Western Civ
459 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago - ★★★★★ - 129 ratingsA 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.
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Episodes
Episode 110: Pax Mongolica
September 13, 2019 16:00 - 51 minutes - 70.5 MBIn this episode we conclude our brief Mongol storyline. We cover how the Mongol Empire transitions from one global empire to several, massive nation-states. We will also see how the Mongols successfully transition from warriors to managers. Finally, we will begin to discuss the Mongol Peace (Pax Mongolica) and how that will usher the Black Death to Europe.
Episode 109: Mongol World War
August 30, 2019 16:00 - 40 minutes - 55.1 MBIn this episode, the newly titled, Genghis Khan, sees the Mongol horde explode out of the steppe against China. Then, a chance event leads the Mongols to seek out new plunder from the Middle East as a caravan raid gone bad changes world history. Then, when Genghis Khan dies, a disputed succession leaves the lovable, but drunk, Ogedei Khan in control and badly in need of new conquests. The only question is, which direction should the horde go?
Episode 108: The Great Khan
August 17, 2019 22:06 - 59 MBFor the first time on this podcast, we really leave Europe and the Near East. Genghis Khan has had a greater impact on the world than perhaps any other person in world history. His impact and the impact of the Mongol conquests are undeniable. So, in this episode we begin to look at the man who would become Genghis Khan and his rise to power. Multiple people had emailed about resources that I use for the podcast. So I am going to start listing the major sources here for those who want more ...
Episode 108: The Great Khan
August 17, 2019 22:06 - 42 minutes - 59 MBFor the first time on this podcast, we really leave Europe and the Near East. Genghis Khan has had a greater impact on the world than perhaps any other person in world history. His impact and the impact of the Mongol conquests are undeniable. So, in this episode we begin to look at the man who would become Genghis Khan and his rise to power. Multiple people had emailed about resources that I use for the podcast. So I am going to start listing the major sources here for those who want more inf...
Episode 107: The Hostage King
July 26, 2019 16:00 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MBThis episode covers the crusade of King Louis IX of France which started out with a lot of promise and ends... well, I guess the title kind of gives this one away. This is our last episode before we take a HUGE divergence from the narrative to introduce the Mongols because of the massive impact they will have on our narrative.
Episode 106: Stupor Mundi (Part Two)
July 12, 2019 16:00 - 33 minutes - 46 MBThis episode covers the second half of Frederick II's reign as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Southern Italy, and King of Sicily. I try to answer the question: why is Frederick II considered to be one of Europe's greatest Medieval Monarchs?
Episode 105: Stupor Mundi (Part One)
June 28, 2019 16:00 - 34 minutes - 46.6 MBThis episode covers roughly the first half of Frederick II's reign from his regency through his crusade to recover Jerusalem. We will also discuss Cardinal Pelagius and his pathetic efforts to invade Egypt.
Episode 104: A Brothers Tale
June 14, 2019 16:00 - 50 minutes - 69.8 MBIn this episode we cover the Norman conquests of Southern Italy and Sicily between roughly 1025 and 1100. A series of brothers from the house Hauteville in Normandy personally begin the expansion as the demand for mercenaries spikes in Apulia. The conquest proceeds apace until finally Sicily and Southern Italy are united under Roger II.
Episode 103: The Lionheart and the Devil
May 31, 2019 16:00 - 76.3 MBIn this episode we follow the reigns of King Richard I and King John as they battle to maintain their Plantagenent Empire against King Philip of France. We will see King Richard die after foolishly failing to wear armor one April evening. We will see King John battle the French King and his own nobles before eventually signing the Magna Carta. And we will see the final collapse of the Plantagenet Empire as England and France begin to form into nation states.
Episode 103: The Lionheart and the Devil
May 31, 2019 16:00 - 55 minutes - 76.3 MBIn this episode we follow the reigns of King Richard I and King John as they battle to maintain their Plantagenent Empire against King Philip of France. We will see King Richard die after foolishly failing to wear armor one April evening. We will see King John battle the French King and his own nobles before eventually signing the Magna Carta. And we will see the final collapse of the Plantagenet Empire as England and France begin to form into nation states.
Episode 102: The Fourth Crusade - A Whole New Low
May 17, 2019 16:00 - 32 minutes - 45 MBThis episode covers the disaster that was the Fourth Crusade. Pope Innocent III will try and reinvigorate crusading and wind up sacking one of the most Christian cities in the world. Then we will take a quick look at life in the Near East between the Third and Fifth Crusades.
Episode 101: Byzantine Update
May 03, 2019 16:00 - 44 minutes - 60.9 MBIn this episode we take a look at the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries from the Byzantine perspective. We will go from the death of Basil II through the beginning of the Fourth Crusade. These centuries give us our last look at Byzantium as an "Empire". We will also cover some of the major political and economic changes that will dictate Byzantine history in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries.
Episode 100: Endgame
April 20, 2019 14:03 - 34 minutes - 47.1 MBIn this episode we wrap-up the Third Crusade. Richard the Lionheart will battle Saladin to very end for Jerusalem. We will see how Richard's misunderstandings about how a crusade could be run ultimately undermine the Third Crusade.
Episode 99: Battlefield Acre
April 05, 2019 16:00 - 52.8 MBRichard the Lionheart, King of England and the Angevin Empire, arrived in the Holy Land in June, 1191. When he arrived he found the crusaders already battering the walls of Acre surrounded on the other side by Saladin's army. The fight for Acre would prove to be Richard's first real test in the Holy Land. But it would not prove to be his last. Yet, with Richard's arrival the Third Crusade could truly and fully begin.
Episode 99: Battlefield Acre
April 05, 2019 16:00 - 38 minutes - 52.8 MBRichard the Lionheart, King of England and the Angevin Empire, arrived in the Holy Land in June, 1191. When he arrived he found the crusaders already battering the walls of Acre surrounded on the other side by Saladin's army. The fight for Acre would prove to be Richard's first real test in the Holy Land. But it would not prove to be his last. Yet, with Richard's arrival the Third Crusade could truly and fully begin.
Episode 98: The Surging Wave
March 22, 2019 16:00 - 32 minutes - 44.6 MBIn this episode we set the stage for the Third Crusade. Frederick Barbarossa will make an overland march to Asia Minor while Richard I and Philip Augustus use naval transportation for the first time en masse to start a crusade. Meanwhile, back in the Near East Saladin pressed to capture Tyre and destroy the remaining crusader outposts.
Episode 97
March 10, 2019 21:42 - 99.2 MBIn this episode we follow the career and reign of the ruler widely considered to be Germany's greatest medieval Monarch: Frederick Barbarossa. In total Frederick will conduct six Italian campaigns, battle a Pope, and rework Germany's economy. And all this before he leaves for the Third Crusade with the likes of Richard the Lionheart and Philip of France to take on Saladin.
Episode 97: Frederick Barbarossa
March 10, 2019 21:42 - 1 hour - 99.2 MBIn this episode we follow the career and reign of the ruler widely considered to be Germany's greatest medieval Monarch: Frederick Barbarossa. In total Frederick will conduct six Italian campaigns, battle a Pope, and rework Germany's economy. And all this before he leaves for the Third Crusade with the likes of Richard the Lionheart and Philip of France to take on Saladin.
Episode 96: Saladin and the Leper King
February 15, 2019 17:00 - 55 minutes - 75.8 MBIn this episode Saladin cements his hold over the Near East by subduing Damascus, Aleppo, and Mosul. Then he turns his attention to the Crusader State: the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the death of King Amalric in his early thirties results a child succeeding to the throne in Jerusalem. The young Baldwin IV would live a tragic life and suffer from leprosy throughout his short reign. His death would then lead directly to the devastating crusader defeat at the Horns of Hattin and the fall o...
Episode 95: The Goodness of the Faith
February 01, 2019 17:00 - 31 minutes - 43.8 MBIn this episode we turn back to the Near East as the fortunes of the Crusader States continue to fall. Nur al-Din presses his empire further and further into the declining Latin Kingdoms while both Nur al-Din and the Kingdom of Jerusalem fight over the future of Fatimid Egypt. Finally, at the end of the episode a new man rises to power: Saladin.
Episode 95: The Goodness of the Faith
February 01, 2019 17:00 - 43.8 MBIn this episode we turn back to the Near East as the fortunes of the Crusader States continue to fall. Nur al-Din presses his empire further and further into the declining Latin Kingdoms while both Nur al-Din and the Kingdom of Jerusalem fight over the future of Fatimid Egypt. Finally, at the end of the episode a new man rises to power: Saladin.
Episode 94: The Perils of Prosperity
January 18, 2019 17:00 - 75.7 MBWhen we last left off, Henry of Normandy and Aquitaine had just become King Henry II of England. Now, in this episode, we will follow the reign of one of England's strongest kings as he navigates conflicts with Louis VII of France and his own Archbishop of Canterbury: Thomas Becket. This episode will take us to the succession of King Richard I (the Lionheart) and will be as far as we go in western European Medieval history before turning back to the Holy Land and Third Crusade.
Episode 94: The Perils of Prosperity
January 18, 2019 17:00 - 55 minutes - 75.7 MBWhen we last left off, Henry of Normandy and Aquitaine had just become King Henry II of England. Now, in this episode, we will follow the reign of one of England's strongest kings as he navigates conflicts with Louis VII of France and his own Archbishop of Canterbury: Thomas Becket. This episode will take us to the succession of King Richard I (the Lionheart) and will be as far as we go in western European Medieval history before turning back to the Holy Land and Third Crusade.
Episode 93: A Royal Mess
January 04, 2019 17:00 - 36 minutes - 49.4 MBIn this episode we return to our narrative though not to the Crusades. We will head back to the year 1095 when the First Crusade was launched and set about catching the rest of Europe back up to speed. Then, we spend the bulk of the second half of the episode tackling Norman England. The realm of William the Conqueror is once again fractured by civil war and it is going to take Geoffrey Plantagenet and his son, the future King Henry II, to put it all back together again. (Years: 1095-1154)
Supplemental: Early Medieval Music
December 21, 2018 17:00 - 20 minutes - 27.5 MBIn this supplemental episode we examine music in the Early Middle Ages. Essentially, this comes down to Gregorian Chanting (Religious) and secular music.
Supplemental: Early Medieval Music
December 21, 2018 17:00 - 27.5 MBIn this supplemental episode we examine music in the Early Middle Ages. Essentially, this comes down to Gregorian Chanting (Religious) and secular music.
Architecture
December 07, 2018 17:00 - 36.8 MBAudition Template: 1 Mono Host track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Mono Interview track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Stereo Sound FX with effects, 1 Stereo Music Bed track. 44.1k, 16 bit, Stereo Master.
Supplemental: Early Medieval Architecture
December 07, 2018 17:00 - 26 minutes - 36.8 MBIn this episode, I cover some of the major architectural trends of the early to mid-Middle Ages. So, yeah, castles and churches. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon:www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscription Feed 7-Day Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv
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November 23, 2018 22:44 - 48.5 MBAudition Template: 1 Mono Host track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Mono Interview track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Stereo Sound FX with effects, 1 Stereo Music Bed track. 44.1k, 16 bit, Stereo Master.
92: Calling All Arms
November 23, 2018 22:44 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MBThe West kicks into gear in a last-ditch effort to save the crusader states. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Patreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Subscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv
Episode 91: The Crusader States (Part Two)
November 13, 2018 02:29 - 40 minutes - 54.9 MBIn this episode we take a look at the Counties of Edessa and Tripoli and give a quick overview of life in the Near East during the Crusades. Finally, the Crusader States are dealt a series of crushing blows in the 1140's setting the stage for the Second Crusade.
Episode 91
November 13, 2018 02:29 - 54.9 MBIn this episode we take a look at the Counties of Edessa and Tripoli and give a quick overview of life in the Near East during the Crusades. Finally, the Crusader States are dealt a series of crushing blows in the 1140's setting the stage for the Second Crusade.
Episode 90: The Crusader States Part One
October 29, 2018 14:42 - 40 minutes - 55.1 MBIn this episode we follow the development of the four key Crusader States after the unexpected success of the First Crusade. King Baldwin I leads the Kingdom of Jerusalem to new heights while Tancred is forced to clean up a royal mess in Antioch.
Episode 89: The Holy City
October 16, 2018 01:10 - 36 minutes - 50.2 MBIn this episode the First Crusade finally reaches Jerusalem. Once again, it turns into a make-or-break for the European invaders.
Episode 88: Fortress Antioch
September 28, 2018 16:00 - 48.1 MBIn this episode, we follow the First Crusader as the crusader army swings south into Asia Minor and approaches the formidable city of Antioch. At Antioch, the First Crusade will nearly meet its premature end as the crusaders quickly go from besiegers to besieged.
Episode 88: Fortress Antioch
September 28, 2018 16:00 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MBIn this episode, we follow the First Crusader as the crusader army swings south into Asia Minor and approaches the formidable city of Antioch. At Antioch, the First Crusade will nearly meet its premature end as the crusaders quickly go from besiegers to besieged.
Episode 87: Into Asia
September 14, 2018 16:00 - 40 minutes - 54.9 MBIn 1095 Pope Urban declared a "pilgrimage" to the Holy Land. In this episode we start with his declaration and then follow the First Crusade as it moves through Byzantine territory and faces its first challenge: Nicaea.
Episode 86: The Gathering Storm
August 31, 2018 19:46 - 82.9 MBIn this episode we begin the Crusades. Specifically, we need to catch up on Byzantium a little bit since we left off with Michael IV in the middle of the Eleventh Century. After we get back up to speed in the East we will then turn our attentions towards setting the stage for the First Crusade which begins in 1095.
Episode 86: The Gathering Storm
August 31, 2018 19:46 - 45 minutes - 82.9 MBIn this episode we begin the Crusades. Specifically, we need to catch up on Byzantium a little bit since we left off with Michael IV in the middle of the Eleventh Century. After we get back up to speed in the East we will then turn our attentions towards setting the stage for the First Crusade which begins in 1095.
Supplemental: Medieval Art Part Two
August 03, 2018 16:00 - 37 minutes - 50.8 MBIn this episode we wrap-up our survey of Early Medieval Art by looking at the changes brought about by the transition to the Middle Ages particularly the advent of Christianity. Like in the last episode, here are a few links to images that I reference: Ivory Carving of Jesus Quedinburg Itala Cross of St. Martin Gospel of St. Augustine (St. Luke with Gospel)
Supplemental: Early Medieval Art Part One
July 20, 2018 16:00 - 26 minutes - 36.1 MBIn this episode we are going to begin our look at Early Medieval Art by considered Late Classical and specifically Roman influences on artistic expression that outlived the empire itself. For this episode, you might want to view the following images: Coronation of Otto III Trajan's Column Marcus Aurelius' Column Four Tetrarchs Click the hyperlinked text to see the image.
Supplemental: Early Medieval Art Part One
July 20, 2018 16:00 - 36.1 MBIn this episode we are going to begin our look at Early Medieval Art by considered Late Classical and specifically Roman influences on artistic expression that outlived the empire itself. For this episode, you might want to view the following images: Coronation of Otto III Trajan's Column Marcus Aurelius' Column Four Tetrarchs Click the hyperlinked text to see the image.
85:Early Medieval Italy
July 11, 2018 19:26 - 37 minutes - 50.8 MBLast time we covered some of the major social and political trends sweeping Italy in the Early Middle Ages. This time we dig into the specifics and talk about the major changes that hit Italy after the Byzantines left the scene. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.com Ad-Free Version: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcast Western Civ 2.0 Free Trial: www.glow.fm/westernciv
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July 11, 2018 19:26 - 50.8 MBAudition Template: 1 Mono Host track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Mono Interview track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Stereo Sound FX with effects, 1 Stereo Music Bed track. 44.1k, 16 bit, Stereo Master.
Episode 84: Social and Political Transformation in Medieval Italy
June 22, 2018 16:00 - 41 minutes - 56.6 MBIn this episode we take a break from the political narrative to focus on some of the key social and economic changes that are taking shape in Northern Italy between 875 and 1000 AD. During this period, Medieval Italy experiences a number of changes (urbanization, estate fragmentation) that will result in major changes to Italian economic and social life in the very near future. Next time, we will see how these broader changes influence the political development of Italy during this same perio...
Episode 83: Holier Than Thou
June 08, 2018 16:00 - 1 hour - 84.1 MBIn this episode we continue our examination of the Holy Roman Empire between 973 and 1106. We pick up the story with Otto II and then follow Otto III and Henry II as they try desperately to both expand and consolidate German power in medieval Europe. Then, we detail the stories of Henry III and IV who would battle increasingly powerful and difficult Popes. The story comes to a climax in the epic showdown between Pope Gregory VII and Henry who must humble himself before the Pope and then seeks...
Episode 82: The Holy Roman Empire
May 24, 2018 17:58 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBIn this episode we start our in-depth look at the Holy Roman Empire. This episode covers the time period from the collapse of the unified Carolingian Empire to the death of Otto I in 973. In this episode we will also take a larger look at the Empire in general, its political system, culture, and economy.
Episode 81: The Governors of the World
April 15, 2018 21:28 - 1 hour - 116 MBIn this episode we conclude our close look at the Papacy by picking up the story at the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 and following the Vicars of Christ through to Gregory VII and his death in 1085. The Popes during this period were often far from moral.
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April 01, 2018 17:19 - 1 hour - 83.2 MBAudition Template: 1 Mono Host track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Mono Interview track (with Speech Volume Leveler), 1 Stereo Sound FX with effects, 1 Stereo Music Bed track. 44.1k, 16 bit, Stereo Master.
Episode 79: Al-Andalus
March 16, 2018 16:00 - 1 hour - 96.2 MBIn this episode, we swing south to the Iberian Peninsula to catch up on Islamic Spain and the small, Christian Kingdoms that surround it. We begin with the quick and total collapse of Visigoth Spain in 711 AD and end with the disintegration of the united Cordoba Caliphate between circa 1000 and 1035 AD.