Robin is one of the best story tellers I have ever heard. His dedication to making sure he’s giving the proper, unbiased, and accurate information is some of the best I’ve seen in. He has such a dedication to making sure he sounds clear concise, it is the best podcast I have ever listened to. Makes a sad and tragic story worth listening to.

Robin is wonderful and has done a great job presenting the history of the later Roman era. I was a late subscriber. I didn’t turn off start listening until last year and I quickly binged through 1000 years. And I would also like to I add that I have never once heard Robin get political. That is clearly somebody’s opinion who is desperately looking for something new to offend them. Pay them no attention. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Was good in the 2020-22 period But the more these episodes go on, the more they seem to be filler episodes and/or politically charged. Boo.

Robin’s podcast is entertaining, he presents the narrative with a keen eye and a good sense of humor, while always treating the history with the appropriate tone. Importantly, this podcast shines with its attention to detail. I can’t think of another podcast that quote drills down into the history as much as this one does.

I am very grateful this exists, I love that Robin is continuing with Mike Duncan left off. and I think it’s great in its own right. My only problem is think there are too side episodes. And long gaps between narrative episodes. I get it he’s busy with his family. And I’ve liked the bonus episode so far. But when he does have the time to work on the show. I think he should now focus exclusively on narrative episodes. Since we only have a little over a century left.

Fascinating subject that the western world doesn’t hear enough about! Robin brings just the right balance of information and analysis, helping you understand not just what happened but what it all means. Interviews with authors and subject matter experts are interesting too. (Plus he has a lovely voice!) Binge listening, I had to come and write this review after the exceptional episode about the sack of Constantinople. Thanks for the amazing show!

Couldn’t be better

Just got past episode 100, really good stuff so far. I loved the interviews he’s done and the special episodes. It does a great job picking up where Mike Duncan left off, and Robin makes it different enough for it to stand out on its own.

What is most interesting about this podcast is gaining a handle on all the changes in both the circumstances and how the ruling classes (in power, out of power and seeking power) react, sometimes setting other changes into action. From being the salvageable portion of The Roman Empire to the eastern bulwark against advancing Islam in Europe to a city-state plus a couple self-ruling areas, we watch as an Empire becomes just another set of nations before its final fall (as of this review we're not at the fall yet, but we're within viewing distance of Constantinople's fall).

Came here after finishing The History of Rome. Every bit as good as its predecessor.

Done in the style of Mike Duncan, someone the Narrator obviously strives to emulate. Well done. Although more than enjoyable as is, it would have been better if Robin would have covered all the events within a time period (he has events sectioned mostly by century), rather than jumping back and forth in time. Completely ruins any hope for continuity. It is great to hear History that one would only learn if they majored in it in upper level University classes. Also there are a lot of informative interviews layered between the narrative. I am just now starting this podcast twelve years after its start and it is still ongoing. Strongly suggest backing up to the beginning and trying to listen in some semblance of chronological order. I found it helpful to set aside all the many interviews for later listening. There is also bonus content pertinent to the overall narrative that is now only available on Patreon, behind a paywall. Happy listening and thanks to Robin for the content.

Absolutely love this show. Informative and entertaining.

It’s peak.

I have never heard a history podcast so polished and focused from the get-go like this one. The host is an experienced podcaster and it shows. A worthy successor to HOR

Have listened on and off for years. Revisisted and jumped around many of my favorite episodes prior to my first visit to Constantinople last fall. A fresh immersion prior to my trip made the visit immensely enjoyable. Such a fascinating history that doesn’t enjoy the same popularity as classical Roman history, at least in the West. The host Robin has such a voice. He does a wonderful job of taking in as much scholarly work as possible and translating it into narrative for our enjoyment. So happy he’s able to support himself full time from his years of work. Like others, I’m melancholy with the fact the current narrative timeline has now reached post crusader sack. However, I’m excited to keep learning about this period through the ultimate 1453 sack as Robin continues to progress. Keep up the great work, Robin!

Brilliantly done podcast fast but not too fast

Started off very much in the light of the History of Rome, with a consistent narrative. The end of the century and question episodes were nice, but now the narrative has been slowed to a halt. I would recommend listening until the death of Basil II and then reading/finding other material for the rest of Roman history up to 1453. Disappointing, but it was great while it lasted.

Great follow-up to the inimitable History of Rome. Best listened to in binge form.

Robin is a gifted story teller. The pace is perfect.

This is a great podcast. I was looking for something after binging Mike Duncan’s Hostory of Rome and I was not disappointed with this podcast.

This is every bit as high quality as the History of Rome Podcast, unfortunately I cant Listen or recommend this anymore because I get my ears blown out with these ridiculous commercials. I’ll just keep listening to the History of Rome until this gets fixed

This podcast was once one of my favourites. Robin constantly posted new episodes about Byzantium and they were all on topic and kept in a good organised way. Now a new episode about the story of Byzantium comes out at about 3 months apart. They are disorganised off topic and slowly come out. However the content and narration are spot on and a couple of the “bonus” episodes are good, especially the ones with professor Khadelis. Stop the bonus and make content. I haven’t heard an actual episode moving forward since February 2023

Great show keep up the good work I hope you make other podcasts! This is a great podcast worthy of Justinian! You should continue after the fall of Constantinople with a different podcasts on the history of the ottomans and take this into the modern era!

Fascinating and well researched - absolutely worth listening to if you have even a passing interest in Byzantine or early Medieval history.

I listened to some some of the early podcast episodes with interest but unfortunately the host turned political. He made some announcements on the podcast (in between Episodes 249 and 250) that catered specifically to the special interests and political narratives that are being forced on everyone by the divisive post-2020 mobs. The announcements are separate recordings from the regular podcast but have late June 2020 timestamps. After listening to them, I won’t be listening to any more of his podcast episodes. The announcements also went on to reference spurious and salacious rumors about emperor Basil II. He should leave rumors to the gossip pages found at the checkout counter of grocery stores. This is in stark contrast to some of the historians he interviewed on the episodes that I heard. It was puzzling to hear the dichotomy. Based on some of the other negative reviews of the podcast, it appears that it started out strong but then disappointedly went off the rails, so to speak.

A great historical podcast for the Byzantine empire. Very entertaining and illuminating.

I started late listening to this podcast, so I’m just now getting to the Istanbul trip. I have always been interested in the Roman Empire but had not previously thought much about the delving deeply into the eastern empire. It’s been a very interesting, and the podcaster does a fantastic job!

Please bring on an expert Catholic Theologian if you are going to have this dialogue. Your credibility is damaged by this episode.

Climate change is responsible for everything that has ever happened 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂👍👍👍👍👍😂👍

I just discovered this podcast and I’m really enjoying it so far. I’m a bit of a nerd, although I think that is a given considering the topic at hand. I’m only on episode nine but I’m impressed so far. Bravo! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Does nothing but promoting others books now. Started strong, finishing extremely weak. Disappointed.

What happen to the narrative. We have been stuck at the same spot forever.

I can’t recommend this podcast enough, especially if you have an interest in Roman or Medieval history. Extremely informative and just as entertaining. I’m always excited when I see that a new episode has dropped.

Quality is slipping while push for revenue is getting more aggressive. Not a good combo. The narrative has been supplanted by mediocre interviews. The narrative flow is fragmented & it’s release unpredictable.

The history of Byzantium serves as a worthy successor to Mike Duncan’s history of Rome podcast. Robin simultaneously keeps the narrative from THoR going as strong as ever as well as adding his own twist with the end of the century episodes. I recommend this podcast to anyone who has ever been interested in classical antiquity, mid evil history, and even stories in general.

I like how Robin goes through the material in depth and focuses on a narrative history of Byzantium focused on the state and major figures in it. He is also unbiased and brings scholars perspectives on particular topics to help explain a concept or question to the audience. Highly recommend!

I absolutely love the way Robin brings in expert guests to elucidate specific topics. My personal library can’t keep up with all the amazing books, authors, and recent research there is. THAT’s where this Podcast shines!! Excellent job RP!

A balanced, well researched and well presented podcast.

Captivating! Great presentation of a daunting history, and it helps me get through my monotonous days of work.

Easy listening, a measured take, seems well researched!

A fantastic follow up podcast to The History of Rome podcast. I never particularly cared for eastern Roman history before, but now I can’t get enough. I look forward to listening to a few episodes of this podcast every day.

I finished The history of Rome and was not aware of this pod. It’s fantastic and I completely recommend this to anyone who likes both knowledge and entertainment. Thanks AB

Since I started from episode 1 And now to 36 the lecture has been fascinating. I listen to it going to and from work and when I’m walking the dog. And I have 200 more episodes to go. All I can say is very interesting. Best Wishes

The History of Byzantium is a very professional and informative podcast that tells the story of the Eastern Roman Empire from 476 to 1453. Robin Pierson is an excellent narrator and podcaster, with a smooth British accent. He conveys the sometimes confusing information in an easy to grasp way. The podcast is a very strong successor to Mike Duncan’s History of Rome podcast, and if you liked that one, then you should definitely give this podcast a listen. In the first couple of episodes, Robin backtracks a couple of years, speaking of the state of the Eastern Empire since the History of Rome is unsurprisingly focused on the Western Empire in its final years. This is very well done, and in fact, throughout the podcast Robin points out and calls back to things that happened in The History of Rome podcast, which weaves the two together very nicely.

After binging mike Duncan’s the history of Rome, I’m so glad I was able to continue the binge with this podcast to see the Roman Empire from beginning to end. Looking forward to everything to come and interested to see how you will proceed after 1453

After listening to all of Mike Duncan’s Revolutions and History of Rome, I’m loving The History of Byzantium! As a social studies teacher to 14-15 year olds in Oklahoma, I usually find within this podcast some larger, overarching insights I can teach my students. So often, I’m trying to convince them that YES, this has all happened before! ;) Also, as a History GEEK, this show is a daily listen since I’m catching up. I highly recommend it.

When Robin started he sounded like a Mike Duncan fanboy. You can’t blame him. As the years past Robin came into his own, and at this point I believe he’s surpassed the august Mike.

Was a nice podcast while the host was focused on it, but it’s slowed to the point that we won’t make the end until about 2033 at this rate. Great binge, but don’t expect much progress.

Almost mimicking its name sake it, in the fact that it emulates the past, but it also changes some stuff for better and worse, in some points it moves beyond the highest points of the predecessor. But in other ways it goes it moves below the lowest points of the predecessor. The ads in specific feel less natural then the ads in the predecessor, I think that this is a point which changes by the moment in negative and positive ways. But please pick a sponsor you actually care about, or pick one which you don’t and roll with it. Because at the current point I find myself using the skip button almost as 2nd nature for the first 1 minute of advertisement.

Superb podcast with endless plot twists and drama. I eagerly await each new episode and encourage any history fans to give it a try.