The Sixth Age: A Medieval History Podcast
The Sixth Age: A Medieval History Podcast is a deep dive into medieval history that strips away modern myths to reveal the world as it was actually lived. It explores why people in the Middle Ages saw the world the way they did, from the fall of Rome to the dawn of the Renaissance. The podcast reconstructs the medieval worldview, challenging common misconceptions about the so-called 'Dark Ages.'
Episodes
Introduction to the Eastern Roman Empire
Join me for an overview of the Eastern Roman Empire's major institutions, plus an account of the reigns of Emperors Zeno, Basilicus, and Anastasius Dicorus. As always, you can view the bibliography, contact me, or donate at the podcast website.
Keywords: Byzantine, Byzantium, Zeno, Basilicus, Medieval, History, Eastern Roman, Rome, Constantinople, Christianity, Christian History
The Balt Dynasty: Ruling the Visigoths From 410-531 AD
Today, I cover the rulers of the Visigoths from 410-531 AD, focusing on the Balt dynasty, which led the Visigoths to conquer vast portions of Spain and France before they were defeated by internal squabbling and neighboring tribes. I cover great kings like Alaric I, Theodoric I, and Euric, as well as their less able descendants.
As always, you can leave comments or questions at the podcast websit
Peter the Hermit, Anthony, and Pachomius: The Origins of Christian Monasticism
In this episode, I cover three of the earliest recorded Christian monks and the origins of Christian monasticism.
Leave comments or questions at https://www.6thagepod.com/contact
Follow the podcast on Tiktok at @6thagepod
VANDALism - Part 2/2
In this episode, I cover the waning years of Geiseric's reign, and the reigns of his successors, setting the stage for the ultimate confrontation between the Eastern Romans and the Vandals.
As always, you can review my sources, or leave comments or questions, at https://www.6thagepod.com/
VANDALism - Part 1/2
Ever wondered where the term "vandalism" came from? Listen to this podcast to find out. I cover the Vandal tribes, from their first appearance in written records through the Vandal Sack of Rome in 455 AD.
If you like this episode, make sure you subscribe so you don't miss part two. As always, you can leave feedback or review the show's bibliography at https://www.6thagepod.com/.
The Medieval Marvel Cinematic Universe
In this episode, we do a deep dive on early Medieval heroic traditions - including Germanic and Celtic legends. Also, there's a brief summary of Beowulf and a little bit of historical and literary analysis you can dive into. Enjoy!
As always, you can review my sources or leave questions and comments at the podcast website, www.6thagepod.com
Angles, Saxons, and Jutes - oh my!
This episode traces the end of Roman rule in Britain, the withdrawal of imperial protection around 410 AD, and the rise of Germanic settlers (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) who mixed warfare, settlement, and legend with the Romano‑British population.
Learn more at www.6thagepod.com
The Origins of Medieval Serfdom
This week we're covering the origins of Medieval European Serfdom, through the eyes of an Italian couple. As always, you can leave comments, view bibliographies, and support the show on the podcast website.
Goodbye Jin Dynasty, We Hardly Knew You
In this episode we trace the Jin Empire’s collapse in the 4th–5th centuries: pressure from nomadic invasions and disastrous internal politics and taxation under the Sima family.
Read the podcast substack at https://6thagepod.substack.com/
From Empire to Fragmentation: Gupta India’s Collapse and the Dawn of the Medieval Era
In the 4th–5th centuries AD the Gupta Empire’s golden age—shaped by rulers like Samudragupta and Chandragupta II, thriving trade with Rome, and rich religious and urban life—was shattered by repeated invasions by the Huns. Reliant on Roman gold and international trade, the Guptas could not withstand the sustained pressure.
The episode traces the Guptas’ rise, their ties to Roman commerce, the Hunn
The Sons of the Sea-Monster: The Merovingians and the Making of France
This episode explores the legendary and historical origins of the Merovingian dynasty, from the myth of Merovich’s sea-monster conception to Clovis’s military conquests and conversion to Christianity.
It examines Frankish identity, Roman influence, the synthesis of Roman and Germanic cultures, and how Clovis’s actions set the foundation for the medieval kingdom of France.
Christian Creeds: Formalizing Ancient and Early Medieval Christianity, from Nicea to Chalcedon
This episode traces early Christianity’s theological diversity and the struggle to define orthodoxy from grassroots movements to imperial councils.
It explains how emperors like Constantine and Theodosius used councils (Nicaea, Ephesus, Chalcedon) to settle disputes over Jesus’ nature, label heresies, and enforce creeds—reshaping the Christian world and provoking enduring schisms.
CORRECTION NOTIC
Saint Brigid: Breaking Boundaries in Medieval Ireland
How do you turn a pagan goddess into a Christian saint? That's what we're asking in this week's episode on Saint Brigid, the boundary-breaking Irish woman who was venerated across Medieval Europe. We'll be talking about Brigid's pagan origins, as well as examining her relationship with some modern-day Irish social movements.
Learn more at our website!
Theodoric the Great, and the Foundation of Medieval Italy
This week we're diving into the life of Theodoric the Great, the Ostrogothic King who conquered Italy and ruled Barbarian and Roman alike. We'll be focusing on the way Theodoric blended Roman and Gothic culture to rule effectively, and talk about how his rule paved the way for an Italian Kingdom, independent of Constantinople's oversight.
Comments, questions, or concerns can be left at 6thagepod.
The First Pilgrim: Saint Helena of Constantinople
Join us this week as we do a deep dive on the first Christian pilgrim, Saint Helena of Constantinople. Her story provides us an insight into women's role in the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman world, and she set the stage for the centuries long tradition of Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem that persists today.
Saint Augustine
Learn about the quintessential Medieval saint and theologian, Augustine of Hippo.
Please ignore the dog eating his lunch in the background.
The podcast website is now up! Visit 6thagepod.com today.
Meet the Barbarians
It's time for a whirlwind tour of the Barbarian peoples settling along the Roman Empire's fringes. These guys will undermine the Empire from the inside, and ultimately lay the foundations for the Medieval Kingdoms we know and love.
New Rome Who Dis
Rome fell in 476 AD. Or did it? This episode dives into the transition from the Roman world to the Medieval one, and tackles some of the biggest misconceptions we have about the Fall of the Roman Empire.
Clovis and Hannah
The story of a Jewish Builder, sharing his visions of the end of the world.
Introduction
Welcome to the Sixth Age: A Medieval History Podcast. Learn about our approach to Medieval History here!
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