Podcast

Capture of Melitene from the Madrid copy of the Chronicle of John Skylitzes

John Kourkouas captures Melitene, providing the Empire with its first eastern conquest in centuries. The Islamic world is alarmed at this news and the Hamdanid family begin to provide resistance. However their preoccupation with Baghdad means they may have already conceded the mountains to the Romans.

Period: 931-940

Download: Melitene

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Use of a portable Byzantine flamethrower for Greek fire from atop a flying bridge against a castle. Illumination from the Poliorcetica of Hero of Byzantium.

927-8 was a terrible winter. The suffering of the common people led many to sell their farms to their wealthy neighbours. Romanus legislated quickly to put a stop to it. Meanwhile John Kourkouas led the army into Armenia with Melitene in his sights.

Period: 927-931

Download: Attract and Repel

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Romanos Lecapenus from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire” published by Kibea

Back in the tent with Symeon and Nicholas we learn that a title was granted that day. Symeon wanted to be hailed as Emperor. Wrangling over this title would lead to another decade of war before the two sides could come together.

Period: 913-927

Download: A Tsar is Born

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Mosaic of Alexander from the Hagia Sophia

The new Emperor Alexander dies after only a year on the throne. The next six years see an interregnum as the Patriarch, Empress and leading Generals vie to become the guardian to young Constantine VII.

Period: 912-919

Download: A Roman Story

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Patriarch Nicholas Mystikos

We review the players in the impending struggle over the throne. And answer some more listener questions on the way.

Period: 802-912

Download: Dramatis Personae

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Byzantine Flag

I answer more of your questions including sports, Iconoclasm, prices, symbols, literature and more.

Period: 802-912

Download: Questions V

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The Themes c950AD

The Empire c912 AD

Byzantine Themes c920AD from Palgrave Atlas of Byzantine History

Aside from the rise of the landed magnates there have been some other important changes in the Roman military in the past century. We cover the Themes, recruitment, payment, skirmishing and all the rest.

Period: 802-912

Download: The Roman Army in 900AD

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Anatolian plateau (Polatli near Ankara from doshgoeseast.blogspot.co.uk)

The fruits of the recovery were unevenly distributed. The wealthy landowners of the plateau were building huge estates and developing family histories to go with them.

Period: 802-912

Download: The Magnates

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The Forum of Constantine by Antoine Helbert (antoine-helbert.com)

We explore arguments for and against the idea that commerce was a huge source of revenue for Byzantium.

Period: 802-912

Download: Follow the Money

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Constantinople: the core of Roman survival and revival (Pic by by RadoJavor at deviantart.com)

The Romans are finally recovering from three centuries of struggle. One of the lesser-discussed reasons for this was the payments made to the elites for their loyalty.

Period: 802-912

Download: Revival

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