“The History of Byzantium” is a podcast dedicated to the story of the Roman Empire from the collapse of the West in 476 to the fall of Constantinople in 1453…
25:165.9K views · 1mo ago · 25:16
We look at all your questions about the siege of 1453. As well as the Palaiologan era in general. Pic: This painting of the siege is from the Panorama 1453 History Museum in Istanbul. It was a collaborative project led by Hashim Vatandaş
25:293.5K views · 2mo ago · 25:29
We follow events after the Ottomans broke through the walls of Constantinople. Taking the story up to the Sultans triumphant return to Edirne. Pic: The entry of Sultan Mehmed II into Constantinople, painting by Fausto Zonaro (1854–1929)
39:582.3K views · 3mo ago · 39:58
Guest: Leonora Neville
Professor Leonora Neville joins us to make the case for getting rid of the term Byzantium for good. She wants to replace it with a different term and a different understanding of Roman history. Professor Neville is the John W and Jeanne M Rowe Chair of Byzantine History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She specialises in the 9-12th centuries of the Empire’s history.
1:10:382.4K views · 5mo ago · 1:10:38
Guest: Anthony Kaldellis
As we look back at Byzantium I turned once more to Professor Anthony Kaldellis. I asked him to present a list of ten influential East Romans who were not featured heavily in the political narrative. Anthony Kaldellis is a Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago. He is the author of over a dozen books on Byzantium including the definitive history (The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium).
1:15:114.1K views · 7mo ago · 1:15:11
Guest: Anthony Kaldellis
As we look back at Byzantium I turned once more to Professor Anthony Kaldellis. I asked him to present a list of ten influential East Romans who were not featured heavily in the political narrative. Anthony Kaldellis is a Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago. He is the author of over a dozen books on Byzantium including the definitive history (The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium).
46:50768 views · 7mo ago · 46:50
Guest: Eric Halsey
Episode 334 – State Builders from the Steppe with Eric Halsey I talk to Eric Halsey about his new book State Builders from the Steppe: A History of the First Bulgarian Empire. In it he chronicles the rise and fall of the Bulgars as they arrive in the Balkans and forge a state that would be a thorn in the Byzantine side.
44:501.9K views · 8mo ago · 44:50
Guest: Mark Masterson
Episode 333 – The Bachelorhood of Basil II with Mark Masterson To mark the 1000th anniversary of his death we revisit the bachelorhood of Basil II. My guest is Mark Masterson — until recently Associate Professor of Classics at Victoria University of Wellington (retired 2025). His work explores masculinity, desire, and male social bonds in the Roman world.
3:252.5K views · 1y ago · 3:25
I talk about what will happen with the podcast next. Send your questions to thehistoryofbyzantium@ Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
1:41:426K views · 1y ago · 1:41:42
Mehmed II becomes Sultan in 1451 and immediately makes plans to conquer Constantinople. Period: 1448-53 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
27:132.6K views · 1y ago · 27:13
John VIII Palaiologos asks the Pope for an Ecumenical Council to reunite the churches. To his surprise the Pontiff says yes and a huge Byzantine contingent travels to Italy. Period: 1425-48 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
30:242.3K views · 1y ago · 30:24
Guest: Buying Time
With the Ottoman civil war raging Manuel II Palaiologos tries to improve the Roman position and ensure his sons succeed him. Period: 1402-30 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
30:012.2K views · 1y ago · 30:01
Manuel II Palaiologos refuses to play vassal to Sultan Bayezid. So the Ottomans set up a permanent blockade of New Rome. The siege would last for eight years and only a miracle could save the Romans. Period: 1391-1402 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
25:382.1K views · 1y ago · 25:38
John V Palaiologos faces rebellions from his sons and Grandsons. Forcing the Romans to become both Ottomans vassals and the pawns of Venice and Genoa. Period: 1371-91 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
25:311.9K views · 1y ago · 25:31
We look at the details of how the Ottomans ran their state. Including the creation of loyalty to the ruling dynasty, succession policy, military recruitment and slave trading. Period: 1280-1371 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
19:272K views · 1y ago · 19:27
We follow the last century of narrative from an Ottoman point of view. Period: 1280-1371 Hosted on Acast. See ( for more information.
Showing the 15 most recent episodes. Everything plays right here on Pod Atlas.
Have thoughts about The History of Byzantium Podcast? Share them with other listeners.
Discuss this podcast