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The History of Byzantium
Episode 284 - To The City with Alexander Christie-Miller
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Alexander Christie-Miller was the Turkish correspondent for the Times Newspaper between 2010 and 2017. He has written a book called ‘To the City’ about the people who live along the Theodosian Walls in Istanbul today. He tells the story and charts the sweeping changes they've experienced in Turkey over the past 50 years. It's a brilliant read, ideal for those of you who have visited Istanbul or plan to.
Alexander Christie-Miller is from Wiltshire in the UK, studied in Dublin and was then in Istanbul for 7 years. He was the Times Turkish correspondent during that period and his writing has also appeared in Newsweek, The Atlantic, Der Spiegel and the White Review amongst other publications.
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What Happens Next
03:24|I talk about what will happen with the podcast next. Send your questions to thehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com This Sunday the 20th July I will be hosting 3 Zoom calls for Patrons at 1, 5 and 9pm UK time. It looks like I will be doing an AMA on Reddit this weekend too. I’ll post the Reddit address on the website as soon as I have it. If you’d like a History of Byzantium podcast t-shirt to commemorate 13 years of this obscure hobby of yours then go to etsy.com/shop/ImperialWaresEpisode 332 - Not with a Whimper but a Bang
01:41:41|Mehmed II becomes Sultan in 1451 and immediately makes plans to conquer Constantinople.Period: 1448-53Episode 331 - The Last Hope
27:12|John VIII Palaiologos asks the Pope for an Ecumenical Council to reunite the churches. To his surprise the Pontiff says yes and a huge Byzantine contingent travels to Italy.Period: 1425-48Episode 329 - Buying Time
30:23|With the Ottoman civil war raging Manuel II Palaiologos tries to improve the Roman position and ensure his sons succeed him.Period: 1402-30Episode 328 - In the Nick of Timur
30:00|Manuel II Palaiologos refuses to play vassal to Sultan Bayezid. So the Ottomans set up a permanent blockade of New Rome. The siege would last for eight years and only a miracle could save the Romans.Period: 1391-1402Episode 327 - Vassals and Pawns
25:37|John V Palaiologos faces rebellions from his sons and Grandsons. Forcing the Romans to become both Ottomans vassals and the pawns of Venice and Genoa.Period: 1371-91Episode 326 - The Rise of the Ottomans, Part 2
25:30|We look at the details of how the Ottomans ran their state. Including the creation of loyalty to the ruling dynasty, succession policy, military recruitment and slave trading. Period: 1280-1371Episode 325 - The Rise of the Ottomans, Part 1
19:26|We follow the last century of narrative from an Ottoman point of view.Period: 1280-1371Episode 324 - Just Another Beylik
28:15|John V Palaiologos takes charge of the Empire but finds he has only one option left to save his state. He must travel West and beg for Latin help. Meanwhile the Turks conquer Thrace.Period: 1355-71