Lions Led By Donkeys Podcast

A lively trip to the 13th century Northern Crusades that pits Alexander Nevsky against the Livonian/Teutonic forces on frozen Lake Peipus. They unpack medieval military composition, tactics of baiting and counterattack, and the chaotic pursuit across ice and bog. The hosts also probe contested myths like the lake breaking and the battle’s casualty claims.

A lively rundown of the 1453 sack of Constantinople and why it reshaped medieval power. They riff on Byzantine decline, the long fallout from the Fourth Crusade, and how crumbling walls met dwindling populations. Expect sharp historical banter, quirky absurdities like nominative determinism for fortresses, and playful takes on military misdirection.

A dramatic prelude to WWII set on the Mongolian steppe where Japan and the USSR clash over a barren border. They cover massive tank battles, Zhukov’s breakthrough plan, and brutal infantry and anti-armor tactics. Logistics, air power, and political restraint shape the fight. The conflict’s fallout alters Soviet–Japanese relations and echoes into 1945.

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SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/lionsledbydonkeys Constantine has a vision (or not) and takes the Roman throne in an incredibly one-sided battle that may or may not end with a different Emperor being drowned in the river. SOURCES: Lactantius. On the Deaths of the Persecutors. David Potter. Constantine: The Emperor. Ross Cowan. Milvian Bridge AD 312: Constantine's battle for Empire and Faith. Ludwig Heinrich Dyck. The Battle of Milvian Bridge: Battle for the Western Empire. Military Heritage. Feb. 2003. Volume 4, No. 4. http://www.classichistory.net/archives/constantine-christianity https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iii.xv.ix.html https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf201.iv.vi.i.xxviii.html

The second part oin our series about the rise and fall of the first Republic of Armenia in 1918-1920. Get the whole episode on Patreon here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/149346184

A dramatic military series finale covering the Tanzanian advance, collapsed Ugandan defenses, and chaotic battles like Lukaya. Foreign interventions from Libya and the PLO create confusion and mismatched equipment on both sides. Retreats, traffic-jam collapses, and the capture of Entebbe lead to looting and political maneuvering. Long-term costs include economic strain, insurgency seeds, and shifting Ugandan leadership.

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The Ugandan military faces self-inflicted struggles while a mysterious contractor thwarts Tanzanian efforts. Exploring bizarre assassination plots and chaotic propaganda, the hosts dive into the murky waters of international intervention and local politics. Impressive battlefield tactics emerge alongside logistical nightmares, leading to unexpected breakthroughs and costly losses. As the tides turn in this convoluted conflict, the narrative unfolds with suspense and dark humor, highlighting the absurdities that war often brings.

The hosts dive into the intriguing world of Studio Gainax, discussing its decline and the alleged financial misconduct following the success of Evangelion. They analyze Shinji's moral dilemmas and the complex dynamics of pilot treatment. There's a fresh take on Tokyo-3 as a potentially artificial city, and a discussion on the growth of Rei's character and agency. Listeners can expect dense narrative layers in upcoming installments, along with thoughts on scarce merchandise and disappointing commentary. Buckle up for a deep dive into the mind-bending lore!