Join Dr Rad and Dr G as we discuss, spar, and laugh our way through different aspects of the ancient Roman world! Our main series ‘From the Foundation of the City’ follows Roman history year by year from the traditional foundation date of 753 BCE. We also interview academics and specialists from around the globe for their insights into history and the representation of Rome and the ancient Mediterranean in popular culture. Dr Fiona Radford is an expert on Rome on film and wrote her thesis on Kubrick’s Spartacus. Dr Radford is exponent of not only Ancient History, but also Reception Studies. Dr Peta Greenfield is an expert on the Vestal Virgins. Dr Greenfield’s research interests include: religion and politics in Rome, the late republic and Augustan period, and the role of women.
Episode 91 – The Furious Romans
Feb 13, 2019
Show notes
We’re back and as the title for this episode notes, you’re about to tune into the tale of some furious Romans! It is none other than Dr Rad and Dr G tracing the history of Rome from the founding of the city and ooooh boy are we heading back into that sweet Early Roman Republican narrative.
The Big Names
c. 465 BCE
Titus Quintius Capitolinus (cos. III)
Quintus Fabius Vibulanus (cos. II)
c. 464 BCE
Aulus Postumius Albus Regillensis
Spurius (Servius) Furius Medullinus Fusus
We often talk about Broughton and this is a reference to the two volume set The Magistrates of the Roman Republic which is the result of a collaboration between the scholars Broughton and Patterson.
Do the Roman Have Their Own Gods?
It’s a good question. A popular sentiment is that the Romans steal gods much like they take the territory of other people. This is not strictly true, but it is often challenging to identify indigenous deities with confidence and the tendency of Rome to adapt others’ divinities to their own purposes means that there’s potential of amalgamations of gods to take into account as well. As a prelude to the action, Dr G explores some of the details Dionysius of Halicarnassus examines for c. 466 BCE – relating to the dedication of a temple to Dius Fidius on the Quirinal Hill.
The Aequians
The Aequians have developed quite a bad reputation from a Roman perspective and we see this trend continue. Dr Rad considers the Aequians strength as a raiding force, and this leads to a consideration of their military clashes with Rome.
Things to listen out for:
some new military strategies
the differing fortunes of the consuls Fabius and Quintius
all the details of the census
Antium Returns to the Agenda
c. 464 BCE is a troubling year for Rome abroad. The tension with the Aequians continues, but now there is also trouble from the Volscians to consider as well. On top of that, Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus begin to reveal some substantial narrative differences.
These differences include:
the focus of the narrative,
the space given over to the political and diplomatic issues,
and the depiction of the military engagements.
How will Rome fare as the year progresses? Listen in to find out!
Episode 91 – The Furious RomansThomas Cole 1832 A View Near Tivoli (Morning) / Wikimedia Commons.
Although not a historical rendering of the period of Roman history covered in this episode. Cole’s painting evokes the landscape beyond the city of Rome to add extra depth to your imagining of the world the Romans inhabited.
Episode 90 – Spartacus, the Ballet
Jan 16, 2019
Show notes
We’re turning 90 and it’s time for a special episode on the reception of Spartacus! What better way to do this than to examine the history of Spartacus, the ballet. Dr Rad is our expert on the ground on all things Spartacus and reception. Dr G brings a wild curiosity and a small knowledge of ballet.
So how does a famous freedom fighter like Spartacus end up with his own ballet? We consider the major notes of Spartacus’ story that have come down to us from the ancient material as the first step in tracing his reception.
The Reception of Spartacus Beyond America
The ballet takes us on a journey beyond the reception of Spartacus in America. Kubrick’s seminal 1960 film is based on Howard Fast’s 1951 novel – a Hollywood production based on an American novel sets the scene for a very particular reception of Spartacus. But the ballet couldn’t be more different. The origins of the ballet come from Stalinist Russia.
A Little Context
The communist and socialist connections to Spartacus resonate with ideas such as seeking community amongst the oppressed and fighting for freedom from authoritarian or monarchical rule. Marx, Lenin, and the political movements in Europe in the early twentieth century, position Spartacus as a much relied upon symbol for the freedoms people sought from current leaders.
The Spartakusbund was a Marxist movement during the first World War, although its legacy falls foul of Lenin. While the Spartakiade was the name given to the Soviet Union’s version of the Olympics. Dr Rad explores the dangers of the misinterpreting Spartacus’ story in Stalinist Russia and this leads us squarely to the ballet.
Let’s Get Our Dancing Shoes On
Spartacus («Спартак», Spartak), the 1954 ballet is the creation of Aram Khachaturian. He was born in Georgia, studied at the Conservatorium in Moscow, and went on to composer a variety of film scores. In 1948, Khachaturian found himself on the wrong side of the regime with his music described as “decadent” and “bourgeois”. Spartacus plays a role in Khachaturian’s rehabilitation.
Join us as we explore all the details including the recent production by the Australian Ballet that Dr Rad had the great fortune to see!
Episode 90 – Spartacus, the BalletSpartacus at the Bolshoi in Moscow, October 2013. Image credit: Bengt Nyman via Wikimedia Commons
Episode 89 – A Fabian Abroad
Dec 12, 2018
Show notes
It’s a brand new edition of the Partial Historians covering the Early Roman Republic™! And as the title ‘A Fabian Abroad’ hints, the Fabians are back in the political scene!
The main players
Consuls for c. 467 BCE
Titus Aemilius Mamercus (cos. II), previously consul in c. 470 BCE
Quintus Fabius Vibulanus
Consuls for c. 466 BCE
Spurius Postumius Albinus Regillensis
Quintus Servilius Priscus (Structus) (cos II), previously consul in c. 468 BCE
Triumvirs for the granting of land… triumviri agro dando
Titus Quintius Capitolinus
Lucius Furius / Publius Furius Medullinus Fusus
Aulus Verginius
There’s nothing we enjoy more than some controversy in the source material and oooo boy does the narrative get hazy with the return of a Fabian back in the scene. We explore some of the challenges with this situation in order to get a better sense of what might be happening in the family history.
It’s Retro Year
The Fabians are not the only blast from the past worth considering in this year, but land reform is back on the agenda. The patricians have a great new plan for land re-distribution. We’ll explore just what the plebeians seem to have thought about this and consider some of the consequences as they play out.
Stay tuned for the appearance of the Roman allies,the Latins and Hernicans!
What’s Going on with Antium?
It’s a good question and there are some issues with our sources about just how Rome is managing their recent conquest of Antium.
Antium is one of theimportant port cities of the Volscii to the south of Rome, so the conquest of this region is bound to have some far reaching implications.
If your suspicion is that things are about to get messy, you’d be right. We’re on hand to sift through the controversies as Aemilius heads out towards Sabine territory and Fabius heads towards the Aequians…
Things to look forward to:
The challenges Rome faces with her relationship with neighbouring territories continues apace in the following year.
The increasing divergence in our source material
General diplomatic mayhem including the possibility of kidnapping!
Hear it all here! Episode 89 – A Fabian AbroadThomas Cole 1836 The Consummation of Empire from The Course of the Empire Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
It’s getting quite tricky to find period-specific artwork for the early Republic, so instead of another map, we’ve gone for this gorgeous example of classical reception.
Episode 88 – Battle After Battle!
Nov 13, 2018
Show notes
What kind of drama could follow the career of uber patrician Appius Claudius? As it turns out, those Romans are really all about battle after battle! We’ve reached a hazy period in our historiography where the narratives of Livy and Dionysius start to diverge on specifics; some events play out over different years depending on the author.
The general consensus amongst historians is that these narratives are a reworking backwards from the period in which they were written. The argument follows that they become less and less reliable the farther back they go. Be that as it may, it is clear that Rome and her neighbours are each struggling to expand and hold the territories. Rome’s position of superiority in the region by the mid-Republic requires some explanation. And that’s where we come in 🙂
Look Out for these Characters!
Consuls of c. 470 BCE
Lucius Valerius Potitus (cos. II)
Tiberius Aemilius Mamercus
Consuls of c. 469 BCE
Titus Numicus Priscus
Aulus Verginius Caelimontanus
Consuls of c. 468 BCE
Titus Quintius Capitolinus Barbatus (cos. II)
Quintus Servilius Priscus
Battle after Battle, you say. Yes, yes, we do say.
We pick up the narrative deep in c. 470 BCE with the military exploits of the consuls Lucius Valerius Potitus and Tiberius Aemilius Mamercus. Both have a mission:
Valerius takes on the Aequians;
and Aemilius heads toward Sabine territory.
The most significant event amongst these campaigns is a great storm, considered an omen by the augurs. This disruption effectively puts an end to the Roman’s ambitions against the Aequians for this year.
New Year; New Rome?
c. 469 BCE is the consulship of Titus Numicus Priscus and Aulus Verginius Caelimontanus. Both are patricians, though the Numicii are later known as a plebeian family. Details about domestic politics are thin on the ground, but what we can be sure about is Rome’s continuing tussle with the surrounding peoples. There are Volscii incursions into Roman territory, and the consuls sally forth to meet the threat:
Numicius heads south towards Volscian territory;
while Verginius heads east for the Aequians.
Antium – just a big old town full of Volscii?
The shoreline position of Antium means its a strategic city for Volscian operations. So its not surprising to see the Romans move in closer, taking smaller coastal settlements along the way. It’s clear the Romans mean to take Antium…but not before the end of the year!
Vote? For a consul? Never!
c. 468 BCE sees Titus Quintius Capitolinus Barbatus and Quintus Servilius Priscus come into the consulship. Our sources differ on the election of these consuls and the also on the significance of agrarian reform in this year. Did the plebeians turn out for the election of the consuls or not? And if not, why not? Is land reform on the agenda this year or the following year? We consider the details!
Foreign threats continue to dominate proceedings:
Servilius marches against the Sabines;
Quintius takes on the Aequians and the Volscii.
There is a growing sense in our sources that the Aequians and the Volsci are banding together to fend off Roman aggression and this requires some special tactics from Quintius.
Episode 87 – The Rise and Rise of Appius Claudius
Oct 17, 2018
Show notes
Appius Who?
We are deep in the conflict between between patricians and plebeians. One of the important consequences of the current struggles seems to be an increase in the number of tribunes. Dates for these kinds of things are very hazy indeed and there’s good reason to think that our sources, Dionysius and Livy, are both invested in offering a coherent narrative for why things are the way they appear to be by the late Republic.
With those sorts of caveats in mind, there appears to be five tribunes according to Livy: Gnaeus Siccius, Lucius Numitorius, Marcus Duellius, Spurius Icilius, and Lucius Mecilius!
We jump back into the narrative part way through c. 471 BCE. Our consuls are Titus Quintius Capitolinus Barbartus and Appius Claudius Sabinus and they represent different approaches to political engagement with the plebeians.
Ideological Differences?
Quintius is moderate in his outlook while Appius Claudius is staunchly in favour of tradition. This has evident implications which we’ll explore in detail! Quintius leads forces against the Aequians in the east and Appius leads his forces against the Volscians in the south east. We explore just how differently things go for the two consuls in the field. This discussion includes:
the role of antesignani troops who go “before the standard”;
the importance of the standards;
decimation, its implications and Roman attitudes towards it;
booty (treasure) in terms of size.
New Consuls, New Problems?
c. 470 BCE kicks off with new consuls, Lucius Valerius Potitus (consul for the second time) and Tiberius Aemilius Mamercus consul. Both these consuls come with a bit of history to bring to the table and this makes things much more intriguing.
It’s at this point that our sources start to reveal something of their agendas. We tousle with the potential holes in Dionysius’ account about the rationale for people’s actions.
It will come as no surprise that agrarian reform is back on the table! The tribunes are interested in seeing the audit of the public land, first proposed in 486 BCE, take place. With new impetus with new consuls, the idea of reform is taken up by the Senate.
Speakers in the Senate
Notable speakers in the senate on the issue of land reform include:
Lucius Aemilius Mamercus, father of the consul possibly still bitter about being denied a triumph in 478 BCE
Appius Claudius, everyone’s favourite patrician to hate on
We delve into the details of their arguments and explore the most intriguing consequence of them, which is the tribunes levelling a number of charges against Appius Claudius. You’ll want to listen closely to learn just how things go from there: The Rise and Rise of Appius Claudius
For this episode, Dr G is reading Dionysius of Halicarnassus Roman Antiquities 9.50-54 and Dr Radness is reading Livy 2.57-61.
This map covers Rome through a number of historical periods. In the 5th century BCE, Rome was the dark red area. Map of Rome during Antiquity 1886. Source: G. Droysens Allgemeiner Historischer Handatlas. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Episode 86 – Volero and Laetorius
Sep 13, 2018
Show notes
Our jaunt through the history of ancient Rome continues apace! In this episode we cover c. 472-1 BCE. Dr Radness is reading Livy and Dr G is reading Dionysius of Halicarnassus and the comparisons of our sources is quite something! The main stars are the tribunes Volero and Laertorius.
Our Starring Players
Lucius Pinarius Mamercinus Rufus and Publius Furius Medullinus Fusus, the consuls of c. 472 BCE
Titus Quintius (Quinctius) Capitolinus Barbatus and Appius Claudius Sabinus, the consuls of c. 471 BCE
Volero Publius and Gaius Laertorius, our plebeian heroes.
The Vestal Virgin Urbinia, noble or not?
Hark, Pestilence!
Dr G gets excited about disease running rampant in Rome and connections with the Vestal Virgins, particularly Urbinia. The pestilence seems to be attacking pregnant women leading to widespread fear. This leads to a discussion of the vagaries of pontifical investigations into the Vestal college. But it is significant that Livy doesn’t mention it and the pestilence seems to be something of a narrative device for Dionysius…
The Tribunes Make Their Move
Volero experiences a political rise in fortune becoming tribune of the plebs. And boy does he go for it! We delve into the differences between the comitia curiata and the comitia tributa because Volero starts to push for changes to the voting system for tribunes. This proposal garners quite a lot of tribunician support. But it will come as no surprise that this move doesn’t sit well with the patricians.
While the patricians stall proceedings, Volero is chosen tribune for a second time. The upshot of this is that the tribunes need to push for changes to the voting system under the highly traditional patrician Appius Claudius. Fortunately, perhaps for the plebeians, Titus Quinctius, is more amenable to their plight.
Politics and Violence
Dr Radness gets political as Gaius Laetorius takes a highly critical stance against Appius Claudius in Livy’s account. Unfortunately he also seems to trail off while in the middle of his invective! With threats of violence and death on the table, the scene is set for some great clashes. Appius criticises the plebeians. Laertorius hits back with some great counter-points. It isn’t long before the situation descends into public violence.
Episode 85 – Murder and Volero!
Aug 16, 2018
Show notes
When we left you at the end of the last episode, there was some major events afoot. There’s nothing like a murder in the city. This is especially the case when the person turning up dead is a Roman magistrate! In this episode we consider what happens to Gnaeus Genucius and Volero Publius.
Murder Most Foul: Gnaeus Genucius
Gnaeus Genucius, tribune of the plebs for the year c. 473 BCE, is in a stoush with the consuls Lucius Aemilius Mamercus and Vopiscus Julius. But the problems don’t stop there. The tensions carry over from the previous year. Genucius levels charges against the consuls of c. 474 BCE: Lucius Furius Medullinus Fusus and Aulus Manlius Vulso. He argues that they should be charged because they did not carry out the measures agreed to in c. 486 BCE.
But after bringing the consuls to trial … Genucius TURNS UP DEAD!
To unravel this mystery we’ll consider:
the role of the tribune of the plebs;
the sacrosanctitas of this magistracy;
what our disparate sources (clues!) have to say about the patricians’ role in this sordid affair;
and some of the key consequences of this significant political moment.
Volero, Front and Centre
A violent response to the patricians overreach after the death of Genucius is perhaps unsurprising, but it does come from an interesting quarter. We follow the rise to prominence of the centurion Volero Publius (aka Volero Publilius). Things start innocently enough. He turns up to enlist for the military campaigns. But things go awry when he discovers that he’s been listed as a common soldier.
This is not the story about why Volero appears to have been demoted between one campaigning season and another. Rather, it is the story of how his response reveals the knife’s edge of tension between the ruling elite and the general citizen body.
The unfolding tension on the streets of Rome provides pivotal space for considering a number of issues:
the background of the lictors;
the consequences when Roman citizens reject the legitimacy of the violence meted out to Volero on the orders of the consuls;
the dangers of street politics for the consuls.
Here it all here:
Episode 85 – Murder and Volero!
“A lictor is sent to arrest Publilius Volero, from: The Comic History of Rome by Gilbert Abbott à Beckett. Bradbury, Evans & Co, London, c. 1850.” – Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Episode 84 – The Romans Are Manly Men
Jul 11, 2018
Show notes
The early Republic of Rome is full of strife and tension. As we inch deeper into the history, there are neighbourly struggles and internal political discord on the rise.
Rome is still mourning the loss of the Fabian gens. The Fabians were almost completely destroyed by the forces of Veii and her northern allies, the Tyrrhenians (think, Etruscans!). Just as Rome was devastated by the loss of the Fabians, the Sabines have take solace in Roman defeat. Rome now faces war on ‘two fronts’…
The Exploits of Manly Men in c. 475 BCE
The consuls for this year are Publius Valerius Publicola, son of Publius Valerius Publicola (cos, suff. 509, cos. 508, 507, and 504) and Gaius Nautius Rutilus.
The Sabines are given short shrift in both our major narrative sources for different reasons which means there’s lots to discuss. Important details include: military strategy, camp organisation, and the narrative purpose of these kinds of stories.
Our sources take in details relating not only to the Sabines, but also the forces of Veii (their camps are very close!). Some particular highlights include:
the possible redemption of Spurius Servilius Structus Ahala (cos. c. 476 BCE), now legate under Valerius;
the triumph awarded to Valerius as a result of this campaign;
and Nautius’ campaign with the Roman allies, the Latins and the Hernucians to help attack the Volscians and Aequians.
In the background of all this military activity is the continuing grain crisis…
So c. 474 BCE Begins! And Just Like That Its c. 473 BCE (or is it)?
A new year means new consuls: Lucius Furius Medullinus Fusus and Aulus (Gnaeus/Gaius?) Manlius Vulso (also the namesake of this episode) are the consuls of c. 474 BCE.
Manlius is sent out against Veii because the northern campaign really isn’t over. But it doesn’t take long for the situation to turn in Rome’s favour. Hints of what’s to come:
a truce;
an ovation;
and a return to domestic politics!
We turn our attention to the Gnaeus Genucius, tribune of the plebs, whose exploits cover both the years of c. 474/3 BCE depending on our source material.
We’ve never ripped through years this quickly, which must be a sign of some kind! The consuls for c. 473 BCE are Lucius Aemlius Mamercus (cos. III) and Vopiscus Julius Iullus (though there are name discrepancies to consider here as well!).
Genucius makes some very political moves regarding the agrarian reform that has been playing out in the background since c. 486 BCE! But how do Genucius’ moves go down? Listen in to find out:
Episode 84 – The Romans are Manly Men
Wenceslas Hollar, Unknown date (author lived 1607-1677), Roman soldiers – Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, Wenceslas Hollar Digital Collection. Image Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Episode 83 – If Only I Had Some Grain
Jun 13, 2018
Show notes
After the tragic demise of the Fabii gens, what happens next? The rivalry between Rome and her northern neighbour Veii continues! ‘If Only I Had Some Grain’ captures the spirit of this episode.
We cover the years c. 476 BCE and part of c. 475 BCE. Is this a sign that our narrative is quickening up? Quite possibly!
In this episode we face two strands of narrative:
The developing grain crisis in Rome
The military consequences of the forces of Veii (aka the Tyrrhenians) on the Janiculum
Our Consuls
c. 476 BCE:
Servius Servilius Structus Ahala (also known as Spurius or Servius Servilius)
Aulus Verginius Tricostus Rutilus.
c. 475 BCE:
Publius Valerius Publicola
Gaius Nautius Rutilus
Comparing Military Narratives
Dr Radness delves into the details from Livy. The people of Veii have been holding the Janiculum, which overlooks Rome from across the Tiber. Meanwhile the Romans hatch a plan to lure them away from their defensive stronghold. There is a devious ploy involving cows. And Servilius faces an attack…
Dr G follows Dionysius’ account. He begins with the grain and the forces of Veii falling back north to their own City. Together we consider some questionable military tactics and the potential troubles with moving troops at night.
If Only I Had Some Grain, Grain, Glorious Grain!
As the situation with Veii settles down, the Roman gaze turns inward to contemplate recent disasters. But the accelerating grain crisis cannot be ignored. While Livy’s narrative picked up on this developing issue in c. 477 BCE, now our sources converge on the issue.
According to Dionysius, the patrician approach to solving this problem is twofold. First: purchase grain from neighbouring areas. Second: distribute the grain at reasonable prices to the citizens in the City. Livy gets more specific by noting that Rome buys grain from Campania.
We discuss the viability of this narrative given that it sounds suspiciously like a much later Roman policy…
Patrician and Plebeian Stoush
As soon as military threats are off the table, Rome quickly turns back to domestic issues. This means that public land (ager publicus) is back on the agenda! As soon as you can say Quintus Considius and Titus Genucius we’re deep among some tribunes of the plebs. And boy are they fighting for the rights of the common folk.
The tribunes blame Titus Menenius Lanatus (consul of c. 477 BCE) for the destruction of the Fabii and the loss of the fortress at Cremara. The way this situation plays out is particularly intriguing!
As the year ticks over into c. 475 BCE, the new tribunes Lucius Caedicius and Titus Statius pick up the fight. They bring Servilius to trial on the charge of gross military negligence. It turns out that pursuing the enemy up a hill can have more than just military consequences!
Find out all the details by listening in here:
Episode 83 – If Only I Had Some Grain
An ancient Roman aqueduct in a grain field near Rome, Italy. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Francesco Z
Sources
Looking to follow along with the source material for this episode? Check out:
Livy Ab Urba Condita Libri 2.51-2 (Books from the Foundation of the City)
Dionysius of Halicarnassus Roman Antiquities 9.25-33
We also make liberal reliance on Broughton:
Broughton, T. R. S. with Patterson, M. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic: Volume I 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)
Episode 82 – Fabian Demise
May 17, 2018
Show notes
We return to the history of Rome from the founding of the City and that can only mean one thing – the Fabian family are back front and centre. And, yes, that episode title is a bit of a spoiler! We’re talking about the Fabian demise.
So where were we in the history?
We step back into the narrative with a little bit of orientation. Who does Rome really know about in the region and just how much have they learnt about the people to the north? Veii seems to have been a revelation for Rome. It turns out Veii have the support of peoples further north (watch out, these are our Etruscans!).
We launch into the year c. 477 BCE with the consuls Gaius Horatius Pulvillus and Titus Menenius Lanatus. Getting back into the groove, Dr R and G compare the narratives of Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus.
The truce between Rome and Veii established at the end of c. 478 BCE starts to crumble just at the same time as the Volscii to the south east begin to stir. It isn’t long before Rome realises they need to fight a war on two fronts. This means two things:
discussions over public land get pushed off the table;
the scene is set for the Fabian tragedy to come.
The Fabian Frontier
The Fabians are stationed at the fortress at Cremera, just outside the territory of Veii. They are waiting for support from Rome while they hold the defences. We won’t spoil all the details in this write up, but let’s say things don’t go well.
There are a variety of issues flagged in our sources. Dionysius offers an account that factors in divine displeasure, only to dismiss the intensity of this reading as mostly implausible. Dr R explores the possibilities for narrative embellishment from the early Roman historiographer Quintus Fabius Pictor (f. 200 BCE). The dominant narrative that comes through to us positions the Tyrrhenians (the peoples of Veii and further north) as cleverly luring the Fabian forces out from the fortress. The Romans become trapped in unfavourable locations that allow for long-range attacks.
We dive into the battles that dominate this year, the strategies deployed by the different forces, and the ultimate consequences for the consuls. We talk lots of military strategy and a good deal about religion!
Listening is Easy!
You can find this episode on the platform that best suits you! We’re on iTunes, Google Play Music , and Stitcher. If you love our work, we’d love you help spread the word by leaving a review on whichever platform you listen to us through 🙂
Here for your listening pleasure:
Episode 82 – Fabian Demise
The Chimera of Arezzo, c. 400 BCE. Found in Arezzo, an ancient Etruscan and Roman city in Tuscany. This piece is now held at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Florence. Image credit to Carole Raddato / WIkimedia Commons
Additional sound credit offered to SoundBible and PsychoBird for our screaming eagle in this episode.