Podcast
Emperors of Rome
Hosted by Nightlight Productions · EN
“Great empires are not maintained by timidity.” - Tacitus. A podcast series looking at the rulers of the ancient Roman empire, by Dr Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith.
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Octavian Before Octavian
4w ago00:42:30Tap to summarizeBefore Augustus reached his great heights as Emperor, before he was even Octavian, he was Giaus Octavius, born to a relatively humble family and giving no indication of the greatness he would achieve. While his father had a reasonably successful political and military career, it’s almost certain that he wouldn’t have become princeps at all without the important connections provided by his mother, Atia. We are crowdfunding a podcast miniseries on Tacitus' Germania! It is exclusive to supporters only, and available now on kickstarter. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLVII (257) Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans
Transcribe →Germania
May 2700:34:31Tap to summarizeTacitus's Germania is one of the most fascinating, strange, and surprisingly modern texts to survive from the ancient world. Part ethnographic survey, part moral provocation, part geopolitical warning, it describes the tribes living along Rome's northern frontier: their customs, their gods, their warriors, their women, and their stubborn refusal to become Roman. This is the first episode of a new podcast miniseries from Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith. It is exclusive to supporters only, and available now on kickstarter. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLVI (256) Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans
Transcribe →Augusti Retirement
Apr 2400:31:07Tap to summarizeIn 305 CE, a carefully staged transition took place: the emperors Diocletian and Maximian retired, handing power to a new generation of rulers. Exactly how it happened is still debated, but the act itself was unprecedented in the long history of the Roman Empire. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLV (255) Part VII of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)
Transcribe →The Tetrarchic Persecution of Christians
Mar 3100:42:38Tap to summarizeIn the early fourth century the emperors of the Tetrarchy initiated what later Christians would call the “Great Persecution.” Under Diocletian and his colleagues, churches were demolished, sacred texts seized, and believers forced to choose between sacrificing to the Roman gods or facing punishment by the state. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Caillan Davenport, looking at the Christian martyr, Saint Sebastian.. Episode CCLIV (254) Part VI of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)
Transcribe →How the Tetrarchy Won the East
Mar 2100:34:53Tap to summarizeWith the tetrarch system still taking shape, Diocletian and his Caesar Galerius come under growing pressure in the East, facing rebellion from Egypt and invasion from the Persian King Naresh. A series of hard campaigns, careful political choices and eventual victory will determine whether this new imperial order can truly secure Rome's frontiers. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Rhiannon Evans, looking at panegyrics.. Episode CCLIII (253) Part V of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)
Transcribe →Reclaiming Britannia
Feb 2800:27:46Tap to summarizeConstantius was elevated to Caesar with one primary mission - retake Britannia for the Roman empire. In the later half of the fourth century the province and parts of western Gaul had retained a stubborn sort of independence, flying in the face of a unified Rome. If the tetrarchy were to prove they were a stable system, this had to come to an end. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Peter Guest, looking at the coins of Carausius. Episode CCLII (252) Part IV of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)
Transcribe →Tetrarchy
Feb 600:39:46Tap to summarizeDiocletian and Maximian have established themselves as co-Emperors, working together to amicably administrate a sprawling Roman Empire. But with Persians to the east, Britons to the west, and discontent all around… maybe it’s time for more laurel wreaths? Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLI (251) Part III of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)
Transcribe →Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon!
Dec 900:08:58Tap to summarizeEmperors of Rome is now on Patreon! To find out about perks and give your support head to patreon.com/romepodcast
Transcribe →Anthology of Interest IV
Dec 900:52:26Tap to summarizeRhiannon Evans, Caillan Davenport, Matt Smith and special guest William Dalrymple share items of Roman interest! You will hear: - A phoenix in the forum - The unknown Queens of Rome - The Roman perception of elephants - Trade between India and Rome - The low bar of Roman insults - The false female centurion - What Emperors called themselves - An accurate population of Pompeii - The false Theodosius - Sallust and ethnic etymology in North Africa Episode CCL(250) Guests: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University) Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)) William Dalrymple (Esteemed author and host of Empire podcast)
Transcribe →Viriathus
Oct 2900:35:48Tap to summarizeViriathus was a Lusitanian leader who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Rome’s most formidable enemies. A skilled tactician and master of guerrilla warfare, he led his people in resistance against Roman expansion in Hispania during the second century BCE. Celebrated for his honour and leadership — even by the Romans who fought him — Viriathus’s story is one of resilience, betrayal, and the enduring struggle for freedom against empire. Episode CCXLIX (249) Guest: Dr Christopher Gribbin (Adjunct Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
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