42. The Fiery End of the Ottoman Empire

This episode of the "Empire" podcast delves into the devastation of Smyrna (Izmir) in 1922, following the Greco-Turkish War. It narrates events in chronological order, beginning with the Greek army's retreat and the surge of refugees into the city, escalating to the violence that led to its destruction. Eyewitness accounts from Levantines and others shed light on the horrific acts against Armenians and Greeks, alongside the silence of Allied forces. The episode wraps up by exploring the aftermath, including the population exchange between Greece and Turkey and its enduring effects on the region. A striking revelation from archival research is the intentional use of petroleum to ignite the city.