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
John Maynard Keynes and His Legacies: Interview with Author and Journalist Zach Carter
May 28 2020
John Maynard Keynes was one of the most important figures of the 20th century, creating the economic structures and ideas that defined the Second World War and its aftermath. I spoke with Zach Carter, author of the wonderful new Keynes biography The Price of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the Life of John Maynard Keynes, about Keynes's wild life and enduring legacies.Get Zach's book here.Support us by supporting our sponsors! SimpliSafe - For free shipping and 60 day money back guarantee when you ...more
Malta, Lepanto, and the End of an Era
May 14 2020
We reach the epic conclusion of our series on the early modern period with the Great Siege of Malta and the Battle of Lepanto.Support us by supporting our sponsors!The Great Courses Plus - For access to their entire library and a free month trial, go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/tides.
The Battle for the Mediterranean
May 07 2020
For much of the 16th century, the Habsburgs of Spain and the Ottoman Empire waged an epic conflict for control over the Mediterranean. Follow along with two composite characters, a Barbary corsair and a Hospitaller knight, as they raid, pillage, and fight a holy war for decades on end.Listen ad-free on Wondery+ hereSupport us by supporting our sponsors!SimpliSafe - Visit simplisafe.com/tides to get FREE shipping and a 60-day risk-free trial today.The Great Courses Plus - Get an entire month of u...more
Charles V and the Failure of Empire
Apr 30 2020
Charles V controlled more of Europe than any ruler in centuries, with resources other monarchs could only dream of. But that was never enough to give the Holy Roman Emperor more than a momentary victory; there was always a new enemy, some unforeseen calamity, waiting around the corner.
Mike Duncan on Pandemics, Revolutions, and COVID-19
Apr 23 2020
DISCLAIMER: If you do not think that this pandemic is a big deal; if you do not want to hear our personal political views; if you don’t care about present-day politics; if you think that this will somehow offend you; then please don't listen to this episode.Author and history podcaster extraordinaire Mike Duncan joins me to talk about pandemics, social instability, and present-day politics.
The Rise of Charles V
Apr 16 2020
Charles V was the most powerful European ruler since Charlemagne: king of Spain and Naples, Holy Roman Emperor, and ruler of a whole bunch else besides. How did all of these vast territories, and the central political role that went along with them, come into his possession? The answer wasn't ability or merit; it was inheritance.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Great Courses - When you go to thegreatcoursesplus.com/tides you can enjoy an entire month FREE.Quip - When you go to getquip....more
Pandemics in History
Apr 09 2020
All of us are dealing with the ongoing pandemic in different ways, and I decided to wedge myself into my closet to record an informal talk with you all about pandemics throughout history and what, if anything, they might help us understand about what we're dealing with today. Economic effects, political upheavals, and disease all play together, so let's try to figure out the connections.Support us by supporting our sponsors!SimpliSafe - Go to simplisafe.com/tides to get free shipping and a 60 da...more
Genetics and the Transformation of Prehistory: Interview with Spencer Wells and Razib Khan
Apr 02 2020
Genetics has radically transformed our understanding of prehistory over the past two decades, revealing everything from the existence of brand-new, unknown species to interbreeding between Neanderthals and our human ancestors. I talked to geneticists Spencer Wells and Razib Khan, two of the world's most knowledgable communicators on genetics and prehistory, to get a sense for how things have changed.
Classic Tides: Plague, Climate, and the End of the Roman World
Mar 26 2020
In light of current events, we are re-posting one of my favorite episodes (from December, 2017) on natural disasters and the fall of the Roman Empire.Justinian was the last great Roman emperor, but his reign was plagued by disasters beyond his control: volcanic eruptions, a changing climate, and a plague of epic proportions. Those disasters created a turning point that we can, with good reason, call the end of the Roman Empire.
American Nations, American Union: Interview with Colin Woodard
Mar 19 2020
Few books have influenced my view of American history and politics more than Colin Woodard's American Nations: A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America. We've been divided since the beginning, Woodard argues, and this has influenced every aspect of American history, not to mention its future. He has a new book coming out in May, Union, which expands this thesis further.Get American Nations here.And get Colin's new book, Union: The Struggle to Forge the Story of United Sta...more
Classic Tides: The Black Death Revisited
Mar 17 2020
In light of current events, we are re-posting one of my favorite episodes (from June, 2018) on the Black Death.Between 1346 and 1351, the Black Death killed tens of millions of people - at least half the population - in Europe and the Middle East. This great mortality, one of the worst disasters of any era, fundamentally reshaped European society and set the stage for the world that followed.
Suleiman the Magnificent and Ottoman Decline
Mar 12 2020
The reign of Suleiman the Magnificent was the high point of the Ottoman Empire, but for centuries, it has also been pegged as the beginning of the empire's long, slow decline into irrelevance. Is this true? Was Suleiman's reign simultaneously the best of times and the beginning of the end?Support us by supporting our sponsors!Quip - When you go to getquip.com/tides you'll get your first refill for FREE
Suleiman the Magnificent and the Apex of the Ottoman Empire
Mar 05 2020
Suleiman the Magnificent ruled the Ottoman Empire for forty-six years. During that time, his armies fought everywhere from Iran to Vienna. His navies touched Indonesia and the Straits of Gibraltar. Under his reign, the Ottoman Empire reached its glorious peak.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Upstart - Go to upstart.com/tides today to find out how low your rate could be.SimpliSafe - Get free shipping and a 60-day risk free trial at simplisafe.com/tides.
Pirates! With Leah Sutherland
Feb 20 2020
Leah returns to chat with Patrick about one of their favorite topics - pirates. It wouldn't be a Leah episode if we didn't range widely, so we also chat about essays and Laura Ingalls Wilder.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Indeed - Visit indeed.com/tides to get a FREE sponsored job upgrade on your first posting.
The Ottomans, the Safavids, and the War for the Muslim World, 1501-1514
Feb 13 2020
The Muslim world was a vast and diverse place, home to a variety of traditions and schools of thought. The Safavids began as a brotherhood of Sufi mystics, but soon transformed themselves from a religious order to the seeds of a powerful extremist state in Iran under the leadership of a teenaged prodigy, Shah Ismail I. A clash with the Ottomans and Selim the Grim was inevitable.Support us by supporting our sponsors:Upstart - Go to upstart.com/tides to find out how low your rate could be today.Qu...more
The Ottomans, the Mamluks, and the Clash for Control of the Muslim World
Feb 06 2020
While the Ottoman Empire spent most of its early history expanding into Christian Europe, it also faced east, toward the vast, wealthy, and dynamic Muslim world. As the Ottomans grew in prestige and power, a clash with the Mamluks of Egypt for supremacy became inevitable.Support us by supporting our sponsors!SimpliSafe - Visit simplisafe.com/tides. You'll get FREE shipping and 60 day risk free trial. Indeed - Post your job to Indeed.com/tides and get a FREE sponsored job upgrade.
Pilgrims, Puritans, and the Battle for New England: Interview with Historian Peter Mancall
Jan 23 2020
The Pilgrims and the Puritans dominate our understanding not just of early New England, but also early America and the entire future course of American history. Yet their success and long-term influence weren't foreordained, and they weren't inevitable. Peter Mancall, Harmsworth Professor of American History at Oxford and Mellon Professor of the Humanities at USC, joins us to talk about his new book, The Trials of Thomas Morton: An Anglican Lawyer, His Puritan Foes, and the Battle for a New Engl...more
The Rising Tide of the Ottoman Empire, 1453-1481
Jan 16 2020
Mehmet the Conqueror captured Constantinople for the Ottoman Empire in 1453 and ended the thousand-year reign of the Byzantine Empire after an epic siege, but he was far from done. For the next three decades, Mehmet led Ottoman armies against Serbs, Hungarians, Venetians, Wallachians, and Turkoman tribesmen, expanding his empire and drenching two continents in blood and war.Support us by supporting our sponsors!Upstart - Visit upstart.com/tides to see how low your rate could be today!
The Dawn of the Age of Exploration
Jan 09 2020
What was it like to be on the cutting edge of the Age of Exploration, and what made these enormous leaps possible? To answer those questions, we follow the life of a composite character, a Portuguese sailor named Pedro, on his journeys to the coast of Africa and then India beyond.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Visit GetQuip.com/TIDES and get your first refill pack free!Simplisafe - Go to SimpliSafe.com/TIDES to get free shipping AND a 60-day money-back guarantee.
The Last Battle of the Wars of the Roses
Dec 19 2019
What brought the son of a German shoemaker to a blood-soaked English field in June, 1487? In today's episode, we follow the life of a composite character, Hans, an artisan-turned mercenary, on his journey from Augsburg to Stoke Field and try to understand how the currents of the late Middle Ages made his life possible.Support this show by supporting our sponsors! Gabi Insurance - Take two minutes right now and save big on your car and homeowners insurance at Gabi.com/TIDESUpstart - Try out Upsta...more
Leah Interviews Dr. Patrick Wyman, PhD, about his upcoming book
Dec 12 2019
Leah declared mutiny and there was a small defenestration from the 8th Floor Wondery Studio as she took full creative control of Tides of History. Well, not quite, but she did control the interview. Patrick Wyman guests today to talk about his upcoming book, The Crunch!Support this show by supporting our sponsors!NetSuite - Schedule your free demo right now and receive their FREE guide, "Seven Key Strategies to Grow Your Profits" at NetSuite.com/TIDESSimplisafe - Hurry on over to Simplisafe.com/...more
The Life of Margaret, Brewer of London
Dec 05 2019
What was it like to be a regular person in the late Middle Ages? We follow the life of a composite character, a brewer in London named Margaret, through her family, work, and marriage. She was a product of her time, everything from the Black Death to shifting expectations of work and gender, and she's a great window onto a period of upheaval and change.Support our show by supporting our sponsors! Simplisafe - Go to Simplisafe.com/TIDES now for a free HD security camera with your order.
Minisode: Is Netflix's "The King" Good History? And Winter Reading Recommendations!
Nov 28 2019
Leah is back on the show today to discuss The King on Netflix starring Timothee Chalamet as King Henry V, our favorite Sadboi King, as he becomes the greatest king England's ever seen. Overall, we liked it! And if you need something that everyone in your family can agree on, it's that Robert Pattinson is doing something, we aren't sure what, but a definite thing as the Dauphin.Watch it here.Thank you so much for listening to Tides, we are thankful for you.
The End of the Crusades and the Fall of Acre: An Interview with Historian Roger Crowley
Nov 21 2019
Popular historian Roger Crowley returns to the show to discuss his new book, The Accursed Tower: The Fall of Acre and the End of the Crusades, which covers the last great siege of the Crusades at the city of Acre. It's a really fun read, I highly recommend it, and you can get it here.Support this show by supporting our sponsors! Quip - Your own healthy mouth is just a few clicks away. Visit GetQuip.com/TIDES and get your first refill pack free. Simplisafe - Get your Black Friday savings a little...more
Was the Protestant Reformation Inevitable?
Nov 14 2019
Was history destined to happen as it did? That's what counterfactuals - alternative scenarios of how things might have gone - are useful for answering. In this episode, we apply them to the Protestant Reformation, one of the key processes of the past millennium.Tides is supported by our friends at Parcast. If you love myths as much as we do, you'll love their series Mythology. Check it out.
Medieval Merchants
Nov 07 2019
The medieval economy underwent a profound transformation, becoming ever more commercialized and monetized. Merchants helped drive that change, moving goods from place to place and profiting on the returns. Today, we meet some of them: an Italian named Francesco Datini, one of the richest men in Europe, and the Cely family of English wool merchants.Support this show by supporting our sponsors! SimpliSafe - Protect your home! Visit SimpliSafe.com/TIDES for a 60-day risk-free trial.
Persecution, Toleration, and the Rise of Modernity: An Interview with Historian Mark Koyama
Oct 31 2019
Religious freedom is a core value of the modern West, but how did it emerge, and why does it matter? Economic historian Mark Koyama, of George Mason University, joins me to discuss his recent book (co-authored with Noel Johnson), Persecution and Toleration: The Long Road to Religious Freedom.Check out the book here, and follow Professor Koyama on Twitter @MarkKoyama.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Your new toothbrush starts at just $25, and at GetQuip.com/TIDES you can get yo...more
The Commercial Revolution
Oct 17 2019
The roots of the modern economy, based on markets, money, and exchange, lie deep in the Middle Ages. The Commercial Revolution remade the European economy, paving the way for the explosive growth that followed centuries later.Support this show by supporting our sponsors! Better Help - Take charge of your mental health and take 10% off at BetterHelp.com/TIDESSimplisafe - Get free shipping and a 60-day risk free trial at Simplisafe.com/TIDESNetSuite - Visit Netsuite.com/TIDES to download your free...more
The Venetian Empire
Oct 10 2019
Venice was a commercial hub, the hinge of the medieval economy, but it was also the center of a remarkable empire that spanned the sea lanes and trade routes of the Mediterranean. The Venetian Empire was an odd beast, beset on all sides by more powerful neighbors, but it survived for centuries thanks to Venice's unique combination of wealth and stability.Support our show by supporting our sponsors!Better Help - Visit BetterHelp.com/TIDES and get 10% off of your first monthPeloton - Go to OnePelo...more
The Crusades: An Interview with Dan Jones, Part 2
Oct 03 2019
Here's the rest of our conversation with historian and bestselling author Dan Jones. In Part 1, which you should absolutely listen to if you haven't already, we covered the Crusades in general; this time out, we discuss some of Dan's favorite crusaders, the most fascinating figures from four centuries of holy war.You can support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - America's favorite toothbrush can be yours for just $25 a month at GetQuip.com/TIDES.LightStream - Apply now to get a special...more
Why Rome Never Rose Again: An Interview with Professor Walter Scheidel
Sep 19 2019
Alone among the world's regions, western Europe only had one major, long-lived imperial experience: that of Rome. When it fell, nothing like it ever returned again. According to Stanford's Professor Walter Scheidel, that fact had enormous consequences for the long-term development of Europe, and was a necessary precursor to the rise of modernity.Check out Professor Scheidel's new book, Escape From Rome: The Failure of Empire and the Road to Prosperity, which comes out October 15th.And you are su...more
We Join Professor Sheilagh Ogilvie's Guild (And You Should, Too!)
Sep 12 2019
When it comes to medieval and early modern economic history it is important to understand guilds, how they functioned, and their effects on society. Professor Sheilagh Ogilvie joins me to talk about guilds and her most recent book, The European Guilds: An Economic Analysis.Find Professor Ogilvie’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/European-Guilds-Economic-Analysis-Princeton/dp/0691137544
The Crusades: An Interview with Dan Jones
Sep 05 2019
The Crusades defined the Middle Ages and left a long legacy behind them. We chat with Dan Jones, author of the upcoming book Crusaders: The Epic History of the Wars for the Holy Land, about why this long series of conflicts mattered so much to medieval people and why they're still important today.Get Dan's book here.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Patrick loves his Indochino suit and knows you will, too. Take half off, at Indochino.com and use code TIDES at checkout.
The Rise of Printing and the Invention of News: An Interview with Professor Andrew Pettegree
Aug 29 2019
There’s an interesting history when it comes to books, printing, and the Reformation, all tied together through new technology and business. Professor Andrew Pettegree joins me to talk about all of this and more, as well as his new book, The Bookshop of the World: Making and Trading Books in the Dutch Golden Age.Support this show by supporting our sponsors!Quip - Starts at just $25, and if you got to GetQuip.com/TIDES you can get your first refill pack free! Simplisafe - Visit Simplisafe.co...more
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