The AskHistorians Podcast is a project that highlights the users and answers that have helped make/r/AskHistorians one of the largest history discussion forum on the internet. You can subscribe to us via iTunes, Stitcher, or RSS. If there is another index you'd like the cast listed on, let me know (I am working on adding a few at the moment, and getting us on YouTube)!
This Episode:
/u/Ambarenya discusses with /u/400-Rabbits the two dynasties that formed the golden age of the medieval Byzantine Empire, albeit a golden age that was fraught with internal dissent and encroaching enemies on all sides. Part 1 covers the Macedonian dynasty, primarily examining their later period and decline, before seguing into the turmoil that eventually gave rise to Alexios Komnenos as the first of the Komnenian dynasty.
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Thanks all!
Coming up next fortnight: /u/Ambarenya continues! Part 2 will cover the rest of Alexios' reign, that of his successors, the Crusades, and the eventual downfall of the Komnenoi.
Oh man! I was just reading up on my Byzantine history and then this comes along. I'm super excited for the second part. As always, top notch content, presentation, and the enthusiasm was palpable, many thanks!
P.S.: Could you (/u/Ambarenya) recommend any books on the Byzantine military? Also, what are your thoughts on Norwich's History of Byzantium, if you've read it, of course.
I just finished the Assyrian one and now there's a new podcast! Just wanted to say thanks for your work, guys- I love listening to these when I'm taking my son for long walks, and the lengthier you make them, the better!
hey awesome you're doing this, one of my lecturers at Cardiff has this period as his specialty. He gets particularly enthusiastic and starry eyed about eunuchs from cappodocia. My question would be this. i've found getting up to date english translations of the primary sources is a little tricky. Which translations do you recommend?
Well, I didn't know there was a podcast. I should read the sidebar more. This is great. And this one is a topic that I'm very interested to learn more about.
Thank you!!!
Very excited about to hear this episode, /u/Ambarenya, do have any thoughts on the "History of Byzantium" podcast series by Robin Pierson?
To everyone who posted: many apologies for the delay in responses! It has been a very busy two weeks and I did not have sufficient time to provide good answers to you all. I hope you will forgive me. :,(
Awesome discussion! A quick question: are they any particular reasons that a singular method of imperial succession was never codified? Also what was the armor that was jingling in the background near the beginning?
Very interesting! I have a question on female rulers of the empire: legally (if that word can be used) what was happening when the Empress had to marry to be allowed to rule the empire? Was she accepted as a female emperor regnant or was the husband the official ruler and she had to (at least de jure) submit to his authority?
I know in the 790s Irene ruled the Empire solo (giving the Pope reason to declare the throne vacant) so wondered what the Byzantine laws were around this.