Author Archives: thehistoryofbyzantium

Episode 228 – Forgiveness not Permission

Posted on October 3, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium
John hunting boar in Cilicia, French manuscript of the 14th Century

Last time we watched as John Komnenos attempted to untangle the Gordian knot which Anatolia had become. After campaigning against the Danishmends – John moved on to Cilicia and Antioch. The Emperor attempted to enforce his rights without angering the Latins. A trick which he failed to pull off. Today John will be forced to go through the whole process all over again. But when he reaches the gates of Antioch this time he won’t take no for an answer.

Period: 1138-1143

Stream: Forgiveness not Permission

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Categories: Podcast | 16 Comments

Episode 227 – Just Take the Damn City

Posted on September 22, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium
Political makeup of Anatolia c1130 AD

John II Komnenos is finally free to campaign in Anatolia. If he can keep the Turks quiet then he can make it to Antioch where his real goal lies. But once there will he risk outraging Latin opinion by assaulting the city or will he negotiate a deal to bring the city back into the Empire?

Period: 1127-1138

Pic: John does battle with the defenders of Shaizar while Raymond and Joscelin sit, inactive, in their camp. French manuscript, 1338

Stream: Just Take the Damn City

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Categories: Podcast | 2 Comments

Episode 226 – A Crowded Chessboard

Posted on September 17, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium
  • Mosaic from the Hagia Sophia. John II Komnenos, Mary and Christ, Empress Irene

John II Komnenos takes charge of the Empire and campaigns immediately in Anatolia. But he is soon beset by the complications of the new position Byzantium finds itself in. Serbians, Steppe tribes, Hungarians and Venetians all demand his attention. Enemies and allies are crowding the chess board and John must make each move very carefully.

Period: 1118-1127

Stream: A Crowded Chessboard

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Picture of John and Irene by Antoine Helbert (www.antoine-helbert.com)

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Categories: Podcast | 6 Comments

Byzantine Stories. Episode 10 – Kekaumenos: A Provincial Magnate

Posted on August 28, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium

In our 10th Byzantine Story we look at the life of a provincial magnate. Our way into this world is a text called ‘Advice and Anecdotes’ written by a man named Kekaumenos. He lived in the period after Basil II’s death (1020s-1070s) and was a General and governor.

He wrote this text at the end of his life to give advice to those who had to navigate the Imperial system. It gives us invaluable insights into provincial life and the pressures a man in his position faced.

To listen to the episode please sign up for the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon.

The Incidental Music used is “Future Idyll” from Purple-Planet.com

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Categories: Byzantine Stories | 9 Comments

Byzantine Stories. Episode 9 – Women in the Byzantine World. Part 3 – The Empress

Posted on July 14, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium
Solidus of the Empress Pulcheria
The Trier Ivory (we believe depicting Pulcheria receiving the relics of St Stephen)

In part three we look at the role of Empress. The one position in society where a woman could attain true power over men. We also look at the life story of the 5th century Empress Aelia Pulcheria – the woman who helped define the role.

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 Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from Purple-Planet.com

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Categories: Byzantine Stories | 2 Comments

Byzantine Stories. Episode 9 – Women in the Byzantine World. Part 2 – The Convent

Posted on July 14, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium

In part 2 we visit the Byzantine convent. A place where women could escape the traditional roles society expected of them.

We also hear the life stories of two more female Saints. These tales may be the closest we get to the lives of real middle-Byzantine women.

Pic: Saint Theodora of Thessalonica

To listen to the episode please sign up for the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon.

The Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from Purple-Planet.com

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Categories: Byzantine Stories | Leave a comment

Byzantine Stories. Episode 9 – Women in the Byzantine World. Part 1 – Immense and Immeasurable

Posted on July 14, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium

As you may know I have already produced three episodes about Women in the Roman World which are available for you on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon.

I now present three more episodes about Women in the Byzantine World. And these episodes are very much a continuation of that series. In part one we talk about how the arrival of Christianity affected Roman women. We also hear a couple of Saints’ Lives. These tales give us a rare glimpse of how women appeared in popular culture.

This first episode is free but parts 2 and 3 are only available on the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon.

Pic: Saint Mary of Egypt, French, 15th century (British Library)

Thanks to the kind listeners who have pointed out that the ‘Immaculate Conception’ is a Catholic concept and not necessarily accepted by the Orthodox. This was entirely my fault, I was looking for a synonym for virgin birth and have blundered.

Download: Byzantine Stories. Episode 9 – Women in the Byzantine World. Part 1 – Immense and Immeasurable

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The Incidental Music used is “Introspection” from Purple-Planet.com

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Categories: Byzantine Stories | 2 Comments

When will the next episode of the podcast be?

Posted on May 13, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium

Hello everyone,

My father has just been diagnosed with cancer. It’s serious and has happened very quickly. Further disruption to the schedule is inevitable.

I am working on one more Byzantine Story before the narrative will resume.

Thanks for your understanding,

Robin

Categories: News | 29 Comments

Backer Rewards Episode 16 – Russia and Byzantium with Professor Sergey Ivanov

Posted on April 16, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium

Our sixteenth Kickstarter backers reward episode looks at the relationship between Byzantium and the Rus and later Russia in conversation with Professor Sergey Ivanov.

Professor Ivanov is a Russian scholar who has been studying Byzantium for many decades. He currently works in the Institute of Oriental and Ancient Studies at the National Research University “Higher School of Economics” in Moscow. 

He has written several books about Byzantium as well as contributing hundreds of articles to the field. His areas of study include Byzantine religious missions, the cultural influence of Byzantium on the Rus’, Holy Fools and Constantinople itself. He has also taken part in public lectures and debates on the legacy of Byzantium in modern Russia.

To see his full list of publications please click here . His books ‘Holy Fools in Byzantium and Beyond’ and ‘Pearls before Swine: Missionary Work in Byzantium’ have been translated into English. As have a number of articles and other book chapters. 

To read a public lecture which Professor Ivanov gave in 2009 about “The Second Rome as Seen by the Third: Russian Debates on the “Byzantine Legacy” please click here.

Download: Russia and Byzantium with Professor Sergey Ivanov

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Categories: Kickstarter Rewards | 2 Comments

Byzantine Merchandise!

Posted on March 10, 2021 by thehistoryofbyzantium

High Speed History have Byzantine-themed merchandise available!

The good people over at Highspeedhistory.com have produced a range of delightful items featuring our beloved Byzantium. We’re talking t-shirts, hoodies, bags, clocks, towels and stickers amongst many other items.

I’m very pleased to say that some of your ideas have made their way into the collection. I asked for your input on social media and you came up with great ideas. If you want to celebrate your love of Justinian or Belisarius then an Empire Strikes Back t-shirt could be yours. Or if you’ve been dying to show your support for the Green faction or the Blues but they won’t let you in the Hippodrome anymore then fear not because a Green or Blue iphone case or mouse mat or t-shirt could be yours. Or what about the most adorable item of all – a baby grow with porphyrogennitos on it. Come on, how could you resist?

Please go to www.highspeedhistory.com/byzantium to check out the full range. If you decide to buy something then use the code ‘byzantium’ at checkout to get a pound or dollar off each item you purchase. And you’ll be helping out the podcast as I will get a little something for sending you there. Anyone can buy these items – they ship worldwide. And this discount also applies to any items you purchase from the Greek or Roman sections of the website. Yes High Speed History has merch from a variety of historical eras check them all out at highspeedhistory.com.

I also did a written interview for the site to lure in those of you who find me weirdly interesting. So if you want to know my favourite film or what I’d put on a billboard in a busy city then check out the interview here.

Happy browsing.

Categories: News | 6 Comments

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