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Episode 335 - 10 Influential East Romans with Anthony Kaldellis. Part 1

🕑 Added 2026-01-06 15:30:05 +0000 UTC

Comments

Robin Pierson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snyder_v._United_States

Paul Golba

Interesting episode. However, I am confused by Professor Kaldellis's tangent about the Supreme Court essentially legalizing bribery. To what case(s) is he referring?

Robin Pierson

:-)

Paul Astalas

An interesting exercise is guessing the people who will be presented in part II of this episode. My 2 strong guesses are Psellos and Gregory Palamas with his esoteric stuff. Maybe Plethon, who as far as I know is the only prominent pagan (or crypto-pagan) after the days of Justinian.

Robin Pierson

Yes I agree he clearly leans that way

Cole

It’s funny what Professor Kaldellis says about Gregory - I’ve been reading some of the poetry of Theodore Metochites, who was extremely influenced by Gregory (the translator/editor goes so far as to say Metochites saw himself as the late Byzantine Nazianzus) and it indeed is a lot of complaining lol. Woah is me, my afflictions, cruel fate, etc. In fairness to Theodore he was a politician during Byzantium’s disintegration, so he at least had something to feel sorry about!

Cole

Professor Kaldellis, like most people listening to this podcast, has been foundational in shaping my understanding of Byzantium. I’ve read his books, articles etc, listened to interviews, etc. That said, sometimes I get the feeling he’s a bit of a latter-day Gibbon vis-a-vis Christianity. Although instead of it being largely negative, I think he’d be more prone to say it was relatively inconsequential. His work showcasing the other aspects of East Roman civilization is vital, but idk, sometimes the anti-clericalism is a bit tedious. I’ll admit that’s coloring my view lol. At times it almost feels purposefully contrarian. But, as I try to say to myself, I don’t speak Greek and he does so what do I know lol. I don’t have a background in the culture or the scholarly training, and there are other scholars obviously with divergent views. I’ve just heard/read him the most so it’s stood out. Much respect though!