The History of Byzantium

The full interview with Professor Kaldellis about his book "Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood." The book is a narrative history from the time when Nicephorus Phokas took charge of the military through till the First Crusade. In our conversation we talk about sources, Basil IIs reign, the Magnates and the struggles of the 11th century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We return to our interview with Professor Kaldellis to discuss Basil II's reign. We talk about our sources, about his decision never to marry and his relationship with the landed magnates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look at a series of questions about what's been happening in Bulgaria since the peace was signed in 927. Why were the Rus able to defeat the Bulgarians so quickly? What did the Roman occupation look like? And more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did the Romans dream of reconquering their eastern provinces? Or were their border acquisitions enough? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We discuss the eastern conquests and how valuable they really were. As well as the deployment and organisation of the military in the borderlands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We begin our mini end-of-the-century series by talking about our sources. Huge thanks to Professor Anthony Kaldellis for talking to me about his new book "Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood." It's a narrative history covering the period from when Nicephorus Phokas took over the military until the First Crusade. This is only part of our interview focusing on the task of sifting sources to create a more realistic narrative. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 1 is an overview of the history of Greek medicine. How it developed and what kind of treatments were on offer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John returns home triumphant but must deal with the Fatimid attacks in the east. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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John Tzimiskes faces down the Phokas rebellion and then marches for Bulgaria to take on the Rus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.