Podcast
Tides of History
Everywhere around us are echoes of the past. Those echoes define the boundaries of states and countries, how we pray and how we fight. They determine what money we spend and how we earn it at work, what language we speak and how we raise our children. From Wondery, host Patrick Wyman, PhD (“Fall Of Rome”) helps us understand our world and how it got to be the way it is.
Episodes
The Origins and Rise of Venice
Aug 15 2019
A swampy lagoon on the Adriatic coast of Italy was not a promising place for a city, but Venice grew from a collection of huts on spits of land to a glittering center of commerce and the heart of a maritime empire. Today, we explore the beginnings and rise of this fascinating city from late antiquity to the Black Death.The best way to support us peasants is by supporting our sponsors! LinkedIn - To get $50 off your first job posting, visit LinkedIn.com/Tides
Boxing, Race, and the Gilded Age: An Interview with Professor Louis Moore
Aug 08 2019
Boxing has a long past, one deeply connected to race, labor, and broader developments in American history. Professor Louis Moore joins me to talk about those topics and about his outstanding book, I Fight For a Living: Boxing and the Battle for Black Manhood, 1880-1915.Find Professor Moore's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Living-Manhood-1880-1915-Society/dp/0252082877Support us by supporting our sponsors! Indochino - Indochino makes incredible custom suits, but you don't have to pay cus...more
The Experience of the Italian Wars
Aug 01 2019
The Italian Wars changed the face of Europe, but what was it like living through them? Today, we follow the lives of two composite characters to see both how war changed and how it affected the people who participated in them.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Simplisafe - Go to SimpliSafe.com/TIDES to get started today.Lightstream - Apply now to get a special interest rate discount at Lightstream.com/TIDES
Book Club: Summer Reading
Jul 25 2019
Planning a summer vacation and looking for something fun to read? Patrick and Leah have you covered with a few suggestions.
The Italian Wars, Part 2
Jul 18 2019
In our second episode on the Italian Wars, we explore how Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's vast territories ratcheted up the conflict from a dynastic squabble to a continent-spanning contest of great powers.
Walls throughout History: An Interview with Professor David Frye
Jul 11 2019
What creates civilization, in the most basic sense? According to Professor David Frye, who joins me this week, it's walls - Hadrian's Wall, the Great Wall of China, city walls, and thousands more over the millennia.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Linzess - Learn about ways to make your life a little happier. Visit OhMyGut.info/podcast.Indochino - Get Patrick's favorite suit for 50% off at Indochino.com and enter code TIDES at checkout.Lightstream - Apply now to get a special in...more
The Italian Wars, Part 1
Jul 04 2019
The Italian Wars were the defining conflict of the sixteenth century, bridging the gap between the Middle Ages and the early modern period. Today, we explore their origins in medieval dynastic infighting and their opening stages, as King Charles VIII of France rolled south into Italy and changed European politics forever.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Get the toothbrush you and your kids will love at GetQuip.com/TIDESand you'll get your first refill pack for free.Roman ...more
Minisode: Military Revolutions
Jun 27 2019
It's a concept! It's a feeling! It's... been a long time since we talked about it. We're throwing it back to 2017 and tracing the evolution of war in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Why Bother with the Seventeenth Century? An Interview with Professor Keith Pluymers
Jun 20 2019
Friend of the show Keith Pluymers returned for a great chat about fuel, environmental history, and why the seventeenth century is worth studying.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Cayman Jack - Cayman Jack provides premium prepared cocktails for those with good taste and li...more
Condottieri: War for Profit in Renaissance Italy
Jun 13 2019
In Renaissance Italy, war was simultaneously art, science, and big business, waged for profit and glory by hired contractors known as condottieri. Today, we follow one condottiere as he makes his way through the dangerous world of mercenary warfare in the fifteenth century.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support this sh...more
Machiavelli's Laboratory: The Politics of Renaissance Italy
Jun 06 2019
Renaissance Italy was a political minefield, where backstabbing dukes, ambitious republics, and disloyal mercenaries created a laboratory for political innovation. This environment produced professional armies, the roots of state finance, and modern diplomacy, a legacy Italy left for the rest of Europe.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use prom...more
Classic Tides: Life in Renaissance Florence
May 30 2019
We're revisiting an episode of Tides of History we originally released in January 2018. Pay close attention, we're going to be spending a LOT of time in Italy this summer.What was it like to have a front-row seat to the explosion of learning, art, and culture in Renaissance Florence? In this episode, we follow two people as they lived in the linked worlds of business and humanistic learning in the fifteenth century. These early knowledge workers combined a genuine interest in the wisdom of the c...more
Minisode: Banking
May 23 2019
We catch up a bit more on Jakob Fugger's personality - or lack thereof - along with some of the other important south German trading firms of the age, the development of the Antwerp financial market, and the connection between banking and the patronage of Renaissance art.
Jakob Fugger: The Richest Man Who Ever Lived?
May 16 2019
At the end of the fifteenth century, the center of European banking suddenly swung from its birthplace in Italy to south Germany. The key figure in that transition was Jakob Fugger of Augsburg, maybe the richest man who ever lived.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!The Art of Sh...more
The Rise and Fall of the Medici Bank
May 09 2019
The Medici name still carries echoes of power and labyrinthine politics. But the Medici got their start as bankers, and built a financial empire that spanned fifteenth-century Europe. Popes, kings, and merchants all did business with the Medici, and the family's power over Florence grew out of its fiscal wizardry - at least until it all fell apart.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to ...more
The Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age: An Interview with Stanford's Professor Richard White
May 02 2019
The Civil War and its decades-long aftermath continue to define American life well into the twenty-first century. Today we chat with Stanford's Professor Richard White, author of The Republic For Which It Stands: The United States During Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, 1865-1896, to get a grip on this pivotal and under-discussed era of history.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to ...more
Minisode: Messianic Rulers and Military Revolutions in Spain
Apr 25 2019
Let's chat about some of the other interesting things Patrick discovered in his research for this month's episodes: messianic rulership and military revolutions in the Spain of Isabella and Ferdinand.
The Spanish Inquisition, the Expulsion of the Jews, and the Rise of Spain
Apr 18 2019
Queen Isabella of Castile was one of the great state-building monarchs of the later Middle Ages, but state-building had a dark side: the Spanish Inquisition, the expulsion of the Jews, and the beginnings of a decades-long war that would consume western Europe for three generations.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support...more
Queen Isabella of Spain and the End of the Reconquista
Apr 11 2019
Queen Isabella of Castile was the greatest of the state-building rulers of the late Middle Ages. During her rule, she sent Columbus to America, married Ferdinand of Aragon to launch modern Spain, and finished the centuries-long Reconquista, ending centuries of Muslim rule in Iberia.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Suppor...more
Historical Fiction and the Wars of the Roses: An Interview with Philippa Gregory
Apr 04 2019
We talked to bestselling novelist Philippa Gregory about her views of history and historical fiction, and her perspective on the Wars of the Roses, where she has spent many years.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!SimpliSafe - Go to Simplisafe.com/TIDES to get started today! Rom...more
1492: A Guided Tour of Europe on the Brink
Mar 21 2019
1492 was a big year, and not just because a certain Genoese navigator set sail into the unknown. Europe was on the cusp of enormous changes. Follow along as we travel all across the continent and get a feel for Europe on the brink.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!The Art of Sh...more
Who Was Christopher Columbus? With Professor Felipe Fernandez-Armesto
Mar 14 2019
1492 was a truly wild year, and there is no one better to talk about it with than one of Patrick's favorite historians, Felipe Fernandez-Armesto, author of many excellent books on Columbus and exploration.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!SimpliSafe - Fear has no place her...more
Civil Servants, State Finance, and the Rising State
Mar 07 2019
States didn't pull themselves up by their bootstraps, driven solely by the will of indomitable rulers; instead, they benefited from the services of a class of highly educated and dedicated civil servants. They administered finance and justice and executed the royal will with competence and ruthlessness.You can listen to the back catalog of Tides of History, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WON...more
The Troubled Inheritance of Mary of Burgundy and Dynastic Consolidation
Feb 21 2019
When Charles the Bold, duke of Burgundy, met the business end of a Swiss halberd in 1477, his 19-year-old daughter Mary was set to inherit all of his vast possessions. But her position was precarious, surrounded by rapacious neighbors and rivals. The decisions she made about her future set in motion a chain of political events that would define Europe for centuries to come.Support this show by supporting our sponsors! The Art of Shaving - Get 15% off your first order by using the code TIDES at c...more
The Rise and Fall of Burgundy
Feb 14 2019
The Valois dukes of Burgundy were kings in all but name. Originally a branch of the French royal family, they fought for control of the French crown, accumulated vast lands, and nearly carved out a kingdom for themselves in the borderlands between France and the Holy Roman Empire. But eventually their ambition stretched too far, and they disappeared in a haze of gunpowder and blood.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Go to GetQuip.com/TIDES and get your first refill pack free!Ube...more
Game of Thrones and Late Medieval Politics
Feb 07 2019
Surprise: Patrick loves Game of Thrones. Bigger surprise: GoT is actually a pretty accurate portrayal of late medieval politics - except for the dragons. Patrick's friend Albro Lundy, a very funny and smart TV writer, joins us to talk about it. Follow him on Twitter @bromanconsul.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!You can find all episodes of Tides of History 6 months and older, plus ad-free new episodes, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpre...more
Civil Wars and Political Breakdowns in Late Medieval Europe
Jan 24 2019
The Wars of the Roses are infamous, but practically every European kingdom, not just England, was wracked by serious bouts of infighting in the second half of the 15th century. In a time period known for the growth of state power, why were there so many civil wars - and why were they all happening at the same time?Support this show by supporting our sponsors!SimpliSafe - Protect your fortress! Go to simplisafe.com/TIDESLinkedIn - Get $50 off your first job post at LinkedIn.com/TIDES
The Wars of the Roses, II
Jan 17 2019
By 1461, the Wars of the Roses had already claimed thousands of lives and shaken England's political system to its foundations. The bloodiest battle ever fought in England would soon follow, along with decades more of instability and periodic crisis.Love Tides of History? You can follow Patrick on Twitter @Patrick_Wyman and Leah at @leahgoeswhere. You can follow the show @TidesHistory. Send us your questions and love letters! If you have hate mail address it to: Tides of History, Attn: Charles, ...more
The Wars of the Roses
Jan 10 2019
The Wars of the Roses brought what had once been Europe’s most stable and well-governed kingdom to its knees. Weakness at the center, in the form of the useless King Henry VI, reverberated outwards throughout the political system. Could England survive Henry VI, and at what cost?Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Visit GetQuip.com/TIDES to get your Quip toothbrush, and your first refill pack is free!Simplisafe - Protect your kingdom! Visit Simplisafe.com/TIDES to learn more.
The Reformation, Live from Boston
Dec 20 2018
Leah and I had the opportunity to give a public talk at the Sound Education Conference at Harvard. We talked about the Reformation, why it matters, and how historians think about it today.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Hair Club for Men - Visit HairClub.com/TIDES for a free hair analysis and free kit.The Art of Shaving - The perfect shave is here. Get 15% off your first order by using the promo code "TIDES" at checkout online or in the store.
Archaeology Rules with Raksha Dave!
Dec 13 2018
YES we're talking to THAT Raksha Dave, the one from Time Team, Patrick and Leah's favorite show! She tells us about her future digs, all the cool stuff she's done since Time Team, how she became an archaeologist, and why we should all treat old stuff with respect.Follow Raksha on Twitter!Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Give the gift everyone is buzzing about this year - visit GetQuip.com/TIDES for your first refill pack free!You can listen to Mythology wherever you listen to Tides o...more
Vlad the Impaler and the Legend of Dracula
Dec 06 2018
Medieval politics, full of assassinations and betrayal, was not for the faint of heart. But even within that landscape, one man stands out for his cruelty: Vlad the Impaler, prince of Wallachia, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's Count Dracula. This episode examines the real person behind the legend and the world that made him.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Boll & Branch - Get $50 off your first set of sheets at BollandBranch.com and use Promo Code "Tides" at checkout.
George Washington and the End of the Revolution: An Interview with Author Nathaniel Philbrick
Nov 29 2018
Nathaniel Philbrick - one of Patrick's favorite authors of popular history - stopped by to chat about his latest book, In the Hurricane's Eye: The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown. The bestselling author filled us in on the dramatic final days of the Revolutionary War and the strategic vision of George Washington.You can get Nat's book here.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Get your first refill pack for free by going to GetQuip.com/TIDESHair Club - Visit...more
Beer, Brewsters, and Women's Work: An Interview with Judith Bennett
Nov 15 2018
Professor Judith Bennett joined Patrick to talk about the difference between ale and beer, and how work - and women's work in particular - changed over time.Check out Judith's Books!A Medieval Life: Cecilia Penifader of Brigstock, c. 1295-1344Sisters and Workers in the Middle AgesWomen in the Medieval English Countryside: Gender and Household in Brigstock before the PlagueAle, Beer, and Brewsters in England: Women's Work in a Changing World And, the best way to support this show is by suppo...more
The Fall of Constantinople and the Tragic End of the Byzantines
Nov 08 2018
In 1453, after more than 60 years of trying, the Ottomans finally besieged and captured the city of Constantinople. This marked the end of one phase of Ottoman expansion and the beginning of another as the dominant power of the region. It was also the end of the Byzantines, the last vestige of a Roman Empire that had once stretched over the entire Mediterranean and beyond.Support our show by supporting our sponsors!Boll & Branch - Visit BollandBranch.com and use promo code "TIDES" to get $50...more
Holy War and the Rise of the Ottomans
Nov 01 2018
The Ottoman Empire rose from humble beginnings in Anatolia to dominate a vast swathe of territory. Holy war, gaza, was a powerful driving force behind that expansion. At the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396, Ottoman holy war clashed directly with its Christian equivalent: crusading.If you're interested in learning more, you can check out:The great book by Cemal Kafadar, Between Two WorldsIf you prefer to watch your history, try Resurrection: Ertugrul on Netflix.You are supporting this show when you s...more
Archaeology and Why It Rules
Oct 18 2018
Archaeology shows up all the time on Tides of History, and it's one of Patrick's favorite topics. Leah joins to chat about what it can tell us, how it works, and why it's so dang cool.
Heresy, Witch Hunts, and Inquisition
Oct 11 2018
The dark side of the late medieval Church was its emphasis on control and conformity. A concept of orthodoxy produced a conception of unacceptable difference, which manifested itself in hunts for heretics, witches, and the institution of the Inquisition.The best way to support this show is to support our sponsors, like Quip! They make a beautiful toothbrush that's easy to travel with and easy to care for, and you can get your first refill pack for FREE by going to Getquip.com/Tides.
The Trials and Tribulations of the Late Medieval Church
Oct 04 2018
The late Middle Ages were a time of upheaval for the universal Church, caught between the glories and overwhelming power of the High Middle Ages and the crisis of the Protestant Reformation.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Don't be a peasant, sleep in luxury in the finest Boll & Branch sheets! Get $50 off your first order by visiting BollandBranch.com/tides
Tides of History Book Club: Silk Roads
Oct 01 2018
Patrick and Leah talk about Peter Frankopan's The Silk Roads: A New History of the World, which Patrick didn't like very much. Critical reviews of books are just as important as glowing ones, so let's talk about that.
The Ebb and Flow of History
Jul 20 2017
History shapes our world in ways both seen and unseen. In the introductory episode of Tides of History, we explore two major tides - the Fall of Rome and the Rise of the Modern World - and why history matters in the here and now.Subscribe today so you never miss an episode: https://smarturl.it/TOHThank you to our sponsors:Texture - Get a 14-day free trial with access to thousands of online magazines here:www.texture.com/tidesSquarespace - Get a free trial and save 10% when you launch your d...more
Introducing Tides of History
Jul 07 2017
History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme, said Mark Twain. From the fall of the Roman Empire to the rise of the modern world: history ebbs and flows over the centuries, driven by great tides of economic, social, political, religious, and cultural change that shape the world and everyone who lives on it. In this new series from Wondery, PhD historian Patrick Wyman (Fall of Rome) brings the cutting edge of that history to listeners in plain, relatable English. Premieres July 20t...more