Podcast appearances and mentions of barry strauss

John Batchelor introduces Barry Strauss, author of The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium, to discuss the transition from the death of Julius Caesar to the rise of Augustus. Strauss identifies Plutarch and Cassius Dio as the primary historical sources, noting they had access to earlier, now-lost records. The discussion focuses on three main figures: Mark Antony, Octavian, and Cleopatra. At Caesar's death, Mark Antony was a consul and Caesar's lieutenant, hailing from the high Roman nobility. In contrast, Octavian (later Augustus) came from an equestrian family but gained status as Caesar's great-nephew and adopted heir. While Antony was a seasoned warrior, Octavian focused on political acumen. The Second Triumvirate, consisting of Antony, Octavian, and Lepidus, was formed to punish Caesar's assassins, leading to the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC, where Antony emerged as the hero while Octavian struggled. (1)

Barry Strauss introduces Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and member of the Ptolemaic dynasty founded by one of Alexander the Great's generals. Strauss describes Alexandria as the Mediterranean's greatest metropolis and a wealthy cultural hub. Cleopatra is depicted as a "tough player" who survived deadly family intrigues to rule Egypt. When she meets Antony in 41 BC at Tarsus, she dazzles him with a spectacular, perfumed arrival on a barge. Antony views Cleopatra not just as a lover, but as a vital financial resource for his Eastern ambitions. A key point of contention is Caesarion, Cleopatra's son, whom many believed was the child of Julius Caesar. Octavian's later propaganda painted the East as "effeminate" compared to Roman manliness. To demonstrate her immense wealth, Cleopatra famously dissolved a priceless pearl in vinegar during an extravagant dinner. (2)

Barry Strauss traces the fracturing of the Second Triumvirate as Octavian utilizes his sister, Octavia, who marries Antony to seal a peace treaty in 40 BC. While depicted as a devoted housewife, Strauss suggests she remained loyal to Octavian, potentially providing intelligence. In Rome, Octavian builds power by marrying into the high nobility and cultivating talent, specifically his "secret weapon," Marcus Agrippa. Agrippa, a brilliant military strategist, builds a new navy to defeat Sextus Pompey, a naval threat based in Sicily. Meanwhile, Antony's reputation suffers after a failed campaign against the Parthian Empire, resulting in the loss of 25% of his army. By 33 BC, the triumvirate expires, and Octavian launches an information war. He portrays Antony as an "unmanned" traitor enslaved by Cleopatra, mocking his adoption of Eastern luxuries like mosquito nets. (3)

Barry Strauss examines Mark Antony's critical "unforced error" of 33 BC: divorcing Octavia, Octavian's sister. This move provides Octavian with a massive propaganda victory, allowing him to frame Antony as having betrayed Rome for an Egyptian queen. Strauss explains the divorce was a "credible commitment" by Antony to show his Eastern supporters he was fully committed to the coming conflict. Despite advice from his experienced admiral, Ahenobarbus, to leave Cleopatra behind, Antony refuses because she controls the treasury and the Egyptian navy. While Antony may have preferred a campaign against Parthia, Octavian forces his hand by declaring war. Antony's decision to bring Cleopatra into the war effort is anathema to Romans, who view her as a foreign invader. This sets the stage for confrontation, with Octavian relying on the tactical genius of Marcus Agrippa. (4)

Barry Strauss shifts the conflict to the western coast of Greece, where Antony and Cleopatra's massive fleet waits at Actium. Strauss emphasizes that while tactics are for amateurs, logistics are for professionals. Marcus Agrippa executes a brilliant logistical strike by capturing Methone, a vital supply base on the southwestern coast of Greece. This amphibious landing, conducted under the cover of a quarter moon, cuts Antony's essential supply line from Egypt. Antony, stationed further north at Patrae, fails to react effectively to this "one-two punch." While Agrippa disrupts the rear, Octavian moves his fleet north of Actium, effectively trapping Antony's forces. Strauss notes the strangeness of Antony's decision to wait for the enemy rather than invading Italy, suggesting he may have lost his nerve or been constrained by the propaganda risk Cleopatra posed. (5)

Barry Strauss narrates the naval Battle of Actium, which begins on September 2, 31 BC. Antony and Cleopatracommand approximately 230 ships against Octavian and Agrippa's fleet of nearly 400. Facing starvation due to Agrippa's blockade, Antony and Cleopatra decide on a breakout battle to escape by sea with their treasury. During the battle, Cleopatra's flagship, flying a purple sail, breaks through a gap in the Roman line. Antony follows her in a smaller ship, abandoning his fleet and army in a move that Strauss describes as a devastating blow to his Roman honor. Despite their leaders' flight, Antony's men continue to fight until Octavian uses fire arrows to destroy their remaining ships. The lovers escape south toward Alexandria, but Antony is left in a state of deep melancholy after deserting his troops. (6)

Barry Strauss follows Octavian's advance on Egypt after Actium, securing the loyalty of Eastern kings. Cleopatraattempts to build a new fleet in the Red Sea to escape to India, but her plans are thwarted. In Alexandria, a complex negotiation unfolds as Antony and Cleopatra separately communicate with Octavian, often lying to each other. Antony, increasingly desperate, challenges Octavian to single combat, which is ignored. On August 1, 30 BC, after his troops defect, Antony commits suicide upon hearing a false report of Cleopatra's death. Days later, Cleopatra also commits suicide to avoid being paraded in Octavian's triumph, potentially using a cobra. Octavian immediately secures his power by killing Caesarion, Caesar's young heir, asserting himself as the "one and only son" of Julius Caesar. (7)

What destroyed the Roman Republic was not one man or one moment, but a slow collapse of trust, duty, and shared values. In this episode, Ryan and ancient historian Barry Strauss discuss the broken civic bargain, economic strain, political violence, and personal ambition that pushed Rome toward civil war. They also talk about Cato's refusal to compromise, Caesar's decision to cross the Rubicon, and the warning the fall of the Roman Republic still holds for us today.Barry Strauss is a bestselling author, classicist, military and naval historian, and one of the leading authorities on leadership lessons from the ancient world. He is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, and a leading expert on ancient military history. Barry is the author of ten books on ancient history, translated into twenty languages, including The War That Made the Roman Empire, Ten Caesars, The Death of Caesar, and his latest book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire.Follow Barry on Instagram | @barrystrauss

It's a measure of the fevered polarization in US society that even its history has become a matter of furious debate. Long before the current presidency, competing missions to redefine America's origins plunged the past into the heart of today's culture wars. From the 1619 project's attempt to reframe history around the arrival of slaves, to the 1776 commission's firm counter-narrative, the battle over what should be taught in schools and preserved in museums is intensifying. On Monday, the President launched a new front in this war, releasing a report detailing serious complaints about "divisive narratives" and "liberal ideology" inside the Smithsonian Institute. But beneath the partisan squabbling, the 250th anniversary of the nation raises a darker, existential question: Is this the revolutionary republic that defeated an empire, or is it now an empire in decline? Piers Morgan is joined by a panel of distinguished historians to debate the future of the American soul: Lord Andrew Roberts, Douglas Brinkley, Roy Casagranda and Barry Strauss. 00:00 Introduction 02:05 Panel discussion begins 11:21 How does history view the progressive wave? 14:07 Is the whole premise of America founded on a lie? 16:53 Dave King's historical works 19:02 Is Trump the most powerful person that ever lived? 23:00 America's foreign policy since WW2 28:45 How unreliable are America's European allies? 29:44 Netanyahu's influence over America in the Iran war 34:20 Would Churchill have helped America if he were involved in the Iran war? 36:10 Conspiracy theories in America - will we ever find out the truth? 39:20 Who has been the greatest American President and the greatest British Monarch? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire by Barry Strauss https://amzn.to/4nDBHXY (affiliate link)  Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of the Middle East Conflict by Oren Kessler https://amzn.to/4nDIyRg (affiliate link)     What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give Austin TX in May https://www.rigelthurston.com/p/austin-estuary-weekend-paul-vanderklay  Ireland in June https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/finding-god-in-nature-and-culture-tickets-1988447493982 Event in Ireland London Breakwater Event link https://www.tickettailor.com/events/flowinthedarkproductions/2159501 Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/ My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/ Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/yXtv7fcH Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/ There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333  If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/  All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.  https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640 https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give

What Is the Future of Ancient History? In this deep, thought-provoking discussion, leading historians and philosophers explore what “ancient history” really means, how it's taught today, and why it matters more than ever. If you're interested in history, philosophy, education, or the future of the humanities, this episode will challenge how you think about the ancient world—and your place in it. KEY TOPICS COVERED • What ancient history actually means (and what it doesn't) • Why it's not just about Greece and Rome • The global vs. local debate in studying the ancient world • How ancient civilizations shaped modern society • The difference between “ancient history” and “classics” • Why academic institutions teach history the way they do • The decline of classics departments and what it means • How studying the past expands imagination and future possibilities • The importance of comparative history across cultures • The future of history, education, and universities If this changed how you think about history, hit subscribe for more deep conversations.Drop a comment: What does “ancient history” mean to you? LINKS

Barry Strauss introduces Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt and member of the Ptolemaic dynasty, which turned Egyptinto a Mediterranean "gold mine." She was a "tough player" who survived deadly dynastic intrigues to secure her throne. Her spectacular entry at Tarsus on a perfumed barge wowed Antony, establishing a partnership built on both romance and finance. Egypt served as a vital treasury for Antony's ambitions, as the Romans had long viewed the country as a bank. A key political asset was her son, Caesarion, whom she claimed was the son of Julius Caesar—a direct threat to Octavian's legitimacy. Strauss highlights Cleopatra's intelligence through the story of her dissolving a pearl in vinegar to host the world's most expensive dinner. While Roman propaganda painted Alexandria as "effeminate" and "comic," it was actually the scientific and cultural capital of the ancient world. (2/8)1572 CONSTANTINOPLE

Guest Author Barry Strauss discusses the power struggle between Mark Antony and the young Octavian following Julius Caesar's assassination. Strauss relies on the Greek historians Plutarch and Cassius Dio to reconstruct this era, noting that Plutarch is the best single source for Antony's life. While Antony was a noble consul and Caesar's seasoned lieutenant, Octavian was a slight, 19-year-old great-nephew who lacked military experience but possessed "Machiavellian" cunning. The two joined Lepidus in the Second Triumvirate to avenge Caesar, leading to the Battle of Philippi in 42 BC. Although Antony emerged as the hero of that victory, Octavian allegedly fled the battlefield due to illness. This victory eliminated assassins like Cassius and Brutus, yet it set the stage for a civil war where Octavian'spolitical ambition would eventually overwhelm Antony's social pedigree. Strauss emphasizes that Caesar likely educated Octavian in the "dark arts of power." (1/8)1680 CONSTANTINOPLE

An age of apocalyptic thinking, a clash of empires, and a legacy that still shapes the world today... Today Anya is joined by Professor Barry Strauss to discuss the Jewish Revolts against the Roman Empire. Discover what fueled these uprisings, and how their dramatic outcome has shaped centuries. Barry Strauss is the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University as well as the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he is the former Chair of the Department of History as well as Professor of History and Classics. He is the author of many bestselling books, including most recently Jews Vs Rome, which you can buy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Jews-vs-Rome-Centuries-Rebellion/dp/1668009595 Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 And access the extended version of this episode HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/jews-vs-rome 

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! ⁠ In this episode, we return to the beach at Actium with author, historian, and academic Barry Strauss as our tour guide. His new book, The War That Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra, and Octavian at Actium, discusses the infamous sea battle Marc Antony and Cleopatra fought against Octavian and Agrippa for love, for supremacy, for their very survival. Join us as we deconstruct this battle, paint a vivid picture of ancient war at sea, and tackle the one question everyone's asking: why did Cleopatra flee the battlefield? Sponsors and Advertising This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advertising inquiries to advertising@airwavemedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to support the podcast? Join our Patreon or buy us a coffee. As an independent podcast, Shakespeare Anyone? is supported by listeners like you. In this episode, we bring together Michael Parenti's The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A People's History of Ancient Rome and Shakespeare's Julius Caesar to explore the real historical event at the heart of the play. Parenti reframes the traditional "tyrannicide" narrative and argues that Caesar's murder was a calculated act by Rome's ruling oligarchs to stop a popular reformer who had become a threat to their wealth and power. Using this people's history perspective, we then discuss how this compares to Shakespeare's depiction of events and how this perspective can inform theatrical productions of Shakespeare's plays. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com. For updates: Join our email list Follow us on Instagram at @shakespeareanyonepod Visit our website at shakespeareanyone.com Support the podcast: Become a patron at patreon.com/shakespeareanyone  Buy us a coffee Bookshop.org: Since 2020, Bookshop.org has raised more than $38 million for independent bookstores. Shop our Shakespeare Anyone? storefront to find books featured on the podcast, books by our guests, and other Shakespeare-related books and gifts. Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores. Libro.fm: Libro.fm makes it possible to purchase audiobooks through your local bookshop of choice. Use our link for 2 free audiobooks when you sign up for a new Libro.fm membership using our link. Find additional links mentioned in the episode in our Linktree. Works referenced: Attar, Rob, host and Barry Strauss, guest; "Caesar | 1. Beware the Ides of March." HistoryExtra Podcast, iTunes app, 15 December 2023. Biemesderfer, Korina, host. "The Ides of March - March 15 2021 - Daily True Crime." Morning Cup of Murder, iTunes app, 15 March 2021 Duncan, Mike, host. "046- Sic Semper Tyrannis." The History of Rome, iTunes app, 27 February 2010 Parenti, Michael. The Assassination of Julius Caesar: A People's History of Ancient Rome. The New Press, 2003. Strauss, Barry, narrator. "The Real Assassination of Caesar." History This Week, iTunes app, 9 March 2020. "TalkingStickTV - Michael Parenti - The Assassination of Julius Caesar." YouTube, uploaded by talkingsticktv, 10 August 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YNwxZnABzA.  

1. Barry Strauss introduces the power struggle following Julius Caesar's death between Mark Antony and Octavian. Antony, a noble consul and seasoned lieutenant, initially holds a superior social position. Octavian, Caesar's younger great-nephew, is viewed as less of a warrior but possesses extreme ambition and cunning. Using sources like Plutarch and Cassius Dio, Strauss describes the Second Triumvirate's efforts to punish Caesar's assassins at the Battle of Philippi. Although Antony is the hero of that victory, the "Machiavellian" Octavian begins a political game to eventually transform the Roman Republic into an Empire. (1)

What really happened on the Ides of March?In this gripping episode, Tony sits down with acclaimed historian Barry Strauss to uncover the truth behind one of the most infamous assassinations in history—Julius Caesar. Was it a spontaneous act of betrayal… or a carefully orchestrated political conspiracy?We dive beyond Shakespeare and Hollywood to reveal the real players behind the plot, including the overlooked masterminds history forgot. From Caesar's rise to power to the shocking decisions that led him straight into danger, this episode explores the tension between ambition, ego, and the fragile balance of a republic on the brink.But this isn't just ancient history.The fall of Rome holds powerful lessons for today's world—about leadership, democracy, and what happens when change is resisted or power goes unchecked.Did the conspirators save Rome… or destroy it?And in the end—did Caesar actually win?#TruthBeTold #JuliusCaesar #IdesOfMarch #RomanHistory #AncientRome #HistoryPodcast #PoliticalIntrigue #Conspiracy #BarryStrauss #FallOfRome #WorldHistory #Leadership #PowerAndPolitics #HistoryMatters #PodcastLife #HistoryLovers #AncientMysteries #Rome #EducationalPodcast #DeepDiveBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/truth-be-told-paranormal--3589860/support.

We know what fate befell Julius Caesar on March 15, 44 B.C., but how does ancient Rome's treatment of its adversaries and allies and compare to the current American “excursion” in Iran and overall US foreign policy? Barry Strauss, the Hoover Institution's Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow and a military historian specializing in the rise and fall of Rome, separates fact from fiction regarding Caesar's the events leading up to his assassination, as well as Rome's belief in “preventive” wars, strategic alliances and great-powers competition. Also discussed: Hollywood's fascination with all things Rome; similarities between Caesar and Donald Trump (communicative skills, strategic risk-taking, neither suffering from a lack of self-esteem); how the history of the republic differs (or doesn't) if Caesar hadn't met up with a horde of knife-wielding senators on that fateful day in mid-March.  Recorded on March 10, 2026. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS Barry Strauss is the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is also the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor of Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he taught for over four decades. Strauss is a military and naval historian with a focus on ancient Greece and Rome and their lessons for today. “No one presents the military history of the ancient world with greater insight and panache than Strauss,” wrote Publishers Weekly. His books have been translated into twenty languages and include several bestsellers, The Battle of Salamis (2004), Masters of Command (2012), The Death of Caesar 2015), Ten Caesars (2019), The War that Made the Roman Empire (2022), and Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire (2025). Strauss is a winner of the 2025 Bradley Prize, honoring his lifelong dedication to the study and teaching of Western civilization and classical and military history. Follow Barry Strauss on social media: LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram Bill Whalen, the Virginia Hobbs Carpenter Distinguished Policy Fellow in Journalism and a Hoover Institution research fellow since 1999, writes and comments on campaigns, elections, and governance with an emphasis on California and America's political landscapes. Whalen writes on politics and current events for various national publications, as well as Hoover's California On Your Mind web channel. Whalen hosts Hoover's Matters of Policy & Politics podcast and serves as the moderator of Hoover's GoodFellows broadcast exploring history, economics, and geopolitical dynamics. RELATED SOURCES Masters of Command (2012) The Death of Caesar (2015) Ten Caesars (2019) The War that Made the Roman Empire (2022) Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire (2025) ABOUT THE SERIES Matters of Policy & Politics, a podcast from the Hoover Institution, examines the direction of federal, state, and local leadership and elections, with an occasional examination of national security and geopolitical concerns, all featuring insightful analysis provided by Hoover Institution scholars and guests. To join our newsletter and be the first to tune into the next episode, visit Matters of Policy & Politics.

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Frank Lavin talks with Barry Strauss, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and the author of  "Jews vs. Rome" to discuss the complicated history of ancient Rome and its efforts to subdue the Jewish states in its empire. Barry also shines a light on the birth of Christianity and how those events of two thousand years ago continue to shape our world of today. In addition to his book, Barry also suggests reading John William's book, "Augustus."

In this lecture, historian Dr Barry Strauss examines Augustus as the architect of Rome's imperial settlement, tracing how a young heir of extraordinary ambition transformed a republic struggling with civil war into an enduring political order. Tracing events from the turmoil following Julius Caesar's assassination to the victory at Actium, the creation of the Pax Romana, and Augustus's claim to rule as Rome's "first citizen," Strauss highlights how Augustus secured power by building trust, managing rivals, and reshaping public life through law, ritual, architecture, and art. The talk concludes by asking what is preserved and what is lost when a society exchanges republican freedom for imperial stability, and what the study of ancient leadership can still teach us about prudence, courage, and political responsibility today. Applications for Ralston College's MA in the Humanities are now open. Learn more and apply today at www.ralston.ac/apply Authors and Works Mentioned in this Episode: Winston Churchill William Shakespeare Herod the Great Homer Virgil's Aeneid Cicero Mark Antony Julius Caesar Cleopatra  

Get into the ring with Spartacus! An enslaved gladiator turned rebel general who led the largest, most destructive assault against the Roman Empire EVER. Dawn is joined by comedian, JB Ball, who also happens to be the biggest Spartacus nerd of all time, as they trade facts and laugh... a lot!---✅ Keep up with JB Ball on Instagram 

Professor Barry Strauss. Josephus commanded the defense of Jotapata against Vespasian in 67 AD. After the city fell, he survived a mass suicide pact in a cave through luck or manipulation. He saved his own life by prophesying Vespasianwould become emperor, defecting to the Roman side. 1492 JOSEPHUS FLAVIUS

Professor Barry Strauss. Following Nero's suicide and the chaotic Year of the Four Emperors, Vespasian claimed the throne while his son Titus moved to besiege Jerusalem. The rebels believed their fortifications and supplies made the city impregnable, unaware that internal strife would soon undermine their defenses against Rome. 1492

Professor Barry Strauss. Three Jewish factions fought for control of Jerusalem, destroying their own grain supplies and exacerbating the famine. While rebels used guerrilla tactics against Rome, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai escaped in a coffin to preserve Judaism at Yavneh, and Christians reportedly fled to Pella for safety. 1492

Professor Barry Strauss. Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the Second Temple in 70 AD, leaving the city in ruins and enslaving survivors. Rome established a permanent legion to ensure security. The revolt concluded with the fall of Masada, where defenders largely committed suicide rather than surrender to the Roman governor. 1850 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. During Trajan's campaign against Parthia, a coordinated Jewish revolt erupted across Libya, Egypt, and Cyprus. This massive insurgency threatened Rome's grain supply, forcing Trajan to divert troops. The suppression of this revolt devastated the historic Jewish community in Alexandria and strained Roman resources. 1843 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina, dedicating it to Jupiter and banning the Jewish Temple to crush rebellious spirits. While Rome viewed Jewish monotheism with confusion, the Parthiansmaintained good relations with their Jewish population, who had helped them against Roman aggression. 1920 MASADA

Professor Barry Strauss. In 132 AD, Simon Bar Kokhba led a major rebellion, utilizing underground tunnels and guerrilla warfare to ambush Roman forces. Viewed by many, including Rabbi Akiva, as a Messiah, he established a short-lived administration that issued coins before Rome ruthlessly crushed the revolt and killed him at Betar. 1850 SIEGE JERUSALEM

Professor Barry Strauss. Following the Gallus revolt in 351 AD, Rome eventually renamed Judea to Syria Palaestinato erase Jewish connection to the land. Control shifted to the Byzantines and then the Muslims in the 7th century, significantly altering the religious and political landscape of Jerusalem. 2010 MASADA

PREVIEW:  This audio excerpt features an interview with Professor Barry Strauss regarding his book, which chronicles the Jewish rebellion against Roman authority during the first century. The discussion focuses on the siege of Jerusalem in 70 AD, led by Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian. Although the Jewish resistance considered their capital an impregnable fortress due to its geographic defenses and abundant resources, the city remained vulnerable along its northern wall. Internal leadership struggles and incomplete fortifications ultimately hampered the rebels' ability to withstand the Roman military onslaught. This historical account highlights the intense defiance of the Judean people as they faced a concentrated effort by the Roman Empire to suppress their revolt. MORE LATER.

The Romans had dealt with uprisings before; it was the cost of having an empire. But there was something different about 70 AD. The Jews had challenged the Romans too many times, and now the Roman legions, led by the future emperors Vespasian and Titus, surrounded the city. The story is one of heroism, intrigue, personality, and tragedy. Joining Cole on this episode is Dr. Barry Strauss, a Roman historian, a professor, and Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution. They discuss his new book, Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire and the Destruction of Jerusalem. 

Antony's Political Error and the Path to Civil War: Colleague Barry Strauss recounts that Antony commits a major political error by divorcing Octavia, allowing Octavian to frame the conflict as a defense of Roman values against a foreign queen; despite internal objections, Cleopatra remains with the fleet at Ephesus, cementing the inevitability of civil war between the factions.

Octavian Becomes Augustus: Colleague Barry Strauss explains that Octavian adopts the title Augustus, carefully avoiding the labels of king or dictator while establishing authority; he erases Antony's public memory, while Octavia raises Antony's children, securing a lineage that leads to future emperors like Nero, with the fate of Cleopatra's statue in Rome remaining unknown. 1891 SARAH BERNHARDT AS CLEOPATRA

The Deaths of Antony and Cleopatra: Colleague Barry Strauss recounts that back in Alexandria, negotiations fail as Octavian closes in to secure Egypt's treasury; Antony's remaining forces defect, leading to his suicide in Cleopatra's arms, and realizing Octavian plans to parade her in Rome and kill her son Caesarion, Cleopatra commits suicide, likely via snakebite.

Agrippa's Brilliant Attack on Methone: Colleague Barry Strauss details the logistical maneuvers preceding Actium, noting Antony's defensive posture in western Greece, with Agrippa executing a brilliant surprise attack on Methone, a key supply base, crippling Antony's supply lines; this amphibious raid forces Antony to shift focus to the north, setting the stage for battle.

Antony's Marriage and Octavian's Information War: Colleague Barry Strauss explains that to maintain peace, Antony marries Octavian's sister Octavia, though tensions persist; while Antony suffers military losses in Parthia, Octavian's general Agrippa defeats Sextus Pompey and succeeds in Illyricum, with Octavian launching an information war portraying Antony as a traitor "unmanned" by Cleopatra and luxury.

Cleopatra's Spectacular Introduction to Antony: Colleague Barry Strauss describes Cleopatra's spectacular introduction to Antony and her background as the ruthless, wealthy queen of the Ptolemaic dynasty, noting that Antony values her resources and acknowledges her son Caesarion as Julius Caesar's child, highlighting Cleopatra's wealth display with the pearl story and their strategic alliance.

Power Struggle After Caesar's Death: Colleague Barry Strauss introduces the power struggle following Caesar's death, featuring the established noble Mark Antony and the ambitious, though physically slight, Octavian, detailing the Second Triumvirate and Antony's military prestige after Philippi, contrasting it with Octavian's reliance on political cunning and the legacy of his great-uncle. 1700 ANTONY & CLEOPATRA

1/4 Jews Versus Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion and the Cost of Diaspora Revolts Professor Barry Strauss of Cornell University, Professor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, discusses the history of Jewish resistance against the Roman Empire as detailed in his book Jews versus Rome. Following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, rebellion continued among Jewish communities scattered across the Roman world. 1888 SULLA SACKING ROME

PREVIEW Professor Barry Strauss discusses the Bar Kokhba Revolt, which occurred in the 130s to 140s, long after the Temple fell in 70 AD. The main thing motivating the revolt was the Roman declaration that the Temple would never be rebuilt and that Jerusalem would never again be a Jewish capital. Rome maintained its vast empire through brutal intimidation. While the Romans were brutal, the sources suggest the Jews were not intimidated, though there was some disagreement among rabbis about the usefulness of the revolts. Guest: Professor Barry Strauss. 1698 JERUSALEM

1. JOSEPHUS AND THE SIEGE OF JODAPATA Guest: Professor Barry Strauss The Jewish revolt against Rome, starting in 66 AD, is primarily chronicled by Josephus, a leader of the revolt and later historian. Josephus commanded the defense of Jodapata against General Vespasian. After defeat, Josephus survived a mass suicide pact, surrendered, and convinced Vespasian not to kill him by predicting he would become Roman emperor. The rebels were inspired by previous victories like the Maccabees. 1922 GAZA

2. TITUS'S SIEGE OF JERUSALEM Guest: Professor Barry Strauss Nero's forced suicide in 68 AD and the subsequent chaos confirmed Josephus's prophecy, leading to Vespasian being proclaimed emperor in 69 AD. Vespasian left his son Titus to lay siege to Jerusalem in 70 AD. Though Jerusalem was a strong fortress, the defenders were critically weakened by infighting among three rebel factions and their own destruction of the city's necessary grain supply. 1687

3. SURVIVAL DURING THE SIEGE OF JERUSALEM Guest: Professor Barry Strauss Before the siege of Jerusalem was sealed, two foundational groups fled: Rabbi Yohanan Ben Zakai, smuggled out to Yavneh to establish Rabbinic Judaism, and the followers of Jesus, who went to Pella. Titus focused the Roman assault on the city's weakest point, the northern wall. The overconfident Romans were repeatedly frustrated by Jewish defenders using effective irregular tactics, including raids and undermining siege equipment. 1698

4. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE TEMPLE AND MASADA Guest: Professor Barry Strauss The Flavians decided to completely destroy Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD, an act of extreme Roman imperialism that left the city in ruins. Afterwards, Judea was upgraded to a formal Roman province with a governor and the 10th Legion quartered in Jerusalem. Four years later, the siege of Masada ended with the alleged suicide of defenders, though archaeological evidence remains controversial among scholars. 1860

PREVIEW Barry Strauss on Jews Versus Rome and the Siege of Jerusalem. Professor Barry Strauss discusses his new book, Jews Versus Rome, chronicling the rebellion of the Jews and their extreme defiance of Roman power in the first century. The core event is the siege of Jerusalem in 69 to 70 AD, when Titus, the son of Vespasian, was charged with defeating the city after his father departed to become emperor. Jerusalem was the religious center and a formidable fortress, impregnable on three sides, yet possessed a critical weakness: its northern wall. Despite the difficult siege ahead, the rebels believed they could withstand it, having laid up supplies, amassed considerable food stores, and secured access to a natural water source. Guest: Professor Barry Strauss. Retry

Eliot and Eric welcome back friend of the show Barry Strauss, the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. They discuss the series of Jewish revolts against Roman rule in 67-70 AD and the subsequent Roman siege of Masada, as well as the later Diaspora and Bar Kochba revolts situating them in the geostrategic competition between the Roman and Parthian empires. Barry explains the complications of the ethnic and religious divisions in Judea as well as the role of Jewish apocalyptic and messianic thinking on the protagonists of these serial rebellions. He also touches on the reasons why Judea was seemingly so hard to govern for the Romans, the divisions among Jews, and the degree to which archaeology and numismatics can add to the surviving literary accounts of the wars between Rome and the Jews. Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire: https://a.co/d/9xfsZOd Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Victor Davis Hanson talks with Barry Strauss about "Jews Vs Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire” scheduled for release August 19, 2025. They talk about revolts of Masada, Bar Kokhba, and other resistance, plus the historical relevance to the current state of Israel's geopolitics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jonah Goldberg invites Barry Strauss, author of Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire, to discuss the clashes between these two ancient worlds, focusing on key events like the Siege of Masada and the Bar Kokhba revolt. Discover how these uprisings not only challenged Roman authority but also shaped the cultural and political landscape of current events. Show Notes:—Read Strauss' other books The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices