The Dark Ages Podcast

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10. King of Africa - The Vandals Part 2 Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

408 - 439 CE

The Vandals, along with their allies, the Alans and Suevi, ravage Spain before moving into Africa. There, under the leadership of their king Gaiseric, they will achieve something no other Barbarian tribe has yet accomplished.

Map of the Vandal Invasion of Spain

Roman Provinces of Africa

The Peutinger Tabula

Music

Title: "The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod http://www.freepd.com

Incidental Music by Andrew Sitkov

9. The Vandals Part 1 Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

c. 200 BCE to 408 CE

I introduce the Vandals with a cold. The Vandals don't have a cold, I have a cold. So, sorry about that.

The Vandals rose up next door to the Goths, with whom they would have a complicated relationship. This episode tracks their early migration into Gaul and then Spain, and talks a little bit about what their home life would have been like. There's also a bonus tribe, as we sketch a bit about the Alans.

And as promised, I learned to pronounce "Przeworsk"

Report on the Archaeology of the Przeworsk Culture in Hungary

Sketches of various Przeworsk artifacts

Article on with Maps and pictures

Some photographs of Wielbark Artifacts for comparison

Music:

The Britons by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

8. Attila Invictus - The Huns Part 3 Dec 31, 2021

Show notes

435 - 446 CE

The scourge of God rises from the Hunnic horde. The Romans have to deal with him while also facing earthquake, flood, and plague. Straight up not having a good time, bro.

Map of the Roman road network.

Another map of the geography of the Balkans in late antiquity.

Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

7. All the Sun Shines Upon - The Huns Part 2 Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

395 - 435 CE

Contact with the wealth of the Roman empire gradually changes the Huns and sets the stage for their most famous ruler.

Map of Roman Provinces

Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

6. The Whirlwind of Nations - The Huns Part 1 Nov 04, 2021

Show notes

c. 370 - 395 CE

Where had the Huns come from? Who were they? How did they fight? What made them so scary?

I'll look for answers in this episode, and may even find some.

Information on cranial modification is here and here

An image of the patera is here

Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

5. Five Kings and a Reckoning Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

The Goths, Part 5

410 - 451 CE

The Visigoths move out of Italy, into more years of privation. Along the way there's a royal marriage, long marches, sieges and naval blockades. Ultimately the Goths find what they've been looking for for nearly half a century - a home. But there's another, even greater test on the horizon, and a chance to face an old enemy.

Music:

"The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

"The Black Knight" By Raphael Krux freepd.com

"Epic Strike" By Andrew Sitkov freepd.com

Music is for this episode is by Andrew Sitkov, Keven MacLeod, and Raphael Krux

Sources can be found here

4. The Sack of Rome Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

The Goths, Part 4

408-410 CE

The death of Stilicho leaves Alaric and the Visigoths high and dry. Negotiations break down, and Alaric takes drastic action. The Sack of Rome of 410 is pointed to as one of the points where the Roman Empire fell and the resonance of the event would be felt down through the centuries.

Music :

"The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

"Rulers of our Lands" by Raphael Krux freepd.com

3. Alaric the Bold Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

The Goths, Part 3

378 - 408 CE

The Gothic Wars end in stalemate as Goths and Romans try to come to terms with new realities. A new leader appears to push for dignity and power for his people, who will take the fight into the heartland of the Roman world.

Map of Alaric's invasion of Greece

Map of Alaric's First Invasion of Italy

Bust of Eutropius

Music:

"The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

2. Athanaric & Fritigern Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

The Goths, Part 2

c. 264-378 CE

The Goths face challenges at home and abroad. An ambitious Roman Emperor seeks to shore up his reign at their expense. Religious controversy and rivalry threatens internal stability. But the greatest challenge arises in the East, and the Goths must abandon their way of life.

The Lord's Prayer in Gothic

Map of the Adrianople Campaign

Music:

"The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

1. Origo Gothica Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

The Goths, Part One.

The Goths appear on the Roman border and quickly become a force to be reckoned with. This episode deals with the Goths origins, early history, conflicts with Rome in the third century, and some things about their culture. Who was a Goth when he was at home? (Spoiler, he didn't wear black or think much about vampires.)

This episode covers a period from about 100 BCE to 271 CE.

Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

The mentioned map can be found here.

References are here.

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