Wonderer's History Podcast

May 12 2024 13
Wonderer's History Podcast artwork

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!

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Climate Change, Wars & disasters in 17th Century Europe

May 12 2024 12 mins  
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

Mar 11 2024 5 mins  
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

Mar 11 2024 17 mins  
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,

Just catching up

Jan 02 2024 3 mins  
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

Sep 27 2023 9 mins  
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

Oppenheimer - A history biopic done right

Sep 03 2023 8 mins  
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

Sep 03 2023 6 mins  
A belated preview of one of my most anticipated movies of the year.

A perspective on Stanley Kubrick's Napoleon movie project

Jul 12 2023 37 mins  
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

Jun 05 2023 13 mins  
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

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

Apr 24 2023 13 mins  
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 excerpt