From Here to History

The Comanche peaked and then fell in the decades between 1840 and 1880. In this episode, we discuss that story arc. From the Comanche retaliation against Texas for the Council House Massacre, through a brief peace with the Texans, drought and declining bison herds, collapsing population, and finally to the back-and-forth relations with the US that culminated in the reservation period. In the middle of this story, Quanah Parker emerges as a great Comanche warrior who would then, in an unexpected pivot, urge assimilation as the last, best hope for his people. Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter)You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comFurther reading:Comanches: History of a People T.R. FehrenbachThe Comanche Empire Pekka HamalainenEmpire of the Summer Moon S.C. GwynneThe Comanches: A History 1706-1875 Thomas KavanaghThe Last Comanche Chief Bill NeelyIn this YouTube Video, archer Lars Anderson recreated Comanche feats of archeryIf you wish to visit Quanah Parker's Star House, contact Wayne Gipson at Trading Post Restaurant in Cache, OKSend us a text

In the third episode of our series on the Comanche, Comancheria slowly divorces itself from New Spain  to seek better fortunes in the bustling American markets. The Mexican government inherits a troubled border in Texas and disastrously mismanages the Comanche challenge. Texas breaks away from Mexico and her frontier explodes with settlements that pressure the Comanche homeland. Listen in as Chris and Jason discuss two restless worlds that are ready to collide.  Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter)You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comFurther reading:Comanches: History of a People T.R. FehrenbachThe Comanche Empire Pekka HamalainenEmpire of the Summer Moon S.C. GwynneThe Comanches: A History 1706-1875 Thomas KavanaghThe Last Comanche Chief Bill NeelySend us a text

Just in time for Halloween! Join Chris and Jason as they discuss two historic sites that are reputed to be haunted: Poveglia Island in the Venetian Lagoon and Greyfriars Kirkyard in Old Town Edinburgh. Are the tortured souls in their tragic pasts still with us today? Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter)You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comReading material on Poveglia Island is extremely scarce. But if you're interested in Greyfriars, and larger Scottish history in general, you could do worse than this list.The Ghost that Haunted Itself by Jan-Andrew HendersonScotland: the Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson How the Scots Invented the Modern World by Arthur HermanCharles II by Ronald HuttonSend us a text

The Comanche entered the southern great plains slowly and imperceptibly, ultimately to find themselves one part of a very restless world. There were imperial tensions between European powers, as well as ancient rivalries and territorial ambitions of powerful native nations. It wasn't exactly a game of thrones, but it was a contest nonetheless. Listen in as Chris and Jason discuss the Comanche's war of annihilation against the Apache, their tumultuous relationship with the Spanish, shrewd alliances with other native nations, and the peace that was engineered in the twilight of Spanish power in North America.   Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter)You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comFurther reading:Comanches: History of a People T.R. FehrenbachThe Comanche Empire Pekka HamalainenEmpire of the Summer Moon S.C. GwynneThe Comanches: A History 1706-1875 Thomas KavanaghThe Last Comanche Chief Bill NeelySend us a text

"They came to the plains from the west, slipping through the canyon passes of the Sangre de Cristo Range in small, roving bands...They were few in number, possessed little wealth...New Mexico's Spanish officials noted their arrival to the southern grasslands in 1706 and wrote it off as a minor event. Yet by midcentury, the Numunu, then bearing the name Comanches, had unhinged the world they had almost unnoticeably entered"So begins historian Pekka Hamalainen's epic history, The Comanche Empire. They were the continent's greatest horsemen and possibly the most ferocious warriors in history. In the first of several episodes on the Comanches, Chris and Jason trace their origins as hunter gatherers in vast North American wilderness, their migration south, and the fearsome but adaptable culture they forged on their path to dominance of the southern Great Plains.  Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter)You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comFurther reading:Comanches: History of a People T.R. FehrenbachThe Comanche Empire Pekka HamalainenEmpire of the Summer Moon S.C. GwynneThe Comanches: A History 1706-1875 Thomas KavanaghSend us a text

Lord Chelmsford, looking to redeem himself from his failed first invasion,  crosses into Zululand in force for a second attempt. Pressure on Chelmsford mounts as Field Marshal Garnet Wolseley races to South Africa to assume full command. Cetshwayo sues for peace but assembles his army for one last showdown at the capital city of UlundiJoin Chris and Jason as they conclude their look at the rise and fall of the Zulu nation.Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter)You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comOnce again, here is a possible reading list on the Zulus and the Anglo-Zulu War:The Washing of the Spears by Donald MorrisAnatomy of the Zulu Army by Ian KnightThe Zulus at War by Adrian Greaves & Xolani MkhizeBrave Men's Blood by Ian KnightIn the Shadow of Isandlwana by John LabandWho's Who in the Zulu War Vols I & II by Adrian Greaves and Ian KnightThis article by DP O'Connor is an interesting take on Sir Bartle FrereRunning the Gauntlet by George MossopSend us a Text Message.

In this episode on the Zulu nation, we discuss Cetshwayo's violent march to the Zulu throne, his cozying up to the British as a bulwark against the Boers, and then the inexplicable events that thrust his people into a war with England. As the English columns  invade Zululand, a story of victory and defeat unfolds, with heroism and tragedy on both sides of the conflict.  Follow us on our Facebook page or on X (formerly Twitter) You can reach out to us by email:  fromheretohistory@gmail.comThese are great places to start reading on the Zulu War:The Washing of the Spears by Donald MorrisAnatomy of the Zulu Army by Ian KnightThe Zulus at War by Adrian Greaves & Xolani MkhizeBrave Men's Blood by Ian KnightIn the Shadow of Isandlwana by John LabandWho's Who in the Zulu War Vols I & II by Adrian Greaves and Ian KnightThis article by DP O'Connor is an interesting take on Sir Bartle Frere

The Zulu nation as we remember it was forged in a world of upheaval under the leadership of the intelligent, dynamic, and ruthless king Shaka Kasenzangakhona. Shaped by the tumultuous events known as the Mfecane, Shaka imposed and maintained a new order on his world by the force of his will, his innovative military tactics, and his brutal efficiency.  After he was brought down by the assassin's spears, he was followed on the Zulu throne in succession by two half brothers. Their reigns would collide in what many Zulus today  remember as the moment the nation's soul began to break.Join us in this episode for a fascinating journey through the reigns of these three Zulu kings.Don't forget to like and subscribe! And leave us a review if you feel so inclined.You can follow our Facebook page to keep in touch and comment on the episode. We posted a selected reading list with part 1 of this series but here it is again for convenience: The Washing of the Spears by Donald MorrisAnatomy of the Zulu Army by Ian KnightThe Zulus at War by Adrian Greaves & Xolani MkhizeBrave Men's Blood by Ian KnightIn the Shadow of Isandlwana by John Laband

We took a holiday hiatus but we're back with the first in a 3-part series on the most dominant tribal nation in 18th-century South Africa: The Zulus. In this episode, we range from their Bantu origins to the emergence of Shaka and his military innovations. We will briefly meet The Boers as they race across the frontier from Cape Town on a collision course with the Zulus, then settle down to a tour of Zulu war rituals and tactics.Give our page a like on Facebook If you're interested in further reading on the topic, here are some great suggestions. It is far from an exhaustive list but we think any of them are a good place to start. The Washing of the Spears by Donald MorrisAnatomy of the Zulu Army by Ian KnightThe Zulus at War by Adrian Greaves & Xolani MkhizeBrave Men's Blood by Ian KnightIn the Shadow of Isandlwana by John Laband

In From Here to History's first ever Halloween episode, spirits, demons, and the bodies they try to possess are the topic. Join Chris and Jason as they discuss an  anthology of stories and beliefs about possession and exorcism from across time and cultures. Follow us on Facebook and XThere are a lot of sources on the subject out there, here were some of ours:The Penguin Book of Exorcisms  A great anthology of exorcism stories from across time and from different culturesA History of Exorcism in Catholic Christianity by Francis YoungThe Devil is Afraid of Me by Fr. Gabrielle AmorthAn Exorcist Tells his Story by Fr. Gabrielle AmorthEntertaining Satan by John Demos. This one centers on witchcraft in 17th Century New England but the material on possession, the worldview of the Puritans, and how these cases were often handled is worth a plungeSpirit Possession Around the World by Joseph LaycockThe Devil Came to St. Louis by Troy Taylor. Excellent summary of the Ronnie Hunkeler caseDemonic Possession and Exorcism in Early Modern France by Sarah FerberThere are also great books on the Anneliese Michel case, we recommend the one by Felicitas Goodman, and The Devils of Loudun is a classic on the Loudun possessions 

The Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III inaugurated the golden age of his empire's power between 745 and 727 BC. Just over a century later, Sin-Summu-Ishkin watched as that empire took its dying breaths. It was a meteoric rise and cataclysmic fall for the now largely forgotten Assyrian Empire. In this episode, Chris and Jason discuss the story arc of the Neo-Assyrians: their kings and armies, their conspiracies and palace coups, and then, ultimately, the enemies who brought them down. Follow us on X @HeretoHistoryNotes on sourcesOne big caveat when it comes to reading material on Assyria is that it is mostly a field for specialists. The academic material is vast, but there are very few 'popular' histories of the Ancient Assyrians. That means much of what is available may be reasonably inaccessible (and a bit pricey) for the reader with a general interest in Assyrian history.But if you wish to forge ahead, we relied heavily on the following works:Assyria: The Rise and Fall of the World's First Empire by Eckart FrahmAncient Assyria: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford Very Short Introduction Series) by Karen Radner A Companion to Assyria (Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World) Ed by Eckart FrahmThe Imperialisation of Assyria: an Archaeological Approach by Bleda DuringHappy history hunting!

Massive statues of winged bulls with human heads, stone reliefs depicting gruesome lion hunts and mass executions of captured soldiers, ancient history's most impressive library, kings with complex names, the famous Lost Tribes of Israel. All of these elements and more come together in Ancient Assyria. Some historians credit them as being the world's first true empire. But today, outside of specialists in the field or anyone with a deep familiarity with the Hebrew Bible, the Ancient Assyrians are largely forgotten.In the first of 2 episodes devoted to this incredible society, Chris and Jason discuss how a minor city-state on the Tigris first appeared in history and became a wealthy trading hub. How a few visionary kings forged the city of Ashur's place in the world of ancient Mesopotamia and laid the foundations for the empire that was to come. 

One episode just wasn't enough to capture the Spartans, so we settled on two episodes. Now, looking back, two episodes probably weren't enough, either. They were a major force in the ancient Greek world for nearly half a millennium, but eventually the regime of Lycurgus failed and Sparta faded into history.In this episode we take a quick tour of some of Sparta's most colorful personalities, a few of their battlefield clashes, and their ultimate downfall. Follow us on X @HeretoHistoryMusic credit: Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

They were controversial in their own time as well as ours. A society capable of impressive discipline and moments of jaw-dropping heroism. They were also a rigidly hierarchical culture who could use brutal suppression to maintain their preferred social order. With this episode, we're beginning a series on some of history's famous warrior civilizations and we chose one of the most notorious of those as our jumping off point: the Ancient Spartans. Music credit: Kevin Macleod Ancient Mystery WaltzFollow us on Twitter @HeretoHistory

Back in March we hosted our second annual tournament of history on our campus. Styled after the NCAA March Madness tournament, our students considered 16 names and voted their way to a champion. Last year the tournament was about the greatest US president. This year, in honor of Women's History Month, our competitors were significant and influential women in history. If you'd like to know how it all turned out, tune in as Chris, Jason and Elizabeth review the tournament and reveal the winner.

The Vietnam War era is often remembered as the most divisive conflict in US history. In classes across the US students will learn about the draft, the internal divisions in the US over civil rights, imperialism, and the Cold War. Those are all important. Far less often, if at all, will students learn about the individual soldiers who went off to fight in the war.In this episode, Chris and Jason interview their long time friend Steve Quesinberry. Steve just wrote a book that traces the lives of 23 boys from our local county who went to Vietnam and never came home.  He didn't just tell their war stories, he attempted to tell each individual's life story. And in the process, he demonstrated how large geo-political events in far away places can have lasting impacts on so many anonymous people in small towns all across America. Buy the book on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Better-Men-Coweta-Georgia-Vietnam/dp/B0BJ4QSGPZWe are grateful, as always, to our producer, Nate Davidson

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still interest and inspire us today. In this episode we reflect on our tour of the Wonders with a few footnotes  to wrap up the trip. Then we take a look at a few modern structures and natural features that are awesome wonders in their own right.  Thanks as always to our sound producer, Nate Davidson

It's that time of year when much of the US goes a little crazy with bracket fever: the NCAA tournament. In 2022 we tried our hand at a March Madness of US presidents and this year we're trying a tournament again.  But the 2023 edition will honor Women's History Month by pitting 16 women in a contest for the title most significant, interesting, or influential woman in history (at least according to our unofficial and largely unscientific poll)!In this episode, Chris, Jason, and their friend Elizabeth introduce the 16 contenders, weigh the matches, and try to predict the outcome.Special thanks, as always, to our editor and producer, Nate Davidson, who always does a stellar job.Follow us on Twitter @HereToHistory if you wish to vote in the tournament!

Hello again everyone! We're so sorry for the long hiatus since our last episode. A few production glitches slowed us down but we're happy to be back.In this episode, Chris and Jason finish their tour of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.  In Babylon they muse on whether or not those famous Hanging Gardens actually existed while taking in the sights and sounds of one the ancient world's most entrancing cities. Then over at the beautiful island of Rhodes they consider the Colossus, the great statue of Helios in the harbor that only stood for 54 years.We thank Nate Davidson for producing the episode!Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistoryMusic credit Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

In the third of our series on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, we visit Greece and travel west to see the Statue of Zeus at Olympia. From there we go back to Asia Minor and the flourishing city of Ephesus to discuss the Temple of Artemis. Along the way we encounter one king's strange way of scaring suitors away from his daughter, a rodent-infested statue that somehow manages to laugh, a fabled race of warrior women, and an image of Artemis that repels and frightens. Alexander the Great, Saint Paul, Marc Antony and even the Virgin Mary all make an appearance in this episode. Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistoryThanks to our producer, Grant WeaverMusic credit Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod.

In the second of our series on the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, we leave the Pyramid at Giza and journey to Anatolia to see one of history's most elaborate vanity projects: the Tomb of Mausolus at Halicarnassus. From there we'll go back to Egypt (who planned this trip??) for arguably the most practical and useful of all the seven wonders, The Pharos at Alexandria. Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistoryAs always, thanks to our producer, Grant Weaver.Music credit Ancient Mystery Waltz, Kevin Macleod

The Seven wonders of the Ancient World. These were the artistic and architectural achievements of the ancient Mediterranean world that travelers found most impressive and alluring. Some stood for decades, others for centuries, and a few for millennia. Today, only one of the seven still stands. For the other six, we have to piece lace together imagination, descriptions from ancient writers, and the finds of modern archaeologists to get a picture of what once existed. In this series we are taking a field trip around that world to discuss and imagine the monuments on this storied list.   In part 1, we briefly overview the seven and how the memory of them came down to us through the centuries. Then we turn our attention to the grandest and most enduring of them all: The Great Pyramid at Giza. Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistoryGrant Weaver is always our champion sound editorMusic credit: Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

The largest set-piece battle in world history began on July 5, 1943. Chris and Jason wind up their series on the Battle of Kursk by discussing the battle's high points, considering its statistics, and assessing its place in the Second World War. Follow us on Twitter for images and a reading list @HeretoHistoryOur sound editor is Grant Weaver and he always deserves thanksMusic credit Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

With their wartime fortunes beginning to crumble, Germany needed some kind of resolution on the Eastern Front. They pinned their hopes on Operation Citadel, a pincer and encirclement attack aimed at the Russian town of Kursk. In part 3 of this series, Chris and Jason discuss the planning of Operation Citadel, new German weapons that the High Command hoped would deliver a victory, and some of the people who led on both sides of the conflict. Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistoryThanks as always to our editor, Grant WeaverMusic credit Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

Germany invaded the USSR in June, 1941. In part 2 of our chat about the battle of Kursk, we sprint through the first 2 years on the Eastern Front. We chat about Stalin's blunder in ignoring all the signs of imminent invasion, Eastern Front atrocities, early German success with those big encirclements, Moscow, Stalingrad, and a whole lot more.Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/HeretoHistoryWe have a good Eastern Front reading list there and you can keep up with news about our show.Thanks, as always, to our sound editor, Grant WeaverMusic credit: Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

When Germany and the USSR fought for Kursk in July 1943, they were facing off in the largest battle of the Second World War. The largest battle in human history, in fact. Chris and Jason team up to tell the story of this epic confrontation.  In the first of 4 episodes covering the battle, we back up to discuss the origins of the Eastern Front. We delve a little into Germany's rationale for invading the USSR, how they planned for it and envisioned it playing out, and the state of the Soviet Union on the eve of Operation Barbarossa.Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistoryThanks as always to our editor, Grant WeaverMusic credit: Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin MacLeod.

Our tournament of US Presidents concluded with Lincoln capturing the title by the narrowest of margins. In this episode, Chris, Jason and Rachael discuss the showdown between Washington and Lincoln.Thanks as always for our sound and content editor, Grant WeaverMusic: Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod.

The tournament is winding down. Jason and Chris team up to discuss the presidents who lost out of the Elite 8 and the Final 4. They then offer a few thoughts on the upcoming championship between heavy hitters George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistory Thanks to our editor, Grant Weaver, who cut out a lot of fluff and still made us sound smart.Music credit: Ancient Mystery Waltz by Kevin Macleod

Sixteen presidents set out to be named the greatest in history. After two weeks of competition, eight advance and eight go home. In this episode, Chris, Katie, and Rachael send those eight home in true presidential style.Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistory to vote in the tournament and keep up with podcast news.The audio had some glitches this time around but our sound editor, Grant Weaver, did Herculean work to minimize them. We're sure it will be fixed by the next episode!

The Big Dance of History is here. Sixteen US Presidents are seeded, matched up, and set to battle it out for the title of "Greatest President in History." Chris, Jason, and Katie introduce the contenders and offer analysis, predictions, and thoughts on the upcoming Tournament of US Presidents.Follow us on Twitter @HeretoHistory to vote in our tournament and keep up with podcast news.As always, special thanks to our sound editor, Grant Weaver.

In our first effort (bear with us while we climb the learning curve!), Jason and Chris take a deep dive into the life of Marcus Agrippa. Largely unknown today, Agrippa was a crucial figure in the end of the Roman Republic and the rise of the Roman Empire. He was Octavian Caesar's military go-to man responsible for the victories that propelled Octavian to the ultimate title Augustus. In addition, he was the vitally important city planner who transformed Rome's landscape. But beyond that, he was also the emperor's best friend. Their bond endured intrigue, wealth, and power to stand out as one of history's greatest examples of friendship. Thanks to our sound editor, Grant Weaver.