Anthology Of Heroes History

’This country is mine and no other nation can have it!’ It had happened. King Menelik II was now Emperor Menelik II. With his rival killed and his armoury overflowing with modern guns, The ancient kingdom of Ethiopia seemed destined for prosperity. But, friendship with Italy came with a price tag and when The Emperor wouldn’t dance to their tune, things got nasty. Could an African Kingdom repel a...

‘If powers at a distance come to partition Africa, I do not intend to be an indifferent spectator...’ By the late 1800’s, Ethiopia was the only African kingdom not yet colonized by Europeans.  As France and Britain gobbled up nations like Oreos, Italy decided they wanted a bit for themselves. Through the centuries Ethiopia had endured as a Christian oasis in a Islamic world. But could it survive c...

"A last alliance against tyranny - the battle for free Gaul" Gaul hung by a thread. As Rome’s grip tightened around their homeland, the Tribal Kings met to discuss their grim reality.  Age-old rivalries were tossed aside for the sake of unity, and Vercingetorix was raised as supreme commander of Gaul. The task ahead of him was monumental. The odds of success - minimal.  But what a song it would be...

‘Rome made a desert, and called it peace’.   Caesar’s first foray into Gaul had been an overwhelming success. He had vanquished one of the most powerful tribes, and their wealth had paid off his debts. Emboldened by the quick victory, he sent his legions to the distant corners of the continent.   As time dragged on, the people of Gaul realized Caesar had no plan to leave.   Any tribe that resisted...

"I am a free man, of a free state" When Julius Caesar became Governor of Gaul in 58BC he dreamt of fame, fortune and legacy. Conquest had always been the path to glory for a Roman senator and with this position he hoped to make his name. At first, he picked off the Gallic tribes one by one. A bribe here, a massacre there, it seemed that soon all tribes would soon bow before the might of Rome. But...

In this special episode I'm joined by Professor Emanuel Buttigieg from The University Of Malta! The Professor shares with me the fascinating story of The Siege Of Candia that took place over a whopping 21 years starting in 1648. The siege pitted The Knights Hospitaller against their old rivals, The Ottoman Empire. Professor Buttigieg brings the story to life with vivid storytelling and primary sou...

'He bore the impending demise of his religion, culture and way of life' Boabdil had earned his bloody throne. But there was little time to celebrate. As the armies of Christendom camped outside the last Islamic stronghold in Spain, its citizens knew the end of their world would come soon. But how would it happen? Would Boabdil resist until the bitter end? Or would he negotiate with The Christian K...

'Stop, stop! Don't kill him you fool, that's the Moorish King!' Boabdil's path to the throne had not been easy. He had been pressured into overthrowing his father by his mother and was captured during his first battle. After being forced to swear an oath of loyalty to The Christian King Ferdinand, many of his countrymen called him a traitor to Islam. With an army of Christian muscle backing him, t...

You cry like a woman, for what you couldn't defend as a man' Boabdil was heir to a dying kingdom. In the 15th century, Granada was the last Muslim state in Spain. For 250 years it survived, living in the shadow of the Christian kingdoms. But that all changed after the marriage between Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragorn united the two most powerful kingdoms in the lands. The Newlywed's lo...

El Cid was down but not out! After sacking King Alfonso's lands he was in exile, barred from returning to his home and family. But, his deeds had made him famous and he soon found employment in the pay of al-Mu'taman, Lord of Zaragoza. As The Cid eyed off a city to call his own, an old enemy would return from across the straits of Africa. And, with nowhere else to turn, King Alfonso would beg El C...

'In Spain's rich history, El Cid is remembered above all others' El Cid was a knight in 11th century Spain. Growing up in the borderlands between two religions, he gained a reputation for military skill and bravery. This led to his nickname Campeador, 'Master Of The Battlefield'. Today's he's remembered as loyal, merciful and above all, pious. But behind the legends and myths was a very different...

'In this tiny mountain hamlet, history was about to be made.' In this episode, we explore the story of Pelayo, the first king of Asturias, and his legendary victory at the Battle of Covadonga. To understand the significance of this battle, we delve into the history of the Visigoths, who had established a kingdom in Spain after the fall of the Roman Empire. We examine the Visigothic legacy and thei...

A summary of season 3 and some notes on what we've got planned for season 4. Thanks for the wild ride! Supporting pictures, source material and attributions can be found on our website. Join the Anthology on Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crew of the HMS Bounty were free from their hated captain, but what now?   Their old lives were over. And the ferocious Polynesians weren't interested in sharing their islands with British sailors.   As the crewmembers couple up with the few women aboard, resentment simmers when there aren't enough companions for everyone.   All the while, Christian Fletcher walks a tightrope as the crew begin...

“Of all the sea tales told down the ages, none has held its mystique so long as the mutiny on board HMS Bounty”   In the year of 1789, in the vast Pacific Ocean; the mutinous crew of the HMS Bounty turn on their loathed Captain.   Jeering and laughing the men push him into a tiny, overcrowded rowing boat.   Wearing only his night-gown and surrounded by the endless sea; Captain Bligh knows his chan...

Aurelian had accomplished more in two years than lesser Emperors had in 50. Both The Goths and Germans had been humbled by his ruthless campaigns. His message was clear: The Roman Empire is omnipotent, know your place or face its might.  But in Syria lay Zenobia, the self proclaimed ‘Queen Of The East’. With a force that rivalled the Roman army, she would not accept annexation quietly. All the whi...

In the late third century, The Roman empire teetered on the brink of total collapse. Barbarian hordes pour over the deserted border fortresses. Plague ripples through the cities, while hyperinflation pushes the population into poverty. The government is in freefall. Emperors are raised in rapid succession before being murdered and replaced with another. It seemed that, finally after 700 years of p...

Khalid ibn al-Walid's life had taken a full 360 turn. Throwing family tradition aside he'd embraced Islam and helped Muhammad smash the old idols he had once worshipped. He was quickly becoming The Prophet's favoured general, who gave him the title Sayfullah (The Sword of God). But the newly minted army of Islam was about to face a monumental challenge. Peeking over the northern border of The Cali...

Khalid was a member of the aristocracy in the Arabian trading city of Mecca. When a local named Muhammad began claiming he was the Prophet of God, Khalid and his family fought tooth and nail to stamp out his movement. Less than two years later Khalid was the highest ranking commander in the Muslim army, where his name alone spread fear through the Roman and Persian army. Tune in to hear the story...

Ahmad Shah Durrani had made his mark. Every tribesman in Afghanistan recognised him as King. In Delhi, the Grand Mughal cowered behind his peacock thrown, in fear of what the Afghan warlord would do next. But all was not well for the Pearl of Pearls, by vanquishing the Mughals, he had ripped the scab off a wound that had been festering for generations. The people of India: Sikhs, Marathi's and Jat...

Who was Ahmad Shah Durrani? Ahmad Shah Durrani was an Afghan chieftain who rose to power leading Persian armies in the 18th century. After his Persian overlord was murdered he threw off the yoke of oppression and declared an independent Afghan state for his people. But could one man unite the disparate and quarrelling tribes of the Afghanistan into the Durrani empire? Part 1 of 2. Join The Antholo...

In this special episode I sit down with three other history podcasters and discuss the 2012 Movie '11 September 1683, Day of the Siege'. This is a historical movie, that tells the story of the Ottoman Siege of Vienna in the 17th century. The movie is unkind to Islam, unkind to history and most of all unkind to its viewers. Enjoy our pain! IMDB Score 4.3/10, Rotten Tomatoes Score: 28% This podcast...

Simo Häyhä was a Finnish farmer born in the 1900's, known around his village for his wickedly sharp aim with a hunting rifle. In 1939, his life was turned upside down when Stalin and The Red Army invaded Finland. Rushed to the front, his kill-count quickly rose. His fellow Finns nicknamed him The Magic Sniper, but to the Russians he was Belaya Smert, The White Death. In the freezing darkness, with...

In Part 2 of this two-part series, we continue our exploration of Admiral Yi Sun Sin's remarkable life and legacy. We delve into his leadership style and military strategy, his personal beliefs and values, and his impact on Korean and East Asian history. We also examine his conflicts with fellow Admiral Won Gyun and the political intrigue that plagued the Korean navy during the Imjin War. We detai...

In this two-part series, we delve into the remarkable life and legacy of Admiral Yi Sun Sin, one of Korea's greatest military heroes. In Part 1, we explore Yi Sun Sin's background and upbringing, his military career, and his role in the Imjin War, a 16th-century conflict between Korea and Japan. We examine the political and social context of the time, including the tensions between Korea, Japan, a...