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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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After spending six episodes covering the events happening in the Roman renegade states, we finally get to see what happened inside the walls of Constantinople. The 4th Crusaders had to elect an Emperor... the first Latin emperor in over 700 years. The choice was narrowed down between two leaders, Baldwin of Flanders and Boniface of Montferrat. The election created a rift between the two that would never mend. This episode follows the short lives of these two men before they meet their untimely deaths at the hands of their new enemies.

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

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After Alexios and David Komnenos succeeded in creating the largest and richest of the three Byzantine Successor states, their luck started to turn. Overconfidence, civil war, and an embarrassing hostage situation crippled any ambition of the Komnenos brothers to conquer the Capital city... Constantinople. However, the Empire of Trebizond maintained a strong force on the Black Sea, and this controlled the edge of the Silk Road and gave them the power to outlive not only their rival successor states but also the Roman Empire itself.

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

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To tell the story of the third successor state that popped up after the Sack of Constantinople, The Empire of Trebizond, we must take a deep dive into the History of the Kingdom of Georgia. The reason for this is that the Kingdom of Georgia, under their leader Queen Tamar, financed and organized the two grandchildren of Andronicus into capturing the city of Trebizond. Georgia is a kingdom in the Caucasus Mountains... with fertile plains, rich mines, thick forests, and access to both the Black Sea and the Silk Road. The Monarch of this story is a fantastic woman who rose to power and was crowned King... not Queen... but the King of Georgia. She wasn't messing around and did not let her husbands restle the power bestowed upon her.

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