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The History of Byzantium
Backer Rewards Episode 16 - Russia and Byzantium with Professor Sergey Ivanov
Our sixteenth Kickstarter backers reward episode looks at the relationship between Byzantium and the Rus and later Russia in conversation with Professor Sergey Ivanov.
Professor Ivanov is a Russian scholar who has been studying Byzantium for many decades. He currently works in the Institute of Oriental and Ancient Studies at the National Research University “Higher School of Economics” in Moscow.
He has written several books about Byzantium as well as contributing hundreds of articles to the field. His areas of study include Byzantine religious missions, the cultural influence of Byzantium on the Rus', Holy Fools and Constantinople itself. He has also taken part in public lectures and debates on the legacy of Byzantium in modern Russia.
To see his full list of publications please click here . His books ‘Holy Fools in Byzantium and Beyond’ and ‘Pearls before Swine: Missionary Work in Byzantium’ have been translated into English. As have a number of articles and other book chapters.
To read a public lecture which Professor Ivanov gave in 2009 about “The Second Rome as Seen by the Third: Russian Debates on the “Byzantine Legacy” please click here.
More episodes
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Episode 350 - Questions XIX
39:51|I answer your questions about where the Romans got their gold from, how Romania ended up with a Romance language, Byzantine games of polo and more.
Episode 349 - Questions XVIII
26:01|I answer your questions about the Secret History, eunuchs, the Doukas name, the Byzantine crown, the Crown of Thorns and more.
Episode 348 - Trebizond! Part Two
47:28|We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1297-1453.The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube channel of Farya Faraji. Farya is a musicologist who collaborates with traditional musicians around the world to present music from different cultures on his channel, with an emphasis on authenticity and accurate cultural representation. This track is called Trapezuntine - Epic Byzantine Music. You can buy his music here.
Episode 347 - Trebizond! Part One
41:00|We explore the history of Trebizond under the Grand Komnenoi. Today I cover the period from 1204-1297.The music for these episodes comes from the brilliant Youtube channel of Farya Faraji. Farya is a musicologist who collaborates with traditional musicians around the world to present music from different cultures on his channel, with an emphasis on authenticity and accurate cultural representation. This track is called Trapezuntine - Epic Byzantine Music. You can buy his music here.

Episode 345 - The Immortal Emperor
27:18|Did you hear that Constantine XI didn't die? That he was taken below ground by an angel and will one day return. We explore all the myths which attached themselves to the final Roman Emperor.
Episode 344 - Cold Case: Constantine XI
01:06:30|I investigate the death of the Emperor Constantine XI. What happened to him on the last day of his life?
Episode 343 - The End of Crusading and the Third Rome
22:48|We look at the reaction to the fall of Constantinople in Venice, Rome and Russia. And briefly discuss those who claimed descent from Constantine XI.
Intelligent Speech conference this Saturday
01:49|What if Belisarius had accepted the Goths offer and become the Western Roman Emperor in 540AD? This is one scenario I will be discussing on Saturday at the Intelligent Speech Conference. Use the code Byzantium to get 10% off your ticket https://intelligentspeechonline.com/