Countries That Don't Exist Anymore

To round up Series 6, we debate which Series 6 country we'd most want to live in. Could it be Medieval Korea? Does Victorian Moresnet take our fancy? Plus, we answer listener questions and weigh up your suggestions for future countries to cover.

From contested zinc mine to global capital of Esperanto, we find out about the history of this small and most contested triangle of land. Lasting over 100 years, Moresnet was a libertarian utopia, smugglers dream and what happens when European powers agree to disagree. Almost. Follow us on Instagram, X, Facebook & BlueSky @ctdeapod or head to the website ctdeapod.com for articles and updates.

We watch and discuss the first few episodes of Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth . Packed with South Korean models and popstars, Hwarang tells the story of the formation of the aristocratic youth group designed to reinforce the power of the crown. (Only hotties need apply). If you want Twilight but set in 500s Silla with a schizophrenic hip hop, classical, incidental music soundtrack, this is the sh...

We investigate Silla, one of the three kingdoms of old Korea. We follow their epic battles against Paekche and Gogoryo, their love-hate relationship with ancient China and how Silla became the foundation of the Korean state we know today. Expect queens, kings and plenty of Kims! Check out the website: ctdeapod.com and follow us on Facebook, X, BlueSky and Insta @ctdeapod

It's another one from the archives as we revisit our interview with YouTube sensations, Map Men. We talked to Jay and Mark about how they make their videos and quiz them on their Inca knowledge with Knot Truth or Not Truth.

Ed's getting married, so this time we're digging out an episode from the archive - the Inca Empire. Hopefully this will Quipu you entertained before normal service is resumed.

We met up with comedian and CTDEA alumnus Mike Shephard at a pub in Forest Hill, South London - the place where Bertie Sheldrake was offered the crown of Islamestan. What were Bertie's motivations? Why would anyone want to be a king? And what happened to Europe's leftover royalty? Join us for an enjoyable pint-fuelled ramble. Visit ctdeapod.com and contact us on Instagram, X, Facebook and...

It's a CTDEA double king double bill! First, we hop to Patagonia Auracania, where a French lawyer in a tries to become champion of the Mapuche people. Then we head East to find a London pickle maker try to become overlord of the Chinese Islamic kingdom of Islamistan. It's a king-king situation! Head to ctdeapod.com for articles and more. Follow us @ctdeapod on Facebook, X, Bluesky and Inst...

Phil & Ed pop to Rochester Castle, an original Norman conquest castle in Kent, to experience the epic scale of an 11th century castle. From a 1215 siege by King John that brought down a tower to a hook up spot for Henry VIII, Rochester Castle has seen it all. So now it's our turn. Follow along with pictures on our blog: https://www.ctdeapod.com/post/ctdea-on-the-road-rochester-castle

In part 2 of our Gwynedd epic, we find out how Gwynedd deals with the Norman Kings - from William the Conqueror to Edward I. We also meet a couple of Llewellyns and loads of Dafyds. And we ask the question - how did the Welsh come to be Welsh?

The Kingdom of Gwynedd was a Medieval powerhouse from the departure of the Romans right up to the conquest of Edward I. It helped establish the things that helped the Welsh find a distinctive identity, including cattle-based revenge and Hywel's Law of Wales. Join us for blindings, burning and castle building. Check out our website at ctdeapod.com and follow us on X, Facebook & Bluesky @ctd...

Ed & Phil explore some of the ways Angkor Wat has been used in film. From a split second cameo on Transformers to a Tomb Raider trope. Phil then uncovers some of the darker aspect of the Khmer Rouge and Ed watches Jungle Atlantis to find out just how much he got wrong about Angkor Wat. Please send in questions and answers to ctdeapod@gmail.com or go to ctdeapod.com

We cover the temple-addicted, hydraulic super power known as the Khmer Empire. How did they tame the monsoon to become the greatest power in Southeast Asia? Not only does Angkor Watt remain a wonder if the world, but its suburbs stretched for miles and miles - making it the largest city in pre-industrial history. How did they achieve such power and organisation - and where did it go wrong? Website...

Phil and Ed visit take a sailing tour of the Dalmatian coast, hitting up some of the key places featured in the history of the Republic of Ragusa. Starting outside the Republic in Split, we then visit Hvar, Korcula, Mijet, Dubrovnik and even Cavtat. Read our travel blog at: https://www.ctdeapod.com/post/ctdea-croatia-sailing-diary Check out our top historical spots in Dubrovnik: https://www.ctdeap...

Imagine King's Landing from Game of Thrones without the dragons and poor pacing. That's better isn't it? Welcome to the Republic of Ragusa, the maritime power focused on Dubrovnik that sprung out of the Roman Empire, flourished in the Medieval period and lasted to the modern age. Contact us at ctdeapod@gmail.com Website: ctdeapod.com X and Facebook: ctdeapod

Put more historical entertainment into your 2025 with season 6 of Countries That Don't Exist Anymore. Forget dieting and fitness. Focus on ancient Cambodian culture and Welsh medieval kingdoms instead! Plus join us on a virtual yacht trip off the coast of Croatia. Coming at you soon....

Was Atlantis really an Ice Age super advanced civilisation? Or was the Atlantis described by Plato really a confused account of the ancient Minoans? We dip into conspiracy theories, pseudo-history and a world of legendary bull. Leave us a review or get in touch at ⁠ctdeapod.com⁠.

Who were the Minoans of Crete? Were they really Europe's first civilisation? Ed travels to the Palace of Knossos for CTDEA On The Road to find out if it was the real home of the Minotaur or if the Greek myths were a load of old bull. Check out ctdeapod.com and follow us @ctdeapod on Facebook or X. Please leave us a review wherever you listen.

Ed & Phil watch the 1964 Christmas classic Zulu starring Michael Caine. Does it hold up in 2024, did Caine ever say "Stop chucking those bloody spears at me?" and more importantly - is it historically accurate? Please leave us a review or donate at our website: ctdeapod.com .

How did a cow-obsessed pastoralists go from 1500 people to a fighting force that could defeat the British Empire? Who were the Zulus, why were they called the Black Spartans and why were they so into cow poetry? Follow us at @ctdeapod on Facebook and Twitter. Or leave a donation at ctdeapod.com .

Past Phil and Ed sat down to watch the movie Edge of the World, featuring James Brooke, the Raj of Sarawak (S03 E05). In real life, James Brooke was a towering pillock, but can Jonathan Rhys Myers do him justice? No. Check out our orginal episode on the Raj of Sarawak: S03 E05 Raj of Sarawak - Countries That Don't Exist Anymore | Podcast on Spotify and visit our website: ctdeapod.com

When the sons of Louis the Pious separated the Holy Roman Empire into three, everybody thought it would be temporary. But it wasn't. But why did Middle Francia look so weird? And was it the most important kingdom in European history? Contact us at ctdeapod@gmail.com or at our website: ctdeapod.com where you can donate to the show. Follow us @CTDEApod on X and Facebook and never miss another up...

This week we profile poet turned dictator Gabriele D'annunzio and his rowdy, partying state The Endeavour of Fiume. But was he the father of fascism or just a very naughty boy? Contact us at ctdeapod@gmail.com or at our website: ctdeapod.com where you can donate to the show. Follow us @CTDEApod on X and Facebook and never miss another update.

You might know that Alexander the Great invaded India, but did you know that Greek colonists and founded their very own Athens in Afghanistan? Find out about the Ancient Greeks of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. Plus is melon oil as good as olive oil? Spoilers: no. Check out our website: ctdeapod.com where you can read articles, get in touch or donate to the show. Follow at @ctdeapod on Facebook...

It's the long-awaited series 5 of Countries That Don't Exist Anymore! Ed & Phil head to sub-Saharan West Africa to check out the glittering Medieval empire of Wagadou (AKA the Ghana Empire). Did a 7-headed python god really rain gold? Did the fun-hating Almoravids end it all? We examine on the myths and mysteries of Wagadou! Contact us at ctdeapod@gmail.com or at our website: ctdeapod.com where yo...