Nick Holmes

Echoes of Empires

History EN ↓ 143 episodes

Welcome to Echoes of Empires. If you’re looking for a podcast about history, you’ve come to the right place! Because you’ll find over a hundred episodes here about the Roman Empire, Byzantium, the Arab Caliphates, Charlemagne’s Empire, the Dark Ages, the Crusades and I’m adding to them all the time. WANT A FREE EBOOK? Then head directly to my website www.nickholmesauthor.com.

Author

Nick Holmes

Episodes

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 87 "The Day the Sun Died" 04.05.2024 23:09

In the year 536, something very strange happened on planet Earth. The sun was dimmed and temperatures plummeted. This was followed by another apparently inexplicable event. A pandemic of unparalleled proportions struck the eastern Roman Empire. What was going on?? Find out in this episode! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 86 "The Sack of Antioch" 27.04.2024 26:11

In May 540, the unthinkable happened. The Persian shah, Chosroes, burned the Roman Empire's second city, Antioch, to the ground and butchered or enslaved its inhabitants. How did this catastrophe happen? Find out here! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 85 "The Hollow Victory" 20.04.2024 24:10

In May 540, Belisarius captured Ravenna from the Goths and took prisoner the Gothic king Wittigis. But before he could destroy the Gothic kingdom completely, he was recalled to Constantinople to face the invading Persians. In the next few years, a new Gothic king - Totila - would retake most of Italy. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 84 "Divided We Fall" 13.04.2024 25:50

After Belisarius' heroic defense of Rome in 537-538, it looked as if there might be a rapid end to the Gothic war. But no. The Roman high command was wracked by internal division that would prolong the war and lead to the tragic sack of Milan. Check out my website nickholmesauthor.com for a free ebook, maps and blogs. Find my latest book, 'Rome and Attila' on Amazon . Support the s...

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 83 "The Siege of Rome" 30.03.2024 28:00

In the summer of 536, Belisarius crossed the straits of Messina and marched on Rome. His army numbered 6,000 and he faced at least 30,000 Goths. It would be his greatest test. Check out my website nickholmesauthor.com for a free ebook, maps and blogs. Find my latest book, 'Rome and Attila', on Amazon.com here . Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickho...

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 82 "The Kingdom of the Ostrogoths" 23.03.2024 22:01

After Belisarius' triumph in North Africa, Justinian turned his gaze to Italy and the Kingdom of the Ostrogoths. But what was that Kingdom like? Find out here. For a free ebook, maps, blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com . For my latest book, Rome and Attila , click here . Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 81 "Trouble in Paradise" 16.03.2024 27:58

Belisarius conquered the Vandal kingdom in North Africa in just six months. But it would take 15 years to bring peace to this new province of the Roman Empire. Find you why in this episode. Also, find a free ebook, maps and blogs at my website nickholmesauthor.com . Link here for my exciting new book 'Rome and Attila' only just out! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check...

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 80 "The Last Vandal King" 09.03.2024 25:07

On 15th September, 533, Belisarius captured Carthage from the Vandals. But the Vandal king Gelimer was mustering all the forces he could for a last desperate battle. Interested in finding out more about Roman history? Visit my website nickholmesauthor.com for maps, blogs and a free ebook! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 79 "Victory in Africa" 02.03.2024 25:52

In June 533, Belisarius sailed for North Africa to reconquer Carthage. Most people thought he would fail... Please do visit my website nickholmesauthor.com for books, podcast episodes, maps, blogs and a free ebook! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 78 "Next Stop Carthage" 17.02.2024 27:06

The Nika riots ripped the heart out of Constantinople and nearly toppled Justinian. Desperate to restore his authority, Justinian looked west to the Vandal kingdom of Carthage which was experiencing its own problems. To find maps, blogs and a free ebook check out my website nickholmesauthor.com Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT - 'Rome and Attila' Book 3 in The Fall of the Roman Empire 09.02.2024 1:57

My latest book, 'Rome and Attila' , is now available on Amazon in ebook and paperback, links below. It’s about one of the most infamous figures in history—Attila the Hun. He’s a household name, but remarkably little is known about him and his popular legend as a brutal tyrant is not necessarily correct. I delve into the primary sources in search of the real Attila and find someone very d...

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 77 "Nika" 03.02.2024 25:00

In January 532, the Nika riots in Constantinople shook the world and nearly overthrew the emperor Justinian. Find out what happened here. Link to my website for free resources - nickholmesauthor.com Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 76 "The Road to Nika" 20.01.2024 25:20

Despite Belisarius' victory at Dara in 530, dissatisfaction was growing with Justinian which would soon lead to rebellion. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 75 "Belisarius and the Battle of Dara" 06.01.2024 25:10

In this episode, we meet one of Rome's greatest generals who will change the course of history. His name is Belisarius. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 74 "Justinian, Theodora, and the Secret History" 23.12.2023 23:10

Procopius is our main source for Roman history in the sixth century. He praises Justinian, Theodora and above all, Belisarius. But he's also left us with an unpublished document called the Secret History which contradicts everything he said in his other works. What's going on? Find out in this episode. For my website click here . Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check ou...

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 73 "Justin and Justinian" 09.12.2023 23:33

In 518, the emperor Anastasius died. According to Procopius, he was succeeded by an illiterate peasant named Justin. Although this did not sound promising, it was the beginning of a new golden age. Link to website nickholmesauthor.com Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 72 "Wars of Religion" 25.11.2023 24:10

In this episode, we continue with one of the most remarkable but largely forgotten Roman emperors - Anastasius. In his reign, a great religious conflict divided the empire and one that nearly toppled him from power. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 71 "Oh No! The Sasanians Are Back" 11.11.2023 24:41

Anastasius was one of the most important but often ignored of the eastern Roman emperors. In his reign, to paraphrase Gregory of Tours: 'A great many things happened, some good, some bad.' In this episode, we look at one that was decidedly bad for the Romans - the return of the Sasanians. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 70 "The New Diocletian" 14.10.2023 25:07

Anastasius is not one of Rome's most famous emperors but his achievements were critical to the growing strength of the eastern empire. It would be no exaggeration to say he was 'The New Diocletian'. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 69 "The Great Survivor" 30.09.2023 24:39

After the defeat at Carthage in 468, the eastern empire was looking precarious. But a new emperor, Zeno, would ensure both its and his own survival. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 68 "The Rise of the Ostrogoths" 16.09.2023 23:27

The Western Empire has fallen. In the East, Rome stands firm despite the failure of its expedition to recover North Africa. But a new power is emerging: the Ostrogoths. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

UPDATE: The Road to Justinian 19.08.2023 4:46

Just a quick update on the next season which I’m very excited about because it will cover the reign of the emperor Justinian when his famous general, Belisarius, reconquered much of the west. We'll start on September 16th. See you then! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 67 "Awaking A Sleeping Giant" 29.07.2023 24:50

Before we begin the story of the great Age of Justinian, let's return to Attila the Hun. What was his role in paving the way for Justinian? You may be in for a surprise! Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 66 "Once Upon A Time In Noricum" 01.07.2023 21:12

In this episode, we look at what life for ordinary people was like as the western empire fell. And one extraordinary document has survived to tell us a fascinating tale. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com

The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 65 "Not with a Bang but a Whimper" 17.06.2023 22:43

We are now counting down the days to the official end of the Western Roman Empire in AD 476. But there are plenty of twists and turns still to come. Support the show For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor.com