Author Archives: thehistoryofbyzantium

The Golden Automata of the throne room (from camerainthesun.com)

Theophilus’ inscription on the Sea Walls (historum.com)

Byzantine Beacon System

Young Theophilus becomes Emperor at a rare moment of internal peace. We look at his domestic policies across his 13 year reign and touch on his non-Anatolian foreign policy.

Period: 829-842

Download: God-Loving

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View of modern Heraklion (in Crete) founded by the Arab invaders in 828

View of Enna (modern Castrogiovanni) in Sicily where Euphemius was stabbed to death

Michael II tries to secure his regime now that the civil war is over. However attacks on Sicily and Crete prevent him from returning to “normality.”

Period: 824-829

Download: The Islands

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Thomas the Slav negotiates with the Arabs (from The Chronicle of John Scylitzes)

Thomas the Slav’s troops in action (from The Chronicle of John Scylitzes)

Leo’s murder is greeted with disgust in Anatolia where men rally behind Thomas the Slav. But back at the capital men get behind Michael of Amorium as a suitable replacement. This split leads to a three year civil war and a stalemate which suggests that God favours neither man.

Period: 820-824

Download: Thomas the Slav

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Mike Duncan

Thanks to all of you for helping us get to episode 100. And of course our eternal gratitude to Mike Duncan and The History of Rome podcast.

Download: An Interview with Mike Duncan

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The History of Rome Podcast

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Michael II (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Leo restores Iconoclasm and defeats the Bulgars in battle. After signing the peace treaty he raid the Caliphate and returns to domestic matters. However a palace conspiracy overthrows him in favour of his old ally Michael of Amorium.

Period: 815-820

Download: Michael of Amorium

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Leo V (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Leo the Armenian becomes Leo V and waits out Krum’s slaughter in Thrace. He also makes plans to restore Iconoclasm.

Period: 813-815

Download: Leo the Armenian

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The site of Mesembria (modern Nesebar) from visitnessebar.org

Michael and his son being proclaimed (as depicted in the Chronicle of John Skylitzes)

Nicephorus’ successors are his wounded son and his unsuitable son-in-law. Between them they ensure that the dynasty comes to a sad end while Krum improves his position considerably.

Period: 811-813

Download: Michael Rhangabe, Emperor of the Romans

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An example of a valley in the Balkan Mountains (intrepidtravel.com)

Krum receives Nicepheros’ head (from worldhistoryplus.com)

Krum drinks from Nicephorus’ skull (from seanmunger.com)

Why were the Bulgars so successful compared to their larger neighbour? We look at this question and the limitations of the Byzantine army on campaign as Nicephorus leads his men to their doom.

Period: 811

Download: Shoulda

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The skyline of modern Sofia (Roman Serdica) from senderismoeuropa.com

The Byzantine Empire in 780 from A History of the Byzantine State and Society by Warren Treadgold

Nicephorus turns his attention to the Balkans and begins settling colonists in the Peloponnese. His plans for Macedonia though are thwarted by the Bulgars. The Emperor organises a mass migration from Anatolia to Europe and reorganises the Themes and the finances of the state to make the new venture a success.

Period: 802-811

Download: Coulda

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