History of Modern Greece

Two of the last living descendants from the Great Macedonian Dynasty, Theodora, and Zoe, ruled as co-emperors over the Roman Empire. But they both are grasping at straws, as they too are old, and they do not have any children… it is these women who will ultimately choose the successor dynasty to the great Macedonian line. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People f...

Basil is dead, and the next emperor has no heirs of his own. How will Constantine VIII manage to secure a new Roman Dynasty before he too passes on from the world? Spoiler alert… he doesn’t. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish War from 1919 to 1...

Basil the 2nd defeats his greatest enemy… secures the lands of the Roman Empire, and even managed to grow its frontiers out further than ever before. This was the absolute height of the Byzantine Golden Age. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish W...

Basil the Bulgar Slayer, made his name by slaying many Bulgars. His greatest foe had taken all of the Imperial lands on the European side of the empire, and decades of fighting had made Basil a fearsome foe. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish W...

Basil the 2nd was triumphant in his first years as emperor. His major mistake was marching recklessly into battle, and nearly losing his own head, and many of his men. Unfortunately, his actions triggered his closest ally to lose his patience, and rebel against the emperor. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Gre...

Basil the 2nd is the longest-reigning Roman Emperor of all time. But the beginning of his reign was sparked by civil war. In order to hold onto control, he was going to need the help of a great general. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish War fr...

A new Caliphate is born in the Northern territories of Africa, and the island of Sicily. These Arabs follow a different teacher in Islam and are on a quest to become the new dominant power. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish War from 1919 to 19...

Just how did the Great Charlemagne turn into the Holy Roman Empire? This episode covers the events and details of the Eastern Frankish Kingdom, and its path to one that is Holy, Roman, and Imperial. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Greco-Turkish War from 1...

Sviatoslav is a Slavic Name, he wore Slavic Clothing… but he was a Viking. The Viking Origin story concludes with the Viking King of the Slavic Nation facing off against the Roman Empire in a final showdown that will result in one of them being turned into a drinking cup. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek...

We follow the Viking adventures East, across the Baltic Sea, and into Eastern Europe. Where they founded trading outposts along the Ladoga, Dneiper, and Volga rivers. And some of these Vikings became Kings of the land. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, through to the Grec...

The Sons of Ragnar return from their adventures in Ireland, France, Spain, and Italy, to exact their revenge on the man responsible for executing their father. Meanwhile… Rollo makes a deal with King Charles that gives birth to the land of Normandy. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in...

We delve into Viking mythology and paint several similarities between Greek and Norse mythology and the legendary character of Ragnar Lothbrok. There are many who believe that the story of Reginherus and the siege of Paris are the foundation of the Viking Character Ragnar Lothbrok. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to...

We start off the origin mini-series, by going back to the Proto Indo Europeans, and following the branch that traveled North West of the Carpathian mountains. They became the Corded Ware culture along the journey, and then they became known as the Battle Ax culture before they became known as Norse, Swedes, and Danes… and ultimately… Vikings. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events...

After a clever assassination, another General seizes the imperial throne. Immediately he is faced with a revolt in the Balkans, and an invasion by the Kievan Rus from the North. After mopping things up in the West he marches his army east where he takes back lost imperial lands and comes face to face with a new… organized enemy… The Fatimid Caliphate. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers th...

How many times do Usurpers feel remorse for stealing the throne? How many times do Emperors look at their children and think they are not fit to rule? This is the story of a Usurper who had a Change of Heart and gave everything back to the Macedonian Dynasty. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Indep...

The Macedonian Dynasty faced a terrible dilemma when the throne was left to children. It gave the opportunity for backstabbing generals to step in and claim the throne for themselves. This is the story of how an Armenian Admiral in the Byzantine Navy rose to the occasion, betrayed the empress, and seized the throne for himself. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek Pe...

What would you do if you had all the money and wealth in the world, spent all of your time partying and socializing with Elites, never preparing for the future, or any responsibility… and then were thrust into the most powerful seat in the Empire? This is the story of the Drunk Emperor. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 14...

After securing the throne, writing a law code, taking back old land, and building many churches… Basil is forced to leave the empire to the son who preferred to stay inside and read books, instead of his warrior son. Basil… in many ways, is similar to Justinian the Great, only on a smaller scale. But his story is far more impressive, and his Bookworm son turned out to be another great emperor. The...

The Byzantine Golden Age coincides with the dawn of a new dynasty. The Macedonian line of emperors starts with a young man born into Bulgar Slavery. This is the original Cinderfella story. From Rags to riches… Basil becomes the new Emperor of the Roman Empire. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Inde...

Continuing the origin story of the Bulgars, we discuss the Great Khans who fought against the Khazars and the Byzantine Emperors. The story ends with the Bulgar story merging with the Greek narrative and the turning of Emperor Nikephoros' head into a Drinking Cup. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek Wa...

Who are the Bulgars and where did they come from? We discuss four different theories on the origin of the Bulgarians, from Old Great Bulgaria to the legendary Bulhara. Are the Bulgarians really descended from the generals of Alexander the Great?  The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 18...

We take a look at the state of the Greek world in the year 800 CE. What were the borders? How was their government operated? What was the state of Greek religion? All of these questions and more are discussed, to paint a vivid picture of the state of medieval Greece. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War...

We wrap up the story of Empress Irene, the first woman to make it to the top of the ladder in Byzantine Politics. Not only did she sit on the throne, but she also governed the entire Empire, on her own. We also discuss the bias a lot of historians had towards Irene, and even talk about the infamous blinding of her son Constantine. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek...

Welcome to the Second Season of the History of Modern Greece. We look back at our first season and discuss some of the lessons we learned from podcasting, as well as our favorite men and women from Ancient Greece. We also take the time to discuss who our favorite podcasters are who cover these events in much greater detail. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People...

Irene of Athens was the very first... sole ruling Empress of the Roman Empire. She wasn't just the mother of an Emperor or the Wife of an Emperor... she WAS the Roman Emperor. The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events of the Greek People from the fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Greek War of Independence in 1821-1832, all the way through to the Greco-Turkish War from 1919 to...