The Partial Historians

Latest Episodes:

**Episode 60 – Trumbo (2015)** May 03, 2016
Show notes

The Partial Historians have hit the big 6-0! And what better way for the Doctors to celebrate with you than with an episode packed with all manner of interesting things. As you know, Dr R specialises in Rome on film. In this episode, let us take on a journey through the film *Trumbo* (2015), which is a bio-pic of the life of screenwriter Dalton Trumbo.

Trumbo broke the blacklist when he was given screen-credit for *Spartacus* (1960). Herein an examination of the politics of Hollywood post Second World War, the film *Trumbo,* and liberal sprinklings of Rome.

Episode 60 – Trumbo (2015)

Dalton and Cleo Trumbo (1947 HUAC hearings)

Episode 59 – Introducing the Tribune of the Plebs Mar 22, 2016

Show notes

Doctors R and G continue their exploration of the history of Rome from the founding of the city. From the epic Struggle of the Orders, the Tribune of the Plebs emerges!

In this episode, it turns out the First Succession is only the start of Rome’s troubles. The ongoing struggle is manifest in the Tribune of the Plebs.

Hear all the details here:

Episode 59: Introducing the Tribune of the Plebs

Artwork: The Succession of the Plebs leading to the Formation of the Plebeian Tribunate
Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/Secessio_plebis.JPG

Nineteenth century engraving of the plebeian revolt. Source: http://i.istockimg.com/ — **Episode 58 – The Struggle of the Orders – Part the Second** Feb 28, 2016
Show notes

Drs R and G return and the Struggle of the Orders continues.

In this episode, the struggle heats up in earnest and we follow the growing antagonism between the patricians and the plebeians.

Hear it all here!

Episode 58: The Struggle of the Orders – Part the Second

Nineteenth century engraving of the plebeian revolt.
Source: http://i.istockimg.com/

Episode 56 – Return to Vesuvius! Dec 13, 2015

Show notes

This special episode marks a significant moment for the Doctors. Drs R. and G. return to the topic of Vesuvius and the fateful eruption in 79 CE.

In light of additional research, we’ll examine details of the volcanic eruption, consider the rhetoric at play in Pliny the Younger’s letter 6.16 to Tacitus, as well as modern findings from recent work at the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum.

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Episode 56: Return to Vesuvius

Curious about the Doctors’ first foray on the topic of Vesuvius? Check out Episode 27

Artwork: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons: Crop of the Pompeii area from the Tabula Peutingeriana, 1-4th century CE. Facsimile edition by Conradi Millieri, 1887/1888.

A depiction (perhaps) of Titus Livius courtesy of wikimedia commons — **Episode 55 – Titus Livy** Nov 16, 2015
Show notes

Titus Livius, better known to the English-speaking world as Livy, is the figure for consideration in this episode.

The Doctors take a brief detour from their exploration of the History of Rome from the Founding of the City to consider one of our chief historical narrative sources for the Regal period and the Early Republic. Livy’s life, his work, and questions of historiographical interest are all up for the discussion.

The Doctors are back! Join us, by clicking on the link or streaming away:

Episode 55: Livy

A depiction (perhaps) of Titus Livius courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Dionigi_di_Alicarnasso — **Episode 54 – Dionysius of Halicarnassus** Oct 05, 2015
Show notes

The Doctors return, dear listeners, with a special episode on the historian Dionysius of Halicarnassus!

We’ve been considering the history of Rome from the founding of the city and after some epic conflicts and battles around Rome, it seems time to consider in more detail our sources. Dr Greenfield has been reading the Antiquitates Romanae ‘The Roman History’ of Dionysius of Halicarnassus. In this episode, Doctors G and R consider our source material in a little more detail.

Click below for your listening pleasure!

Episode 54: Dionysius of Halicarnassus

*Incisione raffigurante Dionigi di Alicarnasso ricavata dal Codice Ambrosiano.* Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org

In this episode Dr G name drops a couple of sources. If you’re interested in following these babies up, these are the details you’ll need:

Fox, M. 1993. ‘History and Rhetoric in Dionysius of Halicarnassus’ *Journal of Roman Studies* 83: 31-47

Gabba, E. 1991. Dionysius and The History of Archaic Rome. University of California Press: Berkeley and Los Angeles

Schwartz, E. Realencyclopädie der classischen Altertumswissenschaft V.1.934

**Episode 53 – The Battle of Lake Regillus** Aug 17, 2015
Show notes

Dear Listeners, in this episode the Doctors wade deeper into the murky waters of the Late Republic. As the narratives of Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus continue to diverge, there is word of a truce between Rome and the Latins, yet *another* dictator, and the infamous battle of Lake Regillus with some surprising divine sightings.

Join the Doctors for all the thrills, click below to listen or download!

Episode 53: The Battle of Lake Regillus

Statuettes of Castor and Pollux photographed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York by Ad Meskens

Episode 52 – The Roman Dictator Jul 27, 2015

Show notes

The early Roman republic hits its first major snag. As Rome finds itself friendless after continual aggression throughout Italy, the citizens begin to consider how they can guide the city with decisiveness and clarity. Enter, stage left: the dictator.

Join Doctors R and G as they explore the creation of the Roman dictator and some of the surprising details surrounding the formation of a position that seems to have quite a good deal in common with a rex.

Click the link below to download or stream straight away:

Episode 52: The Roman Dictator

Artwork: Rome and Latium, including Fidenae given that the poor city comes up a lot in these early narratives! With thanks to wikimedia.

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