Episodes

  • 135: John of Brienne: Part Three: Latin Emperor of Constantinople
    May 22 2025

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    In our final episode on the trilogy of John of Brienne, follow his journey after the disappointing 5th Crusade, from the minor rivalry that grew into a war between Kings, Popes, and Emperors. We see how viciously Frederick treated his father-in-law and the treatment he bestowed upon the Princess of Jerusalem. However, the final battle in John of Brienne's magnificent life was not against his nemesis, Emperor Frederick II. Instead, his ultimate test came at the end of his life, when he defended Constantinople against a mighty coalition of Bulgarians and Nicaeans... facing off against Ivan Asen II, and John Vatatzes II. This war would be known as The War of Three Johns.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com

    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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    48 mins
  • 134: The Sixth Crusade: The Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II
    May 8 2025

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    We are going to take a small detour from the history of modern Greece to wrap up the story of the Fifth Crusade. When we left the Fifth Crusade, John of Brienne had returned to Europe to gather more men for the cause. But while he was trying to gain support, the crusader holdings in Egypt fell. And still the Holy Roman Emperor had not arrived, did he? Well, this crusade follows the story of the Roman Emperor Frederick II. Otherwise known as the 6th Crusade. The German Emperor finally had the crown he had dreamt of his whole life. He was now ready to march his entire army south, to the Mediterranean Sea, and sail across the waters to the Kingdom of Jerusalem, where he was going to make the deal of a lifetime, and return Jerusalem to the Crusader States.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com


    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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    35 mins
  • 133: The Second Bulgarian Empire: Part Two: Ivan Asen II
    Apr 24 2025

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    In our second episode covering the revival period of the Bulgarian Empire, we find out what happened to the man who replaced the dreaded Roman Slayer, and how a banished Prince gathered the aid of the Kievan Russ and came back with a vengeance, to rid the realm of his usurper cousin and deal a brutal blow to the Despotate of Epirus.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com

    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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    36 mins
  • 132: The Empire in Nicaea: Part Two: The Seeds of Hellenism
    Apr 10 2025

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    As we return to the Empire in Nicaea, we follow the reign of Emperor John Vatatzes. After rebuilding the Byzantine Navy, he launched an invasion of Thrace and expanded Nicaea into Europe. While John spent most of his reign on the battlefield, his son Theodore grew up in the Empire in exile. Because of his prolific writing, we have an insight into his thoughts and ideas. We can see how he viewed the East as Superior to the West and thought of himself and all his friends, who grew up in Anatolia and never knew Constantinople before the fall. It is here that Theodore brings up the idea of a return to Greek life before the Romans. A cultural identity that is separate from just the Orthodox Church and the Roman Emperors.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com


    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

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    47 mins
  • 131: The Despotate of Epirus: Part Two: Theodore Komnenos Doukas
    Mar 27 2025

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    This is our second episode on the Despotate of Epirus, and after covering the amazing foundation of the state by Michael Komnenos Doukas, everyone thought the state would simply dissolve after its founder was assassinated. But, with the arrival of his Half-Brother, the despotate grew to greater heights. Theodore built up the power of the Despotate and sought to retake the capital city, Constantinople. In this episode, we follow Theodore as he fights to strengthen his kingdom while simultaneously trying to avoid the attention of European Crusaders.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com


    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • 130: John of Brienne: Part Two: The Fifth Crusade
    Mar 13 2025

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    In our second episode of John of Brienne, the King of Jerusalem, we follow him on his adventures to Egypt. The Austrians and the Military Orders have followed him to the city of Damietta. This city, at the mouth of the Delta, was the key to gaining a foothold in the Delta Nile. Once the crusaders had control of Cairo, the entire Ayyubid Caliphate was doomed to collapse. But first they needed to wait for the Holy Roman Emperor to arrive with his mighty army.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com

    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • 129: John of Brienne: Part One: The King of Jerusalem
    Feb 27 2025

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    We always love to slow down and go into greater detail whenever we find an interesting character from history. Well, this is one of those times. John of Brienne went from being a small-time lord in France to the King of Jerusalem, to the leader of the 5th Crusade, and ended up as the Emperor of the Latin Crusader Empire in Constantinople. What a record… what a life…. What a story.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com


    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

    Show More Show Less
    32 mins
  • 128: The Latin Empire: Part Two: Henry of Flanders
    Feb 13 2025

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    Once it became clear that Baldwin was dead, his brother was crowned Emperor. Henry had a much more successful reign than his predecessor... that being said, there were many challenges facing the Latin Crusader Empire. When they first took Constantinople, they were the strongest military force in the region, but as time progressed, the Romans formed their own resistance states, and the Bulgarians conquered most of the Balkans... Emperor Henry became increasingly isolated and surrounded like a Lion fighting a pack of hyenas.

    The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.

    Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.com

    Music by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.com

    Check out our 2nd Podcast:
    www.antecedors.com

    Higher Listenings: Joy for Educators
    A new podcast from Top Hat delivering ideas, relief, and joy to the future of teaching.

    Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins