The History of Byzantium

Explore the turbulent era of Michael Palaiologos as he grapples with the deep divides caused by the Church Union. Follow the challenges his son Andronikos faces while trying to restore Orthodoxy and heal rifts in a society marked by the Byzantine-Latin schism. Unravel the legacies of sacrifice that shaped their rule and the complex dynamics of loyalty and identity within a crumbling empire. The constant threat from the Ottomans looms, underscoring the urgency for unity and collective strength.

The Pope responds with despair to the news of Constantinople's fall. He calls for a Crusade to restore the Latin position. The man who answers is the brother of the King of France, Charles of Anjou. Michael Palaiologos is willing to do whatever it takes to stop them. This means he must agree to church union.Period: 1261-82 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Michael VIII Palaiologos enters the city of Constantine for the first time. He has a lot of work to do to rebuild the city and restore its prestige. He must also navigate a complex diplomatic position which sees his forces in action on five fronts simultaneously.Period: 1261-5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look at listener questions about this period of narrative. Were the Varangian Guard still employed at Nicaea? Had Greek Fire been lost? How many Emperors are actually Saints? Why did Nicaea win? Should they have moved back to Constantinople? Were the Romans Greeks now? Period: 1204-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk about the challenges which Michael Palaiologos and the Nicaens faced as they prepared to move back to Constantinople. Period: 1204-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Discover the life under Latin occupation in Byzantine territories and explore the cultural, economic, and political impacts on both conquerors and the conquered. Unearth the complicated relationships in regions like Crete and Cyprus as they navigated colonial struggles. Delve into the clash of cultures between the Latin rule and the Caliphate, examining governance, trade shifts, and local resistance. Finally, witness the cultural intermingling and preservation of identity among the Greek-speaking Romans during this tumultuous period.

Professor Nicholas Morton returns to tell us the story of the Fifth Crusade. To learn more check out his book The Mongol Storm: Making and Breaking Empires in the Medieval Near East.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our 300th episode I decided to do something different. I chose my 10 greatest Byzantine Emperors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Constantinople back in Roman hands we explore the one vantage point we've ignored: the last Latin Emperor Baldwin II. Dr John Giebfried returns to give us Baldwin's biography.Period: 1215-61 John completed his PhD in Medieval History at St Louis University in 2015 and has subsequently worked at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Georgia Southern University, East Georgia State College, and since 2022 has been a faculty member at the University of Vienna, where he teaches History and Digital Humanities. His academic work focuses on the Crusades, the Crusader-States, and European interactions with the Mongols. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theodore Laskaris II beds down his father's conquests in Europe. But his early death sees his family sidelined by Michael Palaiologos. The new Emperor needs some victories to legitimise his seizure of power and the fates reward him beyond all expectations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.