20. Smallpox (Part 2)

In this episode we discuss the history of the effective treatment of smallpox, beginning with the crude method known as variolation and ending with the eradication of smallpox from the world in 1977. Gillian Webber returns as guest.

Read More Here! 2

Notes: Episode 19, Smallpox (Part 1)

As with every show, I’ll list any corrections or clarifications here. If there’s anything I’ve overlooked, please contact me by email or in the comments and I’ll edit the notes to reflect the new information.   12:46 – Specifically, humorism was said to have been codified by Hippocrates, the famous Greek physician credited as the father of Western medicine. He was certainly alive at about the right time that it could have been him, though there are often cases of ideas and […]

Read More Here! 0

19. Smallpox (Part 1)

In this episode we discuss smallpox in its earliest form – what the disease is, how it effects people, and how it was understood by those it infected. Gillian Webber joins as guest.

Read More Here! 1

Notes: Episode 16, The Fall of Constantinople (Part 2)

As with every show, I’ll list any corrections or clarifications here. If there’s anything I’ve overlooked, please contact me by email or in the comments and I’ll edit the notes to reflect the new information.   2:31 – I’m cagey on timeline here because I couldn’t really remember the official founding date of Rome, which is a little embarrassing. The traditional date is 753 BCE for the founding of the kingdom of Rome, 509 BCE for the transition to the republic, and 27 […]

Read More Here! 4

16. The Fall of Constantinople (Part 2)

In this episode we look at a range of ramifications from the defeat of Constantinople in 1453, from the ending of a 1500 year old empire and increased tensions on the Eastern Orthodox Church to the beginnings of the age of Exploration and the heavy influence on the Renaissance. Ethan Bleskie returns as guest.

Read More Here! 0

Notes: Episode 15, The Fall of Constantinople (Part 1)

As with every show, I’ll list any corrections or clarifications here. If there’s anything I’ve overlooked, please contact me by email or in the comments and I’ll edit the notes to reflect the new information.   6:44 –  At the founding of Constantinople, Mediolanum was the administrative capital of the Roman Empire and had been since 286. In 402, The western capital was moved to Ravenna.   12:08 – I downplay the sacking of Rome by the crusaders in 1205 a little bit, […]

Read More Here! 2

15. The Fall of Constantinople (Part 1)

In this episode, we discuss the final siege by the Ottoman Turks against the city of Constantinople in the 15th century, effectively ending the unbroken chain of the Roman Empire. My brother Ethan Bleskie joins as guest.

Read More Here! 2

Notes: Episode 12, The Gunpowder Plot (Part 2)

As with every show, I’ll list any corrections or clarifications here. If there’s anything I’ve overlooked, please contact me by email or in the comments and I’ll edit the notes to reflect the new information.   7:26 – The Lord Salisbury referred to here was Robert Cecil, First Earl of Salisbury. At this time, he was acting as Secretary of State to James.   23:13 – Holbeche House was owned by Stephen Lyttleton, who was sympathetic to the cause of the plotters. Oddly […]

Read More Here! 0

12. The Gunpowder Plot (Part 2)

In this episode, we look at how the conspiracy spectacularly failed just days before its execution, as well as the short- and long-term effects of the attempt on the conspirators, Catholics, and England itself. Phil Downey returns as guest.

Read More Here! 0

Notes: Episode 10, The Witch Trials (Part 2)

As with every show, I’ll list any corrections or clarifications here. If there’s anything I’ve overlooked, please contact me by email or in the comments and I’ll edit the notes to reflect the new information.   7:22 – I did mention this in the notes for part one, but not in the show, so I thought it worth mentioning again: the Waldensians weren’t eradicated during the 12th century purge. The way I spoke about them made it sound like there had been […]

Read More Here! 0