Episodes

  • Episode 313 - A Roman Comic Book with Marco Capelli
    Nov 15 2024

    Marco Capelli, the man behind the Storia D'Italia podcast, has created a Roman history comic book. Ammianus - the Twilight of an Era tells the story of the incredible change that took place across Italy during the 6th century.


    The comic is so good it made me cry. I interview Marco about why he decided to make this and where the inspiration came from.


    Get your own copy in Italian, English or Latin! And in physical or digital form here.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    47 mins
  • Episode 312 - The Mediterranean in the Crusading era with Nicholas Morton
    Nov 6 2024

    Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us about developments on the sea during the Crusading era. We discuss why Venice, Genoa, Pisa and Amalfi were able to dominate the waves. And talk about the ships they used and how they fought.

    Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global history at Nottingham Trent University in the UK. His new book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East is available now.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 3 things you might like
    Sep 27 2024

    Hello everyone,


    Here are 3 podcast-related things you may be interested in.


    Roman Graphic Novel

    Friend of the show Marco Capelli has made a comic book set in 6th century Italy. It follows two figures that we know about from an Ostrogothic jewellery collection that was discovered in 1938. A Roman Patrician Stephanus who marries a Gothic noblewoman Valatrud. They are subjects of King Theodoric who is trying to create a functioning Gothic-Roman kingdom in Italy. But their union comes shortly before Italy submerges into chaos. And Justinian sends Belisarius out to retake the home peninsula.

    You can get your hands on a copy in English or Italian. In paper or in a digital format. Plus loads of other goodies are available from Marco’s Kickstarter campaign.

    The Kickstarter ends on October 11th so act now.


    Tour of Greece

    Lantern Jack, the host of the podcast Ancient Greece Declassified, is leading a tour to Greece.

    It’s taking place from January 3rd to the 11th 2025. And it visits every site connected with the famous war between the Persians and the Athenians and Spartans. If you want to go you will visit the Acropolis, the Straits of Salamis, Marathon, Eubeoa, Thermopylae, Delphi, Plataea and you’ll get to try on Hoplite Armour!

    Click here to find out more


    The History of Byzantium T-Shirts

    Finally my new friend Magnus who creates Roman themed merchandise on Etsy has created an actual History of Byzantium podcast t-shirt. Or I should say t-shirts. Branded with the podcast logo you have several to choose from. I’m sure they will light up any occasion you go to with looks of confusion and bewilderment. But I think they look beautiful.


    Check them out here. He also has t-shirts and mugs celebrating lesser figures than me – such as Constantine, Justinian, Basil II, Marcus Aurelius and others.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    6 mins
  • Episode 311 - The Next Generation
    Sep 17 2024

    When Andronikos' son dies he ponders whether to disinherit his Grandson Andronikos III. This prompts two bouts of civil war as the younger generation try to force change on their elders.


    Period: 1310-1328


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    27 mins
  • Episode 310 - The Catalan Company
    Sep 11 2024

    Andronikos roles the dice and hires the Catalan Grand Company to fight the Turks. Those who advised the Emperor not to hire them could never have imagined just how badly things would go. Meanwhile Latin forces continue to take Aegean islands for themselves.


    Period: 1281-1303


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    25 mins
  • Episode 309 - Cautious and Weak
    Sep 4 2024

    We look at Andronikos II Palailogos' domestic arrangements and European wars. After disbanding his fleet to save money the Emperor was repeatedly humiliated by the Venetians. We also look at the Emperor's personality to understand why he was not best suited to the difficult times he lived in.


    Period: 1281-1303


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    23 mins
  • Episode 308 - The Fall of Anatolia
    Aug 28 2024

    The arrival of the Mongols in Anatolia would eventually lead to the expulsion of the Romans. Mongol dominance of the plateau sent waves of tribes into Byzantine territory. It was a crisis which the Emperor Andronikos was not equal to.


    Period: 1281-1303


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    28 mins
  • Episode 307 - Healing the Divisions
    Aug 21 2024

    The Union of Lyons had unleashed bitter division within Byzantium. We follow Michael and his son Andronikos as they try to make peace with the various factions that had opposed them.


    Period: 1281-1310


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    21 mins