Subscription Update

Hello everyone, this is an update on the subscriptions and the Byzantine stories series.

It was the 26th July 2015 when I released the special feed which you can subscribe to that gives you access to all the paid-for episodes I’ve produced.

We are now 2 weeks away from that 12 month period coming to an end. For those of you who bought the subscription back then, you will soon get an email offering you the chance to resubscribe.

The price has gone up to $42 as the History of Byzantium will soon be my only job. It’s very exciting as I can spend more time researching the show, producing episodes more quickly and discovering more fascinating lives that the narrative glossed over in our Byzantine Stories series.

You can resubscribe as soon as you receive the reminder email. Your new 12 month sub will begin when your old one ends so you can renew early and be all set up ahead of schedule.

In that 12 month period you will get another six bonus episodes. In addition to the six you got in this 12 month period. And don’t worry, number six for this year is just about to come out. It covers the life of the greatest charioteer of the 6th century but also delves into the history of Roman chariot racing and the Hippodrome in particular. It’s going to be a two part episode. So part 1 will be your sixth bonus episode and part 2 will be the first of the new 12 month period.

For those of you who subscribed later on in 2015 or in 2016, you don’t need to do anything. You will get an email reminder 2 weeks before your sub comes due.

Let me know if you have any questions thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com. And thank you for listening.

Robin

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Episode 109 – Leo the Wise?

Leo VI (from 'Rulers of the Byzantine Empire' published by KIBEA)

Leo VI (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

Basil’s son Leo was known as “the Wise” during his lifetime. We get to know the new Emperor and explore if this reputation was justified.

Period: 886-900

Download: Leo the Wise?

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Leo VI (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Leo VI (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

The Romans flee from the Bulgars at Boulgarofygon (from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes)

The Romans flee from the Bulgars at Boulgarofygon (from the Chronicle of John Skylitzes)

Categories: Podcast | 7 Comments

Episode 108 – Known Unknowns

Basil I (from 'Rulers of the Byzantine Empire' published by KIBEA)

Basil I (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

We follow Basil’s time in office as tries to wash away the sin of murder and secure legitimacy for his new dynasty. He also tests the limits of Byzantium’s growing power in East and West.

Period: 867-886

Download: Known Unknowns

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Basil on ship (from 'Rulers of the Byzantine Empire' published by KIBEA)

Basil on ship (from ‘Rulers of the Byzantine Empire’ published by KIBEA)

Scanned poorly from Treadgold's Byzantine State and Society

Scanned poorly from Treadgold’s Byzantine State and Society

Categories: Podcast | 8 Comments

Episode 107 – Keeping up with the Macedonians

Michael III the Drunkard and Basil the Macedonian (scanned from Treadgold, originally from the Modena copy of John Zonaras' history)

Michael III “the Drunkard” and Basil “the Macedonian” (scanned from Treadgold, originally from the Modena copy of John Zonaras’ history)

Basil I on right, enthroned Jesus on left (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Basil I on right, enthroned Jesus on left (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

We chart the rise of Basil the Macedonian and his murder of both Bardas and Michael. We also look at how Basil’s descendants would re-brand Michael as “the Drunkard” before saying goodbye to the Amorion Dynasty.

Period: 866-867

Download: Keeping up with the Macedonians

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Byzantine Stories Episode 2 – Symeon the Stylite

Symeon the Stylite (oca.org)

Symeon the Stylite (oca.org)

Church of Saint Simeon Stylites (wikipedia)

Church of Saint Simeon Stylites (wikipedia)

Pillar base at the church (wikipedia)

Pillar base at the church (wikipedia)

What the church would have looked like

What the church would have looked like

An image from the film Simon of the Desert (cca.org)

An image from the film Simon of the Desert (cca.org)

Plaque of Symeon (in the Louvre)

Plaque of Symeon (in the Louvre)

Symeon's enclosure in Syria

Symeon’s enclosure in Syria

We explore the life of Symeon the Stylite (c388-459 AD). A Syrian country boy, Symeon joined a monastery as a teenager and would go on to found his own establishment. There he built a pillar and spent decades standing on it praying to God. He also became a miracle worker and wise-man for local towns and villages. We learn about the stories told about Symeon but also ask what do they mean? How did he survive up there? Did he really perform miracles? (63 minutes)

To listen to the episode please sign up for the Ad-Free Bonus Feed at Patreon. You can cancel your sub any time and resubscribe at any time.

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

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Categories: Byzantine Stories | 6 Comments

Byzantine Stories Episode 2 Announcement

Listen here for an announcement about the second episode in the Byzantine Stories series and an increase in the subscription price.

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Episode 106 – Mother and Uncle

Michael III (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Michael III (Dumbarton Oaks coin collection)

Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople (iconograms.org)

Photius the Patriarch of Constantinople (iconograms.org)

Theodora and Theoctistus rule for young Michael until he comes of age. Then Uncle Bardas takes over the government. Meanwhile the Romans begin to gain the upper hand in Anatolia while a schism with the Papacy looms.

Period: 842-867

Download: Mother and Uncle

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Categories: Podcast | 1 Comment

Episode 105 – The Triumph of Orthodoxy

Military division of the Empire in 842 (from Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era)

Military division of the Empire in 842 (from Byzantium in the Iconoclast Era)

The bride show where Theophilos chooses Theodora (Val Cameron Prinsep (1838-1904) - New York Public Library Digital Gallery)

The bride show where Theophilos chooses Theodora (Val Cameron Prinsep (1838-1904) – New York Public Library Digital Gallery)

Theophilus reorganises the army and leaves the throne to his wife and two year-old son. Theodora decides to restore the Icons and we discuss the end to the Iconoclast era of Byzantine history.

Period: 838-842

Download: The Triumph of Orthodoxy

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Categories: Podcast | 6 Comments

Episode 104 – God-Fearing

Arab-Byzantine border in Anatolia (author: CPlakidas at Wikipedia)

Arab-Byzantine border in Anatolia (author: CPlakidas at Wikipedia)

We focus on Theophilus’ record on the eastern front. The last gasp of true Caliphal power sees the Emperor harshly punished for his support of the Khurramite rebellion.

Period: 829-838

Download: God-Fearing

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Categories: Podcast | 14 Comments

Episode 103 – God-Loving

The Golden Automata of the throne room (from camerainthesun.com)

The Golden Automata of the throne room (from camerainthesun.com)

Theophilus' inscription on the Sea Walls (historum.com)

Theophilus’ inscription on the Sea Walls (historum.com)

Byzantine Beacon System

Byzantine Beacon System

Young Theophilus becomes Emperor at a rare moment of internal peace. We look at his domestic policies across his 13 year reign and touch on his non-Anatolian foreign policy.

Period: 829-842

Download: God-Loving

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Categories: Podcast | 9 Comments

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