All Episodes

23:28 S2E12 bonus

Byzantine military tech (Extra)

The Byzantine Empire excelled at siege warfare and defensive architecture, particularly through the use of the traction trebuchet. This artillery piece used human crews pulling ropes to launch heavy stones …

24:15 S2E11

Byzantine Military Tech

The Byzantine navy dominated the Mediterranean using Greek Fire, a devastating petroleum-based incendiary mixture. Launched from specialized dromon warships using pressurized bronze tubes called siphons, the liquid ignited upon contact …

18:23 S2E10

The long downfall of the Byzantine Empire

The long downfall of the Byzantine Empire was a slow, agonizing decline that stretched over several centuries, driven by relentless external pressures and deep-seated internal decay. Once a dominant superpower, …

22:18 S2E9

Women in the Byzantine society

While daily life for most women in the Byzantine Empire was largely confined to the domestic sphere and highly segregated, Byzantine law granted them surprisingly advanced legal rights compared to …

21:35 S2E8

Byzantine Anarchy (695-717)

The Twenty Years' Anarchy (695–717 AD) was a period of severe political instability that nearly destroyed the Byzantine Empire. Triggered by the deposition and mutilation of Emperor Justinian II, this …

20:41 S2E7

Byzantine emperors DOOMED the empire

Byzantine emperors ultimately doomed their empire through a lethal combination of chronic civil wars, aggressive overspending, and reliance on foreign mercenaries. Instead of uniting against external threats, rival rulers routinely …

22:49 S2E6

The formation of Russia

This episode explores how invasions, wars, foreign pressures, and geopolitical challenges shaped the development of Russia’s political system and examines key historical events from the Mongol period to modern conflicts. …

18:50 S2E5

Christianisation 101 : The Slavs

During the early Middle Ages, a massive cultural shift took place across Europe: the Christianisation of the Slavs. It was a complex game of diplomacy, power, and identity.Key historical milestones …

22:22 S2E4

How Basil II doomed Byzantium

Basil II left the Byzantine Empire at its absolute territorial and financial zenith in 1025. However, he unintentionally laid the groundwork for its collapse by failing to secure a clear …

25:13 S2E3 bonus

Conquering Bulgaria (Bonus)

Who was behind the Byzantines conquering Bulgaria? In this podcast extra you'll find out.

24:56 S2E2

Conquering Bulgaria

In this episode we wiil talk about how Basil the second conquered Bulgaria and made it part of the Byzantine Empire.

21:43 S2E1

Building Constantinople

Have you ever wondered how you can turn a small, coastal town to the capital of a massive empire in six years? Today we will find out how Constantine did …