Episode 321 – The Worst Civil War, Part 1
Added 2025-04-11 21:36:10 +0000 UTCAndronikos III Palaiologos died on the 15th June 1341. Four months later his nearest and dearest were at each others throats.
His right hand man John Kantakouzenos declared himself Emperor but was rejected by the people at every turn. Refusing to give up he invited foreign powers to intervene on his behalf.
Picture: John VI Kantakouzenos (from 'Rulers of the Byzantine Empire' published by KIBEA)
Period: 1341-43
Comments
I imagine Kantakouzenos was thinking just of Byzantine history.
Robin Pierson
2025-04-14 13:35:36 +0000 UTCThe worst civil war in the Roman Empire? Now that is really saying something.
Alex B
2025-04-13 12:15:33 +0000 UTCΜωρή Κατακουζήνα!!
Kωnstantinos T.
2025-04-12 07:32:06 +0000 UTCA civil war? In my roman empire?
Bobsspike
2025-04-12 05:46:07 +0000 UTCOnce my semester is over, I’m gonna spend just 24 hours. Just listen to the podcast in bed.
Andre Siqueira
2025-04-12 01:18:19 +0000 UTCMy only hope is that after 1453 Robin will visit earlier roman history where things are happier. Would be so cathartic to hear him speak about things like Claudius conquest of Britain, the samnite wars or Caesar's war crimes in Gaul.
Paul Astalas
2025-04-12 00:48:03 +0000 UTCThese episodes won't be an easy listen, will they?
Alex Dubrovsky
2025-04-11 23:51:15 +0000 UTCAnd the fact that John was not made an example of after the civil war end for is also sad. He was not just a traitor in the classical sense (revolting against the legitimate authority of the state), but much worse, he was a traitor to the polity and the roman people. Like some politician today asking for support from a foreign large neighbour in exchange for territory or becoming a client state. He should have been at least killed if not blinded or something even worst. But then again like some people today he was not a patriot and he was only thinking about himself.
Paul Astalas
2025-04-11 23:38:55 +0000 UTCNever believed that I would say this, but I agree that there is wisdom in being a lion pouncing on a large prey, like Andronikos I did. Robin is right on this. Much cleanear. No half measures. If you want to rebel then rebel. I'm curious what it would had happened to Andronikos I if he did not killed his oponents and had been more kinder. Maybe another devastating civil war would have been fought in the 1180s. But maybe not, because he was still part of that family and therefore had more actual legitimacy. But this is still so sad because nothing good comes after this.
Paul Astalas
2025-04-11 23:31:49 +0000 UTC
