Podcast
Cost of Glory
Hosted by Alex Petkas · EN
The most influential biographies ever written, admired by leaders, creators, soldiers, and thinkers for nearly 2,000 years: Plutarch’s Parallel lives. Essential listening for anyone striving after greatness. Alex Petkas, former professor of ancient philosophy and history, revives and dramatically retells these unforgettable stories for modern audiences. The subjects are statesmen, generals, orators, and founders; pious and profane, stoics and hedonists. The stakes bear on the future of Western civilization. The cost of glory is always great. Visit costofglory.com to find out more.
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
121 - Plutarch and Shakespeare, w/ The Base Creates
3w ago01:04:36Tap to summarizeA conversation with Morgan Watkins of TheBaseCreates and George Carter from Old Sovereign Publishing about the importance of re-enchanting the world through theatre and the tradition of the classics, specifically focusing on a new drama competition called "The Great Panathenaea". Links: TheBaseCreates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBaseCreates TheBaseCreates X: https://x.com/thebasecreatesSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient historyGet in touch at: Website: https://costofglory.com X: https://x.com/costofglory
Transcribe →
120 - The Modern Roman Legion? w/ "Monastery of the Damned" author Nicholas Tobias
May 1401:17:04Tap to summarizeMy conversation with author, soldier, and scholar, Nicholas Tobias.This is the first public interview with Nicholas, and he agreed to speak on condition that we'd preserve his alias and therefore his anonymity. Hence there is no video of him, and the sound quality from his undisclosed location was not perfect. But this was a fascinating conversation that I'm going to be thinking about for a long time.Let me know what you think in the comments.Subscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory
Transcribe →119 - Sparta vs. Stoicism
May 700:12:17Tap to summarizeOn how the Spartans achieved emotional mastery, long before Stoicism was invented.
Transcribe →118 - Is Julius Caesar in Heaven?
Mar 3001:00:44Tap to summarize-Lessons both personal and political from the life of Caesar. -The Net Worth of Caesar's Estate-Also, could he be in heaven? What should a Christian's, or any modern man's attitude be toward Caesar?-Thanks to sponsors Shokworks and Dr. Richard Johnson!-Shout out to Ward Farnsworth, author of The Practical Stoic, Classical English Rhetoric, and more! Find out more about The Classical Society: https://theclassicalsociety.com
Transcribe →
117 - Alexander's Sack of Thebes, w/ Victor Davis Hanson
Feb 2100:52:17Tap to summarizeA conversation with American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson.We discuss:Why Epaminondas remains one of the most underrated commanders in Greek history, and how the loss of Plutarch's Life of Epaminondas has obscured his legacyThe pivotal liberation of Thebes in 378 BC: how a small band of conspirators overthrew the Spartan-backed oligarchy and sparked a democratic revolutionEpaminondas's strategic masterstroke at Leuctra — the deep oblique phalanx on the left — and how it shattered 200 years of Spartan military supremacyHow freeing the Messenian Helots and building Megalopolis, Mantinea, and Messene permanently encircled and emasculated Sparta as a great powerThe fatal miscalculation of 335 BC: why Thebes revolted against Alexander on the basis of a false rumor, and how every potential ally abandoned themThe recurring pattern of doomed civilizations — from Thebes to Carthage to Constantinople — that share delusions about allies, enemies, and their own declineWhat ancient history reveals about America's current strengths and vulnerabilities, from demographic pressures to the China threatSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory
Transcribe →
116 - Caesar 3: Divus Julius
Jan 2402:25:36Tap to summarizePart 3 of 3 of the Life of Julius Caesar. Did Caesar want to be a King? A god? What was his vision for Rome? Was there a way he could have prevented his assassination? In this episode:Caesar returns to Rome His TriumphsHis Reforms His Clemency His Final War in Spain; the Batle of MundaThe Octavius QuestionThe Plots, Dreams, Portents, The men he trusted; the men who betrayed him Thanks to our sponsor, Ai Labs. Visit austinlab.ai to chat with a team member about custom Agentic AI power solutions for your SMB to Enterprise level business. Powered by Shokworks.Also Thanks Dr. Richard Johnson, the Crassus to this Caesar series.And check out Warlords of History podcast here!
Transcribe →
115 - Aristotle, Thiel Fellowship, and Human Greatness w/ Michael Gibson
Nov 701:09:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode:Michael Gibson's origin storyMeeting Peter Thiel and launching the Thiel FellowshipThe importance of AristotleAristotle on "The Gigachad"Is intelligence enough?Failure of philosophy is present in Plato's work...not Aristotle'sAlexander the Great's major influenceInspiration from the immortalsWhy victory is better than happinessFriends as a second self
Transcribe →
114 - Julius Caesar and the Jews, w/ Barry Strauss
Oct 2401:04:50Tap to summarizeA conversation with the bestselling author, classicist and the military and naval historian Barry Strauss about his latest book Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World’s Mightiest Empire.We explore:Why Julius Caesar became a key patron of the Jews and how his support shaped Jewish life in the Roman EmpireThe pivotal moment when Antipater (Herod's father) saved Caesar in Egypt, and how it changed Jewish-Roman relationsCaesar's assassination: the personal ambitions and fears that drove the conspirators beyond Republican ideologyHerod the Great's extraordinary political survival skills: switching allegiances from Antony to Octavian and always landing on his feetThe ruthless pragmatism of Herod's reign, including the execution of his own talented sonsThe historical plausibility of the "slaughter of the innocents" story and what it reveals about Herod's characterFor Barry's previous appearance, check out episode 81.Subscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory
Transcribe →
113 - Cato and his Stoicism: w/ Johnathan Bi
Oct 301:08:23Tap to summarizeA conversation with Johnathan Bi (Cosmos Institute, The Great Books podcast) for a deep dive into Stoicism through the life and philosophy of Cato the Younger.We explore:Why Stoicism continues to attract modern audiencesJonathan’s personal journey with Stoicism—and why he ultimately turned to other philosophiesNietzsche’s critique of Stoicism as a coping mechanismHow Cato embodied Stoic principles (and where he may have fallen short)The tension between Stoic theory and Stoic practice in figures like Seneca and Marcus AureliusSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory
Transcribe →
112 - The Psychology of Envy and the Fall of Caesar: w/ Rob Henderson
Sep 2301:11:33Tap to summarizeA conversation with Rob Henderson — Air Force veteran, psychologist, and author of the bestselling "Troubled". In this episode:Rob's journey from foster care to Cambridge and lessons about status, envy, and human natureThe psychology of envy and jealousy - from Julius Caesar's assassination to modern politicsDifference between dominance and prestige in human behaviorWhy envy is one of the most powerful yet unacknowledged human emotionsHow these dynamics shape personal relationships and societyWhy men are drawn to history and the Great Man theoryWhat academia misses in its focus on present-day issuesLuxury beliefs, status games, and why successful people downplay hard workAttention spans in the digital age and effects of TikTok and short-form mediaWhy biographies and long-form stories matter for character developmentHow reading about great and troubled historical figures helped Rob navigate teenage hardshipInsights on history, psychology, and the hidden forces shaping societySubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory
Transcribe →