The History Fangirl Podcast

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site List Oct 09, 2017

Show notes

Gary Arndt is a renowned travel blogger and photographer who has made it his mission to travel to all of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the big names like the Great Wall of China to the most remote islands of the Pacific Ocean. In 2007, Gary sold his home and decided to travel the world, and in this episode, he tells me all about how the UNESCO program got started, what are some of the craziest places where his mission has taken him, and what ones ended up being slight disappointments. He’s traveled to 337 of the sites so far, so listen to this episode to hear from someone who has really seen the world’s history up close and personal.

How Gary Got Started Traveling the UNESCO Sites

Gary told me the story about visiting Volcanoes National Park in Hawai’i in 2007, as he embarked on his journey. And while there, he spied a sign marking the locale as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After doing a little research, he became fascinated with the list. He set off for the Solomon Islands and visited East Rennell, the southernmost island in the chain. It took a lot of traveling to get there, including eight flat tires on the drive from the airplane landing strip to the site, but there was no denying it, Gary was hooked on visiting these important world historical sites.

Let’s Go, UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) created the first list of World Heritage Sites in 1978, and as of this recording, there are 1,052 locales on the list. Gary has visited a third of those, and I’ve visited about a quarter as many as Gary, standing at 83. To become a World Heritage Site, countries have to first submit a tentative list to UNESCO, and then eventually whittle it down. It’s a long and expensive process, one that can take years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete. But taken as a whole, the list contains some of the most awe-inspiring places on the globe, and there’s no better storyteller to hear talk about those places than Gary.

Gary’s Favorite UNESCO World Heritage Sites to Travel to

I asked Gary to give me his three favorite sites that he’s visited so far, and you can tell he’s passionate about this list because he didn’t stop at three. One of his favorite types of sites are the old industrial historical sites, like the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site in Norway. And to hear him speak about the Völklingen Ironworks in Saarland, Germany, you know it’s a special place. He told me it reminded him of the last scene in Robocop, and that its steampunk appeal left an impression on him. And you’ll want to listen to him talk about the treasures of Kakadu National Park in Northern Australia.

The Strangest World Heritage Site

I had to ask Gary what the strangest UNESCO World Heritage Site he’s traveled to is, and without much hesitation, he cited Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump in Canada. According to Gary, it’s a cliff in the Canadian plains where the native peoples there would herd the Buffalo by hand and push them off the cliff. Gary noted that it’s one of the few World Heritage Sites to honor the native populations of Canada and the United States, because they built so many of their structures out of perishable materials. And you’ll have to hear Gary talk about which sites were the most befuddling.

The Ins and Outs of World Heritage Sites

Gary has some incredible stories about the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has been to some of the most remote places on Earth to see them. He has some interesting insights about why some countries have so many sites, while others have so few, and what places he would really like to see added to the list. If you’re interested in both the natural and cultural heritage of this planet, and finding some of the most intriguing travel destinations on the globe, then you could have no better guide than Gary Arndt.

Outline of This Episode

[2:30] How Gary Arndt got started traveling to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
[5:45] The different types of heritage sites, and how the list got started
[7:57] How a place gets on the list
[15:29] Gary’s favorite sites he’s visited
[20:25] The strangest site he’s visited
[23:00] Some of Gary’s most underwhelming visits
[28:21] The World Heritage Site that surprised him the most
[29:27] A place Gary thinks should be on the list
[31:05] Where he’s headed next

Resources & People Mentioned

Gary Arndt’s travel blog, Everything Everywhere
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Solomon Islands
Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site
Kakadu National Park
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Völklingen Ironworks

This Week’s Giveaway!

The prize for this week is a $20 Amazon gift card. To enter, simply be a newsletter subscriber and leave a comment on this blog post:

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

The Walls of Constantinople Oct 02, 2017

Show notes

Patrick Wyman is a historian and podcaster I hold in great regard and I’ve invited him on the show today to discuss the history and prominence of the great Walls of Constantinople and the role they’ve played in the history of the city of Constantinople, now modern day Istanbul. This was a fun conversation where we got to talk not only about the walls themselves but also the history surrounding why they became necessary, which world powers have made attempts to destroy them by laying siege to the city, and what finally happened to the walls through the course of time.

When the capital of Rome moved to Constantinople, defensive measures had to be taken.

For many years the city of Rome was the jewel of the empire, but as the eastern portion of the empire became more and more powerful and influential, it became clear that the center of commerce and culture had moved east. Constantine built the city of Constantinople, obviously naming it after himself and the capital of the Roman empire was moved. The city became a hotbed of political power and cultural diversity as a major trade route and defensive measures had to be taken to protect the city from outside forces, namely the Huns. Theodosius II lead the effort to build the walls initially and they were the paragon of Roman engineering and defensive capabilities in their day. Patrick Wyman joins me on this episode to discuss the history and importance of the walls of Constantinople.

The threat of Attila and his Huns was enough to prompt the building of the walls of Constantinople.

Attila the Hun was one of the most dominant warlords in all of human history. His forces laid waste to countless fortified cities all across Asia and Eastern Europe and the threat his armies posed prompted the building of the Walls of Constantinople. The walls were an engineering marvel, essentially making the city impregnable as they made use of the city’s location overlooking the water. Patrick Wyman tells how the pressure brought by the Huns motivated Theodosius II to begin the building of the walls and how their strength protected the city for many years, in this episode.

The Walls of Constantinople enabled the city to endure long after the Roman empire was fading.

The Roman empire had already been divided and many of its fortified cities destroyed by the time the city of Constantinople was in any serious danger from outside forces. Many attempts had been made but none successful. People who lived inside the city may have felt little impact when outside forces attacked simply because the walls made it so secure. But eventually the Muslim forces attacking during the crusades were able to break through and take the city - but their leaders immediately began rebuilding the walls, knowing the strategic advantage they provided. Today the walls are hardly visible and modern tour guides don’t think them worth pointing out, but their historical significance can’t be understated.

How did the walls of Constantinople finally disappear?

There is a bit of mystery concerning what eventually happened to cause the mighty walls of Constantinople to diminish to the rubble they are today. There is little historical record as to what happened to the walls, but my guest on this episode, Patrick Wyman believes the city simply outgrew the walls, their usefulness became less important, and they had to be removed. You can hear our entire conversation about these amazing walls and their impact on the region, on this episode of The History Fangirl.

Outline of This Episode

[1:20] My introduction of the topic and my guest today, Patrick Wyman.
[2:21] How Patrick became interested in two major strains in the history of world events.
[6:05] The basic history of Theodosius II, the builder of the Walls of Constantinople.
[9:04] How the capital of Rome moved from the city of Rome to Constantinople.
[12:18] The building of the walls: why was it needed?
[19:49] How the walls of Constantinople shaped the history of the city.
[26:14] Was their really a slow erosion of the Roman empire?
[31:21] The reality of what happened during the Crusades.
[35:22] The rebuilding of the walls by the conquering forces.
[42:10] After such extensive rebuilding, how did the city lose its walls again?
[50:40] Patrick’s plug for The Tides of History podcast.

Resources & People Mentioned

This Week’s Giveaway!

The prize for this week is a $20 Amazon gift card. To enter, simply be a newsletter subscriber and leave a comment on this blog post: https://historyfangirl.com/the-walls-of-constantinople/

This Week’s Sponsor

Get a free audiobook and a 30-day free trial of Audible at audibletrial.com/historyfangirl
Book: Lost to the West

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

The Acropolis and the Golden Age of Athens Sep 25, 2017

Show notes

The Acropolis of Athens, Greece, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in all of the world. But to hear Ryan Stitt of The History of Ancient Greece podcast tell it, depending on when you were born, you won’t recognize the same Acropolis as the people who came before. The Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis were built around 460 B.C., and as Ryan tells me in this episode, the controversy over who the Acropolis is for and what it means is still raging on.

The Not-so-Humble Beginnings of the Acropolis of Athens

The Acropolis of Athens is one of the most recognizable historical landmarks in all of the world. Associated with the Golden Age of Greece, it was designed, from the very beginning, to be an ostentatious sight and site. Ryan Stitt, host of the “History of Greece” podcast, told me about how there’s archaeological evidence that people lived on The Acropolis as early as 6000 BC. But the construction of the Parthenon and other temples really took shape around 460 BC. Everything that stands today is from the Classical period. All of the architecture from the archaic times was destroyed during a war with Persia (though some statues were buried, and remained for archaeologists to find).

A Beautiful Tourist Destination, a Perfect Battleground

The plateau of the Acropolis made it the perfect place for Athenians to stand and fight for their city-state. As Ryan told me, the Acropolis was alternately attacked by the Phoenicians, the Byzantines and the Ottomans, who all left their cultural touch on the landmark. But after it gained its independence from the Ottomans, the citizenry of Athens was overcome with national pride. And that pride in all things Greek motivated the people to preserve what was built by Greeks, and wove the idea of Ancient Greece into the fabric of their lives, leading up to today, when tourism is still a huge part of the Greek identity.

Pericles Does Work on the Acropolis

So what is left on the Acropolis of Athens, and how did all of this magnificent architecture get built? Once the threat from Persia ended, the famous Athenian leader Pericles began an ambitious building program. Across decades (mostly foreign) workers built the Parthenon, the Rechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike, among other structures. As Ryan said, the various religious buildings, erected to honor the gods of Ancient Greece, were often adopted by the religions of the dominant culture at any time.

An Ancient Controversy, Still Burning

Ryan and I discussed what happens once antiquities become “property” of another culture. For instance, an Ottoman sultan sold the beautiful “Elgin Marbles” sculptures of Ancient Greece to a Duke of England in the early 19th century, when the Ottoman Empire occupied Greece. Once Greece won its independence, many felt the antiquities should be returned to the country, though England now claims them as part of their culture, as well. The question of who “owns” ancient artifacts still burns today.

Travel Tips for visiting the Acropolis of Athens

Ryan has some amazing stories and great tips about traveling to Greece to see the Acropolis. He’s made two trips there, including a monthlong visit on a study abroad program, and he shares his must-sees, as well as the best way to navigate all of the sites of Athens. Even though I got a little jealous of his student pass that gave him discounts on the site visits, this episode is still a must listen for anyone thinking of visiting Athens!

Outline of This Episode

[2:45] Introduction to Ryan Stitt
[5:55] Ryan talks about his time studying abroad in Greece and how he got around.
[13:24] We dig into the early days of the Acropolis.
[16:40] Discussion of the Acropolis of Athens as a monument to nationalism.
[20:16] What sparked the building boom, and insight into Pericles, the man with the plan.
[26:30] Was the Acropolis essentially propaganda?
[30:30] It’s worth a trip to Nashville to see the Parthenon model that was built there.
[39:12] Who were the workers who built the structures on the Acropolis?
[45:45] What happened to the Acropolis after the Peloponnesian War?
[51:55] The Acropolis becomes a Roman Catholic Cathedral, and how war damaged the Parthenon.
[58:00] Controversy over the Elgin Marbles
[64:45] Ryan discusses some of the hidden gems of Athens tourism

Resources & People Mentioned

This Week’s Giveaway!

The prize for this week is a $20 Amazon gift card. To enter, simply be a newsletter subscriber

and leave a comment on this blog post: https://historyfangirl.com/acropolis-golden-age-athens/

This Week’s Sponsor

Get a free audiobook and a 30-day free trial of Audible at audibletrial.com/historyfangirl
Book: The Age of Pericles, Jeremy McInerney

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

Reinventing the Dragon City of Ljubljana Sep 18, 2017

Show notes

On one of my recent trips, I did some backpacking through central Europe and I had a wonderful time. But my trip became dramatically better if that’s possible when I entered the city of Ljubljana in Slovenia. The city is magical in the way it is laid out and has the most interesting architecture. I soon found a bookstore and picked up a few books by my guest today, Dr. Noah Charney. He’s an American who now lives in Slovenia and has written several novels set in that part of the world. But his most recent works focus on Ljubljana and in particular, the architect behind its beautiful appearance, Jože Plečnik. In this episode, Dr. Charney and I discuss all things Plečnik and Ljubljana.

How did the city of Ljubljana come to be?

Legend tells the tale of the Greek hero Jason, along with his famed companions, the Argonauts, stealing a golden fleece from King Aetes. As they fled, they charted a course across the Black Sea, up the Danube River, Sava River, and Ljubljanica river. At the headwaters of the Ljubljanica river, Jason is said to have fought and killed a magnificent beast there at the lake, what is now known as the Ljubljana Dragon. Historically we know that the first lake dwellings appeared in the area around 2000 BC and the city is first mentioned in written records from 1112 to 1125 BC. It’s a city with a fascinating history and beautiful way of life. It’s one of my favorite places in the world. Join me for this conversation with Dr. Noah Charney, an author and historian who loves the area more than I do. It’s a great conversation filled with interesting tidbits about the region.

Why would an American professor and author move to Slovenia?

Dr. Noah Charney is successful in anyone’s book. He’s taught at Cambridge and in a program run by Miami Dade College in Florence, Italy. He’s taught seminars at Yale University and the American University at Rome. But he’s decided to make his home in Slovenia, the place where in the fall of 2012 he received his Ph.D. in Art History from the University of Ljubljana. His decision flowed out of his love for the area, a place he has said is one of the best places in the world to live. In our conversation, you can hear about Dr. Charney’s love for the area and his deep interest in the architecture of Slovene architect Jože Plečnik.

An ancient city rebuilds after a devastating earthquake. They tap a budding new architect for the job.

On Easter Sunday, April 14, 1895, the most destructive and last earthquake recorded struck the town of Ljubljana, Slovenia. Measuring 6.1 on the Richter Scale, the city of 31,000 was dramatically impacted, with about 10% of the city's buildings being damaged or destroyed altogether. From 1896 to 1910 the city was slowly rebuilt, a total of 436 new buildings, many of them designed by architect Jože Plečnik. In this conversation, Dr. Noah Charney describes the life of Plečnik before and after being tapped to oversee the redesign of the ancient city and explains why he is one of the brightest architectural minds ever to have come out of Europe.

The ancient city of Ljubljana is now a jewel of central Europe that too few people know about.

I listen to a lot of travel podcasts and read many travel blogs and I’m still surprised how little travelers from the west know about Slovenia and its capital, Ljubljana. It’s one of the most unique and interesting places I’ve ever visited and I love the feeling of the city. If you ever get a chance to go, you should. Dr. Noah Charney unpacks the history and intrigue of the city, including in-depth descriptions of its beautiful architecture on this episode, so I hope you listen.

Outline of This Episode

[0:29] My experience visiting Ljubljana. It was an altogether different experience.
[2:99] Why Ljubljana was so appealing to me and why I invited Dr. Charney to this conversation.
[4:12] How Dr. Charney became interested in Slovenia and moved there.
[6:01] Who is Jože Plečnik, the architect most famous in Ljubljana?
[9:18] The history of Ljubljana.
[11:54] The life of Jože Plečnik before he was commissioned to design the new city.
[16:37] The things that made Plečnik different in his architectural approach.
[19:01] How Plečnik came to be utilized so widely in the renovations in Ljubljana.
[23:23] The impact Ljubljana’s revitalization impacted Plečnik‘s career going forward.
[28:58] Dr. Charney’s favorite spots in the city.
[32:06] Why Dr. Charney wrote Slovenology and what it is about.

Resources & People Mentioned

Dr. Noah Charney
BOOK: Eternal Architect
BOOK: Slovenology
Jože Plečnik
Slovenia Vodka
Bill Murray interview in Esquire by Dr. Charney
Ljubljana Hotels

This week’s Giveaway!

The prize for this week is a $20 Amazon gift card. To enter, simply be a newsletter subscriber and leave a comment on this blog post

This week’s Sponsor

Get a free audiobook and a 30-day free trial of Audible at http://audibletrial.com/historyfangirl

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

Discovering The Lost City of Petra Sep 11, 2017

Show notes

The story of the Lost City of Petra begins with the story of the Nabataeans, nomadic traders who eventually settled in Edomite territory around 2 B.C. The Nabataeans had traveled everywhere and picked up architectural ideas from the Persians, Greeks, and Romans, and adapted these ideas into something that was uniquely their own. We don’t have a lot of information about the Nabataeans because no self-written history has been found. My guest on today’s podcast, Jane Taylor, describes what we do know about the Nabataeans and their art style, culture, language, the extent of their kingdom, and why they were able to withstand the Romans.

Petra is not the only Nabataean site - You may want to see Mada’in Saleh

Mada’in Saleh, also known as Hegra, in Saudi Arabia, is not as famous as Petra but is still a significant Nabataean site. Mada’in Saleh has a wealth of beautiful tombs carved into the sandstone mountains of the region. On this episode, Jane Taylor tells us about the history of The Lost City of Petra and also describes Mada’in Saleh and the excavations that are being done there, as well as describing some of the challenges for a woman traveling in Saudi Arabia.

Petra was much the same under Roman rule as it was in the reign of the Nabataeans

When the Romans took over the Nabataeans, life actually stayed much the same for the residents of Petra. On this episode, Jane Taylor explains the relationship between the Romans and the people of Petra, and how Petra flourished through the 6th Century. She then describes the gradual decline of Petra, mostly due to trade considerations. The Lost City of Petra has a fascinating history. You can learn about it on today’s episode of The History Fangirl.

How was Petra lost and rediscovered?

During the early Crusader period, Petra was clearly regarded as an important center. But after the Crusaders, there is a gap in our knowledge, with no references to Petra from the 14th Century until Swiss explorer John Lewis Burckhardt rediscovered it in 1812. The story of Petra’s rediscovery and the international reaction to it is the subject of my interview with author Jane Taylor on this podcast episode. Listen in to hear about the rediscovery of Petra, stories of some of the early visitors to the site, and what it is like to travel there today.

What is it like to travel to Petra today?

Petra is Jane Taylor’s favorite place in the world. You have probably heard of the famous sandstone carved structure, The Treasury. But The Treasury is simply the foretaste of Petra itself. On this episode, listen to Jane describe what it is like to visit Petra, from the mind-blowing scale of the site to the stupendous view from the monastery, to how to negotiate the price of a camel ride. On my visit, I found the aggressive haggling with vendors to be quite a culture shock. Prepare yourself for an amazing trip by listening to Jane’s descriptions of her favorite places and why Petra is her favorite place in the world.

Outline of This Episode

[0:14] Jane Taylor, author and photographer, writes about The Lost City of Petra.
[0:53] How Jane Taylor first become interested in Jordan.
[2:28] History of Petra from Edomite territory to the Nabataean Capital.
[4:55] Nabataean art style - a unique reflection of other cultures and styles.
[6:15] We have only limited history of the Nabataean people.
[7:36] Contemporaries of the Nabataeans provide clues to their culture.
[8:55] Nabataeans may have spoken one language and written another.
[10:39] The kingdom of the Nabataeans, from Damascus to Mada’in Saleh.
[12:01] Why the Nabataeans were able to hold out against the Romans.
[13:46] Petra is not the only Nabataean site - You may want to see Mada’in Saleh.
[15:44] How Jane Taylor ended up going to Petra.
[16:24] Petra was much the same under Roman Rule as it was in the reign of the Nabataeans
[18:52] Thanks to our sponsor, Audible, and a description of this week’s free book.
[20:31] How was Petra lost and rediscovered?
[22:30] What was the international reaction to his rediscovery of Petra?
[26:28] Jordan began to preserve Petra and make it a travel site after WWI.
[28:32] What is it like to travel to Petra today?
[33:45] Jane Taylor’s favorite place in Petra - The Monastery.
[35:27] Prepare yourself for haggling with street vendors.

Resources & People Mentioned

Book: Petra, Jane Taylor
Book: Jordan, Images From the Air, Jane Taylor
Book (Available only in Jordan at this time): Petra and the Lost Kingdom of the Nabataeans, Jane Taylor
Jane Taylor's Website
Hotels in Wadi Musa
Free trial book on Audible.com
Book The History of the Ancient World, from the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome, Susan Wise Bauer
Audible version: The History of the Ancient World, from the Earliest Accounts to the Fall of Rome, Susan Wise Bauer

This Episode’s Giveaway

The prize for this week is a $20 Amazon gift card. To enter, simply be a newsletter subscriber and leave a comment on this blog post.

Sponsor Notes

Get a free audiobook and a 30-day free trial of Audible at audibletrial.com/historyfangirl

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

Agamemnon’s Mycenae Sep 04, 2017

Show notes

Most of us have read Homer’s “Iliad” either in high school or college, but few are likely to remember the details of the characters and places it mentions. It may seem surprising to you that I’d be talking about Homer on a history podcast. The reason I am is that Homer used real historical figures as characters in his writing which leads us to the place in the world I'm covering on this episode: Mycenae, or as it’s often referred to, “Agamemnon’s Mycenae.” In this episode, my guest is John Bennet, director of the British School at Athens. We discuss the historical Agamemnon from literature, the discovery of his mask and tomb, and how the historic Mycenaean people compare to their portrayal in literature. It’s a fascinating conversation so I hope you’ll join me.

Agamemnon’s Mycenae was a leading city and military stronghold.

Mycenae is not a city that had to be discovered in order for it to be researched. Its location has been known right up until the modern era. Archeological work has revealed that it was a leading city of Greece in its day. It was clearly a military stronghold, including a citadel and town. John Bennet has spent a good deal of time at the site and is a wealth of information when it comes to what we know about the city and its inhabitants. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with him and discovered some fascinating facts about its history as well as the history of the people involved in its excavation. You’ll enjoy our conversation.

A Greek city for the elite, including a palace and ancestral tombs.

The city of Mycenae is still quite impressive to this day, even though it’s only ruins. From all that can be known it is fairly clear that the city was one of the largest cities in mainland Greece at the time, only eclipsed by Thebes (and not by much). It was a city for the elite, with a palace and many elaborate ancestral tombs. There are still remains of less impressive but still elaborate households surrounding the main structures of the city. Cities like this give a glimpse into what it must have been like to be a citizen of the Greek empire at its height. John Bennet knows these sites as well as anyone so I encourage you to hear his description of the history, people, and culture of what is known as Agamemnon’s Mycenae.

By 1200 B.C. Mycenae was no longer renewed as a military stronghold.

It’s clear from history that the city of Mycenae continued to be inhabited even after it’s military stronghold was no longer in use. Though the population dwindled considerably the city remained a city-state in the same ways as places like Athens and Sparta were - all the way to 468 B.C. Mycenae was even included in the cities that opposed the Persians when they invaded in 468 B.C. John shares a good deal on this episode about the way of life in the city from its founding until it was no longer inhabited. It’s a very interesting part of Greek history.

What happened to make Mycenae uninhabited?

It’s always curious why a city that was once as palatial and large as Mycenae becomes uninhabited. Surely, with the rise and fall of empires, there are many possibilities. John says that there is evidence that around 1250 B.C. there was some kind of wide-spread burning that happened in the city, possibly the result of an earthquake. The city was then refortified and around 1200 B.C. some other sort of destruction happened. By 1100 B.C. Mycenae was a very small site and few people were living in palaces or inside of walls. In 468 B.C. it was destroyed by neighbors from the city of Argos, at which time it became a ruin. John and I talked more about the city, including what it’s like today as an archeological site and what you should be certain to see if you visit.

Outline of This Episode

[0:11] My introduction to John Bennet, director of the British School at Athens
[1:20] How John has worked to understand Mycenae and how he became interested in Greecian archeology.
[4:00] The appearance of the Mycenaeans in Homer’s Iliad and what we know about them from history.
[7:13] What do we know about the way of life and details of Mycenae?
[14:10] Why the city became uninhabited over time and the history of archeological excavations.
[21:01] The role Howard Schliemann played in our understanding of Mycenae.
[26:32] What we know about the real history of Agamemnon’s mask and tomb.
[28:51] The events at the site since 1999 and what’s happening now.
[33:26] How Mycenae has proven to be significant to Greek history and modern Greeks.
[34:51] Things to make sure you see if you travel to Mycenae.
[37:03] John’s favorite spots in Mycenae.

Resources & People Mentioned

This Episode’s Giveaway:

The prize for this week is a $20 Amazon gift card. To enter, simply be a newsletter subscriber and leave a comment on this blog post. Giveaway ends Sunday, September 10, 2017 and midnight EST.

This episode’s sponsor:

Click the add on the right column (bottom on mobile) to get this week’s Audible offer.

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

The West Bank Separation Wall Aug 28, 2017

Show notes

The West Bank Separation Wall has not been as famously identified to those who live in other parts of the world as the Berlin Wall was, but it’s just as obvious a reminder of the history of hostility and tension that exist in the West Bank. It’s a dividing wall that cuts through the landscape, separating Palestine from Israel and has a very long and complicated history. In this episode I chat with Tamer Halaseh of Tamer Tours about the West Bank Separation Wall, why he includes it and related sites on his tours of the area, and about tourism in the West Bank in general. It’s a fascinating conversation that dispels many of the myths about the area.

Can you imagine living with an enormous, unsightly wall running through your neighborhood?

Palestinian and Israeli people who live in or near the West Bank are continually reminded of the history of conflict that has divided the two people groups by the presence of The West Bank Dividing Wall. You don’t get the full impact the wall has on the area until you are there to see it for yourself. When I visited the area I was told about the history and situation in the West Bank by my tour guide, Tamer Halaseh and felt that his knowledge and understanding of the situation merited me inviting him to share with you on the podcast. This episode is a small taste of what I experienced through my visit and my time learning from Tamer. It should provide you with insight into the situation there that you won’t hear otherwise.

It’s easy to take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without knowing the facts.

When I visited Israel and the West Bank I was able to get to know the feeling of the land and the culture on both sides of the divide. My tour guide, Tamer Halaseh was instrumental in me gaining an understanding of the grievances each side in the conflict has had with the other, from a historical perspective. It’s not as easy as making a snap judgment based on initial perceptions and with the continued actions taken in the situation, it gets more complicated all the time. You can hear some of the things I learned from Tamer on this episode and begin your own journey toward understanding.

The West Bank Separation Wall is a thorn in the midst of a beautiful land.

It’s painful for me to remember the ominous feeling of the massive wall that winds its way through an otherwise beautiful landscape. It’s a constant reminder of tension - but Tamer tells me it also serves to remind the people of the West Bank that they must learn to move on, to live in happiness and strength in spite of the presence of the wall and all that it represents. His attitude is an example of the resilient and resourceful people of the area and shows how they endure in spite of a history of conflict. You’ll enjoy getting to know Tamer on this episode.

What is it like for Westerners to visit the West Bank?

There are many things you hear about the West Bank when preparing to visit that are either misinformed or no longer relevant. You do need to have your passport with you at all times but it’s not an oppressive experience at all. There are a rich culture and historical experience awaiting anyone who wants to visit and it is not dangerous as you may be led to believe. In this conversation, you’ll learn how tourism is thriving in the area and how people like Tamer, my guest on this episode, are making the industry both safe and enriching for those who visit. I hope you’ll listen and learn along with me.

Outline of This Episode

[1:23] Tamer’s background and why he decided to provide tours in the West Bank.
[8:30] What IS the Bethlehem wall and how and when was it built?
[18:30] How the wall impacts the lives of those in the West Bank.
[22:25] What is Hamas?
[25:20] Is the Israeli government allowing tourism in the West Bank?
[32:20] How the wall serves as both a thorn in the midst of beauty and a reminder of how the people of the area need to live happy lives regardless.
[38:30] Refugee camps in the area and how generations are being raised in them.
[41:20] The history of “The Walled Off Hotel” and museum, and why Tamer includes it on his tours.
[46:37] What it’s truly like for Westerners to visit the West Bank.

Resources & People Mentioned

http://tamertours.wordpress.com
Banksy’s The Walled Off Hotel
Bethlehem Hotel
Ramallah Hotels
BOOK: The Way to the Spring: Life and Death in Palestine
BOOK: Wall and Piece

Sponsor for this Episode:

Don’t forget to click on the ad to the right to get the offer from this week’s sponsor: Audible.

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

The Birthplace of "Gone with the Wind" Aug 22, 2017

Show notes

There seem to always be interesting intersections between history and art, and in this episode of The History Fangirl, we dig a bit into one of those crossings, the life of Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind. Margaret wrote her landmark novel in the 1930s, a time when women did not have the right to vote and race relations in her hometown of Atlanta were at a very low point - and she used her book to address the issues the nation was facing, to great acclaim. In this conversation, I chat with Jessica van Landuyt of The Atlanta History Center about the life, work, and impact of Margaret Mitchell.

Want to know how to make the most of a bad situation? Ask the author of Gone With The Wind.

Margaret Mitchell had begun a career as a journalist and was working to become a writer known for in-depth, hard-hitting news stories, but was brought to a halt by an injury and confinement to her home. For a short time, she struggled to know what to do with herself but then turned to reading and finally writing. That season led to the birth of Gone With The Wind and over the next 3 years she compiled a manuscript that stood as tall as her when it was completed and sent off to the publisher. In this conversation, I talk with Jessica van Landuyt about Margaret’s undefeatable spirit, the way she came to write her novel, and the impact it had on the culture of her day and beyond.

Margaret Mitchell denied having written Gone With the Wind when asked by a publisher.

It’s not entirely clear why, but when Margaret Mitchell was first “outed” by one of her friends as having written a novel, she denied it to the publisher’s face. But before their meeting was over the publisher left on a train with boxes of paper - her first draft manuscript of Gone With The Wind. Once he was able to read the story he was immediately convinced the book was worthy of publication and it became an instant best-seller. Margaret’s life and writing are equally fascinating and on this episode of The History Fangirl Jessica van Landuyt shares about the years Margaret and her husband lived in an apartment Margaret referred to as “the dump” but is now known as “The Margaret Mitchell House” - part of the collection of exhibits at the central campus of The Atlanta History Center.

Why was a sequel to Gone With The Wind never written?

The way Gone With The Wind ends, it’s almost a foregone conclusion that the author, Margaret Mitchell had a sequel in mind. But it’s unclear that was ever the case. There are records of her writing in response to fan questions about that issue, something to the effect of “How can I write another book when I cannot deal with this one?” The volumes of fan mail she received and the fame she experienced nationwide and as a celebrity in her hometown of Atlanta kept her quite occupied. It’s no wonder a sequel was never written. In this conversation, my guest Jessica van Landuyt and I chat about the difficulty of dealing with fame, how Margaret’s success led her into philanthropy, and more. Don’t miss it.

Outline of This Episode

[3:16] How Jessica became interested in Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With The Wind.
[4:25] Margaret’s life: a tomboy growing up in Atlanta, upper class, very creative.
[6:02] The types of projects Margaret worked on as a journalist.
[10:22] Why Margaret began working on fiction: an accident that kept her from work.
[14:11] How Gone With The Wind went from writing project to best seller.
[17:18] The path from best selling book to blockbuster movie.
[21:00] The premiere of the movie in Margaret’s hometown of Atlanta.
[25:26] How the book and movie impacted Margaret’s life.
[27:46] Death at age 48 and a period of nationwide mourning ensued.
[32:45] The work of the Atlanta History Center.
[34:20] Other exhibitions in Atlanta related to Margaret Mitchell that are of interest.

Resources & People Mentioned

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

Show Notes: https://historyfangirl.com https://historyfangirl.com/margaret-mitchel…ne-with-the-wind/

Music Credit: "Places Unseen" by Lee Rosevere available at http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Lee_Rosevere/Music_For_Podcasts_2/Lee_Rosevere_-_Music_for_Podcasts_2_-_01_Places_Unseen

Rila Monastery Aug 14, 2017

Show notes

It’s hard for me to describe how much I love Rila Monastery. I sat down with Eric Halsey, the host of the “Bulgarian History Podcast” to talk about this amazing 10th century Byzantine Monastery, located in the Rila Mountains, near Sofia, Bulgaria. I have visited Rila Monastery on several occasions, so I welcomed the chance to hear more about the history of Bulgaria, how this place came to be, and how the monastery became a symbol of pride and resiliency for the Bulgarian People. I hope this conversation motivates you to visit the monastery for yourself. It’s an amazing place!

Bulgaria's Most Famous Monastery

Rising out of the forested valleys of the Rila Mountains, I can think of no place more significant to the country of Bulgaria than Rila Monastery. Eric shared with me that what is now considered the holiest, most monastic place in Bulgaria was founded at a time when the country was working to establish its own independent church, but also struggling with leadership transitions and trying to recover from a long history of warfare with surrounding nations. I asked Eric to explain how the religious issues present at that time influenced the Bulgarian people to begin practicing a simpler form of worship, a key factor in the rise of monasteries around Bulgaria. His knowledge on the subject helped to frame a complete picture of the story behind Rila Monastery that you’ll find intriguing.

Meteora and Bulgaria’s Transition To Orthodoxy

I asked Eric about the connection of Meteora, a series of famous Greek monasteries in the region, and their connection to Bulgaria’s transition to orthodoxy. These monasteries have been featured in several movies, including a James Bond film, as well as the network series “Game of Thrones.” He stated that at this time, Bulgaria may have been one of the first countries in the area to practice Orthodoxy or Christianity. I learned that until this point, Christianity in the region had primarily come from Byzantine influence, so it was not fully accepted when Tsar Boris made it the official state religion. In contrast to the Patriarchal, Imperial form of religion that centered around the emperor, the monasteries, like Rila Monastery reflected a humble, unassuming nature. Often, these monasteries were built in remote places, so many of them have the look and feel of a small fortress, capable of defending against raiders.

The Glue That Held Bulgaria Together

After spending a few months in Bulgaria, it was clear to me that the country is not overly religious, which I found to be slightly odd, as the churches and monasteries seem to be held in high regard, and many citizens practiced religious rituals a few times a year. I asked Eric if he could shed some light on this cultural anomaly. He explained that much of Bulgaria’s identity was formed as a result of this semi-autonomous orthodoxy, separate from the hierarchy that existed in Constantinople at the time. As a result, he pointed out that this once nomadic tribe was able to establish their own identity. They settled on a common language and had been granted positions of authority, such as a Tsar. The religious rituals and practice helped to unify the people. Today, it is understood that religious rituals are performed if for no other reason than “That’s what Bulgarians do.”

What’s it like to Visit Rila Monastery?

For anyone who is planning a trip to Bulgaria, I would 100% recommend adding Rila Monastery to your itinerary. The ground still function as an active monastery, so you will see monks who live there, as well as people who run the museum and several of the restaurants close by. I would recommend hiring a tour guide the first time you go, as there are several areas of interest, including a large collection of 19th century fresco paintings. The main complex reflects a 19th-century neo-byzantine style, which is very ornamental in nature, comparable to that of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, located in Sofia. You can actually stay at the monastery for a small cost. I highly recommend this, as it gives you more time to wander around on your own, and take in all that this amazing place has to offer. But until you are able to visit, join me for this conversation with Eric Halsey. It’s the next best thing.

Outline of This Episode

[2:00] Stephanie introduces her guest Eric Halsey
[3:15] Eric talks about how he first got interested in Bulgarian History
[7:30] Stephanie describes her experience visiting Sofia, Bulgaria
[9:00] Eric talk about how Rila Monastery was founded
[11:15] The significance of early Christian influence in Bulgaria
[14:00] Stephanie asks Eric to explain historical ties to Meteora, Greek monasteries
[19:30] Eric explains how the monastery project was founded and funded
[21:45] How Rila Monastery has withstood several empires and multiple wars
[23:30] Eric and Stephanie talk about the relationship between Ottoman empire and Bulgarian Orthodox Church and how it relates to Rila Monastery
[36:15] Eric and Stephanie describe what it’s like to visit the Rila Monastery
[43:00} Recommended things to see while visiting the monastery, best times to visit
[46:00] Eric discusses his favorite spots around Rila Monastery
[49:00] Conclusion

Resources & People Mentioned

Eric Halsey - Bulgarian History Podcast
@bghistorypodcast
BOOK - Crown of Thorns
Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Sofia Bulgaria
Sofia Adventures - a website with resources about travel to Sofia
Music Credit: "Places Unseen" by Lee Rosevere

Connect With Stephanie

stephanie@historyfangirl.com
https://historyfangirl.com

The Roman Forum Aug 13, 2017

Show notes

One of the places I toured while in Italy was the area in and surrounding the Roman Forum. It’s a central part of early Roman history that is sadly little more than a pile of ruins today. But the Forum was once the center of Roman life, both politically and socially. My guest today is Mike Duncan, host of two great podcasts - “The History of Rome” and “Revolutions.” Mike is a history buff like me who began learning the history of the Roman empire through pleasure reading. When he started looking for a podcast about Rome and found there were none in existence, he decided to begin the first Roman history podcast himself. This is a fun conversation between Mike and me so be sure you take the time to listen.

What was the Roman Forum used for?

In the earlier stages of the Roman Empire, the Forum was a very crowded, much-used area of central Rome. It was the center of all political activity as well as a social center for all things Rome. Were you able to visit in ancient days you’d enter a rectangular plaza with government buildings surrounding it. Triumphal processions took place there as would public speeches, criminal trials, and some gladiatorial competitions. But it was also the center of commerce and a place where you’d find many religious shrines and statues. Mike Duncan describes the Roman Forum and what it would have been like to be there in ancient days, on this episode of The History Fangirl.

The Roman Forum is an example of the brick-based architecture that existed prior to the gleaming white marble we think of.

When we think of ancient Rome we typically picture the white marble columns and gleaming white walls of enormous buildings. But at the time the Forum was constructed the main material used for building was brick. That knowledge gives a very different feeling to the images of what it must have been like to make a visit to the Roman Forum in its heyday. In those days it was the birthplace of the Roman Senate and a much-honored location in the city. Join me and my guest Mike Duncan for a fascinating conversation about the history and use of the Roman Forum.

When the Roman Caesars took over, most citizens were happy about it.

Most of us know about at least two distinct stages of the Roman Empire - the years of the Republic and the years of Imperial Rome when the Caesars ruled. What most people don’t know is that the reason the Caesars were able to come to power is that the Roman Senate had become much maligned and quite ineffective. The people of Rome were tired of a system mired in corruption and political favoritism and welcomed the idea of a simplified form of rule, albeit a dictatorship. Mike Duncan shares how the transition happened and what it meant for life in the nation on this episode.

The reason we study history is to make better decisions.

Mike Duncan calls himself a practical historian. He’s interested in the dates and events of the ancient past because he believes they help us navigate our own course with greater wisdom. In this episode, he says that we study history in order to make better decisions, and we do that by learning about the triumphs, mistakes, and events of the past. Mike and I also talk about his new book, why he wrote it, and what he hopes readers will glean not only about Rome of the past but about our lives here in the the present.

Outline of This Episode

[0:22] Why I decided to make this first episode about the Roman Forum.
[1:12] Who is my guest, Mike Duncan.
[2:57] Mike’s interest in Roman history since childhood and how it’s snowballed.
[6:02] Where Mike received his inspiration and why he thinks history podcasts are great.
[8:20] What IS the Roman Forum? The center of Roman civilization.
[12:45] The experience of being at the Forum during its heyday.
[14:56] Highlights of the events that took place at the Roman Forum.
[18:30] The use of the Forum after the nation became an empire.
[23:32] What happened to the Forum as Rome lost control of Italy?
[26:40] The dismantling of the Forum to build homes and other buildings.
[30:06] How the papacy played a role in preserving many Roman artifacts.
[34:46] How Mike decided to write his book, “The Storm Before the Storm.”
[41:49] Comparisons between ancient Rome and modern America.