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Byzantium & Friends

Byzantium & Friends
Christianity
Byzantium
Roman Empire
Late Antiquity
Constantinople
Orthodoxy
Crises and Resilience
City Of Rome
Early Rus
Africa and Byzantium
Justinian
Olivier Hekster
Byzantine Empire
Senatorial Aristocracy
Trade Routes
Medievalism
Eastern Mediterranean
Nubia
Byzantine Studies
Zoroastrians

Conversations with experts in the history of Byzantium and surrounding fields, hosted by Anthony Kaldellis.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes149Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationHistoryCourses

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Latest Episodes

A conversation with Kevin van Bladel (Yale University) on his proposal regarding "The Classical Near East," a constellation of fields defined by the classical literary traditions of medieval Near Eastern cultures, including Byzantium. We talk about l... more

YouTube

A conversation with Jana Matuszak, a Sumerologist, and Petra Goedegebuure, a Hittitologist (both University of Chicago) about the prospects for the survival of smaller academic disciplines that require specialized language skills. What critical mass ... more

YouTube

A conversation with Kim Bowes (University of Pennsylvania) about her recent book, Surviving Rome: The Economic Lives of the Ninety Percent (Princeton University Press 2025), which presents a brilliant new model of the Roman imperial economy, specific... more

YouTube

A conversation with Aaron Butts (University of Hamburg) on the conversion to Christianity of Ezana, the fourth-century king of Aksum (in modern Ethiopia and Eritrea). "Conversion" is a conventional term, but what Ezana's inscriptions and coins reveal... more

YouTube

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The History of Byzantium
The History of Byzantiumthehistoryofbyzantium@gmail.com
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Recent Guests

Kevin van Bladel
Academics and scholar now at Yale University, former chair of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures at Ohio State University.
Yale University
Episode: 149. The Classical Near East, with Kevin van Bladel
Jana Matuszak
Expert in Sumerian literature
University of Chicago
Episode: 148. The survival of esoteric academic fields, with Jana Matuszak and Petra Goedegebuure
Petra Goedegebuure
Linguistically oriented Hittitologist and Philologist
University of Chicago
Episode: 148. The survival of esoteric academic fields, with Jana Matuszak and Petra Goedegebuure
Kim Bowes
Professor of Archaeology and Ancient History at the University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
Episode: 147. How the ninety percent experienced the Roman economy, with Kim Bowes
Aaron Butts
Expert on early Christian history in the Horn of Africa, specializing in the Aksumite Empire and its language context.
University of Hamburg
Episode: 146. Ezana of Aksum, the first Christian king in Africa, with Aaron Butts
Ellen Muehlberger
Professor at the University of Michigan and author of 'Things Unseen: Essays on Evidence, Knowledge, and the Late Ancient World'
University of Michigan
Episode: 145. Seeing into the minds of others, with Ellen Muehlberger
Mark Roosien
Lecturer in Liturgical Studies at Yale Divinity School and author of a book on earthquakes and liturgy.
Yale Divinity School
Episode: 143. Coping with earthquakes in the churches of Constantinople, with Mark Roosien
James Rives
Professor of classics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Episode: 142. The decline of animal sacrifice in the late Roman world, with James Rives
Ada Palmer
Historian, author of 'Inventing the Renaissance', and innovative teacher at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: 141. The Renaissance and Byzantium are characters in the same play, with Ada Palmer

Host

Anthony Kaldellis
Host of the podcast, Anthony Kaldellis is an esteemed scholar in Byzantine studies, recognized for his engaging and comprehensive examination of historical themes and intellectual discourse.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 584 ratings
  • Love this podcast. Excellent scholarship, presented without pretention.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    TheNunnceler
    3 months ago
  • :)

    Podcast Addict
    5
    fjshwbcj
    6 months ago
  • Great podcast

    I love Anthony as a teacher of history and culture. I was turned on to this podcast thanks to the History of Byzantium and I DEEPLY appreciate the link between the two podcasts.

    Like most people, I failed to review this podcast until I had a criticism. So for context, 100 plus episodes in I am now giving my unasked, unprofessional and very unwanted opinion.

    Again, love you dawg. But please don't talk how JUST NOW post secondary is an investment. Some of us got accepted to all our schools and w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Madors99
    Canada8 months ago
  • Engaging Podcast and Accessible Discussions with Amazing Guests

    It was really cool listening to the late Bob Ousterhout discuss the history of the Hagia Sophia within the context of the wider religious and political landscape up to the present day.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bill Der
    United States2 years ago
  • Refreshingly academic

    I listen to a lot of history podcasts and almost all of them (naturally) focus on describing events and underlying causes. Heard Anthony interviewed on History of Byzantium and his insights and depth are amazing.

    I really enjoy this podcast because he interviews other historians on “topics” like how did Byzantines think about social classes”. Very thought provoking and is also instructive because it provides insight on how to think (skeptically) like a historian.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bobert the ruler of all
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some audience members express a desire for less personal commentary by the host, preferring a sharper focus on historical topics alone.
Listeners appreciate the depth of content and the quality of the expert guests featured, finding the discussions enriching for their understanding of Byzantine history.
The podcast features engaging conversations with notable experts, providing insightful discussions that blend academic rigor with accessibility.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#189
Netherlands/History
Apple Podcasts
#226
Poland/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

149. The Classical Near East, with Kevin van Bladel
Q: How would the Classical Near East sort of patch the broken things together again?
Kevin discusses how the Classical Near East seeks to avoid the modern constructions of identity in studying the past and encourages a more integrated approach to languages and literature across disciplines.
149. The Classical Near East, with Kevin van Bladel
Q: So broadly speaking, what is that?
Kevin van Bladel explains that the Classical Near East is a concept around which research and teaching can be organized, aiming to facilitate new areas of research that address gaps between different fields.
148. The survival of esoteric academic fields, with Jana Matuszak and Petra Goedegebuure
Q: What would you say is your case for the relevance of your field?
Jana emphasized that Sumerian texts provide insights into early human thoughts and emotions, highlighting their cultural significance.
147. How the ninety percent experienced the Roman economy, with Kim Bowes
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about some of the problems with the skeletal evidence?
Skeletal data is complicated and can't be read straightforwardly, as height may not reflect economic outputs due to genetic factors and variances in male versus female populations.
147. How the ninety percent experienced the Roman economy, with Kim Bowes
Q: Can you talk a little bit about precariousness and how it complicates this polarity of affluence and subsistence?
Precarity relates to volatile incomes and expenses that vary month to month, challenging the binary of affluence versus poverty. It shows that survival often involves constant maneuvering rather than a simple equation of income versus expenses.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Byzantium & Friends

What is Byzantium & Friends about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features in-depth conversations with experts in Byzantine history and related disciplines, providing an extensive exploration of ancient Mediterranean themes. With a focus on topics ranging from economic structures and cultural practices in the Roman Empire to the nuances of early Christian history and interactions between different societies, it offers rich insights into the complexities of historical narratives. The discussions cover both well-known events and often overlooked aspects of Byzantium, connecting past societal issues with contemporary perspectives, appealing to both scholars and history enthusiasts alike.

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How many listeners does Byzantium & Friends get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Byzantium & Friends?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Byzantium & Friends:

1. The History of Byzantium
2. Tides of History
3. The Age of Napoleon Podcast
4. The Ancient World
5. The History of England

How many episodes of Byzantium & Friends are there?

Byzantium & Friends launched 6 years ago and published 149 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Byzantium & Friends?

Recent guests on Byzantium & Friends include:

1. Kevin van Bladel
2. Jana Matuszak
3. Petra Goedegebuure
4. Kim Bowes
5. Aaron Butts
6. Ellen Muehlberger
7. Mark Roosien
8. James Rives

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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