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
RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium
If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:
– Either comment on this post.
– Or on the facebook page.
– Leave a review on Itunes.
– Follow me on Twitter
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.
To listen to the episode please sign up for the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon. You can cancel your sub any time and resubscribe at any time.
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)
If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:
– Either comment on this post.
– Or on the facebook page.
– Leave a review on Itunes.
– Follow me on Twitter.
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
RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium
If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:
– Either comment on this post.
– Or on the facebook page.
– Leave a review on Itunes.
– Follow me on Twitter
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.
To listen to the episode please sign up for the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon. You can cancel your sub any time and resubscribe at any time.
The music used is from ashamaluevmusic.com
If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:
– Either comment on this post.
– Or on the facebook page.
– Leave a review on Itunes.
– Follow me on Twitter.
The History of Byzantium 