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67. Totila and the Ostrogothic Resurgence
In Belisarius’ absence, the Byzantine’s greed and incompetence create a space for the Ostrogoths to launch a comeback. Under their new leader, Totila, they enjoy stunning success in a series of battles and sieges that carries them to the walls of Naples, and all the way to the very southern corners of Italy. →
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57. The Life and Loves of Theudebert I
One of the strongest of the early Merovingians, Theudebert built a powerful kingdom while squabbling with his uncles and carrying on a complicated personal life. →
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46. The Fall of Italy
The Gothic War grew in intensity after the siege of Rome, and Belisarius had to deal with threats both from without and from within his own army as he fought to bring it to a successful conclusion. The war spread across northern Italy, with devastating consequences for the civilian populace. →
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42. Queen of the Goths
Amalasuintha, youngest daughter of Theodoric the Great, ruled Italy as regent for her son Athalaric from 526 until Athalaric’s death in 534. She maintained her father’s policies of maintaining Roman administration and Gothic military might, while working for good relations with Constantinople. She enjoyed the support of the Italo-Romans, but was viewed with suspicion by… →
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41. The Treasures of Carthage
December 533 to March 534 Things go from bad to worse for the Vandal kingdom. Last time, I implied that Belisarius’ early victory at Ad Decimum wasn’t necessarily the end of the war, and was only the beginning of trouble for the Romans in Africa. I stand by that, but the truth is that most… →
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40. The Vandal War
The first of Justinian’s wars in the West begins, as Belisarius leads an army to Africa. Early victory makes the war seem like a slam dunk, and Procopius is there to tell us all about it. →
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38. Sons of the Vandal
The Vandal Kingdom has had its ups and its downs since the fall of the West. Four kings work to maintain Gaiseric’s legacy in the face of a hostile populace and a looming threat in the East. →
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37. The Magical History Tour
A whirlwind tour around Europe, checking in on what’s been going on in the years up to Theodoric’s death. →
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36. Consolidation and Conversion: Clovis I Part 3
Today we are going to talk about Clovis’ conversion to Catholic Christianity. I also plan to use that subject as a way in to talk a bit about the whole process of conversion and the Christianization of Europe. But before we do any of the churchy stuff, we’ll spend the first ten minutes or so… →
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35. Clovis a-Conquering: Clovis I Part 2
Clovis and his army carve a new thing, called France, out of old Roman Gaul. →
The Dark Ages Podcast 