Episode 23 – The Siege of Rome

Posted on March 29, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
Siege of Rome map from Ancient Warfare Magazine Volume IV, Issue 3 (www.ancient-warfare.com)

Siege of Rome map from Ancient Warfare Magazine Volume IV, Issue 3 (www.ancient-warfare.com)

When Athalaric, Prince of the Goths dies in 534 his mother has to choose whether to flee East or try to cling to power. Amalasuntha makes the wrong choice and calls in her cousin Theodahad. When he has her killed he hands Justinian the pretext for an invasion of Italy. Mundus leads the Army of Illyricum into Dalmatia and Belisarius sails to Sicily. Theodahad enters negotiations to surrender Italy in exchange for a fat pension. Could Italy be about to fall as quickly as Africa did?

Period: 534-38

Download: Episode 23 – The Siege of Rome

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The Aurelian Walls

The Aurelian Walls

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Cage Match Podcast: The Most Significant Event Since the Second World War

Posted on March 26, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium

Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago I took part in a Podcast Cage Match (roundtable discussion) with fellow podcasters Roifield Brown (How Jamaica Conquered the World), Jamie Redfern (A History of Hanibal) and Jordan Harbour (The Twilight Histories). Our topic was “What is the Most Significant Event Since the end of the Second World War?”

Suggestions included The Cuban Missile Crisis, the Rise of China, the advent of the Internet and the development of a multi-polar world.

You can listen to the here

You can see our new History Podcasters site here

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Episode 22 – Justinian’s Legacy

Posted on March 16, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
The Hagia Sophia as it might appear without Turkish additions

The Hagia Sophia as it might appear without Turkish additions (newbyzantines.net)

We examine the Corpus Juris Civilis and the Hagia Sophia. The two achievements of Justinian’s reign which outlasted both him and the Byzantine Empire. First we look at the law code which Tribonian put together and hear about its surprising second life. Then we marvel at the construction and impact of the new Cathedral Church of Constantinople.

Period: 533-37

Other resources: If you are interested in reading parts of the Corpus Juris Civilis yourself, there is an English translation here.

Download: Episode 22 – Justinian’s Legacy

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If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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The interior of the Hagia Sophia

The interior of the Hagia Sophia

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Episode 21 – The Vandal War

Posted on March 1, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium

With the Nika Revolt quelled, Justinian orders Belisarius to retake the province of Africa. In the Summer of 533 an armada sets sail and lands east of Carthage. Belisarius leads his army cautiously up the coast as King Gelimer of the Vandals rallies his army to stop them.

The Vandal War Campaign Map

The Vandal War Campaign Map

Period: 533-34

Map: The Vandal War Campaign Map

(Author: Konstantinos Plakidas,, Source Website: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vandalic_War_campaign_map.png)

Download: Episode 21 – The Vandal War

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Categories: Podcast | 9 Comments

The History of Rome Tour

Posted on February 18, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
Augustus wants you on the History of Rome Tour

Augustus wants you on the History of Rome Tour

Hey everyone,

Mike Duncan (of the History of Rome podcast) is still participating in tours around the sites in Rome, Naples, Pompeii and elsewhere.

The next tour leaves on May 25th and you can get a $100 discount by visiting this link http://historyofrometour.com/byzantium.

I haven’t been on the tour myself but I have visited most of the places which it visits. I can not recommend them enough. In 2010 I walked around the Forum, the Colosseum, Hadrian’s Villa, Pompeii, Ostia and more – all with “The History of Rome” podcast in my ears! I absolutely loved it and it was a massive inspiration for starting “The History of Byzantium.”

For more information visit the website: http://historyofrometour.com/byzantium.

Robin

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Episode 20 – The Nika Revolt

Posted on February 15, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
The Imperial District in Constantinople

The Imperial District in Constantinople (this map is of the city after 532 but it shows the placement of the major buildings accurately)

In January 532 a seemingly typical riot at the races escalates into a full blown rebellion against Justinian. Trapped up in the Palace while Constantinople burns, the Emperor must decide whether to flee or to fight.

Period: 532

Download: Episode 20 – The Nika Revolt

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Interview at PodcastSquared.com

Posted on February 8, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
Podcast Squared

Podcast Squared

I was interviewed recently by Andrew Johnstone at PodcastSquared. We talked about why podcasts are a good way to get into History, when Rome ended and Byzantium began and how I try to tell the story. We also talk about eating Charlemagne, Sesame Street and The Walking Dead so you will want to check it out 🙂

You can find the interview here. And more good stuff at podcastsquared.com.

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Episode 19 – 527-532, Part 3: The Kindling

Posted on February 4, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (now known as Little Hagia Sophia)

The Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (now known as Little Hagia Sophia)

The first five years of Justinian’s reign (527-532) are so incident-filled that it will take us a few episodes to get through them.

In part three we return to Constantinople and see Justinian begin to reform his Empire. We take a look at his building projects, his new legal code and the laws he enacted. Particularly those aimed at pagans and heretics. We get to know his chief advisers John the Cappadocian and Tribonian and hear a little more about Theodora.

Period: 527-532

Download: Episode 19 – 527-532, Part 3: The Kindling

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If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

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Episode 18 – 527-532, Part 2: The Eternal Peace, the Danube frontier and Diplomacy

Posted on January 19, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
The Equestrian Statue of Justinian as recreated by Byzantium1200 (http://www.arkeo3d.com/byzantium1200/justinia.html)

The Equestrian Statue of Justinian as recreated by Byzantium1200 (www.arkeo3d.com/byzantium1200)

The first five years of Justinian’s reign (527-532) are so incident-filled that it will take us a few episodes to get through them.

In part two we stay on the Eastern front as the Persians counterattack. King Kavadh then passes away allowing a peace deal to be reached. We then move to the Danube to see how Imperial troops were coping with the raids of the Bulgars and Slavs. Then we move onto more Christian diplomacy from Justinian and update on how the Vandal and Gothic leadership are responding to the Empire’s military success.

Period: 527-533

Other resources:

Constantinople is being digitally recreated here. You can actually do a fly-over of the whole city here.

To listen to Byzantine style Orthodox music you can go to Ancient Faith Radio or to buy music go to Conciliar Press.

For the Persian view on the Byzantine era go to Sasanika an online resource book for Sassanian history.

Download: Episode 18 – 527-532, Part 2: The Eternal Peace and the Danube frontier

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If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

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Categories: Podcast | 9 Comments

Episode 17 – 527-532, Part 1: The Battle of Dara

Posted on January 5, 2013 by thehistoryofbyzantium
Map of the disposition of forces at the Battle of Dara (530). The Huns are the tiny squares inside the "goal mouth."

The disposition of forces at the Battle of Dara (530).

The first five years of Justinian’s reign (527-532) are so incident-filled that it will take us a few episodes to get through them.

In part one we stay on the Eastern front for the Battle of Dara. We revisit the way cavalry had come to dominate warfare and the motives for King Kavad’s attacks on Byzatine territory. We follow the war as it goes badly for Justinian and see his attempts to reorganise his armies. Then we introduce Belisarius, the General who would go on to become Justinian’s most able commander. He is made Master of Soldiers for the Eastern Army and in 530 comes face to face with a much larger Persian army on the plain outside the fortress of Dara.

Period: 527-530

Map: The map shows the disposition of forces at the Battle of Dara (530). The Huns are the tiny squares inside the “goal mouth.”

(Author: US Military Academy Atlas for Ancient Warfare, Source Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_Dara-battleplan.png)

Other resources:

To see a moving representation of the battle visit “The Art of Battle” website here.

To see a re-creation of the battle on the BBC TV show Time Commanders click here.

Download: Episode 17 – 527-532, Part 1: The Battle of Dara

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If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

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Categories: Podcast | 6 Comments

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