While his armies were fighting in the Balkans Manuel's diplomats and fleets were busy elsewhere.

While his armies were fighting in the Balkans Manuel's diplomats and fleets were busy elsewhere. Komnenos poured money into Italy to try and gain influence there. He considered alliances with the Germans, the Pope and the Normans but ultimately lost them all. He made war on Venice and tried to capture an Egyptian port. Period: 1161-73

Episode 242 - Manuel’s Follies

Pope Innocent calls for a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem.

Pope Innocent calls for a new Crusade to retake Jerusalem. A group of French Knights decide to form an expedition to Egypt and make a deal with Venice to transport them. But when they can't pay the bill the mission goes awry and ends up at Constantinople.&nbsp;

Episode 259 - The Fourth Crusade (Part 1)

Alexios Angelos faces down one internal rebellion after another as the Roman Empire continues to contract.

Alexios Angelos faces down one internal rebellion after another as the Roman Empire continues to contract. The biggest threat to his throne comes from disgruntled aristocrats and the people of Constantinople.&nbsp;

Episode 258 - Almost Ungovernable

Isaac Angelos is overthrown by his brother

Isaac Angelos does his best to secure his position and confront the Bulgarians. But he is overthrown by his brother at the head of a coalition of aristocratic families.

Episode 257 - What Could Be More Trustworthy than a Brother?

Isaac Angelos had to decided whether to treat Frederick Barbarossa as friend or foe.

As soon as news reached the West that Jerusalem had fallen a new Crusade was called. The German, French and English Kings all led armies East but only Frederick Barbarossa went by land. He led a large army across the Balkans towards Constantinople and Isaac Angelos had to decided whether to treat him as friend or foe.

Episode 255 - The Third Crusade (part 1)

I speak to author Ben Duval, author of the book: "Saladin the Strategist: How the Crusaders Lost the Holy Land."

I speak to author Ben Duval, author of the book: "Saladin the Strategist: How the Crusaders Lost the Holy Land."We go through Saladin's career starting with how he captured Egypt. Then how he built the coalition which defeated the Crusaders. Finally we watch on as he traps them at Hattin and then sweeps across the Kingdom of Jerusalem.Buy the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1BMWXVS?&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=byzantinempor-20&amp;linkId=33e2fcb0c0a57d41d49712f7a8100e8c&amp;language=en_US&amp;ref_=as_li_ss_tl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>, follow Ben on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/byzantinemporia" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@byzantinemporia</a> and find out more about his work <a href="https://byzantinemporia.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

Episode 254 - Saladin the Strategist with Ben Duval

Isaac Angelos begins his reign by defeating the Normans and making many alliances.

Isaac Angelos begins his reign by defeating the Normans and making as many alliances as he can to secure his position. Unfortunately he rejects an offer from two Vlach Chieftains Peter and Asen. They turn on the Romans and found the Second Bulgarian Empire north of the Haemus Mountains.

Episode 253 - The Second Bulgarian Empire

Andronikos continues to terrorise his relatives

Andronikos continues to terrorise his relatives. Many leave Byzantium seeking help from foreign courts. One arrives in Sicily and calls on the Normans to help him. They launch an invasion and sack the city of Thessalonica.&nbsp; Period: 1184-85

Episode 252 - The Sack of Thessalonica

When Manuel Komnenos died he left an 11 year old son as his heir.  Manuel's cousin Andronikos seizes the throne instead and begins a reign of terror. 

When Manuel Komnenos died he left an 11 year old son as his heir. The Regency Council set up to protect him fails. Manuel's cousin Andronikos seizes the throne instead and begins a reign of terror.&nbsp;

Episode 251 - A Lion Pouncing on a Large Prey

We talk about why the Romans didn't have more success in fighting the Turks.

We talk about why the Romans didn't have more success in fighting the Turks. Was there a better way to fight the nomads? Or was it not really about tactics but strategy? Period: 1070-1180

Episode 250 - Retaking Anatolia

The story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire

A podcast telling the story of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire from 476 AD to 1453. www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com

The History of Byzantium

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Episode 242 - Manuel’s Follies

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Episode 258 - Almost Ungovernable

Episode 257 - What Could Be More Trustworthy than a Brother?

Episode 255 - The Third Crusade (part 1)