2.4K
Downloads
99
Episodes
I am Andrew Allen and I talk about history. Here is a link to my Patreon if you want to support me. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=50989530
Episodes
Thursday Jul 31, 2025
Thursday Jul 31, 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 Nineteen explains that several Austrasian dukes plotted to assassinate Childebert, and seize power by ruling through his young sons, but Guntram learned of the plot, and warned Childebert. The dukes were executed, and their supporters were exiled from court. Believing that Fredegund as regent of Neustria was a threat, Childebert and Guntram made a formal alliance between their two kingdoms. Aside from a failed invasion of Hispania, Guntram had to deal with a revolt by nuns led by two former princesses, who had lost a power struggle over control of an influential abbey. When Fredegund died, her son Clothar was too young to rule, so Austrasia and Burgundy forced him to sign over most of his lands.
Cast of Characters:
Guntram-king of Burgundy (561-592), son of Clothar
Chilperic-king of Neustria (561-584), son of Clothar
Fredegund-queen of Neustria (568-584), wife of Chipleric
Brunhild-queen of Austrasia (567-575), wife of Sigibert, daughter of Athangild, king of Hispania
Childebert-son of Sigibert and Brunhild, heir to the throne of Austrasia
Liuvigild-king of Hispania (569-586)
Hermengild-eldest son of Liuvigild
Reccared-younger son of Liuvigild
Basina-nun, daughter of Chilperic and his first wife Audovera
Clotilde-nun, daughter of Charibert
Ursio-duke in Austrasia
Berthefred-duke in Austrasia
Rauching-duke of Soissons, duke in Austrasia, formerly duke in Neustria
Egidius-bishop of Reims, former regent of Austrasia
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
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
The Franks-Edward James
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World-Shelley Puhak
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Rome Resurgent: War and Empire in the Age of Justinian-Peter Heather
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
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
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 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 Eighteen explains that a civil war between the Frankish kingdoms encouraged the empire to send Gundovald to Frankia, hoping that he could claim the throne. However, a bloody battle between Neustria and Burgundy ended in a draw, thus ending the civil war. When Chilperic died suddenly, Guntram promised to protect Fredegund's newly born son. Meanwhile, emperor Tiberius had been succeeded by Maurice, who concluded that it would be simpler to bribe Austrasia to attack the Lombards. Unfortunately, the Austrasian invasion caused the Lombard dukes to unite behind Authari, the son of a former king. Deprived of imperial support, Gundovald gradually lost followers and was finally executed.
Cast of Characters:
Guntram-king of Burgundy (561-592), son of Clothar
Chilperic-king of Neustria (561-584), son of Clothar
Fredegund-queen of Neustria (568-584), wife of Chipleric
Brunhild-queen of Austrasia (567-575), wife of Sigibert, daughter of Athangild, king of Hispania
Childebert-son of Sigibert and Brunhild, heir to the throne of Austrasia
Gundovald-illegitimate son of Clothar
Justin II-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (565-578), nephew of Justinian
Sophia-empress of the Eastern Roman Empire
Tiberius II-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (578-582), caesar (574-578), formerly commander of the palace guard
Maurice-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (582-602), formerly a senior general
Liuvigild-king of Hispania (569-586)
Hermengild-eldest son of Liuvigild
Reccared-younger son of Liuvigild
Authari-king of the Lombards (584-590)
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
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
The Franks-Edward James
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World-Shelley Puhak
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Rome Resurgent: War and Empire in the Age of Justinian-Peter Heather
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
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
Thursday Jul 17, 2025
Thursday Jul 17, 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 Seventeen explains that the assassination of Sigibert had saved Chilperic. Brunhild managed to smuggle her young son Childebert to Austrasia, but she was thrown into a convent. However, she received an unexpected marriage proposal from Merovech, the heir of Chilperic, but Merovech's revolt against his father collapsed surprisingly easily. When Guntram's two sons died of dysentery, he made Childebert his heir. Chilperic had an abundance of sons, but all four of his sons soon died either by disease, suicide or murder that was supposed to look like suicide. Fortunately, the new regent of Austrasia had good ties with Chilperic, and proposed an alliance against Guntram.
Cast of Characters:
Guntram-king of Burgundy (561-592), son of Clothar
Chilperic-king of Neustria (561-584), son of Clothar
Fredegund-queen of Neustria (568-584), wife of Chipleric
Brunhild-queen of Austrasia (567-575), wife of Sigibert, daughter of Athangild, king of Hispania
Childebert-son of Sigibert and Brunhild, heir to the throne of Austrasia
Gundovald-illegitimate son of Clothar
Merovech-son of Chilperic and Audovera
Clovis-son of Chilperic and Audovera
Radegund-abbess of the Abbey of the Holy Cross, former wife of Clothar, daughter of Bertachar, a Thuringian king
Justin II-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (565-578), nephew of Justinian
Sophia-empress of the Eastern Roman Empire
Tiberius-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (578-584), caesar (574-578), formerly commander of the palace guard
Sources:
Christendom: The Triumph of a Religion-Peter Heather
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
The Franks-Edward James
The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry that Forged the Medieval World-Shelley Puhak
Emperor of the West: Charlemagne and the Carolingian Empire-Hywell Williams
Rome Resurgent: War and mpire in the Age of Justinian-Peter Heather
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
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
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 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 Sixteen explains that when Charibert died, his three brothers divided his kingdom between them. Chilperic married Brunhild's older sister Galswintha, but the marriage did not go well because Chilperic failed to end his relationship with his concubine Fredegund. When Galswintha found out, she was murdered by someone...in the royal bedchamber. It is doubtful that Sigibert or Guntram were bothered that Chilperic's wife had been murdered but they wanted Galswintha's lands, so they invaded. The war lasted for years, but eventually most of Chiperic's nobles deserted him. Chilperic was on the verge of losing his entire kingdom when Sigibert was assassinated, leaving his kingdom vulnerable.
Cast of Characters:
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 Athangild, king of Hispania
Galswintha-queen of Neustria (567-568), wife of Chipleric, daughter of Athangild, king of Hispania
Fredegund-queen of Neustria (568-584), wife of Chipleric
Gundovald-illegitimate son of Clothar
Radegund-abbess of the Abbey of the Holy Cross, former wife of Clothar, daughter of Bertachar, a Thuringian king
Justin II-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire (565-578), nephew of Justinian
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
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 Jul 02, 2025
Wednesday Jul 02, 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 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