Explore the peoples of Romania from ancient times to the present.
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2.03 A tapestry of subjects
As we explore the khaganate in more depth, we take a look at the subject peoples who lived under Avar dominion, their ways of life, and the relationships they negotiated with their overlords to advance their own interests. Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 2, Episode 3: A tapestry of subjects…
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2.02 The khaganate
In the year 602, the lands north of the Danube were dominated by the Avars, a little-known people from the steppes. In this episode, we take a look at their origins, values, and the khaganate they established to rival the Roman empire. As a reminder, this was the extent of the Avar khaganate in the…
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2.01 The legacy of Antiquity
As we begin season two, I share what you can expect from this next chunk of narrative and then take a look at the story so far to refresh our memories and prepare us for what comes next. You can easily find Romania on a map by looking at where Europe meets the Black Sea.…
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Extra episode: Callidromus’ story
In this standalone episode, we follow an enslaved man who served a Roman general, saw the Dacian capital in its prime, worked in the palace of the Parthian King of Kings, and staged a daring escape to gain his freedom in the midst of war. Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Extra…
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1.29 Threads of beginnings
To close out season one, we discuss the impact of the Goths, Huns, and Gepids in the region, ask how we can discern ethnicity in our sources, and consider the effects of Christianity north of the Danube. We also explore some of my storytelling choices and glance at what’s next for the podcast. If you…
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1.28 Misty myths
The story of season one is done and we have plenty to discuss: the legacy of the Dacians, Romanization in the provinces, contrasting historical theories, and what it all means for that greatest of unresolved questions — What are the origins of the Romanian people? Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 1,…
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1.27 Gentes et regna
In the last narrative episode of season one, the Avars spring out of the Carpathian Basin and into the Balkans, while Slavic tribes roam the lands on either side of the Danube seeking a permanent place to settle. Here’s what the Balkans looked like after the Romans stabilized the Danube frontier in 602 CE. Though…
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1.26 Blood feud
The Gepids reign as the most powerful people north of the Danube, but a new rival supported by the Roman empire threatens to dismantle their kingdom, all while a horrifying illness makes its appearance in the Balkans. Here’s what the region looked like in the 540s after the Lombards settled west of the Gepids at…
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1.25 Free-for-all
The Gepids seek to retake their lost capital at Sirmium, all while dealing with a resurgent Roman empire and ambitious new players on the board. Here’s what the Balkans looked like in 535 CE. Note the key cities on either side of the Danube, as well as the arrival of new peoples on the borders…
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1.24 The board reshuffles
Having led the war of independence against the Huns, the Gepids take the wealth of their former overlords and establish a kingdom on the lands of the original province of Dacia. Their efforts then turn to securing themselves a spot in the new Mediterranean world created by the collapse of half the Roman empire. Below…