The Ancient World

Latest Episodes:

Episode B18 – The Josephus Problem Aug 28, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: Joseph ben Matityahu fought the Romans as a Jewish General before becoming a trusted advisor to the Flavians.
The Josephus Problem (mathematics): Given a group of n men arranged in a circle under the edict that every mth man will be executed going around the circle until only one remains, find the position L (n, m) in which you should stand in order to be the last survivor.

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Episode B17 – The Valley Jun 26, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: Nero crowns Tiridates King of Armenia. A succession of brutal and corrupt procurators set Judea on the path to revolt.
“Go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom (Gehenna), which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell thee…
Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;
They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind.
Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that this place shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter.” – Jeremiah 19:2-6

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Episode B16 – Burn Jun 12, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: The birth of Drusilla and Sohaemus’ son Gaius Julius Alexio. The Empire confronts the revolt of Boudica, renewed warfare in Armenia, and the Great Fire of Rome.
“Rome shall perish – write that word
In the blood that she has spilt;
Perish, hopeless and abhorr’d,
Deep in ruin as in guilt.” – William Cowper, Boadicea: An Ode
Map of Near East c. 64AD:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_64AD.jpg

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Episode B15 – God of the Mountain May 29, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: Drusilla marries the Emesene Priest-King Gaius Julius Sohaemus. Rome and Parthia go to war over Armenia.
“Our ancestors worshipped the Sun, and they were not that foolish.
It makes sense to revere the Sun and the stars, for we are their children.” – Carl Sagan
Syria and adjacent regions:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Syria_55AD.jpg
Emesene family tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/10_Emesenes_55AD.pdf

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Episode B14 – The Just May 15, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: The divorce of Felix and Drusilla. James and Paul struggle for the soul of early Christianity.
“And then it was that the sicarii, as they were called, who were robbers, grew numerous. They made use of small swords, not much different in length from the Persian acinacae, but somewhat crooked, and like the Roman sicae, as they were called; and from these weapons these robbers got their denomination; and with these weapons they slew a great many; for they mingled themselves among the multitude at their festivals, when they were come up in crowds from all parts to the city to worship God, as we said before, and easily slew those that they had a mind to slay.” – Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Chapter 8

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Episode B13 – Zealot May 03, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: The early life of Drusilla of Mauretania, and her marriage to Marcus Antonius Felix, Roman Procurator of Judea
“This Judas, having gotten together a multitude of men of a profligate character about Sepphoris in Galilee, made an assault upon the palace there, and seized upon all the weapons that were laid up in it, and with them armed every one of those that were with him, and carried away what money was left there; and he became terrible to all men, by tearing and rending those that came near him.” – Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, Book XVII, Chapter 10
Nero Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/9_Nero_48AD.pdf
Regions of Judea:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Judea_53AD_1.jpg
Select Cities of Judea:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Judea_53AD_2.jpg

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Episode B12 – Antonii Mar 28, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: The death of Tiberius, elevation of Caligula, and final years of King Ptolemy I.
“Ptolemy, whom (Caligula) invited from his kingdom, and received with great honors, he suddenly put to death, for no other reason, but because he observed that upon entering the theatre, at a public exhibition, he attracted the eyes of all the spectators, by the splendor of his purple robe.” – Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, XXXV
“Meanwhile Gaius sent for Ptolemy, the son of Juba, and on ascertaining that he was wealthy put him to death.” – Cassius Dio, Roman History, Book 59
Heirs of Mark Antony:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/7_Antonii_36AD_1.pdf
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/8_Antonii_36AD_2.pdf

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Episode B11 – Caedis Mar 14, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: The end of Tacfarinas, and the bloody co-rule of Tiberius and Sejanus.
“Then, as the campaign had demonstrated Ptolemy’s good-will, an old-fashioned distinction was revived, and a member of the Senate was dispatched to present him with the traditional bounty of the Fathers, an ivory scepter with the embroidered robe, and to greet him by the style of king, ally and friend.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book IV
“There followed from now onward a sheer and grinding despotism: for, with Augusta still alive, there had remained a refuge; since deference to his mother was ingrained in Tiberius, nor did Sejanus venture to claim precedence over the authority of a parent. But now, as though freed from the curb, they broke out unrestrained.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book V
Updated Julio-Claudian Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/6_Octavian_Clan_31AD.pdf

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Episode B10 – Insurgo Feb 28, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: The ongoing rebellion of Tacfarinas, and the death of Juba.
“For Tacfarinas, in spite of many repulses, having first recruited his forces in the heart of Africa, had reached such a pitch of insolence as to send an embassy to Tiberius, demanding nothing less than a territorial settlement for himself and his army, and threatening in the alternative a war from which there was no extrication.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book III

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Episode B9 – Germanicus Feb 14, 2015

Show notes

Synopsis: Germanicus travels to Syria to assume his Eastern Imperium.
“‘The prime duty of friends is not to follow their dead with passive laments, but to remember his wishes and carry out his commands. Strangers themselves will bewail Germanicus: youwill avenge him – if you loved me, and not my fortune. Show to the Roman people the granddaughter of their deified Augustus, who was also my wife; number her six children: pity will side with the accusers, and, if the murderers allege some infamous warrant, they will find no credence in men – or no forgiveness!’ His friends touched the dying hand, and swore to forgo life sooner than revenge.” – Tacitus, The Annals, Book II
Updated Near Eastern Family Tree:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/5_Near_East_19AD.pdf
Updated Map of the Near East:
https://audio.ancientworldpodcast.com/Near_East_18AD.jpg

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