The Dark Ages Podcast

Origo Gothica

The Goths, Part One.
The Goths appear on the Roman border and quickly become a force to be reckoned with.  This episode deals with the Goths origins, early history, conflicts with Rome in the third century, and some things about their culture. Who was a Goth when he was at home? (Spoiler, he didn't wear black or think much about vampires.)
This episode covers a period from about 100 BCE to 271 CE.
Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com
The mentioned map can be found here.
References are here.

Athanaric & Fritigern

The Goths, Part 2
c. 264-378 CE
The Goths face challenges at home and abroad.  An ambitious Roman Emperor seeks to shore up his reign at their expense.  Religious controversy and rivalry threatens internal stability.  But the greatest challenge arises in the East, and the Goths must abandon their way of life.
The Lord's Prayer in Gothic
Map of the Adrianople Campaign
Music:
"The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

Alaric the Bold

The Goths, Part 3
378 - 408 CE
The Gothic Wars end in stalemate as Goths and Romans try to come to terms with new realities.  A new leader appears to push for dignity and power for his people, who will take the fight into the heartland of the Roman world.
Map of Alaric's invasion of Greece
Map of Alaric's First Invasion of Italy
Bust of Eutropius
Music:
"The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

The Sack of Rome

The Goths, Part 4
408-410 CE
The death of Stilicho leaves Alaric and the Visigoths high and dry.  Negotiations break down, and Alaric takes drastic action.  The Sack of Rome of 410 is pointed to as one of the points where the Roman Empire fell and the resonance of the event would be felt down through the centuries.
 
Music :
"The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com
"Rulers of our Lands" by Raphael Krux freepd.com

Five Kings and a Reckoning

The Goths, Part 5
410 - 451 CE
The Visigoths move out of Italy, into more years of privation. Along the way there's a royal marriage, long marches, sieges and naval blockades. Ultimately the Goths find what they've been looking for for nearly half a century - a home. But there's another, even greater test on the horizon, and a chance to face an old enemy.
Music:
"The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com
"The Black Knight" By Raphael Krux freepd.com
"Epic Strike" By Andrew Sitkov freepd.com
Music is for this episode is by Andrew Sitkov, Keven MacLeod, and Raphael Krux
Sources can be found here

The Whirlwind of Nations - The Huns Part 1

c. 370 - 395 CE
Where had the Huns come from? Who were they? How did they fight? What made them so scary?
I'll look for answers in this episode, and may even find some.
Information on cranial modification is here and here
An image of the patera is here
Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

All the Sun Shines Upon - The Huns Part 2

395 - 435 CE
Contact with the wealth of the Roman empire gradually changes the Huns and sets the stage for their most famous ruler.
 
Map of Roman Provinces
 
Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

Atilla Invictus - The Huns Part 3

435 - 446 CE
The scourge of God rises from the Hunnic horde.  The Romans have to deal with him while also facing earthquake, flood, and plague.  Straight up not having a good time, bro.
Map of the Roman road network.
Another map of the geography of the Balkans in late antiquity.
Music "The Bretons" By Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

The Vandals Part 1

c. 200 BCE to 408 CE
I introduce the Vandals with a cold.  The Vandals don't have a cold, I have a cold. So, sorry about that.
The Vandals rose up next door to the Goths, with whom they would have a complicated relationship.  This episode tracks their early migration into Gaul and then Spain, and talks a little bit about what their home life would have been like.  There's also a bonus tribe, as we sketch a bit about the Alans.
And as promised, I learned to pronounce "Przeworsk"
Report on the Archaeology of the Przeworsk Culture in Hungary
Sketches of various Przeworsk artifacts
Article on with Maps and pictures
Some photographs of Wielbark Artifacts for comparison
Music:
The Britons by Kevin MacLeod freepd.com

King of Africa - The Vandals Part 2

408 - 439 CE
The Vandals, along with their allies, the Alans and Suevi, ravage Spain before moving into Africa.  There, under the leadership of their king Gaiseric, they will achieve something no other Barbarian tribe has yet accomplished.
Map of the Vandal Invasion of Spain
Roman Provinces of Africa
The Peutinger Tabula
 
Music
Title: "The Britons" by Kevin MacLeod http://www.freepd.com
Incidental Music by Andrew Sitkov