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.
The History of Byzantium 
Thank-you Robin. If you started your own sub-genre of history podcasts with storytelling like this, I would subscribe.
I liked the multiple story lines and how you didn’t turn it into a showcase of narrow facts or stereotypes that I have seen with some historical writing that tends to make it corny or seem forced. I really thought the lumber merchant was funny too and quite effective at showing how people weren’t really loyal to nation states in the way we would think of today and how people could have been fluid between the Caliphate and the Roman Empire.
I would personally like to see more of these in the future, and perhaps one situated in Constantiople.
Great work and thanks!,
Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you. And thank you for taking the time to leave feedback. Constantinople…hmmm
I’m trying to copy the feed to my Overcast app but it will either do nothing or add the latest episode about Anna Komnene. What am I doing wrong?
Hope Vardan makes his big score. ❤️
Ever since the break, I’ve been having problems with the feed downloading correctly. The Crete episode and this episode especially. I’ll listen to them partially, but then they won’t pick up where they left off and begin again. Not sure if that’s on the server end or the receiving end.
Sorry to hear you’ve had problems. How are you listening? With the Sale episodes (like Cyprus) I’d definitely recommend downloading them rather than streaming. But the free episodes should be functioning as normal.
Just listened to these new (+old) House of War episodes. Wonderful job, Robin. Truly exceptional!
You’re very kind. Did anything work particularly well? Or not so well?
Finished listening to the House of War episodes and they’re amazing! Great job Robin and I would love to hear more episodes like this in future again! I especially liked the one with Vardan. It was interesting to hear a story about a guy who was living on both sides of the conflict so to say.
I really appreciate the feedback, thank you so much
Suggested soundtrack/required viewing for Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNS42Na2mpc
🙂
Great episodes. Will love to hear more, maybe some during the crusades (I haven’t reached there yet, but will probably be there in a few days).
I actually felt a bit sad when Anna was captured, her not being bought by Umar, and in the final episode when a dead girl was found under a camel. A bit relieved when she showed up at the end. Of course the story is fictional, but I did have some attachment to that fictional character.
Hey, that’s the nicest thing you could have said. I’m really glad those episodes worked for you,
Robin
Hey Robyn, thank you so much for all of your hard and diligent work. The House of War episodes are immensely engaging. I get the sense that I am in Byzantium in 850 AD, with all its perils and hardships of a world clinging to the Roman standard. Fantastic historical-fiction, thank you again for all you do!
Thanks so much. That’s very kind of you and I really appreciate you taking the time to leave feedback.