo VI (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)
Basil’s son Leo was known as “the Wise” during his lifetime. We get to know the new Emperor and explore if this reputation was justified.
Period: 886-900
Download: Leo the Wise?
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Leo VI (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)
The Romans flee from the Bulgars at Boulgarofygon (from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes)
Basil I (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)
We follow Basil’s time in office as tries to wash away the sin of murder and secure legitimacy for his new dynasty. He also tests the limits of Byzantium’s growing power in East and West.
Period: 867-886
Download: Known Unknowns
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Basil on ship (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)
Scanned poorly from Treadgold’s Byzantine State and Society
Michael III “the Drunkard” and Basil “the Macedonian” (scanned from Treadgold, originally from the Modena copy of John Zonaras’ history)
Basil I on right, enthroned Jesus on left (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)
We chart the rise of Basil the Macedonian and his murder of both Bardas and Michael. We also look at how Basil’s descendants would re-brand Michael as “the Drunkard” before saying goodbye to the Amorion Dynasty.
Period: 866-867
Download: Keeping up with the Macedonians
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