Mehmed the Conqueror: The Sultan Who Took Constantinople — Fexingo History — Podcast

Mehmed II's Balkan Campaigns and the Fall of Serbia 20.09.2026 7min

While Constantinople dominates the narrative of Mehmed II, his most brutal and enduring work was done in the Balkans. This episode explores the systematic dismantling of Serbian resistance after the Battle of Kosovo in 1459. We look at how Mehmed used military colonization to transform a rebellious province into an imperial asset. The story focuses on the strategic relocation of Christian populations to Thrace, creating buffer zones against Hungary and Venice. You will hear about the Janissary garrisons established in Belgrade and Smederevo, and the complex loyalty of local nobles like Vuk Branković’s heirs. This is not just about conquest; it is about the administrative machinery that held the empire together. We examine the specific policies of forced migration, the economic incentives for cooperation, and the long-term demographic shifts that reshaped the region for centuries. Through the lens of these campaigns, we see a Sultan who understood that taking a city was easy, but keeping it required a different kind of power entirely. #MehmedII #OttomanEmpire #SerbianHistory #BattleOfKosovo #Smederevo #BalkanCampaigns #MilitaryColonization #Janissaries #VukBrankovic #ByzantineLegacy #OttomanAdministration #MedievalHistory #MiddleEastHistory #ImperialPolicy #ForcedMigration #HungarianBorder #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #EuropeanHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Double-Headed Eagle: Byzantine Legacy 19.09.2026 8min

While previous episodes have explored Mehmed II’s legal codes, his harem, and the military mechanics of the siege, this episode focuses on the profound cultural and ideological transformation that followed the conquest. We examine how Mehmed II deliberately adopted the title Kayser-i Rûm, positioning himself not just as a conqueror but as the heir to Roman imperial tradition. The conversation traces the diplomatic correspondence with Venice and Genoa, where European powers were forced to acknowledge him as Emperor rather than Sultan. We look at the integration of Greek scholars like Gennadios Scholarios into the Ottoman court, the preservation of Byzantine administrative practices, and the creation of a syncretic identity that blended Islamic sultanate with Roman caesarism. This is a story about legitimacy, empire-building through cultural synthesis, and the complex legacy of the double-headed eagle in the early modern Middle East. #MehmedII #Constantinople #KayseriRum #ByzantineLegacy #OttomanEmpire #GennadiosScholarios #RomanEmperor #Diplomacy #Venice #Genoa #ImperialTitles #CulturalSynthesis #1453 #MiddleEastHistory #Byzantium #OttomanPolitics #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's War of Succession: Bayezid and the Prince Who Survived 18.09.2026 9min

While Mehmed II is remembered for conquering Constantinople, his early life was defined by a brutal struggle for survival against his own father, Murad II, and later his brother, Bayezid II. This episode explores the complex dynamics of Ottoman imperial succession, focusing on the 'Fratricide Law' that formalized killing siblings to secure the throne. We examine the political maneuvering behind the scenes, including the role of the Valide Sultan Hatice and the diplomatic tensions with Venice that forced Mehmed to navigate a precarious path to power. Through the lens of Mehmed’s relationship with his younger brother Cem, we uncover how personal loyalty clashed with statecraft, revealing the human cost of empire-building in the fifteenth century. #MehmedII #OttomanEmpire #ByzantineHistory #Constantinople1453 #BayezidII #CemSultan #MuradII #FratricideLaw #ImperialSuccession #ValideSultan #Hatice #VenetianDiplomacy #OttomanPolitics #15thCentury #MiddleEasternHistory #IslamicLaw #TopkapiPalace #HistoryPodcast #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II and the Siege of Shkodra 17.09.2026 6min

After taking Constantinople, Mehmed II turned his gaze north to Shkodra, the last major Byzantine stronghold in Albania. This episode explores the brutal, eight-month siege that tested the Ottoman war machine against the Venetian garrison led by Skanderbeg’s cousin, Andrea Topia. We examine the tactical innovations of the siege, including the use of sappers and massive cannons, and how the city’s eventual surrender reshaped the balance of power in the Balkans. The conversation also touches on the diplomatic fallout with Venice and the complex loyalty of local Albanian nobles who found themselves caught between the rising Ottoman Empire and the fading Latin influence. #MehmedII #ShkodraSiege #OttomanEmpire #Skanderbeg #Venice #AlbaniaHistory #ByzantineLegacy #AndreaTopia #BalkanWars #OttomanMilitary #SiegeCannons #HajredinBarbarossa #Kruje #VenetianRepublic #AlbanianResistance #1478Siege #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Failed Siege of Rhodes 16.09.2026 7min

In this episode, we explore the 1480 siege of Rhodes, a pivotal moment where Mehmed II’s Ottoman navy met its match against the Knights Hospitaller. While earlier episodes covered the fall of Constantinople and the Black Sea empire, this story focuses on Grand Master Pierre d'Aubusson and the city’s formidable fortifications. We examine how the Ottomans attempted to bypass the land walls by attacking from the sea, using massive cannons like the Urban bombards, but were thwarted by fierce resistance and disease. The episode details the tactical innovations of both sides, the role of Venetian and French reinforcements, and the eventual Ottoman withdrawal. This event solidified Rhodes as a thorn in the Ottoman side for decades, delaying their western expansion. Listeners will learn about the specific battles at the Saint Nicholas Bastion, the use of Greek fire-like substances, and the political fallout within the Ottoman court regarding the failure. It is a tale of military ingenuity, resilience, and the limits of imperial power. #MehmedII #SiegeOfRhodes #KnightsHospitaller #PierreDAubusson #OttomanNavy #RhodesGreece #MilitaryHistory #Fortifications #CannonWarfare #ByzantineLegacy #MediterraneanHistory #15thCentury #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #Medieval warfare #OttomanEmpire #Crusades #NavalBattles Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Failed Siege of Belgrade 15.09.2026 7min

In this episode, we look at the one major military failure that defined Mehmed II’s later reign: the siege of Belgrade in 1456. While earlier episodes covered his triumph in Constantinople and his administrative reforms, we focus on the brutal clash with John Hunyadi, the Hungarian regent who had spent years fortifying the Danube frontier. We explore the tactical mistakes Mehmed made underestimating the city’s defenses, the role of Pope Callixtus III in rallying Christian forces, and the unexpected intervention of the Franciscan preacher Giovanni da Capistrano. This battle halted Ottoman expansion into Central Europe for decades and established a legend of resistance that persists today. #MehmedII #BelgradeSiege #JohnHunyadi #OttomanHistory #ByzantineLegacy #GiovanniDaCapistrano #HungarianKingdom #DanubeFortress #1456Battle #PopeCallixtusIII #FranciscanOrder #MilitaryFailure #CentralEuropeHistory #OttomanExpansion #MedievalWarfare #KayseriRum #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Failed Siege of Belgrade 14.09.2026 10min

While history remembers Mehmed II as the Conqueror of Constantinople, his military record was not flawless. This episode explores the one major defeat that defined the limits of Ottoman expansion: the Siege of Belgrade in 1456. We examine how John Hunyadi, a Hungarian nobleman and military genius, turned back the Sultan’s army using innovative fortifications and guerrilla tactics. The conversation details the strategic importance of the Danube River, the role of papal envoy Giovanni da Capistrano, and the psychological impact of the Christian victory. Despite this setback, Mehmed did not break; he adapted, shifting focus to consolidating power in the Balkans and the Aegean. We also look at the aftermath, including the death of John Hunyadi from plague shortly after the victory, and how Mehmed’s resilience allowed him to return stronger years later. This story offers a nuanced view of Mehmed not just as a conqueror, but as a student of war who learned from his failures, setting the stage for future Ottoman campaigns in Europe. #MehmedII #SiegeOfBelgrade #JohnHunyadi #OttomanEmpire #ByzantineHistory #GiovanniDaCapistrano #HungarianMilitary #DanubeRiver #MedievalWarfare #ChristianityVsIslam #BalkansHistory #PapalStates #FortificationDesign #OttomanDefeat #1456 #EuropeanDefense #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II and the First Modern Spy Network 13.09.2026 8min

While earlier episodes explored Mehmed II’s military might, legal codes, and cultural patronage, this episode turns to his intelligence apparatus. We examine how the Sultan built a sophisticated network of spies, diplomats, and informants across Europe and the Middle East long before modern espionage existed. Lucas and Luna discuss key figures like Gennadios Scholarios and Ali Qushji, who served as both scholars and eyes for the court. The conversation details specific operations, including the diplomatic infiltration of Trebizond and the surveillance of rival Balkan states. Listeners will learn about the mechanisms of Ottoman intelligence gathering, from coded letters to double agents embedded in Venetian and Genoese merchant houses. This narrative highlights Mehmed’s intellectual curiosity as a tool for statecraft, showing how knowledge was as lethal as cannon fire. By focusing on the shadow war that preceded the fall of Constantinople, we reveal the strategic depth behind the conquest. #MehmedII #OttomanEmpire #ByzantineHistory #EspionageHistory #Constantinople1453 #IntelligenceAgency #GennadiosScholarios #AliQushji #Trebizond #VeniceHistory #GenoaHistory #DiplomaticSpies #MiddleEastHistory #RenaissanceEurope #KayseriRom #FatihSultanMehmed #HistoryPodcast #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Double Eagle Legacy 12.09.2026 7min

While previous episodes have covered the cannons, the coinage, and the court intrigue surrounding Mehmed II, this episode explores a more subtle but enduring aspect of his reign: his deliberate adoption of Byzantine imperial symbolism to legitimize his rule over a Christian population. We examine how Mehmed styled himself as Kayser-i Rûm, or Caesar of Rome, and what that title truly meant in practice. The conversation delves into the complex relationship between the Ottoman Sultan and the Ecumenical Patriarch Gennadios Scholarios, exploring the legal and social privileges granted to the Orthodox Church under the millet system. Lucas and Luna discuss the visual language of power—from the double-headed eagle emblem on coins and seals—to the architectural preservation of Hagia Sophia as a mosque rather than its destruction. This narrative moves beyond the battlefield to reveal how Mehmed constructed a new imperial identity by weaving together Islamic, Roman, and Turkic traditions, creating a unique political theology that allowed his empire to endure for centuries after his death. #MehmedII #Constantinople #KayseriRum #ByzantineLegacy #OttomanEmpire #GennadiosScholarios #HagiaSophia #EcumenicalPatriarchate #DoubleHeadedEagle #MilletSystem #ImperialLegitimacy #Byzantium #IslamicLaw #ChristianOrthodoxy #Palaiologos #TopkapiPalace #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Secret Army of Child Soldiers 11.09.2026 9min

While earlier episodes explored Mehmed the Conqueror’s military might through cannons and diplomacy, this episode uncovers the human engine behind his empire: the devşirme system. We trace how Ottoman sultans collected Christian boys from the Balkans, converted them to Islam, and trained them into two distinct paths — the palace-educated Enderun scholars who became Grand Viziers, or the elite Janissary soldiers. Through the story of Mahmud Pasha, a boy taken from Serbia who rose to become Mehmed’s right hand, we see how this controversial policy created a loyal bureaucracy untethered from local noble families. Luna and Lucas discuss the psychological toll on these children, the rigorous education they endured in Topkapi Palace, and how their absolute loyalty helped consolidate Ottoman power across the Middle East. #Devshirme #OttomanEmpire #MehmedII #Janissaries #TopkapiPalace #Enderun #MahmudPasha #BalkansHistory #ChildSoldiers #IslamicEducation #ByzantineLegacy #MilitaryHistory #MiddleEastHistory #OttomanPolitics #GrandVizier #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #Humanities Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Greek Renaissance: Saving Byzantine Knowledge 10.09.2026 8min

When Mehmed II stormed Constantinople in 1453, the world expected a cultural purge. Instead, he launched an unexpected intellectual revival. This episode explores how the Conqueror actively recruited Greek scholars, translated ancient texts, and preserved the legacy of Hellenistic philosophy within the Ottoman court. We trace his partnership with Gennadios Scholarios, the first Orthodox Patriarch under Ottoman rule, who helped bridge the gap between Christian theology and Islamic governance. Lucas and Luna examine the specific manuscripts Mehmed collected, from Plato to Ptolemy, and how these works influenced his legal codes and military strategy. You will hear about the translation workshops in Edirne, the role of Ali Qushji in introducing Copernican ideas to Istanbul, and the complex diplomatic games Mehmed played with Venice and Florence to secure rare books. This is not just a story of conquest, but of preservation. Discover how Mehmed’s curiosity shaped the early Ottoman Empire’s identity as a successor to Rome, rather than its destroyer. #MehmedII #Constantinople1453 #ByzantineLegacy #GreekScholars #OttomanHistory #GennadiosScholarios #AliQushji #HellenisticPhilosophy #PlatoTranslations #OttomanEmpire #RenaissanceKnowledge #EdirneCourt #IslamicGoldenAge #HistoricalPreservation #MehmedTheConqueror #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #MiddleEastHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Intellectual Legacy and Greek Renaissance 09.09.2026 7min

Episode 230 shifts focus from the cannons and courts of Mehmed II to the man behind the conquest: the scholar-sultan. We explore how Mehmed, known as Fatih, used his deep knowledge of history, philosophy, and languages to legitimize his rule over a conquered Christian capital. The episode details his patronage of Greek scholars like Gennadios Scholarios, his translation projects, and his self-styled title of Kayser-i Rûm (Caesar of Rome). We also examine the complex relationship between the Ottoman Sultan and the Byzantine legacy, including the integration of Greek administrative practices and the preservation of classical texts. Through conversations with chroniclers and the examination of diplomatic correspondence, we uncover how Mehmed’s intellectual empire was as much a tool of power as his janissary corps. This episode highlights the cultural synthesis that defined the early Ottoman Empire, moving beyond military conquest to understand the ideological foundations of Mehmed’s reign. #MehmedII #Constantinople #OttomanEmpire #ByzantineLegacy #KayseriRum #GennadiosScholarios #FatihSultanMehmed #GreekHistory #OttomanCulture #Renaissance #IslamicScholarship #ClassicalAntiquity #TopkapiPalace #HagiaSophia #DiplomaticHistory #MiddleEastHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Intellectual Empire: Art, Philosophy, and the Greek Legacy 08.09.2026 9min

While we have covered Mehmed II’s cannons, his harem, and his legal codes, this episode explores a different kind of conquest: the intellectual one. After taking Constantinople in 1453, Mehmed did not just occupy the city; he actively recruited its most brilliant minds to build a new cultural capital that rivaled Herat and Isfahan. We look at how Mehmed assembled a court of Greek philosophers, Persian poets, and Jewish physicians, creating a syncretic empire where Byzantine law met Islamic jurisprudence. The conversation examines his patronage of artists like Sinan Bey and his personal engagement with geometry and astronomy, revealing a ruler who saw himself as the heir to both Alexander the Great and Caesar Augustus. We also discuss the complex relationship between Mehmed and the Orthodox Patriarch Gennadios Scholarios, exploring how religious tolerance served as a tool for political stability. This is a story about how an empire is built not just on stone and steel, but on ideas, manuscripts, and the deliberate curation of knowledge. #MehmedII #OttomanEmpire #Constantinople #ByzantineHistory #IstanbulHistory #IslamicArt #PersianPoetry #GennadiosScholarios #SinanBey #AliQushji #TopkapiPalace #RenaissanceArt #GreekPhilosophy #OttomanCulture #MiddleEasternHistory #HistoricalPatronage #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II and the Janissary Rebellion of 1482 07.09.2026 9min

We often think of Mehmed II as an absolute ruler, but his final years were marked by a dangerous fracture between the Sultan and the very military elite he built. This episode explores the 1482 Janissary revolt in Edirne, sparked by rumors that Bayezid II had been killed. We trace how the Kapıkulu corps, originally loyal servants of the state, began to assert political power through collective action. Lucas walks us through the events of that spring, the role of Şahkulu’s later uprising as a precursor, and how this crisis forced Mehmed to redefine the boundaries of imperial authority. Luna asks sharp questions about the mechanics of the rebellion and what it meant for the succession. We examine primary sources like Tursun Beg and Aşıkpaşazade to separate myth from the messy reality of Ottoman court politics. By the end, you will understand why the Janissaries became a permanent fixture of Ottoman power struggles and how Mehmed’s fear of them shaped his final edicts. This is not just a story about soldiers; it is a story about the fragility of empire when loyalty is bought with gold rather than ideology. #MehmedII #Janissaries #OttomanHistory #Constantinople #Edirne #BayezidII #Kapıkulu #Yeniçeri #15thCentury #ByzantineLegacy #OttomanMilitary #TurkishHistory #MedievalWars #ImperialPolitics #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #Osmanli #HabsburgRivalry Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Persian Renaissance: Art, Poetry, and Power 06.09.2026 7min

While we have explored the cannons that breached Constantinople’s walls and the legal codes that bound the empire together, Episode 227 turns inward to the cultural heart of Mehmed II’s court. We examine how the conqueror utilized art, poetry, and diplomacy to legitimize his rule as Kayser-i Rûm, the Roman Emperor. The episode details his patronage of the painter Bihzad in Herat, his complex relationship with the Timurid prince Baysunghur, and the strategic use of gift exchanges with the Safavid dynasty to secure his eastern flank. Through the lens of miniature painting and diplomatic correspondence, we see how Mehmed cultivated a image of universal sovereignty that transcended mere military conquest, blending Islamic, Byzantine, and Turkic traditions into a cohesive imperial identity. #MehmedII #FatihSultanMehmed #Constantinople #KayseriRum #OttomanArt #Bihzad #TimuridEmpire #Herat #MiniaturePainting #ByzantineLegacy #SafavidDynasty #IslamicArt #ImperialDiplomacy #PersianCulture #TopkapiPalace #EastWestRelations #History #FexingoHistory #MiddleEasternHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Double-Headed Eagle: The Byzantine Legacy 05.09.2026 8min

When Mehmed II entered Constantinople in 1453, he didn't just destroy the Byzantine Empire; he inherited it. This episode explores how the Conqueror adopted the double-headed eagle of the Palaiologoi, positioning himself as Kayser-i Rûm, or Caesar of Rome, to legitimize his rule over Orthodox Christians and rival Muslim sultans. We examine the political calculus behind this symbolic theft, the complex relationship between Mehmed and his former enemies like Gennadios Scholarios, and how blending Islamic caliphal authority with Roman imperial tradition created a unique Ottoman identity that would endure for centuries. Discover why wearing a Byzantine crown was more powerful than breaking one. #MehmedII #Constantinople #ByzantineEmpire #OttomanHistory #KayseriRum #DoubleHeadedEagle #Palaiologos #GennadiosScholarios #1453 #IslamicCaliphate #RomanSuccession #TopkapiPalace #OrthodoxChurch #FatihMosque #MiddleEastHistory #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #MedievalHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Harem: Power, Politics, and the Valide Sultan 04.09.2026 8min

While earlier episodes explored Mehmed II’s military campaigns, legal codes, and diplomatic spycraft, this episode turns its gaze inward to the Topkapı Palace’s most politically charged space: the Harem. We trace the evolution of the Sultan’s private quarters from a modest residence into a complex bureaucratic hierarchy led by the Valide Sultan. We examine how figures like Gulbahar Hatun navigated the treacherous waters of succession politics during the reign of her son, Bayezid II. The conversation details the rigid etiquette of the Enderun school, where future administrators were groomed away from their families, and explores the concept of the Sultanate of Women, which would later define Ottoman court dynamics. By looking at the architectural layout of the palace and the specific roles of the Kizlar Agha and the Imperial Council, we uncover how the harem functioned not just as a domestic sphere, but as a shadow government that could influence state policy, religious endowments, and foreign diplomacy through informal channels. #OttomanEmpire #MehmedII #TopkapiPalace #ValideSultan #HaremHistory #Byzantium #OttomanCourt #BayezidII #GulbaharHatun #KizlarAgha #EnderunSchool #SultanateOfWomen #OttomanPolitics #ImperialHarem #TurkishHistory #MiddleEastHistory #HistoryPodcast #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Legal Code: Building an Empire Through Law 03.09.2026 8min

While we often remember Mehmed II for his cannons and conquests, his true legacy lies in the meticulous legal framework he built to hold the Ottoman Empire together. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Kanunname, the secular laws that governed land, taxation, and military service, working alongside Sharia to create a stable administrative state. We dive into the specific reforms of the Tophane foundries, the economic impact of the akçe coinage, and how Mehmed used the concept of Kayser-i Rûm to legitimize his rule over diverse populations. From the Grand Bazaar’s bedesten to the secret libraries of Topkapi, we examine the bureaucratic machinery that turned a warlord’s raid into a permanent empire, looking at figures like Mahmud Pasha and the chronicler Tursun Beg who documented these changes. #MehmedII #OttomanEmpire #Kanunname #Constantinople #ByzantineHistory #IslamicLaw #OttomanLaw #TopkapiPalace #Janissaries #Devshirme #OttomanEconomy #Akce #UrbanCannon #FatihMosque #GedikAhmedPasha #MahmudPasha #TursunBeg #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Lost City: The Palace of Topkapi and Its Hidden Courts 02.09.2026 11min

We leave behind the cannons, the coinage, and the court chroniclers to explore the physical heart of Mehmed II’s new empire: the Topkapı Palace. While earlier episodes touched on its construction and its role as an administrative center, this episode dives into the intricate social architecture within those walls. We examine how the Harem functioned not just as a private residence but as a political engine, where Valide Sultans wielded immense soft power over succession and state policy. We also look at the Enderun school in deeper detail, focusing on the rigorous education that produced men like Zagan Pasha, who led the final assault on the Theodosian Walls. By understanding the spatial hierarchy of the palace—the Outer Court for business, the Inner Court for intimacy, and the Harem for lineage—we see how Mehmed engineered a system of control that would outlast his reign by centuries. This is the story of the bricks, the bloodlines, and the bureaucracy that turned a conquered city into an imperial capital. #TopkapiPalace #MehmedII #OttomanHistory #HaremPolitics #ValideSultan #EnderunSchool #ZaganPasha #TheodosianWalls #Constantinople1453 #OttomanEmpire #ByzantineFall #ImperialArchitecture #PalaceBureaucracy #SultanateOfWomen #DevshirmeSystem #MiddleEasternHistory #FexingoHistory #History Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Mehmed II's Diplomatic Spies and the Fall of Trebizond 01.09.2026 9min

While we’ve covered Mehmed II’s cannons, navy, and palace schools, this episode explores a different kind of siege weapon: espionage. In 1461, just before his final push on Constantinople had fully settled into Ottoman rule, Mehmed turned his gaze east to the Empire of Trebizond. This small Greek successor state clung to the Black Sea coast, protected by mountains and Byzantine tradition. But Sultan Mehmed didn’t just send armies; he sent agents. We trace the intricate web of diplomatic intrigue involving Alexios Komnenos, the last emperor, and the Ottoman spies who infiltrated his court. From forged letters to bribed generals, discover how intelligence gathering dismantled a empire without firing a single arrow in the initial phase. It’s a story about the power of information in the medieval world, showing that the pen—and the secret courier—were often mightier than the sword. #MehmedII #Trebizond #OttomanEmpire #ByzantineHistory #Espionage #AlexiosKomnenos #BlackSea #Diplomacy #15thCentury #Intelligence #Spies #GreekEmpire #Konstantinopel #MilitaryStrategy #MedievalPolitics #FexingoHistory #HistoryPodcast #HistoricalAnalysis Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo