The History of Byzantium

April 2022 Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I answer listener questions about Manuel's reign.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manuel deals with the aftermath of the Battle of Myriokephalon. He is left out of an Italian peace conference and must negotiate a peace of his own in Anatolia. He continues his efforts to position Byzantium as a friend of the Latins. And we look at his church and financial policies. Period: 1176-80 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manuel launches a Crusade against the Turks of Iconium.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I have teamed up with Nitin Sil of the Flash Point History Youtube Channel. We are turning the podcast into a Youtube series with brilliant maps, images and animations accompanying my words. Check out our first video now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2pQjfOebdI&t=2241s charting the rise of Justinian. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While his armies were fighting in the Balkans Manuel's diplomats and fleets were busy elsewhere. Komnenos poured money into Italy to try and gain influence there. He considered alliances with the Germans, the Pope and the Normans but ultimately lost them all. He made war on Venice and tried to capture an Egyptian port. Period: 1161-73 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

History of Byzantium Tour - April 23 to May 2, 2022. The tour will visit Istanbul, Cappadocia and Ephesus. If you'd like to come or if you'd like to hear about future tours please email thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manuel spends the 1160s at war with Hungary. During these campaigns the Emperor adopts the Hungarian King's brother making him his heir. This enables the Romans to seize Sirmium and parts of Dalmatia. The Hungarian elites won't stand for it and try to throw the Romans out. Period: 1161-72 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look around Constantinople in Manuel's day. We discuss his use of the two urban palaces and the growth of the Italian population along the Golden Horn. Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When Alexios Komnenos came to power his family decided to marry their way out of the civil wars which threatened the state. By Manuel's day this meant that a new aristocracy had grown up who dominated the organs of the Byzantine state.  We discuss this development and how Manuel managed his family. As well as those who resented this innovation. Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Today we talk to historian Katherine Pangonis about her book 'Queens of Jerusalem.' Not only do we talk about the fascinating lives of the women of Outremer but we also pick up Andronikos' story as he manages to scandalise all of Christendom. Find out more about Katherine at her website To listen to the book for free why not use Audible's 30-day trial Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

We pause the narrative briefly to learn more about Manuel's world. Today we talk about the Emperor's personality and relatives. Including his cousin, friend and rival Andronikos.  Period: 1143-61 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Italy and the Balkans at peace Manuel turns his attention to Anatolia. He marches to Antioch to punish those who'd wronged him. He then campaigns against the Turks with surprisingly positive results.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manuel's Italian campaign begins brightly but ends in failure. Meanwhile his cousin Andronikos tries to kill him and more bad news arrives from Antioch.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Normans raid the cities of Greece during the passage of the Second Crusade. Manuel sees this as such a worrying development that he makes the decision to prioritise the recovery of Apulia over Antioch. This sets off a series of conflicts in the Balkans and a series of missed opportunities in Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We follow the Emperor Conrad and King Louis as they both attempt to cross Anatolia.  Period: 1147-1148 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A 'Second' Crusade is called in response to the fall of Edessa in 1144. The French and German monarchs sign up leaving the Byzantines with multiple headaches to deal with.  Period: 1144-1147 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John II Komnenos' youngest son Manuel takes charge of the Empire. After securing the capital and punishing Raymond of Antioch the new Emperor goes on campaign against the Turks. After chasing the Sultan of Iconium to his capital Manuel realises that fighting on the plateau is no easy business. Meanwhile the Crusader city of Edessa falls and the Byzantines don't appreciate the significance of this...

Robin discusses 'Byzantium and Italy' with Marco Capelli. Marco is the brilliant host of Storia d'Italia - a podcast telling the story of the History of Italy - in Italian. This interview is in English. Please do tell any Italian speakers you know about Storia d'Italia (italiastoria.com). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Family Update Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we talk to the man whose research has guided our last few podcasts Dr Maximilian Lau. Dr Lau is Adjunct Professor of Economic History at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, and also a Research Associate in History at St Benet’s Hall, University of Oxford. He has been studying 12th century Byzantine history for many years now and the fruits of that labour can be found in his forthcoming bo...

Last time we watched as John Komnenos attempted to untangle the Gordian knot which Anatolia had become. After campaigning against the Danishmends – John moved on to Cilicia and Antioch. The Emperor attempted to enforce his rights without angering the Latins. A trick which he failed to pull off. Today John will be forced to go through the whole process all over again. But when he reaches the gates...

John II Komnenos is finally free to campaign in Anatolia. If he can keep the Turks quiet then he can make it to Antioch where his real goal lies. But once there will he risk outraging Latin opinion by assaulting the city or will he negotiate a deal to bring the city back into the Empire? Period: 1127-1138 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John II Komnenos takes charge of the Empire and campaigns immediately in Anatolia. But he is soon beset by the complications of the new position Byzantium finds itself in. Serbians, Steppe tribes, Hungarians and Venetians all demand his attention. Enemies and allies are crowding the chess board and John must make each move very carefully.  Period: 1118-1127 If you want to send in feedback to...

I have now finished all of the videos of Istanbul. So do subscribe to the History of Byzantium Youtube channel if you’d like to see them. The first few will go up next week.   I have also completed our next Byzantine Story. It will be available in the next hour. It’s about a provincial magnate named Kekaumenos whose life gives us the invaluable perspective of a Roman outsider. Someone who vie...