Western Civ

The Persians: An Interview with Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones

01 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to discuss his most recent work: "The Persians: Age of Kings". We talk about all your usual topi...

Episode 197: Reform in Zurich

27 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last time, we introduced Ulrich Zwingli and walked through his initial struggles with the Roman Church and his transition to Zurich. This time, we fol...

History Ramble Two: The History of Time

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Time for another history ramble. (Pun intended.) Have you ever thought about the history of time? How did we, as a species, decide to divide the day? ...

Announcement

22 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/westerncivpodcastWestern Civ 2.0 Subscription Feed: www.glow.fm/westernciv

Episode 196: Ulrich Zwingli

20 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Having finished with Martin Luther, we now shift our gaze to the Swiss Confederation, Zurich, and Ulrich Zwingli. Zwingli is another of our early refo...

Episode 195: Martin Luther and His Legacy

13 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we finish with Martin Luther, the man credited with beginning the Reformation. Luther's final years are filled with increasingly angry battles w...

Episode 194: The Peasants' War

06 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While Martin Luther thought his reformation was about theology and humankind's relationship to God, many people felt it was about a great deal more. T...

The True Story of Cinco de Mayo

05 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cinco de Mayo is Mexican Independence Day, right? Nope. Mexican Independence is nearly four decades before the battle from which we get Cinco de Mayo....

Interview with Jon Marshall, Author of "CLASH: Presidents and the Press in Times of Crisis"

01 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus interview, I sit down with Jon Marshall and talk about his latest book: CLASH: Presidents and the Press in Times of Crisis. The book its...

History Ramble: The President Vs. The Press

30 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I enjoy the narrative format we usually use but I wanted to do something different this time when covering a topic that is more thematic than chronolo...

Episode 193: Enemies and Friends

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Andreas Karlstadt and Martin Luther began the Reformation as fast friends. Karlstadt and Luther faced off against Eck together in the Leipzig Debates....

Episode 192: The Diet of Worms

22 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Martin Luther's early Reformation built to one moment: the Diet of Worms. Held in the spring of 1521, the Diet of Worms offered Luther his first chanc...

Bonus Author Interview: Mutinous Women

19 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, I sit down with author and historian Joan DeJean and discuss her new book: Mutinous Women. When we tell the story of the settle...

Episode 191: The Ninety-Five Theses

15 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The world changed forever on October 31, 1517. On that day a hitherto unknown monk named Martin Luther posted Ninety-Five Theses meant for debate. And...

Episode 190: Martin Luther

08 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

And at last, we have made it. I "began" the Reformation in January. It's April. And at last, we are at Martin Luther. You simply cannot discuss the Re...

Episode 189: Pope Julius II and Leo X

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our final episode, before we (finally) get to Martin Luther, we cover the papacies of Julius II, the Warrior Pope, and Leo X, the Medici Pope. Webs...

Episode 188: The End of the Borgia Age

25 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All good things must come to an end, as they say. And, for some, the Borgia Age was actually a good thing. Just not for the Catholic Church in general...

Episode 187: Borgia High Tide

18 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia schemes to make his son Cesare the unrivaled master of Italy. Forming an alliance (and then unforming it before form...

Episode 186: Cesare Borgia

11 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, had plans for his son Cesare. Big plans. Like, Roman Empire-sized plans. No joke on that one. In this episode, Cesa...

Episode 185: The Borgia Family Business

04 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

While Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, could have created a mystique in his own right, we know the Borgia family just as much for the children as th...

A Brief History of Ukraine

01 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Just like the last bonus episode I released, this is another episode off of my Patron's feed that I thought, in light of current events, was worth sha...

The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In light of current events, I decided to release an interview I completed last year with Professor Serhii Plohky discussing his book: The Gates of Eu...

Episode 184: Pope Alexander VI

25 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Last time, Rodrigo Borgia climbed the ladder up the Papal Curia. In this episode, he outmaneuvers his opponents and manages to secure the unthinkable:...

Presidential Draft With Author Scott Rank

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Decided to have fun with this one. Rather than do the same old author interview, I sit down with author Scott Rank and conduct my first ever President...

Episode 183: Rodrigo Borgia

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Borgias is a name infamous for treachery, naked ambition, and depravity. But how did a relatively unknown Cardinal from Spain manage to will his w...

Episode 182: Nicholas V - Innocent VIII

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we cover the first several Renaissance Popes. The Avignon Papacy did plenty of damage to the reputation of the Holy Roman Catholic Ch...

Interview with Jason Voiovich Author of "Marketer in Chief"

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, I sit down with Jason Voiovich and talk about his most recent book: "Marketer in Chief". In this unique American history, Jason...

Episode 181.5: The Fall of Christendom

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Realizing that I have referenced "Christendom" and "Europe" interchangeably for a bit, I figured I needed to correct any misunderstandings. So in this...

Episode 181: The Avignon Papacy

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning in the early Fourteenth Century, the Papacy went through a period of protracted exile from Rome. The Popes changed the seat of the Papal Gov...

Episode 180: The Medieval Church

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a super quick review of about one thousand years of church history. This will take us up to the tragic years of the Avignon Papacy.  Check out...

Bonus: The Fabric of Civilization

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down with Virginia Postrel and talk about her new book: "The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made The World". We discuss how the developmen...

Episode 179: Late Medieval Religion

01 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we examine the ways in which Roman Catholicism impacted the lives of everyday European in the Late Middle Ages and early Renaissance period to b...

Interview with Jeremy Popkin: A New World Begins

25 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, I sit down with historian Jeremy Popkin and talk about his latest book: "A New World Begins". In this exhaustive and excellent ...

Preview: It's All Greek To Me

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I have a bonus preview of one of my Patron Deep-Dives this week: It's All Greek To Me. This is a several-hour-long look at the Greek civilization and ...

Bonus: Cleopatra of Egypt and Eleanor of Aquitaine

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here is a sneak peek of some of what goes on in our Patron's feed, available for $2 per month at patreon.com/westerncivdpodcast This is the first of f...

Hitler's American Gamble

11 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with Brendan Simms and Charlie Laderman and talk about their most recent book: Hitler's American Gamble. It is an hour-by-hour breakd...

The Greeks: An Interview with Roderick Benton

10 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with scholar Roderick Denton to discuss his new book: The Greeks. Website: www.westerncivpodcast.comAd-Free Show: www.patreon.com/we...

Citizen Cash: The Political Life and Times of Johnny Cash

03 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with renowned expert Michael Foley as we talk all things Johnny Cash in his new book: Citizen Cash: The Political Life and Times of ...

A History of Thanksgiving

24 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pilgrims, turkey, and United States Presidents. What do these three things have in common? Thanksgiving.  Interested to know more? Listen to find out...

Age of Discovery Recap

19 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It has been a bit since we've done one of these but I wanted to step back and cover broadly everything we have covered in the last six months or more....

James Madison: An Interview with Jay Cost

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with historian and author Jay Cost and talk about his new book: James Madison: America's First Politician. Madison to me tends to be ...

Episode 178: Ponce de Leon

12 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ponce de Leon and the fountain of youth... right? Not so much. Today we discuss the historical reality of Juan Ponce de Leon, which has nothing to do ...

The Library: A Fragile History

09 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tis the season of bonus author interviews on Western Civ! This time, I sit down with Andrew Petegree and Arthur Der Weduwen to talk about a subject ne...

Episode 177: The Ship of the Dead

05 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Without Magellan, the remaining three ships still must find a way to get to the Spice Islands and back to Spain if they are to complete their mission....

The Sword and the Shield

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with scholar Peniel Joseph and talk about his latest book, The Sword and the Shield, a new history of Martin Luther King Jr and Malco...

Episode 176: The Final Battle

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Now that Magellan has passed through the Dragon's Tail, he still has to cross the Pacific Ocean, which proves to be much larger than anyone in Europe ...

Firepower!

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with author Paul Lockhart and discuss his latest book: Firepower: How Weapons Shaped Warfare. It is a brilliant book that covers the...

Episode 175: Passing the Dragon's Tail

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Magellan had made it through several mutinies. But he had yet to defeat his most intractable foe: the strait. But where was this mysterious strait aro...

Interview with Edward Shawcross, Author of "The Last Emperor of Mexico"

19 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I sit down for an interview with historian and author Edward Shawcross to discuss his new book, The Last Emperor of Mexico. Did you know that in the ...

Episode 174: Magellan

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

While many different explorers discovered new lands, only Magellan tried to circumnavigate the globe. In our first of three Magellan episodes, we disc...

Supplemental: Life at Sea

08 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A short bonus episode covering the, totally gross, life at sea during the early Age of Discovery. Hygiene? Not much. Stench? You got it!  Check out w...

Episode 173: John Cabot

01 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

*** NOTE: I changed the order of the episodes, so this is the correct episode 173. While Spain and Portugal were sailing the southern seas, England to...

Episode 172: The Setting Sun

24 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco da Gama returns to India one last time. Portugal builds an empire in the Indian Ocean but before long its glory fades like the setting sun.  Ch...

Episode 171: Empire of the Ocean Waves

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco da Gama's voyages to India revolutionize the Portuguese Overseas Empire. By the end of his second voyage to India, Portugal (and Europe) has eff...

Episode 170: Operation Smithereens

10 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco da Gama returns to India intent upon enforcing Portuguese authority and will. This requires him to deal with the Zamorin and Calicut. And he dec...

Episode 169: Homeward Bound

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco da Gama gives up on Calicut and sails for Portugal. News of his successful voyage infuriates the Spanish and Venetians in equal parts. Before lo...

Episode 168: India

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco da Gama reaches India but quickly finds out that it is not the paradise he expected. Faced with the intractable Zamorin of Calicut, eventually, ...

Episode 167: Up The Coast

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco de Gama rounds the Cape of Good Hope and moves up the Eastern Coast of Africa - a first for Europeans. The Age of Exploration hits several new f...

Episode 166: The Unknown Captain

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Vasco de Gama eventually became famous as the first European explorer to sail into the Indian Ocean. But, in reality, his selection for the job was a ...

Episode 165: To the Ends of the Earth

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we begin our Vasco de Gama story arc. Vasco de Gama did what Columbus could not: he found a sea route to India. But, In this episode, we explore...

Episode 164: Castaways

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Columbus's voyaging comes to end marooned in Jamaica. He makes it back to Spain, but... where did his body end up? Check out our website for more: wes...

Episode 163: A Not-So-Happy Homecoming

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Columbus returns to Spain in chains only to have his fortunes reverse once more and set sail on his third voyage. Check out our website for more conte...

Episode 162: Roldan's Revolt

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Columbus's shaky hold on Hispaniola finally breaks apart. Now, with India still nowhere to be found and with ever-dwindling supplies of go...

Episode 161: Blood in a Virgin World

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Columbus's efforts to capitalize on the New World quickly turns exploitive, disgusting Las Casas. When an Inquisitor from Spain arrives to investigate...

Episode 160: There and Back Again

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Columbus crosses the Atlantic Ocean a second time, this time intent upon founding a series of colonies to build the wealth of Spain (and himself) in t...

Episode 159: Lost

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After a shipwreck destroys the Santa Maria, Columbus must somehow figure out how to get back to Spain with only two ships remaining.  Check out more ...

Episode 158: Discovery

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue. Well, we made it. In this episode the Northern and Southern Americas enter our story as Columbus l...

Episode 157: Son of Genoa

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Christopher Columbus. The name itself conjures up so many different images. But how much of this son of Genoa do you really know? When the Spanish mon...

Episode 156: Henry the Navigator

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is perhaps no person who is less known today but more important to the Age of Discovery than Henry the Navigator. In thirty years he took an un-...

Preview: The Search For Atlantis (Part Two)

28 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A quick preview of my second installment to our Atlantis series: The Search For Atlantis: What We Know. In this episode, we cover Plato's dialogues an...

Bonus: Preview Russian Revolution

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A quick preview of my Russian Revolution deep-dive for those who cannot wait for the podcast to get there (in approximately 2045).  Check it out at: ...

Bonus: The Russian Revolution Interview

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I sit down with Professor Sean McMeekin and discuss his latest book: The Russian Revolution. In this excellent and fast-paced work, McMeekin st...

Episode 155: The Reconquista (Part Four)

14 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this overview episode, I cover the Reconquista through three broad lenses: military, financial, and liturgical.  Check out our website for more co...

Episode 154: The Reconquista (Part Three)

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After the Battle of Las Navas, the Christian Kingdoms of Spain drive out what remains of the caliphate until only the rump state of Grenada survives. ...

Episode 153: The Reconquista (Part Two)

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Continuing where we left off, in this episode, we cover the transition of the Reconquista from small-scale raids to full-blown crusades. As the Almora...

Episode 152: The Reconquista (Part One)

23 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This time we begin our series covering the Reconquista. The Reconquista was the long and sometimes confusing process whereby the small Christian Kingd...

History of Western Thought Four Preview

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A quick bonus preview of our "History of Western Thought" series. In Part Four, we cover early Catholic thought between St. Augustine and Thomas Aquin...

Interview with Meditations Translator Robin Waterfield

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An interview with author and translator Robin Waterfield whose new translation of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius became available on April 9. Buy a c...

Bonus Audiobook Preview

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A quick bonus look at my recently-recorded Shakespeare murder mystery novel: If It Were Done.  To purchase the full audiobook, check out our website...

Episode 151: The Wars of the Roses (Part Five)

02 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Richard III murders his nephews and seizes power. Yet, before he gets too comfortable, Henry Tudor crosses the Channel and the final War of the Roses ...

Episode 150: The Wars of the Roses (Part Four)

26 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After the Battle of Towton, Edward IV became the first Yorkist King of England. But, the Wars of the Roses know no boundaries and soon Edward found th...

Episode 149: The Wars of the Roses (Part Three)

19 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

York takes over with Henry VI in tow. But, how long can he keep the masses happy as the power behind the throne? Check out our website at westerncivpo...

Bonus: The History of St. Patrick's Day

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

St. Patrick's Day today is synonymous with drinking, the color green, and parades. But, it was not always that way. Learn about how the holiday develo...

Episode 148: The Wars of the Roses (Part Two)

12 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As the 1440's come to a close, those around Henry VI begin to come to terms with his ineptitude. First, the Duke of Suffolk and then the Duke of Somer...

Episode 147: The Wars of the Roses (Part One)

05 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We begin our Wars of the Roses story arc by looking at the death of Henry V and the minority of his son, Henry VI. The Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester...

Episode 146: Victorious

26 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we catch up on early modern France after the Hundred Years' War. Then we do a quick run through the medieval Low Countries, Scandinavia, and Ire...

Episode 145: To The East

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we cover the Rus as they do battle with the Mongol's Golden Horde and medieval Russia begins to emerge around Moscow. Then, we turn b...

The History of Valentine's Day

14 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Valentine's Day has not always been all flowers and heart-shaped cards. Our eighth most popular holiday today, St. Valentine's Day is the product of a...

Leonardo da Vinci: The Genius of Imagination

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Leonardo da Vinci. Everyone knows the name. But how much do you really know about the great man? The Mona Lisa? Sure. The Last Supper? Of course. But,...

Episode 144: The Renaissance in Eastern Europe

05 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today we wheel east and bring our narrative up to date for several regions we have not discussed in some time: Bohemia, Hungary, the Balkans, and Pola...

The Development of Renaissance Art

31 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode, we do cover the basics of Renaissance painting, sculpture, writing, and architecture. I highly recommend looking at the images ...

Episode 143: The Italian Renaissance Part Three

29 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our last look at the Italian Renaissance, we turn to Florence and the Medici, the name that is almost synonymous with the Renaissance.  Check out ...

Episode 142: The Italian Renaissance Part Two

15 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, we turn to Milan and its contributions to the Renaissance as well as doing a quick overview of the city's history during this early-m...

A History of Classical Greek Medicine

10 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Inspired by my interview with Historian Robin Lane Fox, I put together a brief overview of Classical Greek medical thought and practice. If you want m...

Episode 141: The Italian Renaissance Part One

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our first Renaissance episode, we cover the traditional "Fathers" of the Renaissance: Petrarch and Boccaccio. We discuss Humanism. Then, finally, w...

Supplemental: Europe at 1450

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this very quick supplemental, we take a short tour of Europe around the year 1450 (well, really 1453). There is a map posted on the website, wester...

Bonus: The History of Christmas

24 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A bonus episode covering the history of the western world's most popular holiday. From Santa Claus to December 25 and the origins of the Christmas tre...

Interview with Historian Robin Lane Fox

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bonus: Alexander Redux

05 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The entire "Alexander Redux" series is complete and now available for purchase at the website: westerncivpodcast.com. For only two dollars you get fou...

Episode 140: Triumph of the Crescent Moon

04 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The battle for Constantinople comes to a head. Mehmet and Constantine fight for the future of Europe outside the great Theodosian Walls. Nearly sixty ...