Anthology of Heroes History

That's a wrap for Season 4. New episodes coming in late Jan/early Feb 2023.

Take our listener survey for the chance to win an Anthology Of Heroes …

“Could the fall of the Roman Empire have been avoided?”

The story of the last days of the Western Roman Empire is a tale of two men: Emperor Majorian …

By the mid fifth century, The Roman Empire was a shadow of its former self.

Decades of weak leadership had left the realm fragmented, broke and leaderless.

The world was moving on.…

’This country is mine and no other nation can have it!’

It had happened. King Menelik II was now Emperor Menelik II.

With his rival killed and his armoury overflowing with modern guns, The ancient kingdom of Ethiopia …

‘If powers at a distance come to partition Africa, I do not intend to be an indifferent spectator...’

By the late 1800’s, Ethiopia was the only …

"A last alliance against tyranny - the battle for free Gaul"

Gaul hung by a thread.

As Rome’s grip tightened around their homeland, the Tribal Kings …

‘Rome made a desert, and called it peace’.

Caesar’s first foray into Gaul had been an overwhelming success.

He had vanquished one of the most powerful …

"I am a free man, of a free state"

When Julius Caesar became Governor of Gaul in 58BC he dreamt of fame, fortune and legacy.

Conquest had always been …

In this special episode I'm joined by Professor Emanuel Buttigieg from The University Of Malta!

The Professor shares with me the fascinating story of The Siege Of Candia that took place over a whopping 21 years starting …

'He bore the impending demise of his religion, culture and way of life'

Boabdil had earned his bloody throne. But there was little time to celebrate.

…

'Stop, stop! Don't kill him you fool, that's the Moorish King!'

Boabdil's path to the throne had not been easy. He had been pressured into …

You cry like a woman, for what you couldn't defend as a man'

Boabdil was heir to a dying kingdom.

In the 15th century, Granada was the last Muslim …

El Cid was down but not out!

After sacking King Alfonso's lands he was in exile, barred from returning to his home and family.

But, his deeds had made him famous and he soon found employment in the pay of al-Mu'taman, …

'In Spain's rich history, El Cid is remembered above all others'

El Cid was a knight in 11th century Spain.

Growing up in the borderlands between two religions, he gained a reputation for military skill and bravery. This …

'In this tiny mountain hamlet, history was about to be made.'

In 722AD a Muslim army marched into the frosty mountains of Asturias. They were …

A summary of season 3 and some notes on what we've got planned for season 4.

Thanks for the wild ride!

Supporting pictures, source material and …

The crew of the HMS Bounty were free from their hated captain, but what now?

Their old lives were over. And the ferocious Polynesians weren't …

“Of all the sea tales told down the ages, none has held its mystique so long as the mutiny on board HMS Bounty”

In the year of 1789, in the vast …

Aurelian had accomplished more in two years than lesser Emperors had in 50. Both The Goths and Germans had been humbled by his ruthless campaigns.

His message was clear: The Roman Empire is omnipotent, know your place or …

In the late third century, The Roman empire teetered on the brink of total collapse.

Barbarian hordes pour over the deserted border fortresses. Plague …

Khalid ibn al-Walid's life had taken a full 360 turn.

Throwing family tradition aside he'd embraced Islam and helped Muhammad smash the old idols he …

Khalid was a member of the aristocracy in the Arabian trading city of Mecca.

When a local named Muhammad began claiming he was the Prophet of God, Khalid and his family fought tooth and nail to stamp out his movement.

…

Ahmad Shah Durrani had made his mark.

Every tribesman in Afghanistan recognised him as King.

In Delhi, the Grand Mughal cowered behind his peacock …

Who was Ahmad Shah Durrani?

Ahmad Shah Durrani was an Afghan chieftain who rose to power leading Persian armies in the 18th century.

After his Persian overlord was murdered he threw off the yoke of oppression and declared …

In this special episode I sit down with three other history podcasters and discuss the 2012 Movie '11 September 1683, Day of the Siege'.

This is a historical movie, that tells the story of the Ottoman Siege of Vienna in …

Simo Häyhä was a Finnish farmer born in the 1900's, known around his village for his wickedly sharp aim with a hunting rifle.

In 1939, his life was turned upside down when Stalin and The Red Army invaded Finland.

Rushed …

While Admiral Yi Sun-sin languishes in a filthy prison cell, the once invincible Korean navy he had built lay in ruins at the bottom of the harbour.

Outmaneuvered and outplayed by his rival, the War Hero had been …

Yi Sun-sin was a Korean soldier in the 16th century.

Throughout his career he had built up a reputation as an exemplary leader with a brilliant eye …

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to sit down with some podcasting royalty!

Daniele Bolelli is university professor, published author, …

The Welsh have risen!

Owain Glyndŵr's rebellion has swept across the the British Isles. As Welsh apprentices abroad down their tools and return home …

Owain Glyndŵr was a Welsh landowner in the 14th century.

After being driven into revolt by a tyrannical English king he would ignite a slumbering …

A summary of season 2 and some notes on what we've got planned for season 3.

Thanks for enjoying the ride with me!

Supporting pictures, source material …

Pemulwuy was a member of the Bidjigal people, one of the Aboriginal tribes who lived on the east coast of Australia.

When the British arrived to …

Lapulapu was a Chieftain of the Filipino island of Mactan in the 16th century. When the European explorer Magellan, arrived at his homeland and …

Bonus episode from the podcast 'Forgotten Wars'.

You're getting dropped right into the middle of the South African War of 1899-1902 (Anglo-Boer War) to hear the story of one of its forgotten heroes with a dark, dark …

Eric The Red was a Norwegian farmer in the 10th century. After finding himself incompatible with the rules of civilisation he sailed west looking for …

After a heroic final stand, Fort St Elmo has finally fallen.

With the Ottoman navy now streaming into the harbour, the Knights prepare for an assault …

The enormous Ottoman fleet has just been sighted on the horizon of Malta, 'The Greatest Siege Of All Time' has begun!

As Dragut, 'The Drawn Sword Of …

In the year 1565 an enormous Ottoman fleet departed Constantinople heading for the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta. With around 40,000 troops …

Ram Mohan Roy was a Bengali man from the 19th century. After watching a widow burnt alive as part of a Hindu funeral ceremony, he dedicated his life to improving women's rights and restoring pride in Indian identity.

He …

In this very special episode, I chat with the Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great, Great Granddaughter of Ahmad Shah Duranni, whose story I covered on our Afghanistan episode!

Madina and I chat about her lineage, …

Elliot tells the story of the destruction of the indigenous Mayan peoples of Guatemala and their leader, Tecun Uman.

He shares first hand accounts of The Spanish conquest of The Kʼicheʼ kingdom and the brutal treatment …

We explore the life and legacy of Jean-Bédel Bokassa, better known as Emperor Bokassa. We examine his rise to power, his outrageous spending habits, …

In my first collaboration episode I chat with Ollie, an English guy who runs the 'History Emporium And Pals Podcast'

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We talk Alfred The Great, …

After a humiliating defeat, Alfred retreats to the swamps of Wessex and desperately tries to pickup the pieces of his shattered kingdom.

Meanwhile, Viking Warlord Guthrum recruits more Danes to help subdue the …

We tell the story of Alfred the Great and the last kingdom of Wessex. Alfred was a Saxon king who lived in the 9th century. As the rest of England fell to Viking invaders he won a string of victories pushing back the …

Tituba was a slave in the highly religious town of Salem, Massachusetts.

After being wrongly convicted of witchcraft she ensured her survival by …

Abu Tahir was the leader of a mystical offshoot of mainstream Islam known as 'The Qarmatians'.

He created a kind of 'proto-communist' enclave on the …

Eugene was a French aristocrat born in the 17th century. After being snubbed by the French King for his ugly face and frail body, he rose through the ranks of the Austrian military and bought the Arrogant French King …

Blackbeard was a pirate from the 18th century. He delighted in terrorising pirates and civilians alike as his iconic Jolly Roger flag spread fear …

Imadaddin Nasimi wrote heretical poetry in 14th century Azerbaijan. Despite being banned, his altruistic poetry was incredibly popular and helped …

Anthology Of Heroes Podcast Trailer

Supporting pictures, further reading and sources can be found on our website

Music: licensed under Artlist paid …

St Gregory was one of the first Christian missionaries in the 3rd century.

He bought his faith to Armenia, and received a hostile reception from King Tiradates III who tortured him mercilessly attempting to making him …

Masinissa was the son of a minor Berber Chieftain around the time of the Punic Wars. Through his skills as a cavalry commander he became Rome's most important ally, and the first King of Numidia.

By the end of his life …

The March of Barcelona was created as a buffer zone by Charlemagne in the 8th century. Over the course of years, all counties except Andorra were absorbed by Spain or France. Listen in for the bizarre history of why …

Zumbi was a descendant of Angolan royalty who was enslaved and sent to Brazil. He led a guerrilla war against the Portuguese, and built a city deep …

Ned Kelly was an Australian living in the 1850s. Unhappy with his life he becomes a bushranger and forms a gang who craft their own medieval armour

The ‘Kelly Gang’ take the country by storm with their quirky bank …

A stranger in a strange land, John "Black" Caesar was a convict sentenced to 7 years of hard labour in the brand new British colony of Australia in …

We tell the story of George Kastrioti, better known as Scanderbeg. Scanderbeg was a 15th century Albanian nobleman who played a pivotal role in …