Mehmed II becomes Sultan in 1451 and immediately makes plans to conquer Constantinople.
Period: 1448-53
Stream: Not with a Whimper but a Bang
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The History of Byzantium 
I just want to say, it’s been an absolute blast listening to this podcast. I’ve always been a big fan of Eastern Roman history, and the plot twist that they survived the fall of their own empire in the West. I started listening back in Covid in early 2020 (Alexios Komnenos was emperor at the time, as it happens) and wanted to start with the History of Byzantium when I discovered it. Then your very first episode said that this is a podcast is a continuation of the History of Rome podcast. I had a blast listening to that and have been a big fan of both HoR and HoB since then.
We all knew this day would come when the empire ended, but even though I knew it was futile, I was astonished at the sheer resilience of the Roman people throughout the history of the Eastern Roman Empire after the fall of the Western Empire. Your podcasting style through the narrative years, explainers in its varieties, and other supplements have so helped me get a grasp on what this mighty civilization did throughout its history. I sometimes go back to listening to older episodes in the podcast for a specific episode in a particular point in time for references or just plain enjoyment on what was happening at the time, and it’s been thrilling to stick with this podcast these last few years.
I intend to keep listening to whatever you have coming next in the podcast, but just want to say, your podcast has been amazing to listen to and will likely be my all-time favourite podcast.
Any teasers on what’s to coming? Does Trebizond count in this podcast as the History of Byzantium?
Thank you so much for your monumental work over the years!
You made the Byzantine Empire come alive, transformed it from a strange, mysterious and peripheral chapter of history into a civilization one can grasp and see its many ups and downs. Hands down, I think you have outdone Mike Duncan.
I wonder how you plan the remaining episodes to play out? The aftermath of the city’s fall, the final conquest of Morea, to fully close the narrative? Or some more general discussion of Byzantium’s legacy?
This last episode was a radioplay at least. I don’t know how I drove home, cause all I was seeing in front of my eyes was the siege.
Thank you, thank you for everything! It was truly an honor listening to you
Just wanted to say that I have derived an immense amount of knowledge and pleasure listening to this podcast over the years.
This work, making a layman such as myself aware of something seldom talked about outside deep academia, is quite literally peerless.
Robin, thank you. Thank you for taking your time and pouring your soul into making this journey happen.
I hope you continue with many more episodes to come, covering interesting things related to the Eastern Roman Empire. And I know I will be listening.
This was a brilliantly told and exciting rendition of the final siege. I like to compare it with episode 46 all those years ago about the Final War with Sassanid Persia. Both were excellent narrative tellings of complex events and featured the ‘drums’.
I’m sad in a way that this has finally ended, but I can content myself that with having these 332 episodes. I hope you keep podcasting, because you have a great style and a great voice for it. I hope we get some wrap up and summaries of events, people, places over time.
Well done, Robin.
What an episode. What a series. A monumental accomplishment. Thank you for everything.
Bravo Robin, thank you for this incredible show!
Thank you so much for all the kind words