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The History of Byzantium
Episode 225 - Belisarius in Metal
When I announced I would be taking a break back in the Autumn I received an email from listener Brian Sherry offering to produce an episode of the show for me. He told me about the metal band Judicator recording an entire album about Belisarius. And he very kindly offered to interview them on my behalf.
I said yes and Brian got lead singer and writer John Yelland on the phone and they talked about turning the life story of Justinian’s most trusted General into a full metal album.
Today's episode is an edited version of that interview. They talk through the concept and the choice of moments in Belisarius’ life to capture in song. And they play a few snippets of music to give you an idea of what the album sounds like.
If you’d like more then the full 2 hour interview is available on Judicator’s Youtube channel. And of course if you’d like to buy the album - Let There Be Nothing – go to judicatormetal.bandcamp.com or check it out on Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify or wherever you get your music.
I am still working on the bonus content I owe many of you. I will be back at some point in Spring with the narrative. For now enjoy the interview.
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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: 1355-71Episode 323 - At Least Things Can’t Get Any Worse
28:30|Finally in sole control of the Empire John Kantakouzenos makes plans to restore the Roman world. His plans come to nothing though as he immediately faces war, invasion and plague.Period: 1347-55Episode 322 - The Worst Civil War, Part 2
22:52|In order to gain the throne John Kantakouzenos destroys what is left of the Roman Empire. He allows the Serbs to conquer Macedonia while his Turkish allies enslave his people.Period: 1343-47Episode 321 - The Worst Civil War, Part 1
28:15|Andronikos III Palaiologos died on the 15th June 1341. Four months later his nearest and dearest were at each others throats.His right hand man John Kantakouzenos declared himself Emperor but was rejected by the people at every turn. Refusing to give up he invited foreign powers to intervene on his behalf.Period: 1341-43