Suleiman the Magnificent - IV: The Shadow of God - Extra History

Man, the animation in this video was done so well. I loved all the small jokes!

Anonymous

*gives a regal bow* Thank you. Thank you. I'm hear all week.

Robbie the Gnome

That is the weirdest, coolest "get attention for your band" idea I've ever heard. Bravo to them - and to you, for being full of They Might Be Giants trivia! ;D

Extra History

So in the 1980s They Might be Giants were a band struggling for recognition as all bands start but their solution to the problem of getting their music heard was down right ingenius. They bought a phone line. Using a cassette answering machine they would record songs and jingles onto the answering machine. However the answering machine and ohone recievers had a limited range of notes they could play and so through trial and error they found what notes sounded best on the machine and stuck to them sometimes rewriting songs to fit the machine. They then put up flyers all around New York for their "Dial-A-Song", this not only got them a fan base but media attention as well. Dial-A-Song continued well into the 90s with them switching out songs every so often. In 2015 they brought Dial-A-Song back, doing a song a week for 52 weeks. Sadly Dial-A-Song is now gone forever.

Robbie the Gnome

And then the Praetorian Guard revisited THAT decision, and then Septimius Severus revisited THAT decision...193 was kinda crazy.

RMS Oceanic

Yeah, I'm pretty content to be a leader of dogs and that's it! They are cuter than countries.

Extra History

Yes, it is! And you summarize it really well, too.

Todd Carter

Is that an asymmetrical multiplayer game with alliance building/backstabbing and a historical theme? I hadn't ever heard of it, but based on this website summary I found, it sounds like my kind of thing!

Extra History

That Suleiman/Justinian shot is so beautiful I actually want to make a shirt or poster out of it. I've been looking into how, because I'm crazy. ;D As for Commodus, well... Marcus Aurelius made his decision, and then someone else revisited it for him later. X-Þ

Extra History

Well, he would have had to go through Admiral Yi first, and I think we all know that's not happening! Seriously though, that would have been a cool meeting between the Ottomans and Japan. Assuming they could magically get their navy in the right place, I think it would actually have gone pretty well for the Ottomans, since they were accomplished at siegecraft and would have been moving against a still divided Japan that would likely struggle in the face an organized imperial power.

Extra History

Belatedly: YES, more fun facts!

Extra History

Still no word on poor little laptop. :( At least the video was well received!

Extra History

Yep, we picked up Lil during the South Sea Bubble series! Dan had heard she was available for contract work and told us we had to reach out to her. He was so, so right.

Extra History

Unfortunately, not so much. Suleiman does siege Vienna again, but ... well. No spoilers. :)

Extra History

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

Extra History

I'm glad you're enjoying it! It was a bit of a risk since it diverges from our usual method so much, but we were definitely ready to try new things and see how it worked. Fail faster and all.

Extra History

why did you ignore mentioning this? <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman%E2%80%93Safavid_War_(1532%E2%80%931555)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman%E2%80%93Safavid_War_(1532%E2%80%931555)</a> the main reaosn why he withdrew weren't the weather, but the persian assault on his other side of the empire and why is Suleiman's saga a fifth of Justinian's?

M

I hope you'll get to do a series about the other ottoman siege of Vienna. Forget about the historical significance, it's the siege that gave us the croissant!

Michael Waisfeld

It says it in the end credits: Lil (Lilienne Chan).

It was a YouTube bug. Should be fixed now!

Extra History

Who are the artist behind these videos? I really love the creativity abd the excellent use of metaphors in the drawings.

Mikkel Kaas

It seems comments are disabled on the youtube video. Why is this?

Mask

Cameron I deleted the comment with your contact info because this is a public post and I don't want your info falling into the wrong hands! Re: gamification, we got so many requests about that episode that we've unfortunately had to retract our free consulting as we simply couldn't keep up. You're still welcome to contact me at soraya(at)extra-credits.net though if you like! James will not be at PAX East this year however.

Extra History

I have a question generated by the 2012 video "Gamification." I have some thoughts about gamification in medicine, and I am intrigued by the suggestion that James may have some ideas.I could be at Pax East if there is any interest in discussing this, or we can just email, Skype, etc. If there really isn't any interest right now, please just let me know! I'll remain addicted to your channels and will contine to support you on Patreon, no worries. You always inspire me! Cameron Parham, MD

Cameron Parham

I love you guys. Great work as always

Martin Ockovsky

The decision to use this framing device for the narrative becomes more and more powerful as the series progresses.

Stephen

Hey team! Thanks to everyone who was able to keep me company during my airport layover. Alas my laptop is still missing, but I've sent in my report to the airline and hopefully they'll find it soon. Until then, I have pretty limited computer access throughout the weekend and won't be able to continue answering questions from you lovely people for a little while. But I just wanted you to know that my sudden disappearance from this very fun comments section/impromptu Q&A was an indication that I have now made it safely to my destination! Talk to you all soon. <3 -Soraya

Extra History

I'm still geeking out from last week about actually being a sponsor. That adds a period in history that's special to me. Work often makes me feel like a Nope camel. I'd also never thought of leaders not being able to have people who truly understand their burden of ruling. I mean all the world leaders are there but we wouldn't have different nations if they could completely understand and empathize with the others (if this makes any sense). I never wanted to be a leader of a major group, and now I REALLY don't want to.

Aaron hutchinson

Hope you can find your laptop, Soraya! Thanks for getting the video to us! Be safe!

Turlas85

Have you ever heard of a board game called "Here I Stand?" It's about the politics of the Reformation period. I'm asking about it because this series reminds me of it a lot since it's showing what's happening from the Ottoman point of view. I love the reformation time period and this puts the politics of that period in a different and complimentary light. Good job!

Todd Carter

I hope when the eventual music video comes that Suleiman/Justinian shot is used when Justinian's theme starts up. The dilemma Suleiman has at the end reminds me of the bitter choice Marcus Aurelius had surrounding his son Commodus: Promote him or execute him.

RMS Oceanic

Since we're discussing some what-ifs, what if the Ottoman Empire has clashed with Sengoku Japan? Roughly same time period, and I think it would be fascinating to know what would have happened had Suleiman interacted with Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, or Tokugawa Ieasu

Bryan (MightyAxeMan)

I have an entire notebook devoted to counterfactuals. My favorite one about the Islamic world is if the Mu'tazila school of thought prevailed over the Ash'ari school.

Jim McGeehin

I enjoy playing with words. They Might Be Giants is one of my favorite bands. Would you like to hear another fun fact? I don't want to over step and just start chattering like a monkey or squeeing like a fan boy.

Robbie the Gnome

Well played. Your wit has won out.

Jim McGeehin

Walpole manipulates finances on every occasion.

Extra History

I did not know that! I noticed your word choice when you first brought up the song but I didn't realize why you'd phrased it that way!

Extra History

Well, tributes from the ta'ifa kings played a major part in underwriting those expeditions, so yes, a different world indeed!

Extra History

I am tempted to raise my pledge because of that.

Jim McGeehin

Considering how well read you are, there can only be one reason that the South Sea Bubble is the only topic you lack a book about. That's right. It Was Walpole

Extra History

Oh I will! In fact I think I know the part you're talking about! I love those guys. Fun fact: Did you know that Istanbul, Not Constantinople is actually a cover? The song dates back to about the 1920s if I'm not mistaken.

Robbie the Gnome

Splendid answer. An Emirate of Cordoba or kingdom of al-Andalusia in Spain during the Age of Discovery and the Colonial Era has fascinating implications for the Americas.

Jim McGeehin

I'm a big military history buff. I enjoyed history when I was a kid, I studied history and politics along with my major of engineering in college, and I really got in to studying how war was waged when I enlisted. I read "The Accidental Guerilla" by Kilcullen on a long plane trip, and since then, I've been merging my fascination with history, my fascination of systems and engineering, and my fascination with the military ever since then. I also write about military strategy and tactics, the complex interweaving of technology and military doctrine, and the complex relationship between the soldier, the officer, the civilian, and the politician. Fun fact: Every Extra History topic with the exception of the South Sea Bubble has had a book on my bookshelf written about it. By all means, copy-paste away. Knowledge is nothing if not shared, and you're doing a great work in presenting something both engaging and educational. And feel free to ask me anything, I love talking about military history and strategy.

Jim McGeehin

Oh yes, I've heard it! Did you notice when Heather snuck They Might Be Giants into a map in the First Crusades series? If not, finding where she did that can be your scavenger hunt challenge.

Extra History

That song has been bouncing around in my head since Episode 1 of Suleimon. I'm sure you've heard it, if you haven't go give it a listen. I'm sure given the subjects you guys have been covering in recent weeks/months that it'll be hilariously enjoyable.

Robbie the Gnome

IF A MUSLIM KINGDOM SURVIVED IN SPAIN. Without question. I love that time period; I am fascinated by the messy melding of the faiths. The Western world would be so different with a Muslim kingdom in Europe. I think we'd have continued to see religious prejudice (both from within and from without) and at least as many horrible stories would emerge from it as good, but I also think we'd be much farther along in learning how to understand each other and see our mutual humanity.

Extra History

History is merely the endless record of tragedies.

The Brit Git

Jim, how do you know so much about WW2 AND so much about Suleiman? I often like to chime in on historical comments to answer questions or add a fun detail, but you write such perfectly self-contained little essays that I can only enjoy reading them. :) ...And sometimes fantasize about copy pasting them onto YouTube to make myself look smart.

Extra History

Justinian and Suleiman were the first ones I thought of! - and ruled out, for the same reason. I hadn't picked out their battle theme yet, though.

Extra History

I didn't know much about the Gregorian calendar (and nothing about the pig) but now I have something fun to Google while I wait in the airport. <3

Extra History

Lil brings such a fine touch to her comedy. We're lucky to have her on the team!

Extra History

Apparently James was on it and I didn't even realize! But of course, it's going to be very important that people understand that aspect in the story to come...

Extra History

Impromptu Question for the Impromptu Q&A - You seem to be a fan of imagining counterfactuals. Which counterfactual would you say would be your favorite, and why?

Jim McGeehin

What about the Pig War? That's a nice silly one that ends up with no one dead (except for the pig).

Jim McGeehin

An excellent answer! The competitive jerk bags angle is why I asked about allies. It's much more difficult to think of two people getting along when thrust together through time and space. Even Justinian and Suleiman would end up fighting each other because as they would both rightly see it "This MY city!" And fight to the death to the They Might Be Giants version of 'Istanbul, Not Constantinople'

Robbie the Gnome

The effects of the weather on this campaign were immense. While Suleiman had a vast army at his disposal, many of his best fighting troops caught sick during their journey through the wetlands during the punishing summer and autumn rains. About a third of Ottoman troops were trained as light cavalry, unsuited for siege warfare or storming the walls. Suleiman was fighting with a hobbled army, while the Holy Roman Empire had taken the time to fortify their walls with earthen ramparts. During the battle, the precipitation was heavy, and that caused foodstuffs in the Ottoman camp to rot. Clean water was in short supply, and it took great effort to keep the gunpowder dry. The Habsburgs had been adopting the tercio of the Spanish Empire, and the long pikes of the Austrians turned sapper breaches into deathtraps for the Ottoman forces. And so, much like D-Day, fortunes were made and lost at the whims of the weather.

Jim McGeehin

Hey, Thanks so much for putting in an explanation of Ottoman succession. It's such an important part of understanding larger Ottoman history!

Yazen Shunnar

Hmm. That's actually hard because a lot of the people that I would LIKE to see form interesting ahistorical alliances were competitive jerkbags who probably wouldn't get along. But let's go with Cicero and Benjamin Franklin. Whether you put old Kiki into Ben's time period (start of the republic) or Ben into his (end of the republic), I think it would have changed things in very interesting ways. And I'd love to see that snark.

Extra History

For just any subject? You could do a one-off on the adoptions of the Gregorian calendar. It's a hilarious tale, involving lost days, suspicions of a catholic plot, a February 30th and much, much more.

Another excellent episode. Loved the nope camel and I smiled to see the GL's ring of Will. ;-)

Batman O'Brien

Impromptu question for an Impromptu Q&A: What two historical figures do you think would have made the best allies if they had lived at the same time?

Robbie the Gnome

And the nope janissary and the nope cannon! But nope camel has best nope.

Extra History

I'm sorry, but my laptop is in another castle! ...I mean city.

Extra History

I get to see the nope camel!

Timothy McLean

Well, naturally. What other than tragedy could be considered an "end"?

Timothy McLean

Go find your laptop!

Nosgoroth

I was actually just wondering the other day, could I think of a subject for a one-off that didn't have a sad ending? ...So far still wondering.

Extra History

I bet this ends in tragedy. History always ends in tragedy....

Dave Hoyt

Also, I just saw this button on my phone and pushed it, so I guess this is an impromptu QnA/chat session or whatever we want to make it

Extra History

Thank you! We love making it. It's fun to do a bit of storytelling in addition to the more essay-like tone of Extra Credits

Extra History

I don't have any questions, just wanted to say Extra History is one of my favorite shows. I'm so glad that you're telling interesting stories

Andrew Nichols