Our best primary source for Alexios Komnenos’ reign is The Alexiad written by his daughter Anna Komnene. I talk to Professor Leonora Neville about Anna’s life and writing and how she overcame the obstacles facing a woman trying to write history.
Period: 1080-1118
Download: Anna Komnene with Leonora Neville
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Map of the locations in our story
Gumusler Monastery (planetware.com)
Derinkuyu underground caves (planetware.com)
Zelve cave homes (planetware.com)
Ihlara Valley (planetware.com)
A dovecot from Life and Society in Byzantine Cappadocia by Cooper and Decker
As part of the 2018 Istanbul Kickstarter I was commissioned to create new fictional stories based around episode 89 of the podcast. The stories (based on the sources) describe life along the Byzantine-Arab frontier circa 850AD. They continue and expand upon the story told in episode 89 where YOU were a foot soldier who had to track and ambush an enemy army. Now we travel to Cilicia to see the Arabs preparing and to Cappadocia to see soldiers and civilians trying to cope with life during the Summer raid.
If you backed the Kickstarter at the third reward tier or higher then the episodes will automatically be added to your account. If you are a subscriber then all four episodes will appear in your account.
NB – you will see parts 1, 2, 3 and 5 are for sale. Episode 89 acts as part 4 of this story. Remember to listen in order for maximum enjoyment.
Plot your journey across the Roman Empire using the Geospatial Network Model of the Roman World
Original music by Savfk (www.youtube.com/savfkmusic http://www.facebook.com/savfkmusic)
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Symeon the New Theologian (johnsanidopoulos.com)
We explore the revival of intellectual and literary culture over the past century. We focus particularly on the work of Michael Psellos and Symeon the New Theologian.
Period: 950-1080
Download: Cultural Revival
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Cyprus topography today
Roman roads and cities
Byzantine Cyprus from Byzantine Cyprus by Metcalf
Find-spots of coins from Byzantine Cyprus by Metcalf
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 glimpses of everyday life.
The music used is from ashamaluevmusic.com
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The Omphalion on the floor of Hagia Sophia
Byzantine polykandela in brass or bronze. (pallasweb.com)
Amelia Carolina Sparavigna, Lidia Dastrù. Some Churches Dedicated to the Holy Wisdom and their Sunrise Orientation. 2018.
Our fifteenth Kickstarter backers reward episode looks at some aspects of the Hagia Sophia and the coronation ceremony of Emperors.
Download: The Hagia Sophia and Imperial Coronations
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I am attending the Sound Education Conference next month and sharing the stage with Mike Duncan! It will be a huge honour for me to meet and chat to the man who inspired ‘The History of Byzantium.’ And you can be there too. I’ve recorded a short explanation for the show but all the details can be found here.
Download: On Stage with Mike Duncan
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Here is the video of my interview with the Roads to Liberty Podcast.
Download: Interviewed with Roads to Liberty
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Emperor Nicephorus Botaneiates (gallica.bnf.fr)
We follow the flailing administration of Michael VII as it slowly collapses under the immense weight of events. Then we watch as the remaining Roman Generals line up one after another as each attempts to burn the Empire down in order to become King of the Ashes.
Period: 1072-80
Download: King of the Ashes
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Michael VII Doukas on the the Royal Crown of Hungary
The Royal Crown of Hungary
Roussel’s seal, with an image of the Virgin Mary
Turkic nomads begin to raid Anatolia. The Imperial response is hampered by the defection of their Norman mercenaries. Under their commander Roussel de Bailleul they begin operating independently leading the government to squander precious resources in bringing them down.
Period: 1072-76
Download: Normandy-in-Anatolia
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Doukas’ widow Eudocia marries Romanos Diogenes to empower a General who can stop the Turkic raids. Diogenes does his best but ends up meeting the Sultan, Alp Arslan, in battle on the fields outside the city of Manzikert.
Period: 1067-72
Download: Manzikert
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