Podcast

Episode 40 – Questions (6th Century)

Bélisaire, by François-André Vincent (1776). Belisarius, blinded, a beggar, is recognised by one of his former soldiers. (Wikipedia).

Bélisaire, by François-André Vincent (1776). Belisarius, blinded, a beggar, is recognised by one of his former soldiers.(Wikipedia).

I answer your 6th century questions from education to eunuchs and food to fleets.

Period: 500-602

Download: Episode 40 – Questions (6th Century)

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Belisarius Begging for Alms (1781) by Jacques-Louis David (Wikipedia).

Belisarius Begging for Alms (1781) by Jacques-Louis David (Wikipedia).

Categories: Podcast | 13 Comments

Episode 39 – Neighbours and Provinces

The Eastern Hemisphere in 600AD

The Eastern Hemisphere in 600AD

We travel through Spain, Gaul, Italy, the Balkans, Anatolia, the East and Persia to uncover the geo-political situation in 600AD.

Period: 500-602

Map: The map shows the political distribution of states and nations around 600 AD.

(Author: Thomas Lessman, Source Website: www.WorldHistoryMaps.info.)

Download: Episode 39 – Neighbours and Provinces

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Episode 38 – Christianising

An icon of Christ from Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai

An icon of Christ from Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Mount Sinai

We look at how Christianity spread more deeply into Roman culture across the 6th century and see how this affected the Empire’s cities and Jews.

Period: 500-602

Download: Episode 38 – Christianising

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Episode 37 – The Army of the Strategikon

Late Roman infantry with a Labaarum standard (www.durolitum.co.uk)

Late Roman infantry with a Labarum standard (www.durolitum.co.uk)

Belisarius scouts the terrain with a Hun bowman looking ahead Byzantine cavalry from Ancient Warfare Magazine Volume IV, Issue 3 (www.ancient-warfare.com)

Belisarius scouts the terrain with a Hun bowman looking ahead from Ancient Warfare Magazine Volume IV, Issue 3 (www.ancient-warfare.com)

We look at how the Roman army has changed up to the end of the 6th century. To guide us we are using the Byzantine army manual the Strategikon. We learn how the army fought, who fought, what they looked like and how they were organised.

Period: 500-602

Download: Episode 37 – The Army of the Strategikon

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Byzantine cavalry from Ancient Warfare Magazine Volume IV, Issue 3 (www.ancient-warfare.com)

Byzantine cavalry from Ancient Warfare Magazine Volume IV, Issue 3 (www.ancient-warfare.com)

Categories: Podcast | 16 Comments

Episode 36 – The End of Legitimacy

Coins depicting the legitimate King of Kings Khosrau II

Coins depicting the legitimate King of Kings Khosrau II

Maurice has a tough decision to make about his role in the Persian civil war. Once that is over he turns his attention to the Balkans. Success in the field is ruined by the cost of paying the army.

Period: 589-602

Download: Episode 36 – The End of Legitimacy

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Episode 35 – The Lucky Break

Maurice by Emilian Stankev (from 'Rulers of the Byzantine Empire' published by KIBEA)

Emperor Maurice by Emilian Stankev (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

The new Emperor Maurice continues fighting on the Eastern front trying to convince the Persians to sign a peace treaty. But they won’t. Meanwhile Slavic settlers spread throughout the Balkans and the Avars continue to demand more money. The Emperor begins to fear for the Empire’s solvency and attempts to cut the pay of his army.

Maurice, 15th century miniature from the Modena manuscript of the chronicle of John Zonaras

Emperor Maurice, 15th century miniature from the Modena manuscript of the chronicle of John Zonaras

Period: 582-589

Download: Episode 35 – The Lucky Break

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Episode 34 – Overbalancing

A model of the city of Sirmium. You can see its strategic importance as it sits over the two rivers (The image is from Wikipedia and the model is in the Visitors Center in Sremska Mitrovica).

A model of the city of Sirmium. You can see its strategic importance as it sits over the two rivers (The image is from Wikipedia and the model is in the Visitors Center in Sremska Mitrovica).

The new Emperor Tiberius II decided to throw the Empire’s strength into the war with Persia. He spends liberally and recruits new men to bolster the Eastern Empire. His General Maurice wins him great victories in the East but the Avars and Slavs are quick to take advantage of the weak Danube frontier. Justin II and Khosrau both leave the stage.

Period: 574-582

Download: Episode 34 – Overbalancing

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Episode 33 – The Madness of Justin II

A Solidus of Justin II

A Solidus of Justin II

The new Emperor Justin II comes to power with the conviction that the Roman Empire should not be paying tribute to anyone. But after cancelling subsidies to the Avars, the Ghassanids and the Persians he finds himself with war and disaster on all sides.

Period: 565-574

Download: Episode 33 – The Madness of Justin II

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Episode 32 – The True Believer

 St. Catherine's Monastery at Mount Sinai in Egypt. The Monks complained to Justinian about raiders and so he built them these impressive walls which still stand today.

St. Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai in Egypt. The Monks complained to Justinian about raiders and so he built them these impressive walls which still stand today.

Was Justinian a good Emperor?

Period: 565

Download: Episode 32 – The True Believer

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I thought it was appropriate to end Justinian's reign on this image. It's reflective of the scale of his building and his commitment to his faith. But it also shows you the vulnerability of the 6th century Byzantine world. The walls are impressive but in an earlier age they would not have been needed.

I thought it was appropriate to end Justinian’s reign on this image. It’s reflective of the scale of his building and his commitment to his faith. But it also shows you the vulnerability of the 6th century Byzantine world. The walls are impressive but in an earlier age they would not have been needed.

Categories: Podcast | 20 Comments

Episode 31 – Getting the Band Back Together

The remains of the Long Walls in Thrace (panoramio.com/photo/20959714)

The remains of the Long Walls in Thrace (panoramio.com/photo/20959714)

A series of natural disasters and domestic disturbances mar the final years of Justinian’s reign. We also meet the Avars, bring silk to Byzantium and give Belisarius one last chance to shine.

Period: 550-565

Download: Episode 31 – Getting the Band Back Together

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Categories: Podcast | 7 Comments

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