093- The Marcomannic Wars
The Romans fought a series of campaigns against a coalition of German tribes from 167-175. They were on the verge of total victory when news arrived of a rebellion in the east.
Episodes
The History of Rome
A weekly podcast tracing the history of the Roman Empire, beginning with Aeneas's arrival in Italy and ending with the exile of Romulus Augustulus, last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Now complete!
Episodes
092- The Parthian War
After some initial setbacks, Marcus sent Lucius east to deal with a suddenly critical war with Parthia in 162.
091- Marcus and Lucius and the Parthians
Marcus Aurelius was destined to become Emperor, but his insistence that Lucius Verus share the honor came as a surprise to everyone.
090- The Hundredth Episode
Big question-time blowout!
089- Provincial Matters
In which I talk for way too long about where the best tin deposits in the Roman Empire can be found.
088- A Day in the Life
Life in Rome began at dawn and lasted until sunset. Work was done in the mornings while the afternoon was reserved for recreation.
087- Thinking and Feeling
With Roman education leaving much to be desired, many citizens found enlightenment in the eastern mystery cults or Greek philosophy.
086- Wealth and Class
The Roman world was divided between slaves, freedmen, and free citizens of every economic class. Gross inequality though was the order of the day, with the Emperor himself controlling the lion's share of the Empire's wealth.
085- Antoninus the Dutiful
Antoninus's reign is often pointed to as the golden age of the Roman Empire. In many ways the assessment is correct, though unresolved issues would come back to haunt his successors.
084- Longing For Death
After returning to Italy in 134 Hadrian spent a final few miserable years trying to plan the long term future of the Imperial dynasty before dying in 138.
083- May His Bones Be Crushed
Hadrian's relationship with the teenage boy Antinous raised eyebrows even in permissive Ancient Rome. His relationship with the Jews raises eyebrows even today.
082- Hadrian's Walls
Hadrian's reign got off to a rough start following the political murders of four ex-consuls. The new Emperor would eventually settle in though and set out on his first grand tour of the Empire in 121.
081- The Greekling
Though Hadrian's career had long been guided by Trajan, when the Emperor died in 117 he still had not named Hadrian heir.
080- Optimus Trajan
Trajan greatly improved the infrastructure of the Empire and finished his reign by conquering much of the Middle East.
079- The Dacian Wars
After Trajan ascended to the throne in 98 AD he fought two wars against the Dacians, finally annexing the country in 106 AD.
078- Imperial Stop Gap
Nerva's brief reign was stormy, but his choice of Trajan as heir was inspired.
077- What Time is It?
After Saturninus's revolt in 89 AD, Domitian's paranoia increased. In 96 AD court officials afraid for their lives conspired to have the Emperor killed.
076- Mock Triumphs
Domitian attempted to emulate Augustus, but his heavy-handed treatment of the Senate earned him many enemies. Meanwhile, his focus on frontier defense brought charges of cowardice and his treaty with the Dacians was seen as a humiliation.
075- The Forgotten Son
Domitian had spent his life in the background, but in 81 AD he found himself Emperor and soon demonstrated that he had very strong ideas about how to wield power.
074- Friends I Have Wasted a Day
Titus succeeded his father to the throne in 79 AD, but ruled for only two years before dying of a sudden infection in 81. Throughout the reign of the Flavians, Agricola campaigned in Britain to Romanize the island.
073- The Only Man Who Improved
Vespasian served as Emperor from 69-79 AD, stabilizing the Empire after a year of Civil War.
072- Vitellius and Vespasian
Vitellius's reign was underminned by internal squabbling, allowing Vespasian's army to sieze Rome in December 69 AD.
071- Otho and Vitellius
After murdering Galba, Otho ascended to the throne in January 69 AD. He immediately had to deal with Vitellius revolt and after suffering a defeat at Bedriacum in April, Otho committed suicide having served as Emperor for just three months
070- Galba and Otho: The History of Rome
Galba's refusal to pay off the Praetorian Guard came back to haunt him when Otho looked for accomplices to aid in his assassination plot early in 69 AD.
069- As History of Rome Wedding
Marriage was one of the key institutions of Roman culture and many of the traditions surrounding weddings persist today.
068- Three Emperors
The personalities of each of the men who vied for the throne in 69 AD had a major impact on how events unfolded.
067- What an Artist the World is Losing
In 66 AD the Great Revolt broke out in Judaea, leading Nero to appoint Vespasian to crush the uprising. But the Emperor did not live to see the end of the conflict- in 68 AD he committed suicide after a palace coup.
066- 666
Nero's popularity with the people began to wane in the early 60s AD. Things got so bad that after the Great Fire of Rome swept through the city, many held Nero responsible.
065- Burn It To The Ground
Between 58 and 63 AD Rome dealt with a major conflict over the Kingdom of Armenia and a revolt in Britain led by the warrior Queen Boudica.
064- Smite My Womb
After Nero came to power he was dominated by Agrippina. But it didn't take long before the 16-year-old Emperor got tired of his mother telling him what to do.