Wonderer's History Podcast

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Welcome to the Wonderer's History Podcast. My name is Vlad Zamfira, history and archaeology graduate (MA) from the University of Aberdeen Scotland with a Certificate of Postgraduate Studies also in Venetian and Mediterranean History in the 16th century. History enthusiast, podcast lover and avid historical culture consumer. Focused on the study of Venetian History with additional interest in overall Italian history, Malta, Cyprus, the Ottoman Empire and Spain during Charles V and Phillip II. This podcast will feature all of this and much more so stay tuned for more content!

Vlad Zamfira


    • May 12, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 16m AVG DURATION
    • 92 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Wonderer's History Podcast

    Climate Change, Wars & disasters in 17th Century Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2024 12:42


    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)

    The Grand Strategy of Philip II -- An essential Geoffrey Parker history book

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 5:11


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

    Fernand Braudel's The Mediterranean & the Mediterranean World in the Age of Philip II -A Masterpiece

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 17:01


    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.

    Just catching up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 3:11


    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

    History of Patrick Simson, A Scottish Merchant in the 17th century Moldavian Potash trade

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2023 9:43


    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.

    Oppenheimer - A history biopic done right

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2023 8:37


    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.

    My preview of Oppenheimer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2023 6:53


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

    A perspective on Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon movie project

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2023 37:34


    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.

    Concluding observations of Cyprus at the end of the 16th century- Account of Cotovicus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 13:56


    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)

    A Papal Legate's visit to Ottoman Cyprus- Account of Girolamo Dandini in 1596

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 13:59


    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)

    Can one use Chat GPT for learning history?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2023 11:03


    In a final experiment of this miniseries I ask Chat GPT a few more questions with some interesting responses given. Source of the photo: Pexels.com

    I asked Chat GPT which century is more important- 16th or 17th

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 7:29


    In this episode I wanted to check with Chat GPT and see what it says about the 16th and 17th centuries and why these centuries were so important.

    I asked Chat GPT some questions about Venetian History

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2023 7:21


    In this episode I wanted to check what Chat GPT thinks about Venetian history in general and who was the most important doge. Some interesting answers came up. SUBSCRIBE to the channel if you haven't done so already to never miss any new materials from the podcast.

    The aftermath of the Ottoman Conquest of Cyprus- Villamont's account in 1589

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 14:54


    In this episode we look at the account of Seigneur de Villamont in Cyprus in 1589 and how things have change from the years of Venetian rule. Subscribe to the channel if you haven't done so already! Image: Map of Cyprus by Piri Reis (via commons/public domain)

    The last moments of Venetian Cyprus at Famagusta- Paulo Paruta

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2023 8:26


    In this episode I discuss briefly about what happened at the end of the Ottoman Siege of Famagusta which concluded Venice's loss. For more information on this please visit episode 4 of the Podcast which looked at the Demise of Marcantonio Bragadin. Next episodes will look at a few accounts which covered Ottoman Cyprus between 1573 and 1620. Subscribe to the channel if you haven't done so already. Intro & outru Doug Maxwell Arabian Nights via Youtube's Audio Library (public domain & free to use)

    A Christmas message & plans for the podcast in 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 5:56


    A few ideas about the next year and what themes I will want to cover in a new series (Hint: has to do with the Thirty Years' War & more). Wishing my listeners a Happy Christmas & holiday season.

    The late Venetian response after Selim II's Divan- (Diedo's account PART 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2022 7:10


    In this episode we continue the account of Venetian Senator Diedo from the account Excerpta Cypria looking at the late reactions of the Venetians, who found themselves once again in the need of assistance from the Papacy and Spain.

    Selim II and the Divan before the Ottoman conquest of Cyprus (Diedo's account part 1- Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2022 9:18


    In this episode of the Travelers Diaries of the 16th century Mediterranean, we look at the first part of Venetian Senator Giacomo Diedo's accont (from Excerpta Cypria). Equestrian portrait of Sultan Selim II by Lambert de Vos, 1574 (public domain via wiki commons)

    Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean- Giovanni Sozomeno in Nicosia 1570

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 18:15


    A new account from Excerpta Cypria, Materials for a history of Cyprus, written by travellers who were in Venetian Cyprus throughout the 16th century. This one belongs to Giovanni Sozomeno present during the Ottoman Siege of Nicosia in 1570 who was subsequently taken prisoner. Editor mentioned this account was initially meant for Cosimo di Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany who passed away in 1574. Subscribe to the channel to never miss any new material from the podcast!

    Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean- Fabriano Falchetti in Nicosia 1570

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 12:15


    A new account from Excerpta Cypria, Materials for a history of Cyprus, written by travellers who were in Venetian Cyprus throughout the 16th century. This one belongs to Fabriano Falchetti present during the Ottoman Siege of Nicosia in 1570 who was subsequently taken prisoner. Intro & outro excerpts from Wild Fires - Doug Maxwell (available for free on YouTube's Audio Library) Map of the siege of Nicosia, by Giovanni Camoccio, 1574 (via wiki commons)

    An update on the podcast & plans for the future

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 7:29


    Bit of an informal episode this one, just wanted to post an update on the podcast, current series, and what I hope to achieve and move on to what I will hope will be a great over-arching series looking at events of the Thirty Years' War (hence using this illustration {public domain via commons} from Les Grandes Misères de la guerre (The Great Miseries of War) by Jacques Callot, 1633).

    Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean- Christopher Furer in Cyprus & Nicosia 1566

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 16:54


    A new account from Excerpta Cypria, Materials for a history of Cyprus, written by travellers who were in Venetian Cyprus throughout the 16th century. This one belongs to Chritophori Fureri who visited Cyprus in the spring of 1566. Intro & outro excerpts from Arabian Nightfall - Doug Maxwell (available for free on YouTube's Audio Library) Map of Nicosia in Cyprus, created in 1597 by the Venetian Giacomo (Jacomo) Franco (1550-1620) for his book Viaggio da Venetia a Constantinopoli per Mare (via wiki commons)

    Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean- Elias of Pesaro in Cyprus & Famagusta 1563

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 12:16


    A new accounts from Excerpta Cypria, Materials for a history of Cyprus, written by travellers who were in Venetian Cyprus throughout the 16th century. This one belongs to Italian Elias of Pesaro, Italian traveller who was forced to station in Cyprus while on route to the Holy Lands in 1563, because of concerns over plague hit regions near the Syrian harbours. Intro & outro- excerpts of Drunken Sailor - Cooper Cannell (available via YouTube audio library)

    Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean- John Locke in Cyprus 1553

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2022 15:47


    A new accounts from Excerpta Cypria, Materials for a history of Cyprus, written by travellers who were in Venetian Cyprus throughout the 16th century. This one belongs to John Locke (not the philosopher), English traveller who stopped in Cyprus on route to the Holy Lands in 1553.

    Traveller Diaries in the 16th Century Mediterranean- Greffin Affagart in Cyprus 1534

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2022 8:54


    The next episodes will look at accounts from Excerpta Cypria, Materials for a history of Cyprus, written by travellers who were in Venetian Cyprus. The first episode looks at Greffin Affagart , Seigneur de Courteilles, short account of Cyprus in 1534. Subscribe to the channel!

    History of 16th century Venice & Venetian Doges (Full summary)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 97:18


    A recap episode of all the episodes of the 16th century Venetian Doges mini-series, part of the broader Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe Series. All paintings public domain via Wiki Commons Intro & Outro Free to use via YouTube Audio Library TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 - Intro 00:04:00 - Doge Leonardo Loredan (1500-1521) 00:24:56 - Doge Andrea Gritti (1523-1538) 00:55:51 - Doge Girolamo Priulli (1559-1567) 1:05:33 - Doge Pietro Loredan (1567-1570) 1:14:09 - Doge Alvise I Mocenigo (1570-1577) 1:22:44 - Doge Sebastiano Venier (1577-1578) 1:27:14 - Doge Nicolò da Ponte (1578-1585) 1:32:50 - Doge Pasquale Cicogna (1585-1595)

    History of Venice & Doge Pasquale Cicogna (1585-1595)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 5:17


    Continuing the mini-series looking at some of the most important doges in 16th century Venetian History (part of the wider Rulers & Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe series) about Doge Nicolò da Ponte (1578-1585). Subscribe to the channel! Painting: Palma il Giovane, "Pasquale Cicogna in Dogal Robes Visiting the Church and Hospital of the Crocifer", 1568–87. Intro & Outro Excerpts Aaron Kenny -Baroque letter (public domain use via YouTube Audio Library)

    History of Venice & Doge Nicolò da Ponte (1578-1585)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 7:05


    Continuing the mini-series looking at some of the most important doges in 16th century Venetian History (part of the wider Rulers & Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe series) about Doge Nicolò da Ponte (1578-1585). Apologies to the very nasal voice, got hit by a heavy cold recently. Subscribe to the channel! Portrait of Nicolò da Ponte by Palma Giovane. Intro and outro from Doug Maxwell's "Lost in Prayer" available on YouTube's Audio Library

    Statement of solidarity with the Ukrainian people

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2022 1:38


    My thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine defending their homes, families and country. For listeners based in the UK if you can you can donate to the appeal made by the British Red Cross : https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal Image from pexels.com by Kostiantyn Stupak Let there be peace soon, Slava Ukraina & Slava Ukraini! Also remembering On this day (27 Feb) 2015 Boris Nemtsov who was ruthlessly assassinated while being in Moscow to help organize a rally against the Russian military intervention in Ukraine and the Russian financial crisis. Vichnaya Pamyat.

    History of 16th century Popes series- VIDEO TRAILER

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 0:52


    A video trailer (mainly for spotify podcasts) prefacing the new miniseries looking at some of the most important Popes in 16th century History. From Julius II, to Medici Popes Leo X & Clement VII to Pius IV & V, make sure to tune in once the current series looking at Venetian Doges of the 16th century finishes. Paintings all public domain via commons Song-Excerpt from Cantus Firmus Monks (free to use via YouTube Audio Library)

    History of Venice & Doge Sebastiano Venier (1577-1578)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 5:39


    Continuing the mini-series looking at some of the most important doges in 16th century Venetian History (part of the wider Rulers & Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe series) about Doge Sebastiano Venier (1577-1578) with a bit of background on his involvement & role at Lepanto in 1571. Outro public domain via YouTube Audio Library

    History of Venice & Doge Alvise I Mocenigo (1570-1577)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 10:07


    Continuing the mini-series looking at some of the most important doges in 16th century Venetian History (part of the wider Rulers & Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe series) about Doge Alvise I Mocenigo (1570-1577) . Detail of painting by Tintoretto showing Alvise I Mocenigo and his family before the Madonna. (Public Domain) Intro & Outro public domain via YouTube Audio Library

    History of Venice & Doge Pietro Loredan (1567-1570)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 10:09


    Continuing the mini-series looking at some of the most important doges in 16th century Venetian History (part of the wider Rulers & Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe series) about Doge Pietro Loredan. Paintings- public domain via wiki commons (Palma il Giovane- Doge Pietro Loredan_Beseeching the Virgin) Audio- public domain via YouTube Audio-Library

    History of Venice & Doge Girolamo Priuli (1559-1567)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2022 11:25


    Third episode of the miniseries looking at the history of some of the most important Doges in the History of the Venetian Republic, part of the wider Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe. Doge Girolamo Priuli, whose rule preceded the events of the 4th Ottoman-Venetian War of Cyprus. Painting by Tintoretto (Public domain via wiki commons) Intro and Outro- Public Domain excerpts via YouTube Audio Library

    Christmas message, retrospective of 2021 and updates for 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2021 7:00


    Last video of the year from @Wonderer's History Podcast . Few of the plans for next year, make sure to subscribe to never miss a video. Intro & outro excerpts from Christmas Village- by Arran Kenny available as public domain via YouTube Audio library. Happy Christmas/Holidays to everyone!

    History of Venice & Doge Andrea Gritti (1523-1538) FULL EPISODE

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 32:21


    Second episode of the miniseries looking at the history of some of the most important Doges in the History of the Venetian Republic, part of the wider Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe. Andrea Gritti, the Fabius Maximus of Venice and crucial military and diplomatic figure in 16th Century Venetian History. Paintings & images all public domain via commons (painting by Vincenzo Catena) Subscribe to the channel to never miss any new history material from the podcast! Intro and outro excerpts from Doug Maxwell's "Solo Cello Passion" (public domain) available on YouTube's audio library

    History of Venice & Doge Andrea Gritti (1523-1538) PART 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2021 18:44


    Second part of episode 2 of the miniseries looking at the history of some of the most important Doges in the History of the Venetian Republic, part of the wider Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe. Andrea Gritti, the Fabius Maximus of Venice and crucial military and diplomatic figure in 16th Century Venetian History. Paintings & images all public domain via commons Intro and outro excerpts from Doug Maxwell's "Solo Cello Passion" (public domain) available on YouTube's audio library

    History of Venice & Doge Andrea Gritti (1523-1538) PART 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2021 15:39


    Second episode of the miniseries looking at the history of some of the most important Doges in the History of the Venetian Republic, part of the wider Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe. Andrea Gritti, the Fabius Maximus of Venice and crucial military and diplomatic figure in 16th Century Venetian History. Painting by Titian- public domain via commons Intro and outro excerpts from Doug Maxwell's "Solo Cello Passion" (public domain) available on YouTube's audio library

    Ranking the most important Sieges 16th century Mediterranean

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2021 46:27


    Ranking the most important Sieges in the 16th century Mediterranean

    RANKING some of the most important NAVAL BATTLES of the 16th century Mediterranean

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2021 37:46


    In this trial video I talk about 6 of the most important naval battles of the Mediterranean. Apologies for any noises in the background ,at times the slow pacing, still trying to get used to making this sort of episode (which was a video tier list episode posted on YouTube a few months ago). Stay tuned for the next tier-list type of episode, next one will look at the most important sieges in the Mediterranean.

    History of Venice & Doge Leonardo Loredan 1501-1521

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2021 21:44


    First episode of the miniseries looking at the history of some of the most important Doges in the History of the Venetian Republic, part of the wider Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe. Intro & outro excerpts from Cantus Firmus Monks by Doug Maxwell (free to use via YouTube Audiolibrary) Painting- The Triumph of Venice (1737), by Pompeo Batoni, featuring Doge Leonardo Loredan, North Carolina Museum of Art (public domain via commons)

    Introduction- Doges of the 16th Century Venetian Republic (A short history)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 2, 2021 4:41


    A brief introduction to what will be a mini-series (still part of the Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean and Europe Miniseries) which will look at the rules of some of the most important Doges of Venice. Images- All public domain via commons (Map of Venice by Piri Reis) Intro & Outro- excerpts of Cantus Firmus Monks (fDoug Maxwell free to use via YouTube Audio Library)

    Philip II of Spain and the 16th Century Mediterranean

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2021 22:06


    In this episode I briefly explore Philip II of Spain's influence over the Mediterranean in the second half of the 16th century, as he was arguably one of the most important monarchs of the 16th century. For more episodes of the podcast and of the series rulers and monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean make sure to subscribe to the channel. Outro - excerpt of A Baroque Letter by Aaron Kenny (public domain available on YouTube Audio Library) All images public domain via commons

    Philip II of Spain and the 16th century Mediterranean (Introduction)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 6:09


    This is a brief introduction to what will be a much longer episode about Philip II, his actions and policies in the Mediterranean, his fight against the Ottomans and the tensed relations with the Venetians and the Ottomans. Images part of public domain via commons Song- excerpt from Etherial Choir Ascends - Doug Maxwell (free to use via YouTube Audio Library)

    A short history of Francis I, King of France (1515-1547)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 10:16


    In this episode I talk about a few of the main landmarks of Francis I, king of France (1515-1547), his rivalry with Charles V and alliance with the Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottomans. Part of the Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean & Europe series Music- excerpt from A Baroque Letter - Aaron Kenny (free to use via YouTube Audio Library) Images are public domain via commons.

    A short history of Holy Roman Emperors Ferdinand I & Maximilian II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 11:10


    A short history Holy Roman Emperors Ferdinand I & Maximilian II, their rules during and after Charles V. Apologies in advance for the nasally voice, I've just recovered from having a very strong cold. All images public domain via commons.

    Short History of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor & King of Spain (FULL EPISODE) 1500-1558

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 80:42


    The full episode from beginning to end of the short history of Charles V, part of the rulers and monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean series. All images are public domain via wiki commons. Intro and outro excerpters of Doug Maxwell's- Lost in Prayer (public domain via YouTube Audio-Library)

    Final Years of Charles V (1555-1558), his abdication, letter to Philip II, death and legacy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2021 33:39


    The last episode of the Short History of Charles V mini series, part of the Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean series. Talking about the events after the abdication of Charles V, the letter to his son and next king of Spain, Philip II. Subscribe to the channel to never miss any new material from the podcast. Intro and outro excerpts from Doug Maxwell's Lost in prayer, public domain available via YouTube Audiolibrary

    Introduction to the Historian's Proust Questionnaire- My Answers!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2021 37:35


    The beginning of a series of interviews I've been planning for a while, part of which will be my adaptation and version to Proust's Questionnaire for historians, academics, independent researchers and history podcasters.

    Charles V- A Short History Part IV 1541-1555

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2021 12:11


    The 4th part of the Brief History of Charles V, part of the Rulers and Monarchs of the 16th century Mediterranean Series. All images are public domain via wiki commons. Intro and outro excerpters of Doug Maxwell's- Lost in Prayer (public domain via YouTube Audio-Library)

    Charles V- A Short History Part III 1530-1540

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 12:03


    Third part of the the Short History of the rule of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. Looking at events such as the 1530 Diet of Augsburg, 1535 Conquest of Tunis, Spanish involvement in the 1538 Holy League against the Ottomans and more. Intro and outro excerpters of Doug Maxwell's- Lost in Prayer (public domain via YouTube Audio-Library) All maps and images public domain via wiki commons.

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