A History Of Europe, Key Battles

In the ninth century the Vikings repeatedly attacked Britain, overcoming all Anglo-Saxon kingdoms except for Wessex. King Alfred the Great of Wessex, not only managed to defend his kingdom but to turn the tide against the Vikings and build the foundations of the state of England Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On September 18th the people of Scotland will vote to decide whether to stay part of the United Kingdom or whether to form an independent nation. This is the story of the early formation of the kingdoms of Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire, leading to the different regional identities that exist on the isles today. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Franks of Charles Martel vs Islamic Umayyad Caliphate. From the mid seventh century the Muslim armies conquered lands from Spain to Persia forming a powerful new world empire. In 732 AD a large Muslim raiding party in southern France was confronted by the leader of the Franks, a Germanic people who over the previous couple of centuries had take control of the area of modern day France. This is the story of the great battle that ensued. More details at www.historyeurope.net Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Rise of Islam in the 630’s threatened the existence of two ancient superpowers - the Persian and Roman Empires. In 636 AD the decisive battle took place between the Arabs led by Khalid ibn al-Walid and the Byzantine/Roman Empire of Heraklius- the Battle of Yarmouk. More details at www.historyeurope.net Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the 620's the Eastern Roman Empire faced several threats, most notably the Persian Empire. Part 1 focuses on the conflict between Constantinople and Persia. This provides the context for the Rise of Islam in the 630's leading to the decisive Battle of Yarmouk in 636 AD between the Roman Emperor Heraclius and the Arab invaders. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Attila and the Huns vs Aetius and the Roman Empire, with their respective allies Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The rise of the Roman army commander Aetius who would face Attila and the Huns in the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields in the twilight of Empire Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The western Roman Empire was about to fall. But in 451 AD her soldiers had one last great victory on the battlefield, At the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields the destructive armies of Attila and the Huns were kept at bay and prevented from overrunning Western Europe Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the year AD 312, Constantine the Great defeated his main rival for the title of emperor in Western Europe. He is one of the most significant people in history, as the first Christian Emperor, who vigorously promoted the religion Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Roman Empire of Augustus vs an alliance of Germanic tribes. Description of the battle, in which Arminius led his German followers on an ambush which destroyed three Roman legions, and contributed to halting Rome’s expansion into northern Europe. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Roman Empire of Augustus vs an alliance of Germanic tribes. In AD 9 Rome was steadily gaining control over the territory of Germania, north of the Rhine. However, they suffered a devastating defeat, and the loss of three legions in the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest. Part 1 describes the build-up to this event. More information at www.historyeurope.net Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hannibal of Carthage v Scipio Africanus of Rome. Rome fought back against Hannibal's campaign in Italy and the various revolts they faced. They then launched an invasion of Africa, which led to the decisive Battle of Zama, 202 BC Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hannibal of Carthage v Scipio Africanus of Rome. In the third century BC the Roman faced its biggest challenge to date - The Punic Wars against the Phoenicians of Carthage. The two sides fought for decades. This podcast describes the build up to the Battle of Zama, the culmination of the Second Punic War. More information at www.historyeurope.net Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 2 of 2 on the Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC. In 334 BC Alexander the Great's Greek/Macedonian army of conquest marched into Asia. Here I tell the story of the campaign, and Alexander's plans to forge a new Greco-Persian culture Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 1 of 2 on the Battle of Gaugamela, 331 BC. Describes the build up to the invasion of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great, with an army of Greeks and Macedonians Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Part 2 of 2 on the Battle of Marathon, between the Ancient Greeks and the Persian Empire Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In 490 BC the Ancient Greeks of Athens fought for their very survival and for their way of life against the Persian Empire. It is important because the Greeks were to help build the foundations of European civilisation Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The year 2014 marks a hundred years since the beginning of the First World War- a war which started in Europe and tore the continent apart. It is a time for reflection on its legacy. This podcast acts as an introduction to the series of podcasts telling the history of Europe from the Ancient Greeks to the First World War Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/ahistoryofeurope.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.