5Sep
My husband, the writer of this podcast, Paul Vincent, died on 31 December 2018.
Our children and I have decided to keep it available via this site in his memory.
Many thanks to all those who have downloaded episodes and supported this podcast since its inception.
Roselle
21Nov
Manuel II goes a-calling on the heads of state of the major European powers in order to find some support in saving his dying empire.
4Nov
A lot has been going on in the former Western Roman Empire in the 300 years between 1100 and 1400!
21Oct
Introducing the Hokey Cokey Emperor. Is he in power or out? In, out, in, out!
31Jul
Fractious and incompetent behaviour from the ruling family plunge the Empire into crisis. It’s not going to get any better!
1Jul
A brilliant general becomes Emperor of Nicaea. It only takes him a few years to regain the great city of Constantinople. Unfortunately everyone is out to get him and it takes a lifetime of juggling to stabilise his empire.
7May
Welcome to nearly sixty years of total and utter chaos. Four empires and at least twenty emperors fight, make alliances, break alliances and generally fail to get on. Something has to give!
22Apr
The Angeli prove themselves to be so incompetent that the capital of the Empire cannot withstand the crusading armies. Calamity results.
1Apr
Andronicus Comnenus could not, quite obviously, be allowed to continue as Basileus. If only his demise, like that of Domitian for example, had been planned. Then, perhaps, the chaos and incompetence that followed could have been avoided.
18Mar
Manuel Comnenus thinks big but is a bit to pro-western. His cousin, though, is an entirely different kettle of fish!
10Mar
Introducing the new mythandhistory website. www.mythandhistory.co.uk
4Mar
John the Beautiful fails to achieve all his aims as he goes and dies at exactly the wrong moment. He is succeeded by his son: how will he do?
17Feb
Alexius’s son proves himself to be the equal of his father!
28Dec
The Pope launches the first crusade with mixed results for Alexius and hie empire!
28Oct
A quick look at France, Germany and England in the 300 years up to the start of the First Crusade.
20Aug
Everyone knows about 1066 and all that. The Normans' other conquests are less famous but equally important. Just ask Alexius Comnenus!
2Aug
Disloyalty and bad planning lead to disaster.
22May
The great Macedonian Dynasty comes to an end. The Empire begins its final spiral into nothingness.
7May
Basil's death begins a steep decline. If you want to be emperor then marry Zoe!
16Apr
Basil II finally has time to give his full attention to the Bulgars. It's not pretty!
22Jan
Basil II takes control of his empire, finally dispatching the pesky Bardases! And then he plans... a lot.
8Jan
The Empire is still on the rise despite the meddling of two men called Bardas!
25Dec
Have a great holiday, with the correct audio file this time!
15Dec
Romanus II succeeds his father but is partied out before too long. Romanus's loss is the Empire's gain.
11Dec
An important announcement about Christmas scheduling and my new recording technology.
27Nov
Having taken the place of his own son-in-law as senior emperor Romanus Lecapenus begins ro rule. He does a surprisingly good job. Shame about his sons!
13Nov
Leo the Wise finally solves his marriage problem and has the legitimate heir he's always wanted. Then he dies too early!
23Oct
Trying to produce a son can be a challenging activity. Just ask Leo!
9Oct
Michael III is known to history as Michael the Drunkard. While this may have some truth, it is mostly slander - perpetrated by a certain Basil the Macedonian.
25Sep
Christmas Day dawns and Leo V is a troubled man. By the end of it he would be a dead one. The Empire, though, is soon rolling in cash.
11Sep
The Khagan of the Bulgars proves to be more than a match for Nicephorus. Meanwhile the hermit's prophecy begins to come true!
28Aug
Leo IV could have been a good emperor but didn't get the chance. Unfortunately his wife did!
14Aug
What's been happening in the west in the 300 years since Rome fell? Time to find out!
19Jul
My new ebook: Legends of King Arthur and His Knights is now available on all Amazon stores. The ASIN code is B01I8IB7J8.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01I8IB7J8 for the UK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I8IB7J8 in the US
10Jul
After decades of turmoil a strong emperor finally assumes the purple. His reign may have been good news for the people but it was bad news for icons! And as for his son....
26Jun
The Empire realises, far too late, that exile is not enough for a deposed hated emperor..... he just might come back!
12Jun
Is there finally some light? Maybe. Bring on a vigorous young emperor and a brand new weapon!
29May
Heraclius completes his mission against the Persians. Has he done enough?
3Apr
A huge welcome to Elias Belhaddad who will take us through the rise of a new force. The world will never be the same again!
20Mar
Phocas's reign comes to an end in a brutal manner. His successor proves to be just what the Empire needs.
6Mar
The Empire successfully keeps its enemies at bay for more than 20 years. And then...?
22Feb
Justinian was certainly a great man; a man of drive, vision and courage. His achievements were many... but at what cost?
31Jan
Justinian sends his best general, the great Belisarius, to North Africa to evict the Vandals. If successful he will plough on and have a go at the big one: the reconquest of Rome.
17Jan
Justin is the Emperor but he's not really in charge. His nephew, Peter Sabbatius, gains a new name and a lot of power. Not only that, Peter has the ambition and drive to exercise his power.
3Jan
The Eastern Empire is healthy and flourishing but the Western Empire is gone. It's time to reflect on the reasons why.
13Dec
The fact that the Roman Empire used to contain a city called Rome quickly becomes a distant memory. Constantinople has its own problems. Stability is provided by an old man who proves that age is no barrier to imperial success.
20Nov
Rome may have fallen but it's not taking this podcast with it. The Eastern Empire is still going strong but will undergo major changes, making our histories of Greece and Rome merge into one.
16Nov
And so Rome falls. The inevitability is clear but the shock is still remarkable. On the other hand life continues as normal.
1Nov
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear! Barbarian generals and emperors battle for control of the Empire while other barbarians annex large parts of it. The countdown towards the fall of Rome gathers pace.