Episodes

‘Rome made a desert, and called it peace’. Caesar’s first foray into Gaul had been an overwhelming success. He had vanquished one of the most powerful tribes, and their wealth had paid off his debts. Emboldened by the quick victory, he sent his legions to the distant corners of the contine…

"I am a free man, of a free state" When Julius Caesar became Governor of Gaul in 58BC he dreamt of fame, fortune and legacy. Conquest had always been the path to glory for a Roman senator and with this position he hoped to make his name. At first, he picked off the Gallic tribes one by on…

In this special episode I'm joined by Professor Emanuel Buttigieg from The University Of Malta! The Professor shares with me the fascinating story of The Siege Of Candia that took place over a whopping 21 years starting in 1648. The siege pitted The Knights Hospitaller against the…

"He bore the impending demise of his religion, culture and way of life" Boabdil had earned his bloody throne. But there was little time to celebrate. As the armies of Christendom camped outside the last Islamic stronghold in Spain, its citizens knew the end of their world would come soon. …

"Stop, stop! Don't kill him you fool, that's the Moorish King!" Boabdil's path to the throne had not been easy. He had been pressured into overthrowing his father by his mother and was captured during his first battle. After being forced to swear an oath of loyalty to The Christian King Fer…

"You cry like a woman, for what you couldn't defend as a man" Boabdil was heir to a dying kingdom. In the 15th century, Granada was the last Muslim state in Spain. For 250 years it survived, living in the shadow of the Christian kingdoms. But that all changed after the marria…

"In Spain's rich history, El Cid is remembered above all others". El Cid was down but not out! After sacking King Alfonso's lands he was in exile, barred from returning to his home and family. But, his deeds had made him famous and he soon found employment in the pay of al-Mu'taman, …

"...This man, the scourge of his time, by his appetite for glory, by the prudent steadfastness of his character, and by his heroic bravery: Was one of the miracles of God". -Ibn Bassam (11th Century Poet) on El Cid El Cid was a knight in 11th century Spain. Growing up in the borderlands bet…

"In this tiny mountain hamlet, history was about to be made." In 722AD a Muslim army marched into the frosty mountains of Asturias. They were searching for the last holdout of Christian resistance, led by a shadowy figure named Pelayo. Since the fall of his kingdom a decade earlier, Pelayo …

Season 3 Wrap-up

The crew of the HMS Bounty were free from their hated captain, but what now? Their old lives were over. And the ferocious Polynesians weren't interested in sharing their islands with British sailors. As the crewmembers couple up with the few women aboard, resentment simmers when there aren't …

“Of all the sea tales told down the ages, none has held its mystique so long as the mutiny on board HMS Bounty” In the year of 1789, in the vast Pacific Ocean; the mutinous crew of the HMS Bounty turn on their loathed Captain. Jeering and laughing the men push him into a tiny, overcrowded row…

"Thus died Aurelian, an emperor who was necessary rather than good". Aurelian had accomplished more in two years than lesser Emperors had in 50. Both The Goths and Germans had been humbled by his ruthless campaigns. His message was clear: The Roman Empire is omnipotent, know your place or face …

In the late third century, The Roman empire teetered on the brink of total collapse. Barbarian hordes pour over the deserted border fortresses. Plague ripples through the cities, while hyperinflation pushes the population into poverty. The government is in freefall. Emperors are raised in rap…

Khalid ibn al-Walid's life had taken a full 360 turn. Throwing family tradition aside he'd embraced Islam and helped Muhammad smash the old idols he had once worshipped. He was quickly becoming The Prophet's favoured general, who gave him the title Sayfullah (The Sword of God). But the new…

Khalid was a member of the aristocracy in the Arabian trading city of Mecca. When a local named Muhammad began claiming he was the Prophet of God, Khalid and his family fought tooth and nail to stamp out his movement. Less than two years later Khalid was the highest ranking commander in the M…

Ahmad Shah Durrani had made his mark. Every tribesman in Afghanistan recognised him as King. In Delhi, the Grand Mughal cowered behind his peacock thrown, in fear of what the Afghan warlord would do next. But all was not well for the Pearl of Pearls, by vanquishing the Mughals, he had ripp…

Who was Ahmad Shah Durrani? Ahmad Shah Durrani was an Afghan chieftain who rose to power leading Persian armies in the 18th century. After his Persian overlord was murdered he threw off the yoke of oppression and declared an independent Afghan state for his people. But could one man unite …

In this special episode I sit down with three other history podcasters and discuss the 2012 Movie '11 September 1683, Day of the Siege'. This is a historical movie, that tells the story of the Ottoman Siege of Vienna in the 17th century. The movie is unkind to Islam, unkind to history and mos…

Simo Häyhä was a Finnish farmer born in the 1900's, known around his village for his wickedly sharp aim with a hunting rifle. In 1939, his life was turned upside down when Stalin and The Red Army invaded Finland. Rushed to the front, his kill-count quickly rose. His fellow Finns nicknamed …

While Admiral Yi Sun-sin languishes in a filthy prison cell, the once invincible Korean navy he had built lay in ruins at the bottom of the harbour. Outmaneuvered and outplayed by his rival, the War Hero had been stripped of all his command and convicted of treason. But with the coast now def…

Yi Sun-sin was a Korean soldier in the 16th century. Throughout his career he had built up a reputation as an exemplary leader with a brilliant eye for military decisions. Despite this, he had received few promotions and had made fewer friends within the military due to his 'no nonsense' stan…

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to sit down with some podcasting royalty! Daniele Bolelli is university professor, published author, marital arts expert and (of course) an OG History Podcaster. Daniele created the History On Fire podcast in 2015, which focuses on the most dramatic …

The Welsh have risen! Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion has swept across the the British Isles. As Welsh apprentices abroad down their tools and return home to heed the call, The Prince Of Wales secures an alliance with one of the most powerful Monarch's in Europe. Meanwhile, a charismatic English …