The History of Byzantium

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

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

How do you explain your strange interest in Byzantium to your friends and family? I argue that you can't understand the modern world without Byzantium. This is the last

Jun 23
24 min

Episode 354 - Final Questions

I answer the final batch of questions which came in after 1453. They are mostly fun speculation or about me and the podcast. Our Constantine Acrostic Christianized th

Jun 17
32 min

Episode 353 - How did Romans become Greeks with Anthony Kaldellis

A discussion with Professor Anthony Kaldellis about how the Romans became Greeks. Anthony Kaldellis is the Gaylord Donnelly Distinguished Service Professor in the Depart

Jun 9
2 h 10 min

Episode 352 - Crusader Storm with Nicholas Morton

This is our last chance to talk about the Crusades on this podcast. So I put listener questions to Dr Nicholas Morton. Dr Morton is Associate Professor in Middle Eastern

Jun 3
58 min

Episode 351 - The 10 Worst Byzantine Emperors

I pick the 10 Worst Byzantine Emperors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26
20 min

Episode 350 - Questions XIX

I answer your questions about where the Romans got their gold from, how Romania ended up with a Romance language, Byzantine games of polo and more. Hosted on Acast. See

Apr 22
39 min

Episode 349 - Questions XVIII

I answer your questions about the Secret History, eunuchs, the Doukas name, the Byzantine crown, the Crown of Thorns and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Apr 15
26 min

Episode 348 - Trebizond! Part Two

We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1297-1453. The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube chan

Apr 9
47 min

Episode 347 - Trebizond! Part One

We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1204-1297. The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube chan

Mar 31
41 min

Episode 346 - What If?

I tackle your counter factual questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24
39 min

Episode 345 - The Immortal Emperor

Did you hear that Constantine XI didn't die? That he was taken below ground by an angel and will one day return. We explore all the myths which attached themselves to the

Mar 17
27 min

Episode 344 - Cold Case: Constantine XI

I investigate the death of the Emperor Constantine XI. What happened to him on the last day of his life? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 10
1 h 06 min

Episode 343 - The End of Crusading and the Third Rome

We look at the reaction to the fall of Constantinople in Venice, Rome and Russia. And briefly discuss those who claimed descent from Constantine XI. Hosted on Acast. See

Mar 2
22 min

Intelligent Speech conference this Saturday

What if Belisarius had accepted the Goths offer and become the Western Roman Emperor in 540AD? This is one scenario I will be discussing on Saturday at the Intelligent Sp

Feb 25
1 min

Episode 342 - The Roman Diaspora

We look at the fate of the Roman people after 1453. Many were enslaved while others searched desperately for loved ones. Those who adapted quickly to Ottoman rule could g

Feb 23
28 min

Episode 341 - Mehmed and Constantinople

Mehmed did not make Constantinople his capital straight away. There were political, practical and psychological arguments against it. We talk about these and how the Sult

Feb 17
26 min

Episode 340 - Questions XVII

We look at all your questions about the siege of 1453. As well as the Palaiologan era in general. If you want to hear more about Trebizond then check out Byzansimp's You

Feb 10
25 min

Episode 339 - What Happened Next?

We follow events after the Ottomans broke through the walls of Constantinople. Taking the story up to the Sultans triumphant return to Edirne. To win the game Seljuk: By

Feb 3
25 min

Episode 338 - Get Rid of Byzantium with 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 understa

Jan 27
39 min

Episode 336 - 10 Influential East Romans with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 2

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

Jan 14
1 h 10 min

Chart trend

Position in the History chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#54#107JunJulAugSep

#36

all-time peak

days in the top 50 since Nov 2024

Chart positions

Where The History of Byzantium ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 15, 2026).

#100 ▼ 5 History US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Fascinating subject that the western world doesn’t hear enough about! Robin brings just the right balance of information and analysis, helping you understand not just what happened but what it all means. Interviews with authors and subject matter experts are interesting too. (Plus he has a lovely voice!) Binge listening, I had to come and write this review after the exceptional episode about the sack of Constantinople. Thanks for the amazing show!

Nancy at the Piano · Dec 2024

Just got past episode 100, really good stuff so far. I loved the interviews he’s done and the special episodes. It does a great job picking up where Mike Duncan left off, and Robin makes it different enough for it to stand out on its own.

PatientShelf7 · Dec 2024

What is most interesting about this podcast is gaining a handle on all the changes in both the circumstances and how the ruling classes (in power, out of power and seeking power) react, sometimes setting other changes into action. From being the salvageable portion of The Roman Empire to the eastern bulwark against advancing Islam in Europe to a city-state plus a couple self-ruling areas, we watch as an Empire becomes just another set of nations before its final fall (as of this review we're not at the fall yet, but we're within viewing distance of Constantinople's fall).

Godozo · Oct 2024

Done in the style of Mike Duncan, someone the Narrator obviously strives to emulate. Well done. Although more than enjoyable as is, it would have been better if Robin would have covered all the events within a time period (he has events sectioned mostly by century), rather than jumping back and forth in time. Completely ruins any hope for continuity. It is great to hear History that one would only learn if they majored in it in upper level University classes. Also there are a lot of informative interviews layered between the narrative. I am just now starting this podcast twelve years after its start and it is still ongoing. Strongly suggest backing up to the beginning and trying to listen in some semblance of chronological order. I found it helpful to set aside all the many interviews for later listening. There is also bonus content pertinent to the overall narrative that is now only available on Patreon, behind a paywall. Happy listening and thanks to Robin for the content.

AmRadioGal · Jul 2024

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