Robin Pierson as Emperor Justinian with Hagia Sophia
I was a guest on the Dead Ideas podcast to discuss the Varangian Guard. We talk about their role in the palace and the field armies and contrast their role to Eunuchs in Byzantium.
Do check out Dead Ideas for episodes covering Titoism, Serfdom, Cuneiform, Vikings and many other fun topics.
Period: 913-1025
Download: Dead Ideas Podcast interview: The Varangian Guard
RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium
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Varangian Guard from Osprey’s Byzantine Armies 886-1118
The History of Byzantium 
Excellent episode. It made me check out the Dead Ideas podcast which is quite informative and good for a laugh as well.
The biggest metropolis in Scandinavia in the 10th centuary had 1000 inhabitants. So, yea, small town and rural non anonymous culture all the way.
That Varangian Guardsman looks like he’s had a few too many cups of wine! Loving the podcast so far, have been listening ever since your 2nd or 3rd episode. As a matter of fact I’d been thinking about doing a History of Byzantium podcast after the History of Rome finished but you beat me too it, and you’re probably doing it more justice than I ever could!
Great job from a big fan!
🙂