Following the peace treaty signed with Emperor Alexios Komnenos, the Sultan of Rum Şahinşah begins marching back to Konya. But he does not make it far before being confronted by his half brother Mesud, who rides West with Danishmend support. A new Sultan comes to the throne in Konya, but one who owes his throne and his loyalty to the Danishmend Bey…

Following the death of Kılıç Arslan, the Sultanate of Rum falls into disorder and becomes eclipsed by the other beyliks, in particular the Danishmend Beylik to the east ruled by Emir Ghazi. The Sultanate becomes divided between the sons of the dead Sword Lion - the brothers Mesud and Melik Arap in central Anatolia, the young Tuğrul Arslan in Malaty…

As the western half of the Great Seljuk Empire continues to collapse, a string of fortuitous events dramatically improves Kılıç Arslan's position. Like his father before him, the Sword Lion decides to take the ultimate gamble, and sets out to the East. And, also like his father before him, he takes with him his young son...…

Following the Turkish victory over the Crusade of 1101, Kılıç Arslan's position as the leading Turkish potentate in Anatolia is secured, and the Sultanate of Rum is re-established. But the rebirth of the Sultanate of Rum in Konya and Kılıç Arslan's rise from the ashes cause great tension within the Turkish alliance that won the war, in particular, …

The Sultanate of Rum lies in ruins following the destruction of the First Crusade and the loss of Western Anatolia to the Byzantine Empire. The Danishmend Beylik led by Gümüştegin Ghazi takes up the mantle of the leading Turkish state in Anatolia, and scores a key victory against the Norman Crusaders in Outremer. And yet more crusaders arrive from …

In the aftermath of the catastrophic Crusader invasion of Anatolia, while the Turks are in crisis, Emperor Alexios Komnenos launches a reconquest. An army led by John Doukas retakes the Aegean coast and Western Anatolia, an army led by Theodore Gabras retakes the Black Sea coast, and the Emperor himself marches out of Pelakanon and into the center …

Following the fall of İznik, Kılıç Arslan regroups his forces, belatedly calling for aid from across Turkish Anatolia. The Crusaders depart from İznik and begin their march to the Holy Land. Kılıç Arslan springs an ambush near Eskişehir on the Plains of Dorylaeum, leading to disaster yet again. In the aftermath of the great defeat, the Sword Lion i…

The crusading army marches into a completely undefended Anatolia and right up to the walls of İznik, the capital of the Sultanate of Rum. Finally waking up to the danger, Kılıç Arslan makes a deal with the Danishmends and begins racing back West. Kılıç Arslan fights the Crusaders in front of the walls of İznik and the Turks resist. Meanwhile, as on…

The People's Crusade invades Anatolia, and the chaotic army of undisciplined peasants is easily destroyed by the forces of the Sultanate of Rum under Ilhan Bey as Kılıç Arslan besieges Malatya. But the chaos and ineptitude of the People's Crusade proves to be a boon to both the Byzantine Emperor and even the now-assembling First Crusade. In Constan…

As Turkish power is entrenched across Anatolia and Kılıç Arslan consolidates the power of the Sultanate of Rum, in Constantinople Emperor Alexios Komnenos calls for aid from the West. The Emperor envisions a relatively large, but still manageable, army of experienced Latin knights of the type that have fought for Byzantium in the past in order to r…

As Kılıç Arslan sits in prison in Esfahan, Emperor Alexios Komnenos attempts to restore imperial authority on the coasts of Anatolia, even if the plateau itself remains lost to him. Constantinople tangles with the Black Sea beylik of Karategin and the Marmara beylik of İlhan. In İzmir, the rebel Turkish Roman General Çaka Bey creates the first Turk…

After the death of Sulayman, his sons Kılıç Arslan and Daud are imprisoned in Esfahan by Melik Shah. In their absence, the Sultanate of Rum is ruled under a quasi-regency by the man Sulayman left in charge of İznik - Ebu'l Kasım. Ebu'l Kasım fights and negotiates with the Roman Emperor and the Great Seljuk Sultan, maintaining the independence of th…

In 1081, Sulayman reigns in İznik as the Sultan of Rum. But his sultanate is aspirational - really, he is a mere border lord. A bey among beys. And so Sulayman begins to lay the foundations for the Sultanate of Rum, expanding his power across Western Anatolia. Burning with ambition and desire to reclaim the birthright of the line of Kutalmish, Sula…

And we're back! On the classical vocations, some speculation about the counterpart to consecrated virginity, and commentary on the state of the discernment of a vocation in today's culture.By The Deus Vult Podcast

Following Manzikert, the civil war in Byzantium and the failure of the Roman Empire to retake Anatolia, the first Turkish beyliks emerge in Anatolia. In the anarchy caused by the collapse of the Roman military apparatus, bands of Turks begin making alliances with the settled elites of Anatolia, offering them protection for a price. Soon the Turks a…

We resume the narrative, and begin by introducing the land that will come to be the homeland of the Turks. In the aftermath of the Battle of Manzikert, the Roman state falls into chaos. As a result of civil war, invasion and rebellion, Imperial authority collapses over much of Anatolia. And the Turks begin to enter Anatolia, and the seeds of the co…

This is the fifth and last episode in a short series of non-narrative episodes. In this episode we cover the court culture of the Great Seljuk Empire and the greatest cultural achievements of the Empire. How the Sultan and his court lived, and the life and times of two of the most important cultural figures of the Great Seljuk Empire: Al-Ghazali an…

This a standalone episode on the history of the Ismaili Nizaris and their Order of Assassins. The minority sect of Ismailism first arises as the Abbasid Caliphs keep the Shi'a Imams in confinement in Samarra - a hidden religion, secretive and rigidly hierarchical, and professing a unique system of beliefs drawing heavily from Greek philosophy and G…

This is the fourth episode in a short series of non-narrative episodes. In this episode we cover religion in the Seljuk Empire. How reality differed from the picture of strident Sunnism presented by pro-Seljuk propaganda, and the relationship between the Seljuk and Abbasid dynasties, the treatment of the Shia, the conflict among the Sunni Madhhabs,…

This is the third episode in a short series of non-narrative episodes. In this episode we cover the economy of the Great Seljuk Empire. The collision of two different economic systems - that of the nomads and that of the settled world - and how this led to an economic transformation.By The Turkish History Podcast

This is the second in a short series of non-narrative episodes. In this episode, we cover the Seljuk Military. The composition of the armies, how the armies fought, and the armies relationship to the broader political world.

The show hosts talk about the future of The Deus Vult Podcast. "Don't worry, we're not done." Go on pilgrimage with your hosts! https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

William Wordsworth, or something... How do the things which influence us culturally in our youth change or shape the adults we become? From Animated Series to Real Life, the hosts consider how we grow. Go on pilgrimage with us! Register here: https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

This is the first in a short series of non-narrative episodes on the nature of the Great Seljuk Empire. In this episode, we cover the structures of state in the empire - the various power centers, the role of the Seljuk Dynasty, the bureaucrats, the tribes, the Emirs and the ways in which all of these power centers interacted to govern the truly ma…

Fr. Stephen gives his perspective on the situation in Israel, with the necessary inclusion of a reminder to pray and fast for peace. Go on pilgrimage with your hosts: https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

So... there's this trending thing going on in the social media world. We're trying to get to the bottom of it. Let us know if you have additional input! Travel to Rome, Florence, Milan with your hosts: https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

On Parker's Back by Flannery O'Connor. Our lives are not compartmentalized, but rather there is a golden thread of grace through everything we do. Go on pilgrimage with your hosts! https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

Under the rule of Nizam ul-Mulk and Melik Shah, the Great Seljuk Empire reaches the zenith of its power. But as Al-Dawla Al-Nizamiyya unfolds, tensions roil under the surface. Tensions between the Seljuk and Abbasid dynasties, between the court and the tribes, between the court and the Emirs and between the state and its vassals. And when the partn…

The 14th Installment of the Screwtape series. In this episode, the ever-bitter, Uncle Screwtape provides the foil for the virtue of Humility. "Humility is contingent upon you understanding Truth." -Fr. Stephen Felicichia Listen to Fr. Koehl's talk on The Screwtape Letters: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1411843/13642867 Join your hosts on pilgrimage: h…

Part 3 The Conclusion to Fr. Stephen's journey on the Way of Saint James and final thoughts. Go on pilgrimage with the hosts of The Deus Vult Podcast! See more info and register here: https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

After Melik Shah's ascension to the throne, Nizam ul-Mulk seizes control of the state, inaugurating a period of history termed "Al-Dawla Al-Nizamiyya" or "the State of the Nizam." The vizierate is now above the sultanate. Melik Shah finishes his father's work in conquering Transoxiana from the Karakhanids, and then retires to the palaces of Esfahan…

Part 2 Fr. Stephen returns from the Camino and reflects on the beginning portion of the harrowing adventure with his fellow pilgrims: disease, injuries, and all. Tune in next week for the exciting conclusion! Go on pilgrimage with your hosts! Find out more and register here: https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italy…

Part. 1 Fr. Stephen speaks about his upcoming pilgrimage on the Way of Saint James, the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Spain. In The Footsteps of Saint Charles Borromeo pilgrimage: https://stcharlespilgrimages.com/koehl-italyBy The Deus Vult Podcast

The Heroic Lion rides East after his great victory at Manzikert. But his sojourn in his capital again proves short-lived as he is drawn into war with the Karakhanid Khanate. Alp Arslan leads a massive army to cross the Amu Darya and into Central Asia, but the end soon comes for him, tragically soon. Alp Arslan's chosen heir Melik Shah must ally wit…

Fr. Koehl recounts his experience of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. The good and the bad, the graces and sorrows, and the overall growth.By The Deus Vult Podcast

The Deus Vult Podcast returns for Season 4! After a necessary hiatus to settle into their new assignments, your co-hosts return to the studio and reflect on their first impressions of being pastors. Our Lady and Saint Robert Bellarmine, Pray for us. "When we appeal to the throne of grace we do so through Mary, honoring God by honoring his Mother, i…

As Alp Arslan returns from the campaign in Syria, news reaches him that the Emperor of the Romans, Romanos Diogenes, is on the warpath. A large Byzantine army marches East to retake Manzikert, as the Heroic Lion races West from Azerbaijan with whatever forces he can get his hands on. The two armies meet on the plains of Manzikert in August 1071, wh…

After Alp Arslan's ascension to the throne, the Heroic Lion is forced to ride East to put down a nascent revolt in Khorasan and to defeat his brother Kavurt (twice). Alp Arslan also bounces back to the Caucasuses to re-invade Georgia. At the same time, tensions rise between the increasingly "cooking" court and the tribes, and a new tribal confedera…

After the death of Tughrul, the founder of the Great Seljuk Empire, the inevitable succession crisis breaks out. A son of Chaghri named Alp Arslan manages to quickly win the 4-way civil war and succeeds his uncle Tughrul as the Sultan of what is by now the most powerful state in the world. To secure the loyalty of his wild Turkmen followers, Alp Ar…

After conquering Baghdad without a shot being fired, Tughrul sets forth to fulfill the promises made in Baghdad. He aims to conquer all of Iraq, Syria, the Levant and even Egypt. To overthrow the Fatimid Caliph in Cairo and truly re-unite the Muslim World. But though his initial campaigns in Iraq are successful, the Oghuz tribes find the climate of…

Tughrul continues his conquest of Iran and begins truly building the Seljuk state, which is now fast on its way to becoming the Great Seljuk Empire. He achieves pre-eminence over his brother Chaghri to become the paramount leader of the House of Seljuk and invades Anatolia, attacking a certain well-fortified city that happens to be named Manzikert.…

In the aftermath of the Battle of Dandankan, Tughrul expands west into Iran. But instead of being a traditional barbarian warlord on horseback, Tughrul is committed to ruling in the existing Perso-Islamic tradition. To become a Khan-Sultan. And tension quickly arises between his role as Khan and his role as Sultan. As Tughrul presents himself as th…

Welcome to the show, Robb Gregory! Robb joins the hosts in conversation about true Catholic masculinity and preparing men to take hold of their Faith for the sake of their families and the whole Church. Find out more about Armor of God here: https://armingmen.com/ This episode concludes Season 3 while the hosts prepare and begin their new pastoral …

Welcome to the show, Deacon Caleb Kruse! Caleb speaks with the hosts about seminary and his recent ordination as a Transitional Deacon. Please pray for Deacon Caleb and his classmate, Deacon Oscar Duarte, as they finish this last year of seminary before becoming priests.By The Deus Vult Podcast

The hosts welcome again Jessica Hayes to the show. Jessica is a Consecrated Virgin in the Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend. Fathers Dan and Stephen speak with Jessica about her time as a Theology Teacher at Bishop Dwenger High School, one of four Catholic high schools in the diocese, and her perspective on the current status of Catholic Education…

The hosts welcome Anne Koehl, director of the Fort Wayne Women's Care Center locations to the show to talk about the awesome work the organization does in supporting women and young families in choosing life for their children. Support the Women's Care Center: womenscarecenter.orgBy The Deus Vult Podcast

The hosts welcome to the show Deacon Jake Schneider and Deacon David Langford, soon to be ordained priests of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend with five others of their classmates. It's ordination season! Pray for all men being ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood this year.By The Deus Vult Podcast

As the steppe world falls into chaos, the Oghuz Yabgu State begins to fall apart and a leader of the Kınık tribe of the Oghuz named Seljuk emerges. Fleeing the chaos of the steppe world, Seljuk leads a small band of his followers south and establishes his people in the lands of Islam. As more Oghuz flee south, they join with Seljuk and a new tribal…

Special Announcements from both hosts. The Future of The Deus Vult Podcast.By The Deus Vult Podcast

The mass conversion of the Turks to Islam begins as the rise of the Samanid Emirate and its great Jihad transforms Central Asia. On the steppe, the sophisticated Karakhanid Khanate emerges - the first Muslim Turkish state in history, with a state based on Islamic, Turkish and Chinese models of government. Meanwhile, the Samanid Emirate starts falli…