Manuel II goes a-calling on the heads of state of the major European powers in order to find some support in saving his dying empire.

A lot has been going on in the former Western Roman Empire in the 300 years between 1100 and 1400!

Introducing the Hokey Cokey Emperor. Is he in power or out? In, out, in, out!

Podcast resumption.

Fractious and incompetent behaviour from the ruling family plunge the Empire into crisis. It’s not going to get any better!

A brilliant general becomes Emperor of Nicaea. It only takes him a few years to regain the great city of Constantinople.  Unfortunately everyone is out to get him and it takes a lifetime of juggling to stabilise his empire.

The Myths and History of Greece and Rome will be back next weekend.

Welcome to nearly sixty years of total and utter chaos. Four empires and at least twenty emperors fight, make alliances, break alliances and generally fail to get on. Something has to give!

The Angeli prove themselves to be so incompetent that the capital of the Empire cannot withstand the crusading armies.  Calamity results.

Andronicus Comnenus could not, quite obviously, be allowed to continue as Basileus. If only his demise, like that of Domitian for example, had been planned. Then, perhaps, the chaos and incompetence that followed could have been avoided.

Manuel Comnenus thinks big but is a bit to pro-western. His cousin, though, is an entirely different kettle of fish!

Introducing the new mythandhistory website. www.mythandhistory.co.uk  

John the Beautiful fails to achieve all his aims as he goes and dies at exactly the wrong moment.  He is succeeded by his son: how will he do?

Alexius’s son proves himself to be the equal of his father!

The Pope launches the first crusade with mixed results for Alexius and hie empire!

A quick look at France, Germany and England in the 300 years up to the start of the First Crusade.

Everyone knows about 1066 and all that. The Normans' other conquests are less famous but equally important. Just ask Alexius Comnenus!  

Disloyalty and bad planning lead to disaster.

The great Macedonian Dynasty comes to an end. The Empire begins its final spiral into nothingness.

Basil's death begins a steep decline. If you want to be emperor then marry Zoe!

Basil II finally has time to give his full attention to the Bulgars. It's not pretty!

Basil II takes control of his empire, finally dispatching the pesky Bardases! And then he plans... a lot.

The Empire is still on the rise despite the meddling of two men called Bardas!

Have a great holiday, with the correct audio file this time!