Vasco da Gama and The Rise of the Portuguese Empire
20 January 2025 - 1 hour 20 minsDan tells the epic story of Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, whose daring voyages at the turn of the 16th century laid the foundations for the Portuguese Empire. From navigating treacherous waters to forging vital trade routes with India, da Gama's exploits reshaped the world’s economic and political landscape. Dan explores the ambition, challenges, savage conquests and exploits of the Portuguese across Asia and Africa that marked the beginning of Europe & Christianity's domination of the globe.
Warning: This episode includes discussion of suicide and graphic descriptions of violence.
Written by Dan Snow, produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Max Carrey
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Series Episodes
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most powerful figures of the medieval world: twice a queen, a crusader, a rebel and the architect of an empire. Through her marriages to Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, she helped create the vast Angevin Empire and reshape European politics. She led forces on the Second Crusade, rebelled against her husband and played a decisive role in the rise of her sons, including Richard the Lionheart and King John. Historian Dr Elena Janega, host of Gone Medieval, joins the podcast to explore Eleanor’s extraordinary life - from the vibrant court of Aquitaine and the failure of the Second Crusade, to her dramatic divorce, imprisonment, and enduring political influence. This episode reveals how Eleanor’s authority and intelligence held a volatile dynasty together until her death. Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore. Listen to Richard the Lionheart. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/richard-the-lionheart/id1042631089?i=1000714361834 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Pm3oWHAeOHfzLdufvqlDS?si=ZKlCSV_YRwGvS64dQCiWzg Listen to The Greatest Knight That Ever Lived: William the Marshal. Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-greatest-knight-that-ever-lived-william-the-marshal/id1042631089?i=1000726107916 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5h09dhQsoEN3MEPUGmPyLL?si=ZV4Z4gMDRtKaRBiK2Pmmfg We need your help! Let us know what you want from Dan Snow's History Hit by filling in our anonymous survey here: https://forms.gle/PvgayWLkWGjYT4St6 Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcast Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
54 mins
13 April Finished
The Crusades: Assassins vs Templars
For the second episode in our mini-series on the Crusades, we explore the legendary rivalry between two extraordinary medieval orders: the Assassins and the Templars. Separating myth from history, we uncover their beliefs, covert operations and lasting legacy, revealing how truth and legend became forever entwined. For this series, we're joined by Steve Tibble, author of many books on the Crusades, including 'Assassins and Templars: A Battle in Myth and Blood'. Produced by James Hickmann and McKenna Fernandez, and edited by Jhenelle White. Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcast Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
47 mins
9 April Finished
The Commanders: The Best of the Rest
For the final episode in our 'Commanders' series, we've drawn on your suggestions to pay tribute to the commanders who didn’t make our main episodes, but left a lasting mark on the Second World War. Joining us is Jonathan Bratten, a historian and serving Major in the Maine National Guard. Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore. Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcast Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
40 mins
6 April Finished
NEW SERIES: The Crusades
Discover the story behind one of history’s most powerful and controversial eras in our three-part mini-series on the Crusades. From a complete guide to every major Crusade, to the shadowy world of the Assassins and Knights Templar, and finally the dramatic Siege of Acre, we uncover the people, battles and turning points that reshaped Europe and the Middle East. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2 April Finished
The Crusades: A Complete Guide
To launch our mini series on the Crusades, we've put together your complete guide to almost two centuries of holy war - from start to finish. We untangle faith, politics and myth, and reveal how the Crusades reshaped Europe, the Middle East and relations between Islam and Christianity forever. For this series, we're joined by Steve Tibble, author of many books on the Crusades, including 'The Crusader Armies: 1099 - 1187'. Produced by James Hickmann and McKenna Fernandez, and edited by Jhenelle White. Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcast Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
49 mins
2 April Finished
The Commanders: Zhukov
Marshal Georgy Zhukov was undoubtedly one of the Second World War's most formidable figures. Rising from humble peasant origins, Zhukov became the archetype of the Soviet warrior. He commanded vast armies of millions in some of the biggest, bloodiest and most pivotal battles not just of the Second World War but, in all human history. He was celebrated as the saviour of Moscow and the commander who captured the capital of the Third Reich, and is believed by many to be one of history’s greatest military leaders. But his immense popularity and success may also have sown the seeds of his political vulnerability at home in the paranoid Soviet system. In this episode of Dan Snow's History Hit, part five of The Commanders series, we go beyond the legend to explore the man behind the myth. What made Zhukov the leader he became? How did he not only survive the tumultuous world of Soviet politics but thrive? And, does he truly deserve his towering reputation or were his victories at the expense of the men who served under him? Our guide to explore Zhukov's life is the renowned historian Geoffrey Roberts. He is an emeritus professor of modern history at University College Cork and a leading expert on Soviet military history. He is also the author of Stalin's general: the life of Georgy Zhukov, so there is no one better to unpack the life, decisions, and legacy of the man who helped shape the outcome of the Second World War, and examine the fine line between glory and danger in Stalin’s Soviet Union. If you would like to read more of Geoffrey's work, his latest book is Wartime Letters – Kathleen Harriman Produced and edited by Dougal Patmore. Dan Snow's History Hit is now available on YouTube! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/@DSHHPodcast Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can also email the podcast directly at [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 4 mins
30 March Finished
