The Frankish king Charlemagne campaigns relentlessly to expand his realm, bringing him right to the border of the khaganate—with no sign of stopping. The khagan is thus confronted with the most powerful foe his people have ever faced, and must muster all the means at his disposal to maintain their independence.
Here's the map for the episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2.14 A rising shadow
2026/06/02 | 37 mins.
Avar society undergoes profound changes as its warriors are forced to abandon the pursuits of war and turn inwards to govern their own realm. Meanwhile, to their west, a usurper ascends the Frankish throne and makes a pact with the bishop of Rome, leading to the rise of a new regional power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2.13 The collapse of concord
2026/05/05 | 33 mins.
Decades of collaboration between the Romans and Bulgars come under threat as frictions flare on the frontier, and instead of diffusing tensions, two ambitious leaders seek to secure their legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2.12 Keystone
2026/04/07 | 31 mins.
After centuries of living outside of the empire and in isolation from other Romance peoples, the Romanics of the Balkans develop a language of their own and transform into a new people. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2.11 Kaisar khan
2026/03/03 | 30 mins.
The Bulgars fortify their new homeland, wary that the Romans may try to reclaim what they’ve lost. Yet the khan has a chance to reset relations with them when a noseless emperor comes calling for aid, and an ambitious caliph assembles all the might of the Muslim world to take Constantinople once and for all.
Check out this episode's map. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A narrative podcast telling the tale of the peoples of Romania from ancient times to the present.The story is divided into five seasons:Beginnings, covering prehistory to the year 602Foundations, 602 to 1396Burgeonings, 1396 to 1774Unifications, 1774 to 1919Identities, 1919 to 2007If you'd like to see the maps, the bibliography, or learn more about me as your storyteller, head to the website.If you’d like to support the show and help me continue making it, please consider making a donation.Currently on Season 2, Foundations, covering the period from 602 to 1396. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
South Africa