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Episode 330 – The Life of Manuel II Palaiologos

🕑 Added 2025-06-13 21:07:51 +0000 UTC

Comments

Alan Boughey

I am struck by the similarities between Manuel's trip to Western Europe and those of President Zelenskyy. Both were massively outnumbered and, without Western assistance, Ukraine would surely be facing a fate similar to that of the Empire. Westerners then were then distracted by local conflicts, whilst today resources are tight due to pressures on government spending. More significantly, both Manuel and Zelenskyy offer something of great strategic value, to act as a bulwark against an aggressive common foe. If only the Western powers then had had the vision to see this they might have spared a few resources and Manuel's visit might have been every bit as successful as Zelenskyys.

RCS

I know that the circumstances were quite different and they were two very different men, but I kept thinking about Churchill trying to get the U.S. to enter WWII as I listened to Manuel’s efforts in Western Europe. What if he’d succeeded, and a large crusade began just when Timor struck from the other direction? Would that have been enough to extinguish the Ottoman threat. Probably not but it’s fun to ponder.

RCS

After listening to this episode I’m getting the book. What an interesting man!

Jonathan Solis

Glad you found Çelik’s book. I got it when it came out, felt like I was cheating on the podcast reading ahead! But knew it would be a good source when you came to this time in the narrative.

Kωnstantinos T.

The Schismatic Unroman Confederation

Adam Gerencser

Truly poetic episode, a work of word-crafting worthy of Manuel's legacy

m

great episode

Robin Pierson

I don't know :-) Not my area of expertise but an interesting question

Michael Macheret

Hi, Robin, I just got back from a vacation in Central and Eastern Europe (ending in Constantinople/Istanbul, of course). But I found out a lot of things about that part of Europe surprised me. I would love to hear the story of the Holy Roman Empire and how that shaped that part of the world.

Boris K

I was looking at the image of Manuel as Augustus when my Iranian coworker sauntered by, noticed, and remarked that the artwork reminded him a lot of medieval Persian art. I somewhat see what he means, the sword Manuel-Augustus has resembles a shamshir, the clothing he wears resembles Persian noble attire (I'd call if kaftan out of my ignorance), and the colors remind me much of depictions from the Shahnameh I've seen (though I've certainly seen similar colors in other medieval depictions). Was there much influence or cross pollination from Eastern European and/or Middle Eastern traditions into earlier forms of Western European Medieval art as well? Or is this depiction a conscious attempt to blend Eastern art styles into new Western compositions?

Neil Wilkins

I was fascinated to learn about Manuel’s trip to England when I visited Eltham a few years ago. The palace is well worth a visit for anyone visiting London, a stunning mixture of medieval and Art Deco.

Matt Hill

Really good episode. I liked how you connected the previous narrative episodes with Manuil's life. I don't think he could have done anything else to save the kingdom. It's just sad to see what the empire had become because of infighting.