Mosaic of Theodora from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna

We continue the narrative on the Eastern frontier as Lazica and Iberia try to form an alliance with Byzantium and leave the Persian orbit. King Kavad responds by trying to get Justin to adopt his favourite son. In the West Theodoric dies and his daughter and grandson begin their struggle to stay in power. Then we head back to Constantinople to see Justinian fall in love with a former prostitute Theodora. We follow her life story from stage to palace and learn about her influence on the new regime.

Period: 526-528

Map: This map shows the north eastern corner of the Byzantine-Persian border. You can see the Kingdom of Lazica clearly but the Caucus mountains to the north, Iberia to the East and Armenia to the south are all important to note. You can also see the mountain-dwelling Tzani just inside Byzantine territory. You can see a larger version of the map here.

(Author: Konstantinos Plakidas, Source Website: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cplakidas)

Download: Episode 16 – Theodora

The Lazican Border

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

– Follow me on Twitter.

Mosaic of Justinian from the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna

We get a thorough introduction to Justinian, Justin’s nephew and presumed heir. We look as Justinian’s education and the kind of worldview he was developing. We follow his rise up the ranks from Palace guard to potential Caesar. Then we swing West to see the deteriorating relations with Theodoric’s Italy. After that its East to see how King Kavad responded to the new Emperor and finally down to the Yemmen to see a holy war unfolding.

Period: 518-525

Download: Episode 15 – Justinian

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

A Tremissis (1\3 of a Solidus) with the likeness of the Emperor Justin (from Wikipedia)

We restart the narrative with the death of the Emperor Anastasius and the accession of Justin, Count of the Excubitors. The new Emperor is decidedly orthodox and begins a persecution of the monophysites and heals the schism with Rome. We also introduce our sources for the period with particular attention paid to Procopius of Caesarea.

Period: 518-520

Download: Episode 14 – The Emperor Justin

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

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

We finally end our tour of the Empire by examining the Byzantine state. By focussing on the government, the church and the army we see how the Empire is shaping up since the fall of the West and how it is set up to deal with the world we explored in the previous five episodes.

Part 2 is the church and the army. We look at the administration of the church and its affects on society. Then we look at the size and disposition of the army and wrap up the tour.

Period: 518

Download: Episode 13 – The State (part 2): The Church and the Army

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

One of Anastasius’ coins (a semissis)

We finally end our tour of the Empire by examining the Byzantine state. By focussing on the government, the church and the army we see how the Empire is shaping up since the fall of the West and how it is set up to deal with the world we explored in the previous five episodes.

Part 1 is the government as we look at the Emperor, his ministers and the wider civil service.

Period: 518

Download: Episode 12 – The State (part 1): The Government

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

The Roman Empire c400 AD

In this episode we move across the Bosporus into the Eastern Provinces and explore Anatolia, Syria, Palestine and Egypt. We then take a look at the neighbours of the Empire and see what the Persians are up to before moving on to the Arabs, Armenians and other peoples from the Caucus mountains.

Period: 318-518

Map 1: The Roman Empire c400 AD. Although a century earlier than our story this map lets you see the Eastern Provinces in great detail.

(Author: Konstantinos Plakidas, Source Website: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cplakidas)

Map 2: The map below shows the Roman-Persian frontier in late Antiquity.

The Roman-Persian frontier in late antiquity

(Author: Konstantinos Plakidas as well)

Download: Episode 11 – The Eastern Provinces

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

Istambul and the Bosporus

We explore the capital of the Byzantine Empire: Constantinople. We look at the origins of the city and trace its development from Greek city to Imperial centre. Then we see why it had such a strategically valuable location. After that we visit the city itself in the 6th century from the Great Palace to the streets.

Period: 320-518

Image: Istanbul and the Bosporus

(Author: Astronaut photograph ISS008-E-21752, Source Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Istambul_and_Bosporus_big.jpg)

Map: The map below shows Constantinople during the Byzantine years. You can revisit this map in the future as it will be relevant throughout the life of the podcast.

(Author: Konstantinos Plakidas, Source Website: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cplakidas)

Download: Episode 10 – Constantinople

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

Constantinople in the Byzantine era

If you want to send in feedback to the podcast:

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave a review on Itunes.

The Byzantine Balkan Provinces in the 6th century

We take a look at the remaining Byzantine Balkan Provinces along with the northern neighbours of the Empire. We also take a glance at the Black Sea Coast and the Byzantine military interest in the Crimea.

Period: 376-518

Map: The map shows the administrative districts of the Byzantine Balkan provinces around the turn of the 6th century.

(Author: Konstantinos Plakidas, Source Website: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cplakidas)

Download: Episode 9 – The Balkan Provinces

RSS Feed: The History of Byzantium

Please let me know what you think of the podcast.

– Either comment on this post.

– Like the facebook page.

– Or leave some feedback on Itunes.