Emperors of Rome - La Trobe University

Latest Episodes:

Episode CXCII - The Persecution of Christians (Valerian II) Jul 01, 2022

Show notes

Religious persecution wasn’t a new thing for Rome, but under the rule of Valerian they intensified. Christians were now the specified target, but the executions and confiscation of property did little to help the stability of the empire.

Episode II of 'Valerian'.

Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).

Episode CXCI - Empire Under Siege (Valerian) Jun 13, 2022

Show notes

When Valerian became emperor in 253CE Rome was fighting on all fronts. With Shapur and the Syrians taking territory in the east, and Germanic tribes to the west and the north, the empire was going to get messy for Valerian and his newly established dynasty.

Episode I of 'Valerian'.

Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).

Episode CXC - I, Augustus (with Brian Blessed) May 26, 2022

Show notes

Brian Blessed is a treasured British actor who for our purposes will fondly be remembered for his iconic role as Emperor Augustus in the 1976 BBC television series I, Claudius. Brian dominated the screen with his performance and we were very lucky to get the chance to speak to him.

Now funding on Kickstarter: Agricola (the podcast miniseries).

Guests:
Brian Blessed
Dr Rhiannon Evans (Associate Professor in Classics and Ancient History at La Trobe University).

Episode CLXXXIX - Nero and the Great Fire of Rome (Live in Canberra) May 20, 2022

Show notes

On the night of 18 July, 64 CE, a fire broke out in the Circus Maximus at Rome. It raged for nine days, destroying or damaging ten of the city’s fourteen regions.

Was the fire just a terrible accident? Or was it deliberately lit, either by dissident Christians or by the emperor Nero, who allegedly sang while Rome burned?

Recorded on 12th April 2022, in front of a live audience at the Australian National University.

Now funding on Kickstarter: Agricola (the podcast miniseries).

Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).

Episode CLXXXVIII - How to Win a Consular Election May 11, 2022

Show notes

Every year Rome held an election in which two senators were chosen for the role of consul. Being elected consul was a great honour, and the position was hotly contested, and a successful campaign depended upon the candidate’s military achievements, rhetorical skills and their willingness to be corrupt.

Now funding on Kickstarter: Agricola (the podcast miniseries).

Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Associate Professor in Classics and Ancient History at La Trobe University).

Episode CLXXXVII - The Battle of Philippi Apr 30, 2022

Show notes

More than two years have passed since the death of Caesar, and we now find our story at the final battle of the Liberator’s war. Octavian and Mark Antony lead their forces west to confront Cassius and Brutus, who have amassed quite the army in the meantime.

Part VI of 'The Liberator's War'

Guest: Assistant Professor Steele Brand (History, The King’s College, New York City).

Episode CLXXXVI - Proscriptions Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Octavian, Mark Antony and Lepidus have secured their alliance against Caesar's assassins, and since they have control of Rome, it's time for them to get rid of any competition. Proscribing an enemy means they will likely be executed, and their personal fortunes can be confiscated and put towards paying soldiers - and the second triumvirate make full use of this.

Part V of 'The Liberator's War'

Guest: Assistant Professor Zachary Herz (Legal Historian, Department of Classics, University of Colorado Boulder).

Episode CLXXXV - The Second Triumvirate Mar 29, 2022

Show notes

After his victory in at Mutina, Octavian desired honours that the senate declined to award him. This led him to re-evaluate who his enemy truly was, and make an alliance with the recently defeated Mark Antony.

Part IV of 'The Liberator's War'

Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Associate Professor in Classics and Ancient History at La Trobe University).

Episode CLXXXIV - The Siege of Mutina Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

As Antony heads north he finds the city of Mutina defended by Decimus Brutus. Antony lays siege, but he doesn't count on a young Octavian leading the army to confront him.

Part III of 'The Liberator's War'

Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Associate Professor in Classics and Ancient History at La Trobe University).

Episode CLXXXIII - Philippics Feb 26, 2022

Show notes

As the power struggle in Rome continued and generals waged their war on the battlefield, Cicero took to the floors of the senate, confronting Antony with the greatest weapon in his arsenal: the spoken word. He called his speeches the Philippics, and they were influential in turning the senate against Antony.

Part II of 'The Liberator's War'

Guest: Dr Kathryn Tempest (Reader in Classics and Ancient History, University of Roehampton).

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