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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Pecheneg tribesman from Byzantine Armies 886-1118 by Osprey

The first large Seljuk raids on the Empire begin a chain of events which unravel Byzantium’s Western defences.

Period: 1047-54

Download: The Pecheneg Wars

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The ruins of Ani as seen from the Armenian side

Constantine Monomachos faces yet more challenges in the early years of his reign. We cover the annexation of Ani, the Pechenegs crossing the Danube and the revolt of Leo Tornikios.

Period: 1044-47

Download: Winning the Election

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