Episode 352 - Crusader Storm with Nicholas Morton

Episode 355 - You Can’t Understand the Modern World without Byzantium

Jun 23, 202624 minSummary

In this final installment of The History of Byzantium, the host reflects on the profound and enduring legacy of the Byzantine Empire. Addressing the question of why this history remains vital for understanding the modern world, the episode outlines ten key areas where Byzantium fundamentally shaped contemporary society. The host argues that from the establishment of Christian values and institutions to the complex origins of the Islamic faith and the development of the concept of jihad, Byzantium served as a critical crucible for global history. Beyond religion, the discussion covers the preservation of the Justinianic legal code, which underpins modern civil law, and the role of Byzantine scholars in fueling the Renaissance. The host also examines how the fall of Constantinople and the empire’s long-standing geopolitical conflicts continue to resonate in modern nationalism, the tensions between Greece and Turkey, and the historical frictions defining Russian foreign policy. Concluding the series, the host expresses deep gratitude to the listeners for their support throughout the long narrative journey, marking an emotional end to this comprehensive exploration of the Roman world.

Episode 354 - Final Questions

Jun 17, 202631 minSummary

In this concluding question-and-answer session of The History of Byzantium, the host reflects on the podcast’s extensive journey while tackling final inquiries from listeners. The episode features a creative acrostic poem designed to help listeners remember the eleven emperors named Constantine, followed by a lighthearted discussion on his personal favorites and least favorite figures of the era. Beyond the trivia, the host engages in deeper historical reflection. He discusses which eras he found most fascinating, specifically highlighting the impact of the rise of the Caliphate and the First Crusade on his understanding of the Byzantine experience. The discussion pivots to the nature of history itself, where the host shares insights on human behavior, the role of superstition in political legitimacy, and the surprising sophistication of the Byzantine government. He also shares personal reflections on how the long-running project has shaped his worldview, comparing the unpredictability of Byzantine battles to the nuances of modern sports. The episode serves as a heartfelt farewell, as the host announces the conclusion of the series to dedicate time to his growing family, closing a decade-long narrative project with gratitude for his listeners.

Episode 353 - How did Romans become Greeks with Anthony Kaldellis

Jun 9, 20262h 10mSummary

In episode 353 of The History of Byzantium, host Robin Pierson welcomes Professor Anthony Kaldellis for an in-depth exploration of a fundamental question in Byzantine history: how and why the Roman identity eventually transitioned into a modern Greek one. The discussion challenges the pervasive academic tendency to label Eastern Romans as Greeks—a shift that Kaldellis argues is often a product of Western colonial perspectives and later nationalist narratives. They examine how, throughout the lifespan of the Roman Empire and well into the Ottoman period, the population consistently identified as Romans. Kaldellis explains that the term Greek was historically employed by Westerners as a political, often derogatory, distinction, or as a linguistic descriptor rather than a cohesive national identity. A significant portion of the episode focuses on the distorting influence of modern nationalistic historiography and the lack of scholarly consensus on the Ottoman era. Kaldellis highlights how these "mind viruses," such as the myth of the millet system, have complicated the study of pre-modern identities. By separating historical reality from these later projections, the conversation provides a crucial framework for understanding how a diverse, Roman-identified population eventually adopted the Hellenic identity known today.

Episode 351 - The 10 Worst Byzantine Emperors

May 26, 202620 minSummary

In this episode, the host tackles the challenging and highly subjective task of identifying the ten worst Byzantine emperors. Moving beyond a simple countdown, the discussion establishes specific criteria for what constitutes a failed reign, focusing on how leaders prioritized personal gain over the survival and prosperity of the state. The host explores various historical figures whose decisions led to material damage, political instability, or the acceleration of imperial decline. The list features notable figures such as Andronicus I Komnenos, characterized by his destructive cruelty and betrayal of the state, and John VI Kantakouzenos, whose reliance on foreign mercenaries and prioritization of personal ambition ultimately condemned the empire. The episode also highlights the fateful roles of Alexius IV Angelos and other figures surrounding the Fourth Crusade. Through these portraits, the host examines the complexities of leadership, the weight of inherited crises, and the difference between genuine malice and the catastrophic consequences of poor decision-making. By contrasting these failures with those who were merely unfortunate or ineffective, the episode provides a nuanced reflection on the responsibilities of imperial power throughout Byzantine history.