The Empire That Would Not Die by John Haldon (Harvard University Press)
An interview with Professor John Haldon about his book “The Empire That Would Not Die: The Paradox of Eastern Roman Survival, 640-740.” In particular we discuss environmental research which helps us understand important changes in Anatolia. I think you’ll be fascinated by what it can show us.
Period: 640-945
Download: The Empire That Would Not Die with John Haldon
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The History of Byzantium 
I did not have to use an alternate downloader to get this episode. Excellent.
I love everything about the podcast… except the interview episodes. Maybe Robin feels the need to defer to the esteemed authors and let them control the conversation, but it always seems the interviews beat around the bush and hide the information. Professor Haldon spent a long time clearing his throat on why he wanted to write about this or that, but then only spoke in vague generalities. There were few concrete examples. Also the description of the unique relationship between the church and state was too subtle – what does it contrast with? Which places? Which times? Which perspectives? It’s fair that what he has to say is on a more obscure historian level, but it’d be nice if the audience of mere fans of history could appreciate his ideas too. Milk those historians for concrete stories =D!!
Another recommendation for Robin – it would be helpful if you briefly reviewed/summarized the time period being discussed, since it does not chronologically fit the current narrative, which makes the references in the interview unclear.
This was really fascinating! I find it so incredibly cool that lake sediments and pollen will give indications of human activity this exactly, that’s amazing to me! I’m definitely going to have to read this book now!