Best Charlemagne Podcasts (2024)

1
The Battle of Pavia, 774 A.D. Charlemagne's Ascedence, Holy Roman Empire Rebirthed, Papacy Asserts Political Power 21:58

2h ago21:58

21:58

The fall of the Lombard monarchy shattered Rome’s fiercest adversary, obliterating the looming specter that had stalked papal authority for years. With its collapse, the foundation for an empire — destined to claim the mantle of Rome itself — was set in motion. Pavia. 773 - 774 A.D. Charlemagne's Forces: Unknown Lombard Forces: Unknown Additional R…

1
76. Royal Family Feud: Charlemagne's Great-Grandkids & Pope Stephen VI's Cadaver Synod (ft. Pope Formosus) 37:10

8d ago37:10

37:10

Charlemagne, The Father of Europe, died in the year 814 and left only one surviving son to take the helm of the Carolingian Empire, which spanned the lion's share of the European continent. But his heir, Louis the Pious, had three sons, who each got a parcel of the empire when he died. Then those kings had children of their own, dividing the kingdo…

1
The Battle of the Metaurus River, 207 B.C. Hannibal's Decline, Hasdrubal Barca Defeated, Rome's Peninsular Threat Castrated 21:17

16h ago21:17

21:17

The crushing defeat of Hasdrubal’s forces shattered any hope of reinforcing Hannibal, sealing his fate in Italy and leaving him isolated. With Carthage’s ambitions in ruin, Rome swiftly solidified its dominance over Spain, ensuring its grip on the western Mediterranean. Metaurus River. 207 B.C. Roman Forces: ~ 50,000 Soldiers. Carthaginian Forces: …

1
The Battle of Jerusalem, 1099, Crusader Victory, Wholesale Slaughter, Eventually Bringing About the Wealth and Power Fueling the Renaissance 20:59

3d ago20:59

20:59

The Crusaders' triumph signaled the apex of Europe’s bid to impose its dominion over the Holy Land. Yet, beyond the battlefield, the Crusade set in motion the resurgence of papal power, as the Church reasserted its iron grip over the political affairs of Europe, reshaping kingdoms and crowns under the weight of divine authority. Jerusalem. 9th June…

1
The Battle of Orleans, 1429; Joan of Arc as Savior of France, England Turns Maritime, France's Divine Belief 31:04

5d ago31:04

31:04

Joan of Arc, a beacon of supposed divine conviction, breathed life into a nation on the brink of collapse. Where once the French wavered under the crushing force of English dominance, her presence alone shattered their enemies' momentum. The tide of the Hundred Years' War, long a tale of French despair, now surged with newfound hope as her unyieldi…

1
Weekly Rap Up: Diddy arrested and denied bail, 50 Cent teases new show with Idris Elba, Drake trying to buy Dame Dash's Roc-A-Fella shares and more! 23:07

7m ago23:07

23:07

In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss: Puffy's arrested and bail denial 50 Cent teasing a new show with Idris Elba Dame Dash claims that Drake has made an offer to buy Roc-A-Fella shares Connect with Breaking Atoms Instagram Facebook Twitter Follow Sumit Instagram Twitter Follow Chris Instagram Twitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

1
The Battle of Ipsus, 310 B.C. The End of Alexander's Empire, Rome's Gateway to Ascendance 22:37

3d ago22:37

22:37

Ipsus marked the zenith of the titanic struggle between Alexander the Great’s successors, each vying to forge a vast Hellenistic empire that could unite the known world. At the center of this ambition stood Antigonus, whose towering dreams of empire crumbled in the dust of that battlefield, leaving him the last to fall short of creating the endurin…

1
78. Grace O'Malley, Ireland's Pirate Queen 50:52

1h ago50:52

50:52

A century and a half before the "Golden Age of Piracy," an Irish woman of noble birth was conquering the inland seas and coastlines on the western edge of the island. Gráinne Ó Máille, anglicized to Grace O'Malley, hailed from the Umhaill line, a seafaring clan of Connacht, and while the family did conduct legitimate forms of trade, they also ran p…

1
The Invasion of Poland, 1939, Nazi Blitzkrieg Tactics Introduced, Air Support and Armor Maneuver Warfare Doctrines Entrenched 19:43

21h ago19:43

19:43

The Nazi onslaught against Poland ignited the flames of World War II, unleashing the terrifying force of blitzkrieg and shattering the entrenched defensive tactics of World War I. This world war marked the dawn of a brutal, fast-paced era in which speed and shock would reign supreme on the battlefield, leaving the trench warfare of the past in the …

1
The Battle of Atlanta, 1864, and March to the Sea - 'Total War' Tactics Used Against Their Own 21:56

5d ago21:56

21:56

The fall of Atlanta to Union forces sealed Abraham Lincoln’s fate as victor in the 1864 election, crushing any hope for George McClellan and his peace platform. With the South in retreat, the North rallied around its war president, determined to see the conflict through to its conclusion. Sherman’s subsequent March to the Sea introduced an ancient …

1
S1E80: Lorhn Allard 46:22

5h ago46:22

46:22

Ready for another momentum shift? For all your Slay the Stars news and extras, check out SlaytheStars.com and Patreon.com/slaythestars. Per somnia, ad astra!By Slay the Stars

1
The Battle of Quebec, 1759. France Loses Nearly Everything in the Western Hemisphere, Seeds of American Revolution are Sewn 27:20

1d ago27:20

27:20

The British victory not only shattered France’s grip on Canada, solidifying Britain’s unchallenged supremacy in North America, but in its wake, it sowed additional seeds for a rebellion in its infancy. The very triumph that crowned Britain’s empire set ablaze the rising pride that led to a hunger for freedom in the American colonies, fueling a fire…

1
The Battle of Alesia, 52 B.C., Besieged While Besieging, Rome Takes Gaul 25:20

9d ago25:20

25:20

Caesar’s crushing defeat of the united Gallic tribes cemented Roman dominance over Gaul for the next five centuries, transforming the region into a cornerstone of the Empire’s might. Yet, this triumph carried a darker legacy. The immense glory and power Caesar amassed from his conquests ignited a fierce rivalry with the Roman Senate, setting him on…

1
The Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC, Alexander's Decimation of the Persian Empire, The Advent of Greek Culture and Values in to East 22:43

8d ago22:43

22:43

With his decisive victory, Alexander shattered the Persian Empire, bringing to its knees an ancient dynasty that had once ruled from the Mediterranean to Central Asia. In its place, he flung open the gates of the East, laying bare the vast territories stretching to India, ripe for the unstoppable Macedonian war machine to sweep across in conquest. …

1
Weekly Rap Up: Superbowl fall out, new Kendrick Lamar song, D'Angelo update and new music! 25:16

6d ago25:16

25:16

In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss: Superbowl advert and fallout with responses from Nicki Minaj, Birdman, Master P, Cam'ron and Mase Kendrick Lamar's new song News on D'Angelo getting ready to drop new music A short reflection on the recent deaths including Fatman Scoop, Frankie Beverly and Rich Homie Quan The hosts also provide a quic…

1
The Battle of Naseby, 1645, England's Civil War, The End of Absolute Monarchs 25:41

9d ago25:41

25:41

The long-standing rivalry between the authority of the king and the rising power of Parliament reached a provisional conclusion, with Parliament emerging victorious. This victory established the foundation of parliamentary democracy in England, a seismic shift that reverberated across the Atlantic, deeply influencing the governance of English colon…

1
The Battle of Okinawa, 1945, The Staggering Butcher's Bill that Justified Atomic Warfare 26:17

10d ago26:17

26:17

This invasion stood as the last great offensive of World War II, its staggering cost of blood and sacrifice weighing heavily on the scales, tipping the balance toward the use of atomic weapons to bring the conflict to an end. Okinawa. 1 April - 22 June, 1945. US Forces: 180,000 Men. Japanese Forces: ~ 117,000 to ~130,000 Men. Additional Reading and…

1
77. The Difficult Sister | Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowden 1:29:12

1d ago1:29:12

1:29:12

When Queen Elizabeth II was born in 1926, there were years of her childhood that were, compared to other future monarchs, quite normal. After all, she was never supposed to be the Queen. Her father was a second son; her Uncle David would succeed her grandfather, and certainly other male children would come along. And then, in 1930, Elizabeth's pare…

1
Elements: Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G. 54:33

1d ago54:33

54:33

In the first episode of our new series, Elements, we celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ready To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.! You'll hear from those who were part of the album's creation—producers, engineers, and collaborators who helped craft its unique sound. We'll also bring you trusted voices from the community and people who lived the same expe…

1
The Battle of Prusa (Bursa), 1317-1326, The Birth of the Ottoman Empire, Christendom's Harbinger and Scourge 19:49

10d ago19:49

19:49

The conquest of Brusa marked the dawn of a new era. Osman the first, his name now etched in the chronicles of history, and his heirs rose as the unchallenged lords of Asia Minor. With this single victory, the Ottoman Empire was born, its shadow poised to stretch across continents and reshape the fate of empires for centuries to come. Prusa (Bursa).…

1
The Battle of Vienna, 1529, The Death Knell of the Islamic Ottoman Empire 25:28

11d ago25:28

25:28

The Ottoman defeat at Vienna marked the zenith of their European ambitions, the point where their imperial tide reached its furthest limit. From that moment, the empire’s grip on power began a slow, irreversible decline, foreshadowing centuries of retreat and decay. Vienna. 27th September - 14th October, 1529. Austrian Forces: 16,000 soldiers and 7…

1
The Battle of Poltava, 1709, Russia Destroys Sweden Becoming Europe's Dominant North-Eastern Power Player 25:52

12d ago25:52

25:52

The crushing defeat of Sweden signaled the twilight of its imperial dominance, marking the irreversible decline of a once-great northern kingdom. In its place, Russia ascended—no longer a distant, peripheral force, but a burgeoning empire whose power now demanded the full attention of Europe. Peter’s victory at Poltava had reshaped the balance of t…

1
The Battle of Ayacucho, 1824, Spain's Empire in Total Decline, Monroe Doctrine Declared 24:17

16d ago24:17

24:17

This was the last great clash of the revolution in South America. It shattered the chains of Spanish colonial rule, sealing the fate of an empire that had once ruled unchallenged. With a final, earth-shaking battle, centuries of oppression crumbled, and the continent was forever free from the grasp of its conquerors. Ayacucho. 9th of December, 1824…

1
The Battle of Mexico City, 1847, the US Secures the West to California 25:24

5d ago25:24

25:24

The American victory shattered the Mexican government, triggering its collapse and bringing a definitive end to the war. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed in 1848, cemented the terms of surrender. Through this treaty, the United States seized control of northern Mexico, gaining not just vast territories but also securing its dominance in the …

1
The Battle of Tel El Kebir, 1882, British Seizure of the Suez Canal and Egypt as a "Protectorate" 25:04

17d ago25:04

25:04

With their decisive victory, Britain didn’t just seize control of Egypt—they claimed the lifeline of empire, the Suez Canal, placing a stranglehold on the heart of global trade. From this powerful perch, British influence rippled across the Middle East like an unstoppable force, bending the region to its will for nearly a century. Only in 1956, wit…

1
The Battle of Manila Bay, 1898, Spanish-American War, First Use of Concentration Camps 27:37

16d ago27:37

27:37

Manila Bay, the final grand naval clash of the 19th century, marked the dawn of a new era as steel warships thundered across the seas for the first time. The efficacy of American naval firepower not only secured control over the Philippines for the next fifty years but also forged America’s destiny as a dominant force in the heart of Asia, forever …

1
The First Battle of the Marne, 1914, WWI 24:34

17d ago24:34

24:34

France’s triumph shattered Germany’s dreams of a lightning-fast victory, plunging both nations into the unrelenting nightmare of four agonizing years of trench warfare, where every inch of muddy ground was paid for with rivers of blood. Had the Germans been victorious, it is unlikely that the German nation would have had much interest in Hitler's r…

1
The Battle of Warsaw, 1920. The Communist Bolsheviks Routed 20:14

10d ago20:14

20:14

The crushing defeat of the Red Army in Poland did more than just carve out Poland’s post-World War I borders and halt the crimson tide of communism in its tracks; it also unfurled a bloody canvas of tactics that appears to have captivated the minds of German military planners. Those same brutal, fast-moving maneuvers would be perfected and unleashe…

1
Recap #5: Episodes 64-79 (Cour 5) 1:59:01

17d ago1:59:01

1:59:01

This one is long, but once you get us talking, we can't stop. Whether you've been here since the beginning, are looking to jump in now, or need a refresher, this episode will give you a solid rundown of what transpired in Cour 5, Season 1 of Slay the Stars. We'll see you in two weeks for the beginning of Cour 6, the end of Arc 2, and another crazy …

1
The Naval Battle of Trafalgar, 1805, Napoleon's Eventual Defeat Begins. 22:14

15d ago22:14

22:14

The thunderous victory at Trafalgar immortalized Britain as the unrivaled master of the seas, her naval dominance stretching far into the next century. Napoleon’s dream of a British Isle invasion was shattered like his fleet against the rocks, his ambitions to bring England to its knees buried beneath the waves forever. Trafalgar, Coast of Spain. 2…

1
The Battle of Bouvines, 1216 AD, French Victory, English Magna Carta, Germanic Political Splintering for Six Centuries 21:48

11d ago21:48

21:48

Philip’s triumph at Bouvines laid the cornerstone of the French nation, transforming a patchwork of feudal territories into a unified kingdom under a powerful monarchy. In stark contrast, Otto’s crushing defeat shattered the Holy Roman Empire’s cohesion, plunging Germany into a quagmire of discord and internal strife that would fester for centuries…

1
The Battle of Ain Jalut, 1260. Mongol Defeat in Middle East by Mamluk Forces 27:22

24d ago27:22

27:22

The Mamluk victory decisively shattered the Mongol ambition to dominate the Middle East, safeguarding the heartlands of Islam. This triumph not only preserved the faith from being relegated back to a marginal existence in the arid deserts but also ensured its continued prosperity and influence across a vast and culturally rich region. Ain Jalut, 3r…

1
Weekly Rap Up: New Clipse album, Irv Gotti's stroke, Reasonable Doubt masters ownership, Cardi B's "correctional facilities" comment and new music! 32:15

25d ago32:15

32:15

In this week's rap-up, Sumit and Chris discuss: New Clipse album Irv Gotti having a stroke and diabetes complications The everlasting saga of Dame Dash Vs Jay-Z and the Reasonable Doubt masters Cardi B calling Atlantic Records a "correctional facility" The hosts also provide a quick rundown of new music, including drops from Curren$y, DJ Fresh, Big…

1
75. Sultan Ibrahim the Mad of the Ottoman Empire 41:00

15d ago41:00

41:00

Content note: This episode contains descriptions of sexual violence and coercion that may not be appropriate for all listeners. Though only in power for eight years, the Ottoman Empire's Ibrahim the Mad made his own mark on history as a notoriously bad ruler, a sexual deviant, but also a bit of a fashion plate. He loved his furs and sparkly jewels.…

1
The Battle of Dien Bien Phu, 1954. France's Defeat in Southeast Asia 32:31

27d ago32:31

32:31

The downfall of French power sounded the death knell for their imperial hold over Southeast Asia, unraveling an empire and sowing the seeds of American intervention. This defeat not only closed one chapter of colonial dominion but ignited the fuse that would draw the United States into a web of conflict and alliances, forever altering the course of…

1
Introducing American Prankster: Wavy Gravy's Life Story 5:55

21d ago5:55

5:55

We are excited to share a show we're loving with you! American Prankster: Wavy Gravy's Life Story pairs the legendary entertainer and activist with our friend, podcaster Rainbow Valentine, following the incredible ride of a life that Wavy Gravy has been on through decades of American counterculture. Enjoy this sample, and subscribe wherever you lis…

1
The Battle of Rivoli, 1797; Napoleon Bonaparte's First Major Command 23:07

18d ago23:07

23:07

The Battle of Rivoli, a decisive turning point in Napoleon’s initial Italian campaign against Austria, blazed like a firebrand through the annals of warfare. Here, Napoleon’s tactical brilliance unfolded with the precision of a master chess player, each maneuver an exquisite stroke of genius that stunned his adversaries. Rivoli not only cemented hi…

1
The Battle of Saratoga, 1777, American Revolutionary War 25:46

1M ago25:46

25:46

With this resounding victory over the Brits, American forces tightened their grip on the indispensable Hudson River Valley, the lifeblood of the colonies’ strategic defense. This decisive moment did more than just secure territory; it echoed across the Atlantic, compelling France to embrace the American cause and forge a mutual defense pact, a dari…

1
The Battle of Hakata Bay, 1281 A.D. The Mongol Invasion of Japan 21:53

21d ago21:53

21:53

The obliteration of the Mongol fleets (by the "divine wind," the "kamikaze") ensured Japan's sovereignty, safeguarding the island nation from foreign conquest. However, this triumph over the external threat did not bring peace. Instead, it ignited a fierce internal power struggle within the military government, ultimately shifting the balance of po…

1
The Second Battle of Taraori, 1192 A.D. Muslim Conquest of India 18:45

1M ago18:45

18:45

Though Islam had cast its shadow over India for centuries, it was in the wake of this monumental battle that the Islamic crescent truly ascended, establishing Muslim dominion over the land—especially in the north—where it would reign unchallenged until the twilight of the Mughal dynasty in 1857. Taraori, 1192 A.D. Muslim Afghan Forces: ~ 120,000 Hi…

1
74. Empress Wu Zetian, China's Only Female Monarch 36:06

22d ago36:06

36:06

In its many thousands of years of history, China has had only one official ruling monarch who was a woman. Sure, there were powerful Empress Consorts who pulled the strings of weak Emperor husbands, but Empress Wu Zetian ambitiously, and ruthlessly, upended convention to claim the throne in her own name. Born to a prosperous and well-connected fami…

1
The Naval Battle of Actium, 31 B.C. 24:15

23d ago24:15

24:15

Octavianus’ victory over Antonius (Mark Antony) was a historically cataclysmic moment that shattered the very foundations of the ancient Republic. With his enemies vanquished, Octavianus claimed unrivaled dominion over the Roman government, casting aside the old order and erecting in its place the towering behemoth of the Roman Empire — a new era, …

1
The Battle of Hastings, 1066 AD 24:36

24d ago24:36

24:36

With his resounding triumph, William the Conqueror secured the English crown as a foreign sovereign, ushering in the dawn of a new era. No longer would the island be shaped by Scandinavian influences; instead, it was now bound to the sophisticated currents of European civilization. This watershed moment in history marked the last time England would…

1
Series 3 Episode 6 - Evan Kinnane and Ben Jackson Walker 51:44

29d ago51:44

51:44

In this week's episode from Podstream Studios in New York, Dr James Lovelock talks to actors Evan Kinnane and Ben Jackson Walker about LGBTQ+ representation on Broadway and beyond. We talk about Evan's role as Marc Hall in the 2020 production of The Louder We Get at Theatre Calgary in Canada, and about Ben's current role as Romeo in & Juliet as wel…

1
S1E79: Our Last Night in Space... 1:10:42

1M ago1:10:42

1:10:42

Big decisions need to be made as we reach the midway point of arc 2. What will happen when we touch down on Lyra? Our friends over at Monument Studios are launching their Kickstarter TODAY for Fantasy+, the future of TTRPG Audio. Check it out here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/monumentstudios/fantasy-the-future-of-ttrpg-audio Thanks for tun…

1
The Battle of Verdun, WWI. 33:10

1M ago33:10

33:10

The unimaginable loss of life, a gruesome testament to the unyielding carnage on the Western Front during World War I, left a deep, festering wound in the French psyche, one that bled into their military and political decisions for years to come. This haunting trauma became an inescapable force, driving a fearful and defensive stance that would cri…

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