Romanic and Slavic communities both north and south of the Danube continue to influence each other, as neighbours become bilingual and introduce subtle shifts in their respective languages. Meanwhile, as these two cultures mingle, a prominent Bulgar chieftain flees the Khazar threat with his followers, seeking a new homeland — which leads them right to…

A generation after the defeat at Constantinople, the Avars readjust their way of life, all while trying to keep their remaining subjects in line. Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 2, Episode 9: Keeping it together Last time, we followed the rebellions that burst forth after the khagan’s defeat before the…

The siege of Constantinople is over, with the emperor victorious over the khagan and the shah. Yet as all these combatants slink away from each other to lick their wounds, new dangers threaten to bring all three of them down – along with their realms. The Avar khaganate in 635 was much reduced compared to…

Having fought the Romans separately for over a decade, the Avars and Persians now join forces to strike Constantinople together and finally destroy their arch enemy. Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 2, Episode 7: The Queen of Cities Last time, we saw the Romans suffer blows from all sides: the…

With the empire mired in invasions and civil war, the new Avar khagan launches a grand campaign against the Romans to prove himself as a military leader and bolster his legitimacy. Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 2, Episode 6: Into the abyss Last time, we saw the Romans attempt to…

We begin this season’s narrative on the Danube where periodic raids by the Romans and Slavs simmer along the frontier—until an unexpected spark triggers a conflagration that engulfs the entire eastern Mediterranean. Transcript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 2, Episode 5: On the precipice Last time, we finished setting up season…

In this last episode of setup, we explore what daily life looked like for the farmers who made up most of the population of the khaganate, considering everything from their homes to their meals, crafts, and habits. Trancript Hello and welcome to A history of Romania. Season 2, Episode 4: Village life Last episode, we…

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…

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…

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.…