History of Venice Podcast

Relations between Venice and Constantinople are getting tense, even as commercial activity is booming. With Emperor Manuel’s universalist ambitions showing no signs of abating, and the equally acquisitive Frederick Barbarossa on their doorstep to the west, the Venetians have a difficult path to tread. And then, on St Gregory’s Day 1171, Manuel takes a dramatic step that ensures that things will never be the same again.

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Church schisms, imperial schisms, neighbours illegally trying to divert rivers into your lagoon, other neighbours asking for help out of the blue ... as the 12th century heads towards its mid-point, Venice has a lot going on around her. And that's before her Archbishop goes rogue and the Normans seize Corfu. Again. And if that isn't enough for you, we've also got a guest appearance by a distant ancestor of a Shakespearean hero. Fin...

This week we’re looking at how all the political shenanigans affected regular Venetian merchants. What were they buying and selling, where were they doing all this general “business”, and how did the rising merchant class affect the city’s political structures? From cashing cheques to imposing checks on political power; from weighing goods on balance scales to creating balance between different family factions at home – every aspec...

In 1124, the Venetians were the heroes of the crusading movement. They’d destroyed the Saracen fleet and captured one of the two remaining Muslim ports in the area. But this fleet always had a second target in mind, and Domenico Michiel was determined to show the Byzantines why it had been a mistake to end their Special Relationship. Venice isn’t just Constantinople’s junior partner, to be discarded at will. She’s playing in the bi...

With a new Doxe in Venice and a new Emperor in Constantinople, it’s all change in 1118. As the two friends and allies struggle to redefine their relationship and the Byzantines start saying that they were never really exclusive and they’d like to start seeing other people, the Venetians bet the house on a naval expedition that could bankrupt the city if it goes wrong, but could drive even more prosperity to the lagoon if it goes ri...

We conclude our investigation into the life of historian Anna Comnena. This week, we look at what The Alexiad is like as a book of history, and we discuss her alleged plot to overthrow her brother and take the crown for herself. Did that really happen, or is it pure slander?

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Intro and outro music is Inverno from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used ...

We’ve quoted at length from The Alexiad in the past few narrative episodes. But who was its author, Anna Comnena, and how did she come to write this 500-page history? We look into the life of this extraordinarily talented polymath to understand more about the background to one of the most important contemporary historical sources for the era that we’ve recently been talking about. And we look at some of the obstacles that she faced...

It's our first Podcast Anniversary, so we tried summarising the past year's worth of content in three minutes and then chatted about our favourite stories so far and what we're looking forward to most in the future of the show. Also, Simon was confused about how Venice's (arguably) most famous son became a swimming pool game in the US. What is that all about, anyway?

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We’re back with Casanova this week, as he finishes his teenage years and reaches his early 20s. For this mercurial young man, every risk is an opportunity, and every opportunity is a chance to make a complete mess of things. Within two years, he has screwed up two potential careers, lost a couple of small fortunes, and ended up right back where he started. Find out how as we follow his life and get beneath the legend.

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Ordelaf Faledro is an unusual name, whether you're reading it forwards or backwards. He was Doxe of Venice for about 16 years in the early 1100s, when the city suffered a series of devastating natural disasters. With neighbours looking to exploit this moment of weakness, the city had to get back on its feet quickly. This week we look at how they managed.

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This week the Venetian lagoon is the star of the show. These muddy, marshy islands are the home of something extraordinary. It’s easy to assume that Venice has always looked the way it does now, or at least as it did in the many splendid Renaissance maps that you can find. But as we head into the 12th century, the city is only just starting to take on an appearance that we would recognise today. Join us as we fly over Venice’s amph...

We're looking at Venice's contribution to the First Crusade and its aftermath. The crusading movement had set out to recover lost territory for the Christian Byzantine Empire. But within a couple of years, it had become a means of establishing a series of Latin Christian states in the MIddle East, which were quickly at loggerheads with the Byzantines. Venice had a delicate path to tread between these frenemies. She didn’t want to m...

This week we talk to another historical novelist who uses Venice as a setting for her work. We focus in particular on the lives of 16th century women, from nuns to courtesans.

You can find out more about Gina’s latest work here: https://ginabu.com/the-virgins-of-venice/

To contact the podcast, email us at histvenicepod@gmail.com, or find us on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram.

The music used in this episode is from Vivaldi’s Gloria...

Before we move into the pivotal 12th century, we spend some time on a recap of the 11th century by focusing on the seven men who held the top job in the city. Which of them do we think had the most lasting impact, and best fits our five criteria to be acclaimed as the century’s Top Doxe? Will it be: Teenage Doxe; Two-names Doxe; Reform Doxe; Church-building Doxe; Golden Bull Doxe; First Gondola Doxe; or Big Navy Doxe? Find out what...

With the 11th century nearly at an end, Venice’s economy is motoring thanks to her hugely favourable trade deal with Constantinople and the relentless hard work of thousands of ordinary Venetians. But the international situation is volatile for the lagoon dwellers, with their main ally looking increasingly precarious. In the 1090s, Emperor Alexios’s call for western help against the Turks unleashes a new force that will rearrange t...

You can see the legacy of Venice's mighty commercial prowess everywhere around the city. This week we look at how those international trading influences helped to shape a couple of her most characteristic foods: the fritole that have become a classic Carnevale sweet treat; and the iconic creamed cod of baccala mantecato -- a dish that is so important that it recently gained its own Ducal Confraternity to protect and promote it.

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This week we talk to historical fiction author Christian Cameron, whose recent novel "The Venetian Heretic" takes place in Venice in 1651. We discuss some of Christian's favourite Venetian characters and stories, and look at how he researched some of the scenes in the novel.

You can find out more about Christian's novel here: https://christiancameronauthor.com/book/the-venetian-heretic/

To contact the podcast, email us at histvenic...

In 1082, Venice won valuable trading concessions from Emperor Alexios in Constantinople. We live in a world where leaders often talk up the importance of trade deals without it ever being clear what the tangible benefits are. But this Golden Bull was genuinely significant. This week we look at what it meant not just for the rich and powerful in Venice, but for the whole community.

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