Episode 335 - 10 Influential East Romans with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 1
Added 2026-01-06 15:30:05 +0000 UTCAs we look back at Byzantium I turned once more to Professor Anthony Kaldellis. I asked him to present a list of ten influential East Romans who were not featured heavily in the political narrative.
Anthony Kaldellis is a Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Chicago. He is the author of over a dozen books on Byzantium including the definitive history (The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium). Find out more here.
Timestamps:
Gregory of Nazianzus: 6m 10s - 21m 12s
John Chrysostom: 21m 12s - 38m 12s
Tribonian: 38m 12s - 52m 40s
Anthemius of Tralles: 52m 40s - 1h 02m
Theodore the Studite: 1h 02m - 1h 15m
Comments
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Robin Pierson
2026-01-13 16:57:40 +0000 UTCInteresting episode. However, I am confused by Professor Kaldellis's tangent about the Supreme Court essentially legalizing bribery. To what case(s) is he referring?
Paul Golba
2026-01-10 21:18:39 +0000 UTC:-)
Robin Pierson
2026-01-09 18:26:59 +0000 UTCAn interesting exercise is guessing the people who will be presented in part II of this episode. My 2 strong guesses are Psellos and Gregory Palamas with his esoteric stuff. Maybe Plethon, who as far as I know is the only prominent pagan (or crypto-pagan) after the days of Justinian.
Paul Astalas
2026-01-09 18:19:19 +0000 UTCYes I agree he clearly leans that way
Robin Pierson
2026-01-08 19:31:18 +0000 UTCIt’s funny what Professor Kaldellis says about Gregory - I’ve been reading some of the poetry of Theodore Metochites, who was extremely influenced by Gregory (the translator/editor goes so far as to say Metochites saw himself as the late Byzantine Nazianzus) and it indeed is a lot of complaining lol. Woah is me, my afflictions, cruel fate, etc. In fairness to Theodore he was a politician during Byzantium’s disintegration, so he at least had something to feel sorry about!
Cole
2026-01-07 01:57:29 +0000 UTCProfessor Kaldellis, like most people listening to this podcast, has been foundational in shaping my understanding of Byzantium. I’ve read his books, articles etc, listened to interviews, etc. That said, sometimes I get the feeling he’s a bit of a latter-day Gibbon vis-a-vis Christianity. Although instead of it being largely negative, I think he’d be more prone to say it was relatively inconsequential. His work showcasing the other aspects of East Roman civilization is vital, but idk, sometimes the anti-clericalism is a bit tedious. I’ll admit that’s coloring my view lol. At times it almost feels purposefully contrarian. But, as I try to say to myself, I don’t speak Greek and he does so what do I know lol. I don’t have a background in the culture or the scholarly training, and there are other scholars obviously with divergent views. I’ve just heard/read him the most so it’s stood out. Much respect though!
Cole
2026-01-07 01:23:11 +0000 UTCI loved this episode!
Aaron Malek
2026-01-07 01:05:22 +0000 UTCAnother episode with Professor Kaldellis?! We are truly spoiled!
Maxwell Elkiss
2026-01-06 19:36:52 +0000 UTCYAS
Stephanius Saccus
2026-01-06 15:35:30 +0000 UTC
