Podcast

Pic: The Capture of Constantinople in 1204, oil painting by Tintoretto (1580).

Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us about developments on the sea during the Crusading era. We discuss why Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi were able to dominate the waves. And talk about the ships they used and how they fought.

Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now.

Stream: The Mediterranean with Nicholas Morton

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Pic: Silver basilikon coin of Andronikos II and Andronikos III

When Andronikos’ son dies he ponders whether to disinherit his Grandson Andronikos III. This prompts two bouts of civil war as the younger generation try to force change on their elders.

Period: 1310-1328

Stream: The Next Generation

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Andronikos roles the dice and hires the Catalan Grand Company to fight the Turks. Those who advised the Emperor not to hire them could never have imagined just how badly things would go. Meanwhile Latin forces continue to take Aegean islands for themselves.

Period: 1303-1310

Pic: Roger de Flor parades the Catalan Company before Andronikos and the court (Painting by José Moreno Carbonero)

Stream: The Catalan Company

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We look at Andronikos II Palailogos’ domestic arrangements and European wars. After disbanding his fleet to save money the Emperor was repeatedly humiliated by the Venetians. We also look at the Emperor’s personality to understand why he was not best suited to the difficult times he lived in.

Period: 1281-1303

Pic: Andronicus II Palailogos. From a fresco in the Moni Agiou Ioannou Prodromou monastery, Greece.

Stream: Cautious and Weak

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The arrival of the Mongols in Anatolia would eventually lead to the expulsion of the Romans. Mongol dominance of the plateau sent waves of tribes into Byzantine territory. It was a crisis which the Emperor Andronikos was not equal to.

Period: 1281-1303

Pic: 19th-century depiction of Osman (the founder of the Ottoman dynasty) by Konstantin Kapıdağlı

Stream: The Fall of Anatolia

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The Union of Lyons had unleashed bitter division within Byzantium. We follow Michael and his son Andronikos as they try to make peace with the various factions that had opposed them.

Period: 1281-1310

Pic: Andronikos II Palaiologos from the manuscript of George Pachymeres’ ‘Historia‘

Stream: Healing the Divisions

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Left Pic: Michael VIII Palaiologos from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ by Kibea. Right pic: Statue of Charles of Anjou by Arnolfo di Cambio c. 1277

The Pope responds with despair to the news of Constantinople’s fall. He calls for a Crusade to restore the Latin position. The man who answers is the brother of the King of France, Charles of Anjou. Michael Palaiologos is willing to do whatever it takes to stop them. This means he must agree to church union.

Period: 1261-82

Stream: Church Union

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Pic: The Deesis mosaic from the gallery of the Hagia Sophia. Created after the return to Constantinople in 1261.

Michael VIII Palaiologos enters the city of Constantine for the first time. He has a lot of work to do to rebuild the city and restore its prestige. He must also navigate a complex diplomatic position which sees his forces in action on five fronts simultaneously.

Period: 1261-5

Stream: The Return from Exile

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We look at listener questions about this period of narrative. Were the Varangian Guard still employed at Nicaea? Had Greek Fire been lost? How many Emperors are actually Saints? Why did Nicaea win? Should they have moved back to Constantinople? Were the Romans Greeks now?

Period: 1204-61

Pic: Saint Constantine I

Stream: Questions XIV

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We talk about the challenges which Michael Palaiologos and the Nicaens faced as they prepared to move back to Constantinople.

Period: 1204-61

Pic: Michael VIII Palaiologos. Miniature portrait in a manuscript of George Pachymeres’ Historia, early 14th century

Stream: Pinch Me

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