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Western Civ

A fast-moving history of the western world from the ancient world to the present day. Examine how the emergence of the western world as a global dominant power was not something that should ever have been taken for granted. This podcast traces the development of western civilization starting in the ancient Near East, through Greece and Rome, past the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into the Dark Ages, and then follows European and, ultimately, American history as the western world moved into a dominant world position.
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Episodes

Supplemental: Top Ten Best And Worst Roman Emperors

Take it for what it is worth. Here is my list of the top ten BEST and WORST Roman Emperors. Check out our website for more content: westerncivpodcast.com Become a patron today! patreon.com/westerncivpodcast

Nov 04, 201649 min

Episode 48: The Fall Of The Roman Empire

By 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire had fallen. In this episode, we trace the final twenty years of Roman History in the West. We continue with the collapse of the Hunnic Empire after the death of Attila and see how the West gets on without Aetius. Then, the Eastern Empire mounts one last rescue mission before the final Roman Emperor in the West is deposed. Before finishing, we briefly consider the different arguments as to why the Western Empire fell and discuss the merits of each.

Oct 21, 201650 min

Episode 47: Attila The Hun

In the late 430's power in Hunnic Society finally centralized around one, powerful leader: Attila. He would use this power to assault both the Eastern and Western Roman Empires. These episodes follow those turbulent years and then take stock of the total damage wrought on the Empires by the arrival of the Huns.

Oct 07, 201629 min

Episode 46: The Last Great Romans

In 410 AD the Roman Empire hit one of its lowest points. But, within a decade it had rebounded. The reason Flavius Constantius. Constantius would rebuild the West only to die and early and unexpected death which would then throw the West back into chaos. Aetius would spend a decade cleaning up the mess (again) and would become the dominant force in the West by 433 AD. Meanwhile, the Vandals set sail for Africa with terrible consequences.

Sep 23, 201634 min

Episode 45: The Sack of Rome

Our story continues with Theodosius briefly reuniting the Empire in 394. Then, all hell breaks loose again as the Huns force different Germanic Tribes from the Hungarian Plain in the first decade of the Fifth Century. Gaul is overrun and the situation is compounded by a growing rift between the East and West halves of the Roman Empire. Then, the Goths return to Italy around 408 AD behind a new leader, Alaric, desperate to find a permanent homeland within in the Empire. All that sets the stage fo...

Aug 26, 201642 min

Episode 44: A World Changed

In this Episode, we take a step back and chronicle the changing social and political landscape beyond Rome's borders to the North. There, the arrival of the Huns from the Eurasian Steppe has a dramatic domino effect on the people's of Northern and Central Europe which eventually brings a group of Goths to the Danube in 376 seeking asylum. Once the Goths are allowed in things go from bad to worse culminating in the critical Battle of Adrianople in 378 AD.

Aug 12, 201649 min

Episode 43: Two Steps Forward.... And Three Back

Jovian Tries to Turn Back the Clock. Valentinian Tries to Keep the Peace. And Valens Fights with Everyone... Check out our website for more content!!! westerncivpodcast.com

Jul 29, 201632 min

Episode 42: New Rome

Constantine wins the civil war, ushering in a new age for the Romans. For the first time, the empire will be Christian. Check out our website for more content: westerncivpodcast.com Also, become a Patron today and support the show at patreon.com/westerncivpodcast

Jul 15, 201649 min

Episode 41: The Rule of Four

Between 284 CE and 305 CE, Emperor Diocletian rebuilds the Roman Empire. His model for what will become known as "The Dominant" would become the model for European kingship for centuries. Check out our website for more content: westerncivpodcast.com Become a Patron today for hours of additional content plus support the show for only $2.00 per month! Check out patreon.com/westerncivpodcast

Jul 01, 201643 min

Episode 40: Things Fall Apart

The Third Century was not a kind century to the Roman Empire. A rising Persia coupled with nearly non-stop civil unrest nearly ended the empire long before the final fall of Rome. In this episode, we cover this tumultuous period in detail. For more information, check out our website at westerncivpodcast.com.

Jun 16, 201654 min

Episode 38: Glory Days

Rome reaches its height under the Antontines. Trajan leads the Empire to its greatest territorial heights.

Feb 21, 20161 hr

Episode 36: The Julio-Claudians (Part Two)

Rome gets a short reprieve under the reign of the unexpectedly good Emperor Claudius. Then, after his murder, Nero brings the short-lived age of the Julio-Claudians to an end.

Jan 05, 20161 hr 9 min

Episode 35: The Julio-Claudians (Part One)

In this episode, we cover the turbulent reigns of Tiberius and Caligula. If you like random persecutions and insanity, this episode is for you as the vision of Augustus Caesar gets off to a rocky start. (14 - 41 AD)

Dec 10, 20151 hr 9 min

Supplemental: A Day In The Life Of A Roman

This supplement takes a closer look at everyday life in Rome under Emperor Augustus. We will explore commerce, how people lived, where they lived, what they ate, who they congregated with, and what they did for fun.

Nov 18, 201528 min

Supplemental: The Eternal City

In this supplemental, we look more closely at the citizens of Rome under Augustus. Who lived there? What did they do? What were the laws that governed them?

Nov 11, 201517 min

Supplemental: Ancient and Classical Recap

An overview of where the podcast has gone. We have traveled over 4,000 years and there have been some major changes. Populations have shifted. Empires have risen and fallen. And now Rome has come to dominate the Western World. But why does it all matter?

Nov 05, 201520 min

Episode 34: Augustan Peace

This episode wraps up the reign of Rome's first Emperor. Caesar Augustus struggles with family dynastic issues and deals with a major setback in Germany.

Oct 22, 201545 min

Episode 31: A Way Out

A New Triumvirate Is Formed And We Meet Octavian Caesar. (44 - 42 BC)

Aug 14, 201552 min

Episode 30: The Ides Of March

Julius Caesar becomes Dictator for life. It just turns out that was a lot shorter time period than everyone was expecting.... (47 - 44 BC)

Jul 31, 201547 min

Episode 29: Rubicon

Julius Caesar Crosses The Rubicon And Civil War Grips The Roman World. Check out our website for more content! westerncivpodcast.com Become a patron today for more bonus content at patreon.com/westerncivpodcast

Jul 16, 201544 min

Episode 24: Dictator

Sulla and Marius battle it out in another Civil War that end's with Sulla's Dictatorship. Marius reforms the Roman Army with major consequences. And a quick look at the structure of Ancient and Classical families.

May 10, 201545 min
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