In this episode I wanted to reflect a bit on some ideas in the fantastic book Global Crisis, War Climate Change and Catastrophe in 17th century Europe. Thumbnail: vMelchiorre Gherardini, Piazza S. Babila, Milan, during the plague of 1630 (via commons)

In this episode I summarize and recommend one of Prof. Parker's most detailed books about Philip II of Spain.

In this video I briefly explain why I think Braudel's The Mediterranean & the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II (both volumes but more specifically vol.2) is not only one of my favourite books but In my opinion one of the best early modern history books ever written and an invaluable resource for anyone interested in this history of the Mediterranean, be it Spain, Venice, Italy, Ottoman empire or Northern Africa.

Wanted to wish everyone a belated happy new year and let you briefly know what I would like to do with this channel in 2024

In this detail I summarised the story of a very wealthy and influential Scot in 17th Century Eastern Europe (Poland but also Moldavia), based on the account of E. D. Tappe and Paul Ricaut ( available here https://www.jstor.org/stable/4204348?seq=1) Could not find images of Scottish Merchants in any of the Moldavian trading centres such as Iasi during the early modern period so just used a commons painting -- A view of Danzig in 1575, vital to Scottish grain supply and the site of a colony of Scottish merchants (Public Domain) Intro and outro -- excerpts of Yonder Hill and Dale - Aaron Kenny (YouTube Audio Library also Public Domain) Subscribe to the channel if you haven't done so already.

Bit late, just wanted to talk a bit about what I think is one of the best movies of this year and a cinematic masterpiece.

A belated preview of one of my most anticipated movies of the year.

In light of the latest release the trailer of Ridley Scott's Napoleon, movie. I propose to look back at one of the most impressive unfinished projects in Cinematic history: Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon Movie. Music from YouTube Audio Library.

Ioannes Cotovicus (Iohann van Kootwyck), a doctor of Civil and Canon Law In the University of Utrecht, Sailed from August 2 1598, touched at Limassol September 12, and sailed from Larnaca September 19 for Sidon, Jaffa & Jerusalem. On March 25 1599 he touched again at Larnaca and visited Nicosia and Famagusta. Make sure to subscribe to the channel to never miss any new material from the podcast. Map of Cyprus by Piri Reis (public domain via commons)

Today we look at a document written by Girolamo Dandini, Professor of Theology at Perugia, sent in 1596 by Pope Clement VIII as a nuncio to the Maronites of Lebanon. From August 8th when he visited Limassol, then Larnaca and Nicosia until the 27th when he left for Tripoli. He would return to Larnaca on March 19th 1597 and departed for Venice on April 12th. Intro & outro excerpts of Cantus Firmus monks (available via YouTube audio library)