Episodes
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The Timurids and the Ottomans
Today we examine the impact the Timurids had on our story of Byzantine history.
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Rise of the Ottomans
In today's lecture, we take a look at a new player in the Byzantine theatre, the Ottoman Turks.
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Discussion on Education
Taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming, I discuss the state of Education in America with my friends Andrew and Steven.
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Retaking Constantinople
Today we detail the period of time between the sack of Constantinople of 1204 and the reinstatement of the Byzantine Empire in 1261.
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Best Books I Read This Year
Today we look back at the books we covered on the podcast during 2021.
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The Fourth Crusade
In today's lecture, we detail the events of the Fourth Crusade.
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The Scapegoating of Kyle Rittenhouse
In my first video essay, I provide my thoughts in the aftermath of the Rittenhouse trial.
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Did Manuel Komnenos Have a Drama Free Zone?
In today's lecture we examine the reign of Manuel Komnenos and find out if his time on the throne was drama free.
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Who Was John Comnenus?
In this week's lecture, we take a look at the reign of John Comnenus, the son of Alexios.
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The Battle of Manzikert
In today's lecture we go over the events leading up to the battle of Manzikert, the battle itself, and what the results mean going forward for the Byzantines.
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Who was Alexois Comnenus?
In our first lecture back from break, we discuss the remarkable reign of Alexios Comnenus.
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Return of the Wren
Just a short video announcing my return to our Byzantine history series!
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Golden Age of Byzantine History - Part 2
In today's lecture, we focus on the reign of Basil II, the Bulgar Slayer. Basil was the longest reigning emperor going all the way back to Augustus.
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Who was St John of Damascus/Iconoclasm
Today we look into the background of St. John of Damascus, as well as his writings on iconoclasm.
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Golden Age of Byzantine History - Part I
In this week's lecture, we discuss the golden age of Byzantine history beginning roughly in 963 until the reign of Basil II.
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Byzantine Reconstruction, 717-843
This week's lecture focuses on the period of Byzantine reconstruction from 717-843. We begin discussing Iconoclasm as a heresy and examine the interesting reign of Irene.
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Byzantine Contraction, 641-717
In today's lecture, we analyze the period of Byzantine contraction from 641-717, focusing on the reign of Constans II, the Thematic reforms, and the chaos following the reign of Constantine IV.
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Some Byzantine Culture
Today we go over some religious and linguistic things from the time period we are covering. Enjoy!
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The Origins of Islam
In today's lecture, I guess you could say, we discuss the origins of Islam and the early expansion of the Islamic state. Apologies for the poor audio quality, I did not realize my microphone was not connected to GarageBand, so the audio is coming from my computer microphone. The audio will be…
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The Beginning of the End
Heraclius' status as a tragic hero is analyzed in today's lecture, provided the professor can stop sneezing enough to talk. Here is a link to the documentary I mention during the lecture: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iKaySkQZjo&t=38s
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What is Oriental Orthodoxy?
Today we analyze the Miaphysite heresy and how it caused a split between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches.
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Byzantine Palace Intrigue
In today's lecture we examine the somewhat rapid transition between several Byzantine emperors, several of which resulted from mutiny and rebellions. Here is the Treadgold text I use:...
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What is Justinian's Legacy?
In today's lecture, roughly speaking, we take a look at Justinian's Corpus Juris Civilis, some of his building projects, and what Justinian's legacy is.
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Who were the Slavs?
Today we take a look at some early references to the Slavic peoples, roughly where they came from, and we talk about some aspects of different groups' language and religion.
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The Wars of Justinian: Part 3
In today's lecture, I guess you could say, we analyze the Gothic resurgence and the Byzantine's response to it as we wrap up the Gothic Wars. I also want to issue a correction here: when I refer to the Battle of Taginae, I am actually referring to the Battle of Mons Lactarius. I wrote down the...
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What is the Liturgy of St. James?
Today we take a look at the little known Liturgy of St. James. Here are the two links I reference in the video: Shorter video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOKoJS7ABVc Longer video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RX23jIhacC0&t=4s
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Monasticism Explained
In today's lecture, I guess you could say, we examine the origins of the monastic tradition and what impact they have on our civilization.
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The Wars of Justinian: Part 2
In today's lecture, roughly speaking, we examine the end of the first part of the Gothic wars. We then preview how the Goths are able to make a revival coming up during the ensuing decade of history. You can get the copy of Justinian's Wars that I am reading at this link:...
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What happened to pagan Rome?
This video is a response to a comment from a viewer, Jay Uno, where we discuss what happened to Hellenistic paganism in the Rome.
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Roman Horse Archers???
Today we discuss the development of horse archers in the Byzantine army. When we think of Roman armies, we usually think of Caesar's late Republican legions. However, as time goes on and situations change, the Byzantines change their focus to meet their military needs.
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The Wars of Justinian: Part I
Today's lecture is the first in a multi-part miniseries on the Wars of Justinian. Today we cover the Vandal War and part of the Gothic War, up until the taking of Naples.
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Byzantine Origins
In today's episode we discuss the history of the term "Byzantine", where it comes from, and how it becomes popularized. Check out Admiral Price's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdmiralPrice Check out Eastern Roman History's Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGRhKKPf80FgqDS-qStL0WQ
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Who was Justinian?
Today we get a primer for Justinian, who will be the subject of the next several lectures.
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Who was Procopius?
Today we introduce the historical character Procopius and debate whether he is a historian or a tabloid writer.
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Identity in the Holy Roman Empire
Today we discuss a viewer's question about how people in the Holy Roman Empire thought about themselves.
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In Medias Res
Today we discuss an interim period between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the rise of Justinian.
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Barbarian Invasion Part 4: FALL OF ROME
In today's lecture, we discuss the Fall of the Rome and analyze its causes.
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Economic Boom in Byzantium?
Today we analyze the Byzantine economy during the early 6th century and how that impacted the reign of Justinian.
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Who was St. Leo the Great?
In this video we take a closer look at who St. Leo the Great was.
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Barbarian Invasion Part 3: The Huns
Today we analyze the various Hunnic invasions of Rome and if they caused the fall of Rome.
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Who was St. Augustine? City of God explained!
Today we take a brief look into St. Augustine's life and examine his great book, City of God.
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Barbarian Invasion Part 2: The Vandals
In today's lecture, we analyze the story of the Vandal's invasion of Rome and the establishment of the Vandalic Kingdom.
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Who was St. Jerome?
In this episode we take a look at who St. Jerome was.
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Monophysitism explained
Today we discuss another Church heresy from the time period, Monophysitism. This video is the second in our series of short videos to break up the longer lectures from the weekend. I want to set a tentative schedule of Tuesdays and Thursdays for our short videos. I may change it over time, but we...
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Barbarian Invasion part 1: The Visigoths
This week we analyze the events which resulted in the Visigothic invasion of Italy, culminating in the 410 sack of Rome.
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Nestorianism explained
In this video, we briefly dive into the Nestorian heresy. We discuss its origins, beliefs, and how it was condemned at the Council of Ephesus.
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Barbarian Invasion - the Precursor
In this episode, we will analyze what caused a number of barbarian tribes to invade/to migrate into the Roman Empire. We will focus heavily on the Huns, and I will make the case as to why the Huns could have caused the Fall of Rome without ever invading the empire.
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Theodosius and St. Ambrose
In this episode we examine the emperor Theodosius and St. Ambrose and how their paths cross.
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The Battle of Adrianople
This episode analyzes the events leading up to the Battle of Adrianople and the battle itself.