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Episodes
5 days ago
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A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode fifteen explains that the newly reunited Roman empire suffered a setback when the Lombards conquered much of Italy. Preoccupied with a war against the Persian empire, the empire was unable to retake the lands lost to the Lombards. Meanwhile, Clothar had outlasted his brothers, nephew and even his grand-nephew to reunite greater Frankia into a single kingdom. When he died three years later, the kingdom was divided once again among his four sons. However, unlike their father's generation, the younger generation of Frankish kings would prove to be less united.
Cast of Characters:
Alboin-king of the Lombards (560-572)
Clothar-king of the Franks (558-561), king of Soissons (511-558), son of Clovis
Charibert-king of Normandy and Aquitaine (561-567), son of Clothar
Guntram-king of Burgundy (561-592), son of Clothar
Sigibert-king of Austrasia (561-575), son of Clothar
Chilperic- king of Neustria (561-584), son of Clothar
Brunhild-queen of Austrasia (567-575), wife of Sigibert, daughter of Athanagild, king of Hispania
Justinian-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (527-565), nephew of former emperor Justin
Justin II-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (565-578), nephew of Justinian
Narses-general of the Eastern Roman Empire
Athanagild-king of Hispania (554-567)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Fourteen explains that Justinian had conquered much of the former western Roman empire, but he soon had to deal with a surprise Persian invasion in the east and a widespread epidemic. Since the empire was busy on the eastern front, the surviving Goths attempted to regain control of Italy, but they failed to drive out the imperial army. Determined to gain control of Italy, Justinian funded a huge army that gradually conquered Italy.
Cast of Characters:
Wittigis-king of the Ostrogoths (536-540)
Totila-king of the Ostrogoths (541-552)
Teias-final king of the Ostrogoths (552)
Justinian-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (527-565), nephew of former emperor Justin
Germanus-generalissimo of the Eastern Roman Empire (536-550), cousin in Justinian
Matasuintha-widow of Germanus, widow of Wittigus, and granddaughter of Theodoric the Great
Belisarius-leading general of the Eastern Roman Empire
Narses-general of the Eastern Roman Empire
Theudis-king of the Visigoths (531-548)
Theudigisel-king of the Visigoths (548-549), son of Theodahad
Agila-king of the Visigoths (549-554)
Athangild-king of Visigoths (554-567)
Childebert-king of Orleans (511-558), son of Clovis
Childebert-king of Neustria (511-561), son of Clovis
Theudebert I-king of Austrasia (533-548). grandson of Clovis
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Thirteen explains that Justinian gambled on an invasion of North Africa after the Nika riots. When the Vandal kingdom fell surprisingly quickly, Justinian decided to conquer Italy. The Ostrogoths proved to be more difficult than the Vandals, so general Belisarius moved slowly. Several years later, the Ostrogoth king finally surrendered. Great, Justinian could call himself emperor of the Roman empire. Except, the Shah of Persia sacked Antioch, while the imperial army was busy in the west.
Cast of Characters:
Amalasuintha-queen of the Ostogoths, co-ruler with her cousin Theodahad, regent for her son Athalaric (526-534), daughter of Theodoric the Great
Theodahad-king of the Ostogoths, co-ruler with his cousin Amalasuintha (534-535), sole ruler (535-536), nephew of Theodoric the Great
Wittigis-king of the Ostogoths (536-540)
Justinian-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (527-565), nephew of Justin
Belisarius-leading general of the Eastern Roman Empire
Narses-general of the Eastern Roman Empire
Gelimer-king of the Vandals and the Alans (530-534)
Hilderic-king of the Vandals and the Alans (523-530)
Theudebert I-king of Austrasia (533-548)
Khosrow-shah of Persia (531-579)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Ravenna: Capital of Empire, Crucible of Europe-Judith Herrin
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Twelve explains that Justin, the commander of the palace guard, gained enough support from the influential racing factions to become emperor. He even ensured the smooth succession of his nephew Justinian, who soon faced dangerous riots in the capital after he cracked down on the racing factions. It appeared that Justinian might be forced to abdicate, but loyal troops had arrived in the capital, and massacred the rioters while they were gathered in the Hippodrome. The riots were used as an excuse to eliminate any rivals for the throne, leaving Justinian in firm control of the eastern Roman empire.
Cast of Characters:
Justin-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (518-527)
Justinian-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (527-565), nephew of Justin
Theodora-wife of Justinian
Belisarius-leading general of the Eastern Roman Empire
Narses-general of the Eastern Roman Empire
John the Cappadocian-praetorian prefect of the east, the senior official in the empire (532-541)
Hypatius-commander in the east, nephew of former emperor Anastasius I
Khosrow-shah of Persia (531-579)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Justinian: Emperor, Soldier, Saint-Peter Sarris
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
Wednesday Jun 04, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Eleven explains that Clovis's four sons agreed to divide the Frankish kingdom between them, and expand outwards, rather than fight each other. This expansion should have been blocked by the combined Goth kingdom of Hispania and Italy but Theodoric's succession plan fell apart when his son-in-law Eutharic died. When Theodoric died several years later, the Visigoth kingdom in Hispania separated peacefully from the Ostrogoth kingdom in Italy. The Ostrogoths on their own were too weak to block the Franks' expansion.
Cast of Characters:
Theodoric-king of Italy (493-526), king of the Osotrogths (475-526)
Athalaric-king of the Ostogoths, grandson of Theodoric (526-534)
Eutharic-Theodoric's son-in-law
Theodahad-Theodoric's nephew
Gesalec-king of the Visigoths (507-511)
Amalaric-king of the Visigoths, son of Alaric II, grandson of Theodoric (522-531)
Theudis-king of the Visigoths, Ostogoth adviser to Amalaric (531-548)
Clovis-king of the Franks (481-511)
Theuderic-Frankish king, Clovis' eldest son (511-534)
Chlodomer-Frankish king, Clovis' second-eldest son (511-524)
Childebert-Frankish king, Clovis' third-eldest son (511-558)
Chlothar-Frankish king, Clovis' fourth-eldest son (511-561)
Theudebert-Frankish king, son of Theuderic (533-548)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Sigismund-king of the Burgundians, eldest son of Gundobad (516-524)
Godomar-king of the Burgundians, younger son of Gundobad (524-532)
Thrasamund-king of the Vandals and Alans (496-523)
Hilderic-king of the Vandals and the Alans, son of Huneric and Eudocia, grandson of Valentian III, emperor of the western Roman Empire (523-530)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Ten explains that the Franks allied with the Burgundians to defeat Alaric at Vioulle. When Alaric's illegitimate son Gesalec failed to defeat an invasion by the Franks and the Burgundians, Theodoric sent an army that drove out the invaders, but he then forced Gesalec off the throne in favor of his grandson Amalaric. So, Theodoric had made himself king of the Goths in Italy and the Goths in Hispania. Meanwhile, Clovis had taken control of the other main Frankish kingdom, but he died in 511.
Cast of Characters:
Anastasius I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (491-518)
Theodoric-king of Italy (493-526), king of the Osotrogths (475-526)
Alaric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Euric (484-507)
Gesalec-king of the Visigoths (507-511)
Amalaric-son of Alaric II, grandson of Theodoric
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Clovis-king of the Franks (481-511)
Thrasamund-king of the Vandals and Alans (496-523)
Sigibert-king of a rival group of Franks
Chloderic-son of Sigibert
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Nine explains that Theodoric had gained control of Italy. Although the Ostrogoths were Homoean Christians, Theodoric was tolerant of the Catholic majority in Italy, so he had smooth relations with the church. However, the eastern Roman emperor refused to make Theodoric western Roman emperor, although he did recognize Theodoric as ruler of Italy. Meanwhile, Clovis had united several Frankish warbands under his leadership, and was expanding into Visigoth territory.
Cast of Characters:
Odovacar-king of Italy (476-493)
Leo I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (457-474)
Zeno-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (474-475, 476-491)
Anastasius I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (491-518)
Theodoric-king of Italy (493-526), king of the Osotogths (475-526)
Alaric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Euric (484-507)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Childeric-Frankish chieftain, father of Clovis
Clovis-king of the Franks (481-511)
Thrasamund-king of the Vandals and Alans (496-523)
Felix III-pope (483-492)
Gelasius I-pope (492-496)
Anastasius II-pope (496-498)
Symmachus-pope (498-514)
Laurentius-rival claimant for the papacy
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Keepers of the Keys of Heaven: A History of the Papacy-Roger Collins
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday May 14, 2025
Wednesday May 14, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Seven explains that Odovacar had seized power in Italy, and had little trouble with his neighbors in Gaul because they were busy fighting each other. However, emperor Zeno convinced Theodoric to lead his people west to invade Italy, rather than continue to revolt in the eastern empire. A siege of Ravenna dragged on for over two years until a very hungry Odovacar agreed to share the throne, but there was only one throne, so Theodoric broke the agreement, and killed Odovacar, thus becoming king of Italy.
Cast of Characters:
Odovacar-king of Italy (476-493)
Leo I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (457-474)
Zeno-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (474-475, 476-491)
Anastasius I-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (491-518)
Aspar-generalissimo of the Eastern Roman Empire (434-471)
Theodoric-king of Italy (493-526), king of the Osotogths (475-526)
Theodoric Strabo-chieftain of the Thracian Goths
Euric-king of the Visigoths, brother of Theodoric II (466-484)
Alaric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Euric (484-507)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Childeric-Frankish chieftain, father of Clovis
Clovis-king of the Franks (481-511)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Fall of Rome and the End of Civilization-Bryan Ward-Perkins
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Restoration of Rome: Barbarian Popes and Imperial Pretenders-Peter Heather
Theodoric the Great: King of Goths, Ruler of Romans-Hans-Ulrich Wiemer, Translated by John Noel Dillon
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Seven explains that Ricimer regained control of the western Roman empire, but the empire had shrunk, since the Goths had expanded their territory in Gaul and Hispania. After Ricimer died, there were three separate emperors between 472 and 475 until a general named Orestes seized power and made his teenaged son Romulus emperor. A year later, another general named Odovacar defeated Orestes, but Odovacar seemed to accept that the western Roman empire no longer existed, since he announced that he was the king of Italy, making Romulus the last Roman emperor.
Cast of Characters:
Procopius Anthemius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (467-472), son-in-law of former eastern emperor Marcian
Ricimer-generalisimo of the Western Roman Empire (456-472)
Gundobad-king of the Burgundians (473-516), generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (472-473), nephew of Ricimer
Anicus Olybrius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (July-November 472), former Roman senator
Placida-Olybrius' wife, youngest daughter of Valentinian
Glycerius-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (473-474)
Julius Nepos-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (474-475), former governor of Dalmatia
Romulus Augustus-emperor of the Western Roman Empire (475-476), son of Orestes
Orestes-generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (475-476)
Odovacar-king of Italy (476-493)
Leo-emperor of the eastern Roman Empire (457-474)
Gaiseric-king of the Vandals and the Alans (428-477)
Huneric-son of Gaiseric
Eudocia-Huneric's wife, eldest daughter of Valentinian
Euric-king of the Visigoths, brother of Theodoric II (466-484)
Childeric-Frankish chieftain
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
Wednesday Apr 30, 2025
A series of civil wars and repeated invasions by Germanic tribes caused the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Following the end of imperial authority, several Germanic tribes struggled against each other for control of territory. The Franks became the dominant power in Gaul, but Greater Frankia repeatedly broke apart during wars between rival claimants for the throne. Finally, Charlemagne united the Franks, and greatly expanded the size of the kingdom. However, his grandsons proved unwilling to share the empire, and divided it in 843, laying the foundations for France and Germany. Episode Six explains that the system of orderly barbarian settlement proved its value when the Goths and the Burgundians joined Roman troops to defeat Attila. Instead of a reward, Aetius. the architect of the system, was assassinated. Then Valentinian was murdered, and a senator named Maximus became emperor. However, Maximus died after the Vandals sacked Rome, and his successor was soon overthrown by his generals.
Cast of Characters:
Aetius-generalissimo of the Western Roman Empire (433-454)
Valentinian-emperor, son of Constantius and Galla Placidia (425-455)
Licina Eudoxia-empress
Eudocia-eldest daughter of Valentinian
Placida-youngest daughter of Valentinian
Petronius Maximus-emperor, former senator (455)
Avitus-emperor, former senator (455-7)
Majorian-emperor, former general (457-461)
Libius Severus-emperor (461-465)
Procopius Anthemius-emperor, son-in-law of former emperor Marcian (467-472)
Ricimer-generalisimo of the Western Roman Empire (456-472)
Gaiseric-king of the Vandals and the Alans (428-477)
Huneric-son of Gaiseric
Theodoric II-king of the Visigoths, son of Theodoric I (453-466)
Euric-king of the Visigoths, brother of Theodoric II (466-484)
Atilla-king of the Huns (434-453)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
Barbarian Migrations and the Roman West 376-568-Guy Halsall
The Fall of the Roman Empire: A New History of Rome and the Barbarians-Peter Heather
The Inheritance of Rome-A History of Europe from 400 to 1000-Chris Wickham
Empires of Faith: The Fall of Rome to the Rise of Islam, 500-700-Peter Sarris
Powers and Thrones: A New History of the Middle Ages-Dan Jones
The Franks-Edward James
Lost to the West: The Forgotten Byzantine Empire that Rescued Western Civilization-Lars Brownsworth
Byzantium: The Early Centuries-John Julius Norwich
Visigothic Spain 409-711-Roger Collins
History of the Goths-Herwig Wolfram, translated by Thomas J. Dunlap
Image Credit
By Unknown author - [1] 'Grandes Chroniques de France, Mandragore, BNF, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=723625