Podcast

Emperor Nicephorus Botaneiates (gallica.bnf.fr)

We follow the flailing administration of Michael VII as it slowly collapses under the immense weight of events. Then we watch as the remaining Roman Generals line up one after another as each attempts to burn the Empire down in order to become King of the Ashes.

Period: 1072-80

Download: King of the Ashes

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Michael VII Doukas on the the Royal Crown of Hungary

The Royal Crown of Hungary

Roussel’s seal, with an image of the Virgin Mary

Turkic nomads begin to raid Anatolia. The Imperial response is hampered by the defection of their Norman mercenaries. Under their commander Roussel de Bailleul they begin operating independently leading the government to squander precious resources in bringing them down.

Period: 1072-76

Download: Normandy-in-Anatolia

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Doukas’ widow Eudocia marries Romanos Diogenes to empower a General who can stop the Turkic raids. Diogenes does his best but ends up meeting the Sultan, Alp Arslan, in battle on the fields outside the city of Manzikert.

Period: 1067-72

Download: Manzikert

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Nomisma histamenon of Constantine X Doukas

Constantine X Doukas spends his reign doing little to help the eastern front. We explore the possible reasons for this inactivity. We also cover Doukas’ death and the oath he made his wife swear.

Period: 1059-67

Download: Feeling Blank

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Nomisma histamenon of Isaac I Komnenos

Isaac Komnenos comes to power urgently trying to restore the budget. But when he dies two years later his successor Constantine X Doukas reverses his economising. As he cuts from the military budget instead Turkic raiders sack the Armenian city of Ani.

Period: 1057-64

Download: The Sack of Ani

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Nomisma histamenon of Michael VI

Theodora resumes control of the Empire but dies a year later. Her eunuchs choose Michael Bringas to replace her but he is not approved of by the Empire’s military establishment.

Period: 1055-57

Download: The End of the Macedonian Dynasty

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An interview with Professor Barry Strauss about his new book ’10 Caesars’ and his podcast ‘Antiquitas.’ I quiz him about the two Emperors with most relevance to Byzantium: Diocletian and Constantine.

Download: An interview with Barry Strauss

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Sultan Tughril Beg on 1 Manat 2009 Banknote from Turkmenistan

As Constantine IX leaves the stage we see him desperately searching for ways to raise tax revenue.

Period: 1054-55

Download: End of Act Two

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Painting of Pope Leo IX from St Kilian Church, Dingsheim, France

The rapacious behaviour of the Normans in Italy brings together an alliance against them. The Byzantines and the Papacy try to get on the same page but discover that they may never be able to.

Period: 1054

Download: The Great Schism

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Principal stages in the debasement of the nomisma (from the Economic History of Byzantium, Dumbarton Oaks)

After the Pecheneg Wars the Roman treasury was empty. We look at Constantine Monomachos’ response to this and other Imperial expenses which may have exacerbated the situation.

Period: 1042-54

Download: Hey Big Spender

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