A fast-moving history of the western world from the ancient world to the present day. Examine how the emergence of the western world as a global dominant power was not something that should ever have been taken for granted. This podcast traces the development of western civilization starting in the ancient Near East, through Greece and Rome, past the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into the Dark Ages, and then follows European and, ultimately, American history as the western world moved into a dominant world position.
https://www.westerncivpodcast.com
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 13 days 8 hours 7 minutes
Episode 140: Triumph of the Crescent Moon
The battle for Constantinople comes to a head. Mehmet and Constantine fight for the future of Europe outside the great Theodosian Walls. Nearly sixty days of siege come down to five short hours. Giustiniani suffers a severe injury that sidelines him...
Episode 139: On Knife's Edge
Now months into the siege, Mehmet and Constantine trade blows to determine the fate of Constantinople. Mehmet launches several new attacks, which the Byzantines hold off, but just barely. Then, with his army becoming increasingly disgruntled, Mehmet...
Preview: The Search for Atlantis
The lost city of Atlantis. Is there any more romantic archeological find remaining? Is it real? Or, does Atlantis continue to reside merely in Plato's imagination? In a three-part series, I take a look and answer those questions and more. Full...
Episode 138: To The Breach
The battle for Constantinople continues as Constantine and Mehmet punch and counter-punch before the Theodosian Walls. This time, the battle extends to the Golden Horn for the first time as both sides look to the sea to score a key victory.
A History of Veterans Day
Today, on Veterans Day, we take a look at why we celebrate veterans when we do and how the holiday developed. And do not forget to thank any veterans you see today and every day! More at westerncivpodcast.com
Alexander Redux Part Five: Cutting the Knot
Bonus episode! A sneak peek inside my new deep-dive series: Alexander Redux! In this ten-part series, we look at the lives of two of the most important people in western history: Philip of Macedon and his son, Alexander the Great. Each episode is...
Bonus: A History of Halloween
Today's bonus episode is a very scary (not really) history of the third most popular holiday in America: Halloween. From Jack-o-Lanterns to Trick-or-Treat, our modern holiday of Halloween owes more to our ancient Celtic roots than anything in American...
Episode 137: Cannons
Last time, we reviewed the Theodosian Land Walls and covered the opening moves made by Constantine XI and Mehmet II upon the latter's ascension to power in 1451. Now, we get into the gritty world of medieval cannons and how those were going to change...
Philip and Alexander: An Interview with Historian Adrian Goldsworthy
A conversation with Adrian Goldsworthy about his latest book: Philip and Alexander is available HERE. We talk all things Greek and Macedonian. Tons on Alexander the Great and his father, Philip. Plus, a little fun on a historical what-if between...
Episode 136: Opening Moves
Constantine XI and Mehmet II make their opening moves for the battle for Constantinople. Constantine begs for aid, which is slow to come from a medieval Europe inching ever closer to modernity. Mehmet is more proactive, constructing a massive new fort...