Empires Podcast the Ottomans Frank Schumpert- Host/Creator

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