Echoes of Empires

In this episode, we look at climate history and ask whether the rise of Islam was helped by more favorable climatic conditions during the Late Antique Little Ice Age? Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In this episode, we revisit the 'Late Antique Little Ice Age' and the Justinianic Plague, and consider whether these contributed to the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

After defeating the Romans at the Battle of Yarmuk in 636, the first Islamic Caliphate turned its attention to Persia. The fighting there would be even more decisive than against the Romans.  Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In August 636, near the Yarmuk river in modern-day Syria/Jordan, a battle was fought between the new Islamic Caliphate and the Roman Empire that would change the course of history.  Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

As Rome and Persia fought the last war of antiquity, they scarcely noticed a revolution was taking place in Arabia. A revolution led by a man named Muhammad. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

Heraclius was one of the greatest of all Roman Emperors and soldiers, and in 628-30 he secured a complete victory over Rome's oldest enemy - Sasanian Persia. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Roman Emperor Heraclius faced his gravest challenge yet in AD 626 as the Avars and Persians closed in on the capital city, Constantinople. But the year ahead would be full of surprises. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The year AD 622 was a difficult one for the Roman Empire and its emperor, Heraclius. Surrounded by the Avars in the west and the Persians in the east, the position looked hopeless. But Heraclius was a truly remarkable emperor and soldier. And he knew what the best form of defence was. If you're looking for a good read over the Christmas Holidays, check out my latest book 'Justinian'...

In 615, the Roman Empire was on its knees. The Persians had conquered most of Syria and the Levant and were poised to invade Egypt, the empire's richest province. But from the ashes of defeat would arise a new army, led by the emperor Heraclius, determined to avenge the fall of Jerusalem. Centuries later, they would be called the First Crusaders. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and bl...

When Heraclius seized the throne from Phocas, you might think the Romans had got lucky. But no! The first few years of his reign were nothing short of disastrous as the Persians advanced into the heart of the empire.  Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

I thought you might be interested to know that my latest book called ‘Justinian’s Empire’ is out now on Amazon in ebook and paperback. It will be with other distributors later and also available in audiobook probably within the next six months.  It's about the triumph and tragedy of Justinian’s reign. Triumph because Justinian’s general, Belisarius, recovered North Africa and Italy from the b...

The emperor Phocas' reign was one of the most tyrannical and bloodthirsty in all of Roman history. In North Africa, a young general rebelled against him. His name was Heraclius. He was to become the last great Roman emperor. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

We've reached a turning point in late Roman history. In 602, a Roman army officer called Phocas overthrew the emperor Maurice and began a tyrannical and bloodthirsty reign that would imperil the empire. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

Having secured peace with Persia in 592, the emperor Maurice could switch his army to the desperate situation on the western front. The Roman fight-back was in full swing. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In 590, the emperor Maurice got his big break. Civil war in Persia opened up the possibility of an entirely new world. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

As the emperor Justin II descended into madness, Tiberius II stepped into his shoes. His reign would be short but eventful. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In 565, Justinian died and he was succeeded by his nephew, Justin II. How would he cope with the over-extended empire Justinian had created? Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

A quick update on the next season in this podcast, starting on 14th September. It's going to be the most exciting of all - about the collapse of the ancient world in the seventh century AD, and the rise of Islam. A true turning point in history. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

Did Justinian make or break the Roman Empire? Find out in this episode! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In this episode, we look at society and religion in the age of Justinian. And we discover something that's been hidden in the sands of Egypt for 1,500 years. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

Justinian's wars of reconquest in the west left much of the Roman Empire weakly defended. Nowhere was this more evident than along the Danube frontier where new enemies were massing to pillage the empire and slaughter its inhabitants. They were the wolves from the north. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In the early 550s, with its economy and population recovering from the effects of the Justinianic Plague, Justinian launched a new offensive to subdue the Ostrogoths in Italy. This time the Roman army was well resourced and success looked likely. But would the cost of victory be worth it? Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In 544, Belisarius returned to Italy to fight the Goths. It was his last campaign and the end of his career. But many years later, he was asked by the emperor Justinian to don his armor one more time and save the empire from a new foe! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In 540, the Persians sacked Antioch. It was one of the greatest disasters in Roman history. But in 541, Belisarius was back from Italy. Could he now reverse the situation on the eastern front? Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

In the summer of 541, bubonic plague struck the Roman Empire. Known as the Justinianic Plague, it would be just as bad as the Black Death that 800 years later devastated Medieval Europe. Find out what happened here! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com