The History of Byzantium

We finish our 7th century tour by answering more of your questions. We cover nose slitting, coins, education, fashion, when did Late Antiquity end and did the Romans miss the Persians? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

David Gyllenhaal, a PhD student at Oxford University, dives into how the 7th century transformed Byzantine self-conception. He discusses the fallout from Justinian II's reign and the emergence of Leo III, highlighting the interplay between identity and political theology. Gyllenhaal examines moral accountability in leadership, particularly through Heraclius, while exploring orthodoxy's role in state stability. The episode also touches on the lasting influence of Jewish narratives on Byzantine identity, revealing the complex relationship between religion and governance.

Explore the intriguing mindset of the Romans as they grapple with military defeats. The podcast delves into their beliefs about divine punishment and self-identity during challenging times. Discover how emperors and church leaders interpreted losses as signs of moral and spiritual failure. The complexities of relationships between Byzantium and the early Caliphate reveal a nuanced understanding of faith and identity, while myths surrounding Constantinople highlight its perceived sanctity. A rich tapestry of history awaits!

We look at the changes the Roman army and government went through in the 7th century and consider why the Romans survived. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We look West at Spain, Gaul and Italy to see what has changed since 600AD. Then we head into the Balkans to peer into the darkness and try to understand who lived there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Now that the Arabs have conquered Syria and Mesopotamia how did they organise themselves? And how did this contribute to their continuing military victories? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out how you can buy the sale episode on the Origins of Islam by listening to this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We explore more issues surrounding why the Arabs won. We look into their society. We explore the great battles themselves and the armies who fought in them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An interview with Tom Holland, author of the book "In the Shadow of the Sword." The book traces the origins of Islam by looking at the Jewish, Roman and Persian worlds of late antiquity. In the interview he gives his views on how this process worked and then I ask him why did the Arabs win? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why can't we entirely trust the traditional Islamic account of the conquests? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.