Sum-up Empires Podcast the Ottomans officially breaks for the holidays from December 22 through January 1, 2024 (I forgot to announce this in the Podcast) Changes for 2024 Main narration will be cut back to 2 times a month. The "in between" weeks will see premium content for Patreon only listeners, you will get a 5 or ten minutes teaser for the bonus content. I'll be posting a "wish-list" from Amazon of books on the Ottoman Empire. If you purchase something for me I'll make sure you get premium content for a year (since it's more expensive than Patreon). Right now the show qualifies for Spotify ad program. HOWEVER I HATE ads. I'll assess the Patreon membership by July of 2024 and cross the ad bridge when I get there. Thanks for sticking with me for 2023. I've got a whole lot of content planned out for 2024 and am very excited! -Frank

Please checkout the show's main website at: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/ Checkout the Episode's blogpost here: Please leave the show a 5 STAR review on APPLE PODCASTS and a FOLLOW/5 Star REVIEW on SPOTIFY (it really helps) Email Frank with questions/concerns: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com If you haven't listened to parts 1 & 2 please see links below The Ottomans began arriving on April 2, 1453. At the vanguard were elements from the Orducus: the staff officers with their battalions of laborers, screening units and advance cavalry. The organized themselves into smaller groups to set up the tents, dig ditches, and get the ground ready for the coming assault. Mehmed arrived sometime on April 5, and on the 6th ordered the first bombard with his giant "Royal Cannon" designed by the legendary Orban the cannon inventor. April 12 through April 18th witnessed Constantinople suffer a sustained bombardment, but with minimum damage. This episode details two Ottoman ground assaults (failed) and one big naval engagement (also bad for the Ottomans). Things aren't looking all that good for the Byzantines... Checkout Part 1: Episode 25 here https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episode/fortress-of-doom-the-conquest-of-constantinople-part1-episode-25 Checkout Part 2: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episode/ottoman-byzantine-military-postures-the-conquest-of-constantinople-part-2-episode-25

A five star rating and written review on Apple Podcast, and a rating on Spotify would greatly help this show grow. If you wish to reach please email: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com Please visit the show's website at https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/ When researching Part 2, of the Conquest of Constantinople series, I kept running across the Hamza Bey. We first met him back in episode 19 during Murad II campaign against Thessalonica. Which you can listen to here: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episode/pacifying-anatolia-2nd-siege-of-thessalonica-setting-the-stage-for-the-crusade-of-varna-episode-19 Hamza Bey was vital in the build up, planning, and operation command of the Ottoman navy from 1453 through 1458. His work would lay the foundation for impressive Ottoman naval victories in the upcoming decades. We also will be meeting the good Bey again, when I complete EXTRA episode series on Dracula, as it was he who finally led Hamza to his terrible fate. On that note: if you haven't yet checked out the specials on Dracula, I've received really encouraging listener feedback and I invite you to check them out (two parts out as of now and a 3rd to follow). https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episode/land-of-myths-shadows-the-life-and-times-vlad-dracula-extra-06-part-1

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Check out the show's Blogpost at: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/blog/ottoman-byzantine-military-postures-april-2-1453-the-conquest-of-constantinople-part-2-episode-25-companion-blog-to-podcast Special thanks to Soren Narnia, returns guest narrator. You can find his stuff here: https://knifepointhorror.libsyn.com/ Part 2 of Episode 25 "Ottoman & Byzantine Military Postures" covers the force disposition of the Ottoman military and Byzantines. First, a punitive expedition led by Sultan Mehmed II is detailed as he first inspects his navy at Gallipoli, then heads north and sacks the outlying districts of Constantinople. Help is scant from Europe but the Pope manages to send reinforcements. Most notable is the Genoese Commander Giovanni Giustiniani and his 700 men. Constantine XI, along with Giovanni, reorganizes the defenders of the Queen of Cities and prepares for the coming Ottoman assault. The episode details the Ottoman army, from force compositions, the different contingents (Kapikulu, cavalry, Janissaries etc..) Episode 25 Part 2 takes the listener to April 6, 1453. Part 3 will pick up with the Ottoman first assaults against the city.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Check out the show's Blogpost at: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/blog/the-life-and-times-of-vlad-dracula-iii Be sure and Listen to Part 1 of "Dracula" EXTRAS can be found here: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episode/land-of-myths-shadows-the-life-and-times-vlad-dracula-extra-06-part-1 In the show I reference John Hunyadi EXTRA Episode 05: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/episode/extra-05-john-hunyadi-1406-1456-scourge-of-the-ottomans Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com In Part 2 of Land of Myths & Shadows: The Life and Times Vlad Dracula... we pick up in Hungary. Dracula's father, Vlad II, has been buddying it up with the Hungarian King in an attempt to gain favor for a play at power in Wallachia. Meanwhile, Vlad II's, half-brother Alexander assumes control of Wallachia. In this episode King Sigismund dies, Alexander is removed, and Vlad II takes control of Wallachia. However, the fragmented geography is reflected in the internal politics, and Vlad's unstable position forces him to seek aide from the Ottomans. This episode explores the geography of Wallachia, it's strategic importance to both the Ottomans and Hungarians, and how Dracula and his brother Radu (aged 11 & 4-we think-) ended up in the Ottoman Empire as hostages.

Check out the Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also, this episode has a companion blogpost with maps and images and further explanations you can find it here: https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/blog/fortress-of-doom?v=zgw4 Please check out the works of Soren Narnia (guest narrator) over at: https://knifepointhorror.libsyn.com/ I'll step back and let Sultan Mehmed II "The Conquer" speak for himself and sum up Episode 25 Part 1: "I am not depriving the City of anything. He [Constantine] controls and possesses nothing beyond his moat. If I wish to build a fortress at the Sacred Mouth, he has no right to hinder me. The entire region is under my control. Do you not remember the distress and the danger faced by my father when the king of the Hungarians launched his expedition? They advanced by land, while the triremes of the Franks [western Europeans] sailed to the Hellespont and blockaded the straits, denying passage to my father?   Why are you trying to stop me? Am I not allowed to do as I please in my own territory? Go tell your king: the present lord does not resemble his predecessors. He will easily accomplish what they failed to achieve. He eagerly wishes to succeed in what the proved unwilling to do. I will skin alive any man who dare to talk to me of this matter in the future.”  Source: “The Siege and the Fall of Constantinople in 1453” by authors Marios Philippides and Walter K. Hanak. Please go buy yourself a copy of this magnificent work of history at:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Marios-Philippides/author/B004ZFHS4M?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com In episode 23, we left the young 19 year old Ottoman Sultan, Mehmed II, back in the saddle of the Sultanate for a second time in 1451. Most histories, podcasts, YouTube channels, and bloggers completely gloss over Mehmed's early years of 1451-1453. This is a mistake, however, as these three years set the stage for the entirety of Mehmed's life and reign. It would be easy to skip on ahead to the "cool stuff" like siege of Constantinople, but in doing so would be to do this show an injustice. This episode covers Mehmed's bloody reform and purge of the Janissaries, securing his Eastern flanks in Anatolia, peace treaties with the Christian nations bordering his West, and launching a project to construct a navy. Along the way Mehmed will build allies for his vision of conquering Constantinople and a sound strategy to this end is identified and laid out for the listener.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com This "Extra" has been a long time in coming. Frank dives into the world of the real historical Vlad Dracula III and his war with the Ottomans, and pretty much all his neighbors. The Balkans of the mid-15th century were a dangerous place and time be alive. A ruthless period in history which produced equally ruthless men. The story of Vlad Dracula is a tale not for the faint of heart. In this Part 1, Frank explores the vampire myth, it's connection with the historical "Dracula" Bram Stoker, and more importantly, the "Order of the Dragon" that old Catholic military order equally as sordid as the life of Dracula.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com Murad II is back in the saddle as Sultan. He reconciles with Mehmed and the two face off against the combined armies of Wallachia, Hungary, and various Germanic formations for what history calls: The 2nd Battle of Kosovo. A short overview of Murad's campaigns after Kosovo, the strategic significance of the Crusader's defeat, death of Murad II and final accession of Mehmed II.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com In 1446 Sultan Mehmed is forced to step down after a brutal Janissary revolt in the city of Edrine. We profile 3 key reasons which led to Mehmed's downfall. His father, Murad II, returns to the Sultanate. Meanwhile the clever John Hunyadi plot yet another Crusade. The stage is thus set for the 2nd Battle of Kosovo.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com King Vladislav, John Hunyadi, and a diverse army of Crusaders finally face off against the Ottomans led by Murad. This episode breaks down the order of battle for both sides, the personalities driving the decision making, and a blow by blow account of how the Battle of Varna went down. A brief appearance also, are the Battle Wagons of military history fame. Please listen to Episode 21: P1 prior to this one. If you know what happened, exactly, to the Papal Legate Julian Cesarini (in the show I mention how he was killed by Hungarians on their retreat) please shoot Frank an email at: empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com The year is 1444. The young newly minted Mehmed II takes the throne and falls into conflict with the willy old statesman Vizer Candarli Halil Pasha. After Sultan Murad II resigns.. the Crusaders hold a war counsel and are egged on by Cardinal Cesarini to break their vow of a 10 year peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire. The Crusaders rally, decamp from Buda and plunge into Ottoman territory. The Crusader strategy, army composition and belated Ottoman response is examined. Sultan Mehmed II summons his father for help and all eyes are turning to the City of Varna, on the Black Sea coast.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com The year is 1444, a Crusade is gathering in Hungary but hits a snag. King Vladislav unites the two kingdoms of Hungary & Poland, thereby creating the greatest existential threat the Ottomans faced in Europe since Nicopolis. Sultan Murad II, resigns, his son, Mehmed II, becomes the new Sultan. Mehmed is profiled and the stage is finally set for the next episode of Varna.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com John Hunyadi hammer of the Ottomans. Born sometime in the early 1400s, Hunyadi would rise to become a legend in his own time. He would lead the forces of Hungary, Crusaders, and soldiers of fortune, against the meat grinder of Christendom, the Ottoman Empire. Defying the odds, Hunyadi would prevail against much larger forces. Join Frank as he dives deep into one of histories most fascinating personalities who lived during the wild and crazy times that was the 15th century Balkans.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com We pick up in 1424. Sultan Murad II has defeated the Pretenders for the Sultanate. An in-depth strategic assessment of the Ottoman Empires vulnerabilities/strengths is presented. Cover the campaign, very brief, of Murad's efforts to bring the Antolian Beys (Aydinid, Germinyanid, Menteşe and Teke) into line. Second Siege of Thessalonica and the subsequent conquering of a majority of the Greek pennesnsula. Murad sends the dreaded Akinji warriors out and into Wallachia, Transylvania, and Army into Serbia and Albania. Princess Mara is outlined briefly. Stage is being set for the Crusade of Varna.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com The year is 1421. A newly minted Sultan, Murad II has taken the throne in uneasy times. The cunning Byzantine Emperor , Manuel II, sits behind his walled city plotting unrest in the Turco Imperium. Meanwhile Pretenders to the throne gather armies and gold while the unruly Anatolian Beys plot. In the end Murad II emerges triumphant stronger than ever. The stage is set for the Ottomans to come back swinging hard from the Civil War (Interregnum). A brief character profile of Emperor Emanuel II is given as well as a strategic assement of the Ottoman's military, political, and cultural woes during this period.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com Welcome back! Once more I stepped away from the brink. In Episode 17 we cover the accomplishments of Sultan Mehmed I, a disastrous naval defeat for the Ottomans at Gallipoli in 1416, and charachter profile of the future Sultan Murad II. We also discuss the death of Mehmed, his legacy, and the continuing threat of yet another Civil War in the empire via the Byzantine Emperor.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Thanks for stopping by. Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com Frank gives an update on the progress of Episode 17 and introduces Angela, the creator/host 'Women of the Ottoman Empire.' Don’t worry, the main narrative of Empires Podcast the Ottomans will continue, these EXTRAS are meant to deepen our understanding in certain areas. Angela explores the Turkish Harem through the lens of renowned artist Jean-Auguste Dominique’s ‘The Turkish Bath’ and turns the colors and images inward upon themselves to reveal the deep-seated misconceptions of Ottoman society by the West. Angela then takes the listener through a brief historical survey of the Ottoman Empire, from its rise and fall, with a critical focus upon the Harem. Along the way four critical phases in the development of the Harem are explored as the institution’s fortunes rise and fall with that of the Empire. The four phases will be the foundation of future podcast episodes and act as a guide for the listener.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com Join Frank as he brings you a new series, EXTRAS, these mini-episodes will fill in the gap where the main narrative of the show is skipping over. In this EXTRA Frank profiles, the dreaded Akinji warrior of the Ottoman Empire. Indispensable to a good military campaign, these irregulars would spread terror throughout Europe. Frank answers questions such as: Who were they, what did they do, weapons, areas of operation, periods active, economics of raiding and slave trading, relationship with the Ottoman military, and the ultimate fate of the Akinji.

Welcome to Empires Podcast the Ottomans! Where to find the show? Check out the Website: ⁠⁠https://ottomanempirepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Please consider leaving a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts & drop a "Follow" & 5 star rating on Spotify. Email Frank at: Empiresofhistorypodcast@gmail.com Sultan Mehmed I deals with a rebellious pretender to the throne, Prince Mustafa and his confederate Cuneyd, the governor of Nikopol (ref: Episode 15). After settling accounts in Rumelia, the Sultan is forced to contend with a massive rebellion in both the Balkans and Anatolia under the philosophical banner of Sheikh Bedreddin. An overall picture of Sheikh Bedreddin, his philosophy, social and economic context of the Rebellion is explored. Bedreddin’s ultimate opponent, the redoubtable Bayezid Pasha, companion of and now Vizier to Sultan Mehmed I, is profiled. The Wallachian ever present threat of invasion is stopped and forced into tributary status.Episode 16 concludes with an overall strategic assessment of the Ottoman Empire in 1420 and the stage is set for the death of the Sultan and subsequent events in up-coming Episode 17. Special Mention: 'As the Money Burns', hosted/created by Nicki Woodard. Please take a minute and check her podcast out “[a] deep dive into what happens during the Great Depression to America’s richest & famous heirs & heiresses. Scandals, greed, lust, envy.” Here is her link: Episode Guide – As the Money Burns