top of page

The Bulgarian History Podcast

Season 3: The Second Bulgarian Empire

This season covers 1185-1396 as a new Bulgarian Empire is born in rebellion against Byzantine domination, quickly expanding to once again dominate the Balkans. As the Crusades reshape the world, Bulgaria will fight to turn circumstances to its advantage. Then, however, pressure from Mongols, Byzantines, Serbs, and Ottomans assaults Bulgaria from all sides.

As the Empire slowly breaks into pieces, a cultural renaissance flourishes as weakness and division allow the power of the Ottoman Empire to grow. Ultimately, a series of crusades won't be enough to save Bulgaria from what is to come.

056 Looking Back on the Second Bulgarian Empire, Part 2

Dec 30, 20171 min read

056 Looking Back on the Second Bulgarian Empire, Part 2

The second half of two shows recapping the history of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

055 Looking back on the Second Bulgarian Empire, Part 1

Dec 28, 20171 min read

055 Looking back on the Second Bulgarian Empire, Part 1

The first half of two shows recapping the history of the Second Bulgarian Empire.

053 The End of Empires

Nov 19, 20171 min read

053 The End of Empires

With Bulgaria reduced to just Vidin, can a Crusade of the finest French knights and a Hungarian King finally change the balance of power...

052 Bayezid, The Lightning Bolt

Oct 30, 20171 min read

052 Bayezid, The Lightning Bolt

From Anatolia to the Adriatic, from the Black Sea to Thessaly, Sultan Bayezid is expanding his empire in all directions. However, there...

051 Resistance

Oct 21, 20171 min read

051 Resistance

As the Ottomans under Murad march to conquest to the East, North, South, and West, the people of the Balkans begin to resist. But will it...

050 Vassals

Sep 21, 20171 min read

050 Vassals

As the Ottomans expand, the Balkan states gradually become simple vassals. Tsar Ivan Shishman meeting Sultan Murad to give his...

049 A Wasted Golden Age

Sep 6, 20171 min read

049 A Wasted Golden Age

As we reflect on the end of 4 decades of rule by Tsar Ivan Alexander, what can we see but a wasted golden age? Below is Tsar Ivan...

048 A Disunited Front

Aug 31, 20171 min read

048 A Disunited Front

Forces gather to check the growing power of the Ottomans but nothing goes according to plan. Below is a map of the path of Amadeus IV and...

047 When All Wars Are Civil Wars

Aug 28, 20171 min read

047 When All Wars Are Civil Wars

As the Byzantines, Serbs, and Bulgarians battle it out, there is one clear winner in it all. And it is in this moment, that all the wars...

046 Tsar of the Serbs and the Greeks

Jul 25, 20171 min read

046 Tsar of the Serbs and the Greeks

Civil War returns to Byzantium as a new Empire emerges in the Balkans. Below is an artist’s depiction of the coronation of Stefan Dushan...

045 The Rise of the Shishmani

Jul 18, 20171 min read

045 The Rise of the Shishmani

A new Ruler rises out of Vidin, he’s young, brash, confident, and ready to take on Serbia and the Byzantines. But he had no idea what...

044 Osman

Jun 30, 20171 min read

044 Osman

Civil war comes to Constantinople, death comes to Turnovo, and Osman comes to Anatolia. Below is an image of the grave of Osman in Bursa,...

043 The Tatars Reign

Jun 21, 20171 min read

043 The Tatars Reign

Coups, murders, and invasions continue as chaos surrounds the throne of Turnovo. Below is the flag of Chaka's father Nogai Khan (de facto...

042 A Swineherd Takes No Prisoners

May 22, 20171 min read

042 A Swineherd Takes No Prisoners

A paralyzed Tsar faces off against a world of enemies and a lowly pig farmer leads an empire-shattering rebellion. Below is a map showing...

041 The Empire Returns

May 15, 20171 min read

041 The Empire Returns

As Bulgaria wrestles with the prospect of civil war, a new Empire emerges. In this episode, the entire region is remade. Below is a map...

040 The Mongols and The Boy Tsars

Apr 29, 20171 min read

040 The Mongols and The Boy Tsars

Can Bulgaria survive the fury of the Mongols and the reigns of children? Below are two French language maps showing the region from...

039 Kingdom to Empire, Empire to Dust

Apr 19, 20171 min read

039 Kingdom to Empire, Empire to Dust

In this episode, a Kingdom will become an Empire and an Empire will vanish. Alliances will be made and broken many times over, and...

038 The Bloody House of Asen

Mar 25, 20171 min read

038 The Bloody House of Asen

With the murder of Kaloyan, the extended members of the Asen family flee in all directions as Boril (the murderer?) comes to power. Can...

037 The Roman Slayer

Mar 13, 20171 min read

037 The Roman Slayer

In the aftermath of the fall of Constantinople, the world is more chaotic than it’s been in living memory. How will Tsar Kaloyan respond?...

036 The Queen of Cities

Feb 26, 20171 min read

036 The Queen of Cities

The Fourth Crusade goes wildly off track. The results will change everything. Below are three images depicting the siege of...

035 Three Brothers, Three Tsars

Feb 17, 20171 min read

035 Three Brothers, Three Tsars

As the Byzantine Empire descends into chaos, three brothers all rise to become Tsars of the new Bulgarian state. Below is a map of the...

034 A New Empire

Feb 17, 20171 min read

034 A New Empire

As the Komnenian Restoration collapses, what new empire will emerge from the ashes? Below is a map showing the uprising of Asen and...

bottom of page