Episode 330 – The Life of Manuel II Palaiologos
Added 2025-06-13 21:07:51 +0000 UTCWe explore the life of Manuel II Palaiologos. The last Roman Emperor who we can actually get to know. We go through his life story and his writing to learn more about being the Basileus in an age of decline.
Pic: Manuel and Henry IV of England from the St Albans chronicle by Thomas Walsingham
Period: 1350-1425
Comments
I am struck by the similarities between Manuel's trip to Western Europe and those of President Zelenskyy. Both were massively outnumbered and, without Western assistance, Ukraine would surely be facing a fate similar to that of the Empire. Westerners then were then distracted by local conflicts, whilst today resources are tight due to pressures on government spending. More significantly, both Manuel and Zelenskyy offer something of great strategic value, to act as a bulwark against an aggressive common foe. If only the Western powers then had had the vision to see this they might have spared a few resources and Manuel's visit might have been every bit as successful as Zelenskyys.
Alan Boughey
2025-07-16 13:46:37 +0000 UTCI know that the circumstances were quite different and they were two very different men, but I kept thinking about Churchill trying to get the U.S. to enter WWII as I listened to Manuel’s efforts in Western Europe. What if he’d succeeded, and a large crusade began just when Timor struck from the other direction? Would that have been enough to extinguish the Ottoman threat. Probably not but it’s fun to ponder.
RCS
2025-07-03 23:23:39 +0000 UTCAfter listening to this episode I’m getting the book. What an interesting man!
RCS
2025-07-03 23:19:34 +0000 UTCGlad you found Çelik’s book. I got it when it came out, felt like I was cheating on the podcast reading ahead! But knew it would be a good source when you came to this time in the narrative.
Jonathan Solis
2025-06-24 15:23:43 +0000 UTCThe Schismatic Unroman Confederation
Kωnstantinos T.
2025-06-19 16:52:06 +0000 UTCTruly poetic episode, a work of word-crafting worthy of Manuel's legacy
Adam Gerencser
2025-06-18 09:25:51 +0000 UTCgreat episode
m
2025-06-18 07:52:14 +0000 UTCI don't know :-) Not my area of expertise but an interesting question
Robin Pierson
2025-06-17 20:11:50 +0000 UTCHi, Robin, I just got back from a vacation in Central and Eastern Europe (ending in Constantinople/Istanbul, of course). But I found out a lot of things about that part of Europe surprised me. I would love to hear the story of the Holy Roman Empire and how that shaped that part of the world.
Michael Macheret
2025-06-17 14:19:19 +0000 UTCI was looking at the image of Manuel as Augustus when my Iranian coworker sauntered by, noticed, and remarked that the artwork reminded him a lot of medieval Persian art. I somewhat see what he means, the sword Manuel-Augustus has resembles a shamshir, the clothing he wears resembles Persian noble attire (I'd call if kaftan out of my ignorance), and the colors remind me much of depictions from the Shahnameh I've seen (though I've certainly seen similar colors in other medieval depictions). Was there much influence or cross pollination from Eastern European and/or Middle Eastern traditions into earlier forms of Western European Medieval art as well? Or is this depiction a conscious attempt to blend Eastern art styles into new Western compositions?
Boris K
2025-06-17 12:50:57 +0000 UTCI was fascinated to learn about Manuel’s trip to England when I visited Eltham a few years ago. The palace is well worth a visit for anyone visiting London, a stunning mixture of medieval and Art Deco.
Neil Wilkins
2025-06-16 22:27:16 +0000 UTCReally good episode. I liked how you connected the previous narrative episodes with Manuil's life. I don't think he could have done anything else to save the kingdom. It's just sad to see what the empire had become because of infighting.
Matt Hill
2025-06-16 19:09:18 +0000 UTCYes. George T. Dennis translated The Letters of Manuel II Palaeologus
Robin Pierson
2025-06-15 18:53:48 +0000 UTCVery kind. The basil ii bit?
Robin Pierson
2025-06-15 06:46:44 +0000 UTCAre there any published translations of Manuel's writings that you can point to, Robin?
Alex Dubrovsky
2025-06-14 20:49:47 +0000 UTCI may not be the first to say so but Robin, I for one have enjoyed your gradual introduction of more witticisms into the show in recent seasons.
Christopher Burton
2025-06-14 06:20:04 +0000 UTC
