A history of Romania
FaktaHistorieA narrative podcast telling the tale of the peoples of Romania from ancient times to the present.The story is divided into five seasons:Beginnings, covering prehistory to the year 602Foundations, 602 to 1396Burgeonings, 1396 to 1774Unifications, 1774 to 1919Identities, 1919 to 2007If you'd like to see the maps, the bibliography, learn more about me as your storyteller, or support the show, head to the website.Currently on Season 2, Foundations, covering the period from 602 to 1396. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Siste episoder av A history of Romania podcast
- 2.02 The khaganate (00:26:48)
In the year 602, the lands north of the Danube were dominated by the Avars, a little-known people from the steppes. In this episode, we take a look at their origins, values, and the khaganate they established to rival the Roman empire.You can check out the extent of their khaganate in this week's map. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 2.01 The legacy of Antiquity (00:28:52)
As we begin season two, I share what you can expect from this next chunk of narrative and then take a look at the story so far to refresh our memories and prepare us for what comes next.Check out the map for the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- Extra episode: Callidromus’ story (00:29:17)
In this standalone episode, we follow an enslaved man who served a Roman general, saw the Dacian capital in its prime, worked in the palace of the Parthian King of Kings, and staged a daring escape to gain his freedom in the midst of war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.29 Threads of beginnings (00:34:54)
To close out season one, we discuss the impact of the Goths, Huns, and Gepids in the region, ask how we can discern ethnicity in our sources, and consider the effects of Christianity north of the Danube. We also explore some of my storytelling choices and glance at what's next for the podcast.If you can spare a few minutes, please send me an email with your thoughts and comments at ahistoryofromania@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.28 Misty myths (00:32:29)
The story of season one is done and we have plenty to discuss: the legacy of the Dacians, Romanization in the provinces, contrasting historical theories, and what it all means for that greatest of unresolved questions — What are the origins of the Romanian people? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.27 Gentes et regna (00:28:29)
In the last narrative episode of season one, the Avars spring out of the Carpathian Basin and into the Balkans, while Slavic tribes roam the lands on either side of the Danube seeking a permanent place to settle.Check out this episode's map. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.26 Blood feud (00:27:38)
The Gepids reign as the most powerful people north of the Danube, but a new rival supported by the Roman empire threatens to dismantle their kingdom, all while a horrifying illness makes its appearance in the Balkans.Check out the map for this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.25 Free-for-all (00:25:05)
The Gepids seek to retake their lost capital at Sirmium, all while dealing with a resurgent Roman empire and ambitious new players on the board.This episode's map. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.24 The board reshuffles (00:28:26)
Having led the war of independence against the Huns, the Gepids take the wealth of their former overlords and establish a kingdom on the lands of the original province of Dacia. Their efforts then turn to securing themselves a spot in the new Mediterranean world created by the collapse of half the Roman empire.Check out the maps for this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.23 Dominoes (00:29:18)
Attila aims the full force of the Hunnic confederation against the western Roman empire, and the resulting confrontation leads to tectonic changes for the Romans as well as for the peoples beyond the frontiers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.22 When swords turn to daggers (00:31:42)
As Attila scourges the Roman empire and outmanoeuvers its forces, the emperor in Constantinople seeks a way to stop the ongoing ravages, and so a conspiracy is hatched to assassinate the Hunnic ruler.You can read Priscus' original retelling of his dinner with Attila, or check out some highlights I've selected from his first-hand account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.21 Friends on a coin's edge (00:29:34)
The Huns shatter Germanic kingdoms and Roman defenses as they establish their powerbase in the Pannonian Plain. Their relentless attacks devastate the Balkans and push the tribes of Europe to flee to the safety of the western empire - with disastrous consequences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.20 Cries from the other shore (00:30:02)
Gothic chieftains seek to gain more influence in the province of Gothia, but as they work to assert their power in relation to the empire, an unexpected threat appears from the steppes to the east: the Huns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.19 Reconquest (00:29:02)
A grand capital fit for a Christian emperor is built on the shores of the Bosphorus, and in order to ensure its safety, Constantine decides to retake the province of Dacia established by Trajan two centuries earlier.Check out the two maps for the episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.18 Let the gods decide (00:32:17)
Diocletian initiates a great persecution of the Christians, and his reformed Roman empire undergoes the ultimate test as the time for succession arrives.Check out what the Chi Rho symbol looked like here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.17 Reforging (00:30:34)
Diocletian transforms the Roman world through rational and autocratic reforms, discarding the system Augustus had built nearly three centuries earlier and forging an entirely new order.There are two maps for this episode and you can find them here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.16 The empire minus one (00:28:34)
Aurelian campaigns relentlessly to restore the Roman empire, and the inhabitants of the former province of Dacia must negotiate a working relationship with the migratory peoples that are now settling near them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.15 Fragmentation (00:30:22)
The Roman empire nears collapse as the Goths overrun the Balkans, the Persians invade the East, generals fight for the throne, and provinces secede to form new states, all while plague kills millions of people. As the inhabitants of Dacia stand against the chaos, messengers arrive bearing an imperial decision that will forever alter their lives.You can find the map for this episode here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.14 New citizens (00:31:57)
The character of the Roman empire evolves as all of its free inhabitants are granted citizenship, spurring ever more growth and prosperity in Dacia. Yet that very wealth draws the attention of two powerful tribes living on the periphery of the empire: the Dacian Carpi and the Germanic Goths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.13 Iron swords for marble cities (00:28:38)
Dacia recovers from the crisis that had defined Marcus Aurelius' reign and becomes more urban than ever before. At the same time, the province strengthens its defenses, and its soldiers grow more attached to the local communities they defend.Here's the map for this episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.12 To bear this worthily is good fortune (00:29:37)
Plague decimates the population, the frontiers are breached, and barbarians ravage Dacia as emperor Marcus Aurelius fights to overcome the empire's direst crisis in living memory.For extra content that didn't make it into the episode, head to A history of Romania's Facebook page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.11 The allure of Rome (00:26:54)
The diverse society of the Dacian provinces flourishes during the reign of Antoninus Pius as colonists from across the empire bring their local beliefs to the region and blend them with Roman ones. Meanwhile, the identity of the Dacians living inside the empire begins to change in relation to their ancestors as well as to their kin beyond the borders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.10 The silenced masses (00:26:24)
Hadrian's defense of Dacia is followed by fifty years of peace and growth, but the prosperity of the region is founded on the labour of tens of thousands of enslaved people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.09 Eagle and falx (00:24:51)
The peoples beyond the frontier threaten to overrun the provinces of Dacia and Moesia Inferior, and the new Roman emperor must race to the Danube to secure the region.Check out this episode's map here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
- 1.08 A piece of the Earth for all (00:27:43)
Having dismantled the Dacian kingdom, Trajan creates a new province out of its territory and encourages colonists from across the empire to make the land their own.You can find the map for this episode as well as some scenes from Trajan's Column here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.