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Byzantium & Friends

Byzantium & Friends
Christianity
Byzantium
Roman Empire
Late Antiquity
Constantinople
Orthodoxy
City Of Rome
Crises and Resilience
Early Rus
Africa and Byzantium
Justinian
Olivier Hekster
Byzantine Empire
Senatorial Aristocracy
Trade Routes
Medievalism
Nubia
Eastern Mediterranean
Byzantine Studies
Zoroastrians

Conversations with experts in the history of Byzantium and surrounding fields, hosted by Anthony Kaldellis.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes142Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CoursesHistoryEducation

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Latest Episodes

A conversation with James Rives (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) on the history of ancient animal sacrifice in the Roman world. We focus on its decline and eventual demise in the third and fourth centuries. Animal sacrifice was caught up... more

YouTube

A conversation with Ada Palmer (University of Chicago) about the invention of the idea of the Italian Renaissance and the functions that it serves in the western historical imagination. "Byzantium" is a similarly invented category that often works in... more

YouTube

A conversation with Anastasia Koumousi (Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaea, Greek Ministry of Culture) about the recently identified portrait of the last emperor of the Romans in Constantinople, Konstantinos XI Palaiologos, in a monast... more

YouTube

A conversation with Alasdair Grant (University of Hamburg) about the captivity and enslavement that many Greeks (Romaioi) experienced in the late medieval period, a period of state collapse during which they were subject to Italian and Turkish raids ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

James Rives
Professor of classics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Episode: 142. The decline of animal sacrifice in the late Roman world, with James Rives
Ada Palmer
Historian, author of 'Inventing the Renaissance', and innovative teacher at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: 141. The Renaissance and Byzantium are characters in the same play, with Ada Palmer
Anastasia Koumousi
Director of the Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaea
Ephorate of Antiquities of Achaea
Episode: 140. A newly identified portrait of Konstantinos XI Palaiologos (1448-1453), with Anastasia Koumousi
Alasdair Grant
Historian and author specializing in medieval captivity and enslavement.
Independent Scholar
Episode: 139. Captivity and enslavement in the late medieval Aegean, with Alasdair Grant
Ioanna Sitaridou
Professor of Spanish and historical linguistics at the University of Cambridge.
University of Cambridge
Episode: 138. Romeyka, a parallel branch of Greek surviving in northeastern Turkey, with Ioanna Sitaridou
Winston Berg
Post-doc at the University of Chicago, will join Harvard faculty next year.
University of Chicago
Episode: 137. Conspiracy theories and the deep state, now and then, with Winston Berg
Gavin Kelly
Professor of Classics and specializing in Latin literature of Late Antiquity
University of Edinburgh
Episode: 135. Latin literature in late antiquity, with Gavin Kelly
Marion Kruse
Editor at Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies and expert in Classics
University of Cincinnati
Episode: 134. Peer-review: the good, the bad, and the amusing, with Tina Sessa and Marion Kruse
Adam Morin
Food culture researcher and scholar from the University of Ioannina
University of Ioannina
Episode: 133. Taste, meals, and food culture, with Adam Morin

Host

Anthony Kaldellis
Anthony Kaldellis is a prominent historian and academic known for his expertise in Byzantine studies and his engaging conversational style that brings depth and accessibility to historical discussions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 560 ratings
  • :)

    Podcast Addict
    5
    fjshwbcj
    3 months ago
  • Great podcast

    I love Anthony as a teacher of history and culture. I was turned on to this podcast thanks to the History of Byzantium and I DEEPLY appreciate the link between the two podcasts.

    Like most people, I failed to review this podcast until I had a criticism. So for context, 100 plus episodes in I am now giving my unasked, unprofessional and very unwanted opinion.

    Again, love you dawg. But please don't talk how JUST NOW post secondary is an investment. Some of us got accepted to all our schools and w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Madors99
    Canada6 months ago
  • Engaging Podcast and Accessible Discussions with Amazing Guests

    It was really cool listening to the late Bob Ousterhout discuss the history of the Hagia Sophia within the context of the wider religious and political landscape up to the present day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bill Der
    United Statesa year ago
  • Refreshingly academic

    I listen to a lot of history podcasts and almost all of them (naturally) focus on describing events and underlying causes. Heard Anthony interviewed on History of Byzantium and his insights and depth are amazing.

    I really enjoy this podcast because he interviews other historians on “topics” like how did Byzantines think about social classes”. Very thought provoking and is also instructive because it provides insight on how to think (skeptically) like a historian.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bobert the ruler of all
    United States2 years ago
  • Amazing Breadth

    Some of the best scholars out there writing today! What a learned and important resource for teaching, as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarah E Bond
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Critiques mention that while the historical analysis is rich, certain contemporary issues can diverge from the audience's escapist expectations.
Listeners appreciate the engaging approach to nuanced historical discussions, particularly the depth brought by expert guests.
Many praise the host for his enthusiasm and ability to navigate intricate subjects with humor, enriching the listening experience.
The mix of scholarly content with accessible language is well-received, making complex topics approachable for general audiences.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#121
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#196
Poland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

142. The decline of animal sacrifice in the late Roman world, with James Rives
Q: What were the implications of Constantine's actions regarding animal sacrifice?
Constantine's actions distanced animal sacrifice from Roman identity, making it a marker of pagan identity while reinforcing Christian identification.
142. The decline of animal sacrifice in the late Roman world, with James Rives
Q: How did Decius' edict affect the perception of animal sacrifice?
It marked animal sacrifice as a requirement for Romans, separating pagan and Christian identities and creating tension between the two groups.
142. The decline of animal sacrifice in the late Roman world, with James Rives
Q: What were the economic factors influencing the decline of animal sacrifice?
Rives mentions that economic pressures, along with local elites diverting resources toward imperial ambitions, contributed to the decline in animal sacrifice during the third century.
142. The decline of animal sacrifice in the late Roman world, with James Rives
Q: What brought you to that point about the significance of animal sacrifice in understanding religion?
Rives discusses the trend of scholars overly aggrandizing their topics and proposes that animal sacrifice should not be viewed as the key to understanding the ancient Mediterranean world.
140. A newly identified portrait of Konstantinos XI Palaiologos (1448-1453), with Anastasia Koumousi
Q: Why wasn't this known earlier?
The portrait had been visible in the monastery but was not identified until after restoration work revealed the details of the painting.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Byzantium & Friends

What is Byzantium & Friends about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging in rich conversations surrounding the history and legacy of Byzantium, the content focuses on intricate topics such as Byzantine art, linguistics, culture, and the socio-political narratives that shaped this significant era. Notable discussions illuminate the complexities of historical figures, the impact of language and literature in shaping identities, and the interplay between ancient and contemporary discourses, providing an accessible platform for both scholars and enthusiasts. Listeners can expect thought-provoking insights from historians and experts who share their research, discussing themes like captive societies, the historical framing of religious concepts, and evolving perspectives on Byzantine contributions to modern ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Byzantium & Friends?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Byzantium & Friends:

1. The Hellenistic Age Podcast
2. Reconquista
3. Ancient Warfare Podcast
4. History of Persia
5. The Age of Napoleon Podcast

How many episodes of Byzantium & Friends are there?

Byzantium & Friends launched 6 years ago and published 142 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Byzantium & Friends?

Recent guests on Byzantium & Friends include:

1. James Rives
2. Ada Palmer
3. Anastasia Koumousi
4. Alasdair Grant
5. Ioanna Sitaridou
6. Winston Berg
7. Gavin Kelly
8. Marion Kruse

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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