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The History of Byzantium

thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com
Constantinople
Crusades
Byzantine Empire
Nicaea
Baldwin II
Fifth Crusade
Latin Empire
Latin Occupation
Holiday Season
Covid-19
Professor Cordellis
Justinian
Mongol Invasions
Byzantine Emperors
Heraclius
Anthony Kaldellis
Fourth Crusade
Epirus
Byzantium
Crete

A podcast telling the story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 476 AD to 1453. www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes429Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The History of Byzantium

Latest Episodes

I answer your questions about the Secret History, eunuchs, the Doukas name, the Byzantine crown, the Crown of Thorns and more.

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

We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1297-1453.

The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube channel of Farya Faraji. Farya is a musicologist who collaborates with traditional mu... more

We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1204-1297.

The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube channel of Farya Faraji. Farya is a musicologist who collaborates with traditional mu... more

I tackle your counter factual questions.

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

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Recent Guests

Leonora Neville
Professor of Byzantine History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Episode: Episode 338 - Get Rid of Byzantium with Leonora Neville
Eric Halsey
History podcast host and author
Bulgarian History Podcast
Episode: Episode 334 - State Builders from the Steppe with Eric Halsey
Mark Masterson
Associate professor of classics focusing on same-sex desire and relationships in late antiquity and the Byzantine period.
Victoria University of Wellington
Episode: Episode 333 - The Bachelorhood of Basil II with Mark Masterson
David Hendrix
Creator of the Byzantine Legacy website
Byzantine Legacy
Episode: January 2025 Update
Father John Strickland
A returning guest discussing orthodoxy
Episode: January 2025 Update
Marco Capelli
Fellow history podcaster and creator of a graphic novel
Host of Storia D'Italia
Episode: Episode 313 - A Roman Comic Book with Marco Cappelli
Dr. Nicholas Morton
Associate Professor in Middle Eastern and Global History
Nottingham Trent University
Episode: Episode 312 - The Mediterranean in the Crusading era with Nicholas Morton
Nicholas Morton
Professor and author with expertise in crusading history
Author of The Mongol Storm
Episode: Episode 301 - The Fifth Crusade with Nicholas Morton
John Giebfried
A historian specializing in the Latin Empire and author of a biography on Baldwin II.
University of Vienna
Episode: Episode 299 - Baldwin II with John Giebfried

Host

Robin Pierson
Host of The History of Byzantium; long-running presenter known for narrative history of the Byzantine Empire with a focus on accessibility and depth.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 10.3k ratings
  • Used to be worthwhile but clearly went downhill once £££ became the overriding priority. Ruined by ads and needlessly long breaks between narrative content.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Tk421
    a month ago
  • So good, I hope it doesn’t stop

    I hope you continue the story under the Ottoman Empire.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Souldiva23
    United States2 months ago
  • Extraordinary!

    This is one of my favorite podcast ever. For so long I have wanted to learn more about the history of Byzantium but could find the time, now I can hear this masterpiece while walking around or even training. I highly recommend it. Thank you to the author!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yuuki_24
    United States3 months ago
  • Great History, details need work

    The history here is great. In the same way as its antecedent History of Rome by Mike Duncan, Robin Pearson does a great job of weaving this complex history into a tight narrative. In order to do this, there are a couple of stylistic and content choices that leave a little to be desired. In general, the treatment of the complex nature of developing eastern Christianity (as distinct from the Latin-West more generally encountered by the English-speaking world) is sparse and, at times, betrays a mod... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    AntonCharr
    United States6 months ago
  • My favorite podcast

    The story of Byzantium is so poetic and epic.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ike874
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

- Balanced analysis with engaging narrative and thoughtful guest perspectives.
- Some listeners note pronunciation and pacing as areas for improvement, but praise overall quality.
- Consistent episode cadence and in-depth exploration across centuries.
- Strong storytelling and depth; highly recommended for Byzantine history fans.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#72
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#65
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#127
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#62
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#150
Germany/History
Apple Podcasts
#219
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 341 - Mehmed and Constantinople
Q: To what extent did the Ottomans consider themselves Romans, given that so many of them would have had Roman parents or grandparents?
The response mentioned that while Turkish-speaking Muslim Ottomans had roots in Roman history, there was no real attempt to claim Roman identity as part of their own, instead emphasizing their Ottoman identity.
Episode 341 - Mehmed and Constantinople
Q: How many Romans joined the Ottoman government, and how did they affect the local provincial and court systems?
Listeners were told that many Romans served in administrative roles similar to those they held under the Byzantine Empire, as tax collectors and garrison troops, but now they were subjects of the sultan instead of participants in a national polity.
Episode 318 - Orthodox Questions with Father John Strickland. Part 1
Q: Why is Orthodox evangelization less prominent compared to Catholics and Protestants?
Historically, the Orthodox Church was active in evangelization, but has faced significant impediments due to historical events like the Ottoman Empire's rule and communist atheism, impacting its modern missionary activities.
Episode 318 - Orthodox Questions with Father John Strickland. Part 1
Q: What is the Orthodox view of the Catholic Church today, and why is Church Union still so difficult?
The Orthodox Church sees the Roman Catholic Church as having diverged significantly from the faith of the first millennium, making union difficult due to historical grievances and doctrinal differences.
Episode 318 - Orthodox Questions with Father John Strickland. Part 1
Q: Does the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople still play a primary role in the Orthodox Church?
Yes, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople plays a primary role as the most senior bishop, but does not hold power over other bishops in the way the Pope of Rome does.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The History of Byzantium

What is The History of Byzantium about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Researchers and history buffs can expect a richly narrated deep dive into the Byzantine world from late antiquity through the fall of Constantinople, with a focus on political intrigue, religious dynamics, and shifting identities across Europe, the Ottoman frontier, and the Orthodox world. Episodes frequently thread narrative with expert commentary, exploring pivotal events like sieges, reforms, imperial successions, and cross-cultural encounters, while connecting medieval Byzantium to broader Mediterranean and Eurasian history. The show stands out for its strong storytelling, rigorous detail, and occasional guest perspectives that broaden the historical lens, making it engaging for listeners who enjoy long-form history with clear, chronolo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The History of Byzantium?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The History of Byzantium:

1. The Hellenistic Age Podcast
2. The Ancient World
3. The History of England
4. Tides of History
5. Emperors of Rome

How many episodes of The History of Byzantium are there?

The History of Byzantium launched 14 years ago and published 429 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 The History of Byzantium?

Recent guests on The History of Byzantium include:

1. Leonora Neville
2. Eric Halsey
3. Mark Masterson
4. David Hendrix
5. Father John Strickland
6. Marco Capelli
7. Dr. Nicholas Morton
8. Nicholas Morton

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