In the early 550s, with its economy and population recovering from the effects of the Justinianic Plague, Justinian launched a new offensive to subdue the Ostrogoths in Italy. This time the Roman army was well resourced and success looked likely. But would the cost of victory be worth it? For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website nickholmesauthor ... Show More
Jun 2024
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 93 "Anatomy of a Regime"
<p>In this episode, we look at society and religion in the age of Justinian. And we discover something that's been hidden in the sands of Egypt for 1,500 years.</p><p>For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website <a href='https://www.nickholmesauthor.com/'>nickholmes ... Show More
25m 7s
Jun 2024
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 94 "Did Justinian Make or Break the Roman Empire?"
<p>Did Justinian make or break the Roman Empire? Find out in this episode!</p><p>For a free ebook, maps and blogs check out my website <a href='https://www.nickholmesauthor.com/'>nickholmesauthor.com</a><br/>Find my latest book, <em>Justinian's Empire,</em> on <a href='https ... Show More
23m 45s
Aug 11
BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT - 'The End of Antiquity' Book 5 in The Fall of the Roman Empire
Although I’m no longer making new episodes of this podcast, I thought you might be interested in my latest book, called The End of Antiquity, which relates particularly well to the content in this podcast since it’s about the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD and the collap ... Show More
1m 53s
Aug 2017
Anthony Kaldellis, “Streams of Gold, Rivers of Blood: The Rise and Fall of Byzantium, 955 A.D. to the First Crusade” (Oxford UP, 2017)
In the 10th century, a succession of Byzantine rulers reversed centuries of strategic policy by embarking on a series of campaigns that dramatically reshaped their empire. This effort and its consequences for the history of the region is the focus of Anthony Kaldellis‘s Streams o ... Show More
56m 57s
Aug 2024
The Fall of Roman Britain
<p>By 410 AD, over 450 years after Julius Caesar first landed on its shores, the Romans had formally withdrawn from Britain. Burdened by military threats and political upheaval on the continent, the empire began to contract in on itself. The Romano-Britons were left to fend for t ... Show More
36m 10s
Jul 2025
The Roman Conquest of the Hellenistic World
<p>For most of its history, Rome barely bothered with the Greek east. Then, quite suddenly, Rome exploded onto the scene, laying low the two most powerful Hellenistic warrior-kings of the past century. Within ten years, Rome became the undisputed hegemonic power of the Mediterran ... Show More
43m 35s
Oct 20
358. History of Rome (English Vocabulary Lesson)
When you imagine the city Rome, what comes to mind? Maybe the Colosseum, the Vatican, one of the largest empires in history, or delicious pasta? Rome isn’t just Italy’s capital; it’s also one of the most influential cities in human history. In today’s Thinking in English episode, ... Show More
21m 16s
Sep 7
History of Ancient Rome, Part 1 of 2 - The Republic
This sleepy story about the History of Ancient Rome is the first of two parts, because there were too many things to say for one single episode. The next part about the end of the Republic and the Empire will be out soon. In this episode, I tell you about the origins of Rome, its ... Show More
1h 19m
Dec 2024
Episode #216 - Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part I)
When the capital of the Roman empire was moved from Rome to the city of Constantinople, the city on the Bosporus strait became one of the most important places on planet earth. One top being the heart of Roman religious, political, and cultural life for a millennium, the city had ... Show More
1h 14m