Podcast appearances and mentions of Julius Caesar

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 today's episode, we are exploring how Shakespeare depicts Julius Caesar's "falling sickness," commonly believed by historians and scholars to be epilepsy. First, we'll discuss how the play Julius Caesar can be read as a disability narrative and how it reflects early modern anxieties around invisible disabilities like epilepsy.  Then, we will look at how Shakespeare depicts falling sickness or epilepsy across the canon and determine whether or not the depictions are as accurate as they are often celebrated to be. Finally, we will share an alternative diagnosis for Caesar's symptoms based on what is known of historical Caesar's medical history.  Content Warning: Emetophobia, brief discussion of eating disorders Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. 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: Breuer, Horst. "Bilder Der Epilepsie Bei Shakespeare / Representations of Epilepsy in Shakespeare." Medizinhistorisches Journal, vol. 37, no. 1, 2002, pp. 5–19. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25805304. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. Hamlyn, Tim. "The Nature of Caesar's Illness." Latomus, vol. 73, no. 2, 2014, pp. 360–67. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24858427. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026. Hobgood, Allison. (2009). Caesar Hath the Falling Sickness: The Legibility of Early Modern Disability in Shakespearean Drama. Disability Studies Quarterly. 29. 10.18061/dsq.v29i4.993. 

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 24th of February, 2026, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We go to the Gospel of John 20:25. Thomas said: “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” Folks, there is nothing worse than doubting. We need to stop doubting and we need to start believing. They talk about Thomas being the doubting Thomas but I want to say to you that Thomas eventually believed. Eight days later, the Lord came and stood in the midst of them and He said to Thomas, ”Thomas, put your finger here and look at my hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side and do not be unbelieving but believing.” Verse 28 - the Bible tells us that when Thomas saw this, he said, ”My Lord and my God.” Thomas did eventually believe and he believed so much that he went to India to preach the Gospel and there he was martyred. I want to say something to you. It is better to have doubted and then believe, than to have never believed at all. Of course, once you see, then you don't need faith, do you? But to believe, having not seen Jesus, is a wonderful thing and that's what Jesus said to Thomas, ”There will be those who come after you who have never seen me and yet believe.”It is so sad for me when people are determined not to believe the word of God. There is more evidence that Jesus Christ walked on this earth than there is that Julius Caesar existed. Why is it that our hearts become so hardened? I want to say to you today, you really need to believe by faith. I want to pray for you because I believe there are some people who are listening to this thought for the day every morning, but you still don't believe. Now please, if you want more faith to believe that Jesus Christ not only is alive, not only is He the saviour of the world, but that He's coming back soon, pray this prayer after me: Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me for doubting You. Lord, when I look around and I see the devastation in the world, I find it hard to believe, but today I choose by faith to believe that You, Jesus Christ, are the Son of the living God. Amen.God bless you and have a wonderful day.Goodbye.

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag’s “On Photography.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Send me a text!The decade long pacification of Gaul as seen through the eyes of Julius Caesar. Support the show war102podcast@gmail.comhttps://war102.buzzsprout.com

Vad kan en av historiens mest framgångsrika ledare lära oss om dagens arbetsliv?I det här avsnittet av Direktionen analyserar vi Julius Caesar – militärt geni, politisk strateg och mästare på att vinna människors lojalitet. Men också en man vars framgång till slut blev hans fall.Detta är första delen i en ny miniserie där vi utforskar historiska personer och översätter deras styrkor, svagheter och misstag till konkreta lärdomar för dagens arbetsplatser.I avsnittet pratar vi bland annat om:Hur du bygger lojalitet och förtroende i ditt teamVarför du ibland måste samarbeta med dina rivalerHur maktspel faktiskt fungerar på jobbetVikten av att förstå din “fiende” innan du agerarNär generositet är en styrka – och när det kan slå tillbakaVi pratar också om allianser, ego, strategi och varför historien gång på gång upprepar sig.Så frågan är:

Измислица или истина е историята? В новия епизод на подкаста Pop Script с водещ писателя и кинокритик Благой Д. Иванов се отправяме на плаване из мътния океан на историографията, пречупена през популярната, но и през класическата култура. Гости са двама души с плашеща ерудиция, но също така и с пленителна реторика – това са театроведът Миряна Димитрова (автор на „Julius Caesar's Self-Created Image and Its Dramatic Afterlife“) и историкът Александър Стоянов (автор на „Българите между две катастрофи – 1396-1944 г.“). Тройната дружина се отдава в студиото на Ratio на свежи разсъждения върху автентизма и художествените интерпретации на реални хора и събития от (сравнително) далечното минало. Също така, те предпазливо и що-годе оптимистично отправят поглед към бъдещето в края на разговора, отговаряйки на следния тегав въпрос: в напрегнатите времена, в които живеем, имаме ли шанс да се оправим и съхраним, без да се стига до ескалация? Tази бъдеща аудиовизуална христоматия съдържа още теми и питанки като: • Илюзия ли е достоверността, когато историята се разказва, преразказва и съхранява? • А илюзия ли е достоверността, когато историята се преработва от изкуството? • Превърнал ли се е Уилям Шекспир чрез творчеството си в своеобразен персонаж – ocoбено чрез филми като „Влюбеният Шекспир“ на Джон Мадън, „Анонимен“ на Роланд Емерих и „Хамнет“ на Клои Жао? • Дали пиесите на Барда са основна причина да възприемаме днес повече като фикция фигури като Гай Юлий Цезар? • Могат ли сериали като „Рим“ да развенчаят митичната осанка на древността? • Как изобразителното изкуство на творци като Жак-Луи Давид помага на Наполеон Бонапарт да изгради своя въздействащ имидж? • Бил ли е адекватно представян досега в книги и филми обичащият котките кардинал Арман Жан дю Плеси дьо Ришельо? • C „да“ или с „не“ трябва да подхождаме към исторически компрометираните, но художествено издържани продукции на режисьори като Мел Гибсън („Смело сърце“), Ридли Скот („Гладиатор“) и Зак Снайдър („300“)? • Сложни личности като Винсент Вилем ван Гог могат ли да бъдат опознати и разбрани чрез комбиниране на литература, кино и лични архиви? • Кой е барон Франц Нопча фон Фелшьо-Силвас... и защо си струва да научим повече за него? • Смислени и правдиви ли са т. нар. woke сюжети? • Как иронията, самоиронията и карикатурата работят при велики разказвачи като Мел Брукс („Пламтящи седла“), Роуън Аткинсън („Черното влечуго“) и комедийната трупа „Монти Пайтън“? • Поради каква причина не можем да третираме собствените си национални герои по друг начин, освен канонично... и бихме ли могли някой ден да видим Васил Левски в схватка с чудовището от Лох Нес? • И още: от гениални майстори на четката (като Иван Айвазовски и Ждислав Бекшински) през средновековни владетелски фигури (като папа Инокентий III и херцогиня Елеонор Аквитанска) до неочаквани страдалци и герои на своите епохи (като Джефри Хъдзън и Абрам Ханибал) – кого би било любопитно да видим интерпретиран в изкуството, който не е бил досега адекватно или изобщо представян никъде?

Banned In Sparta”- Collaborative Album with Classical Greek Poets and Modern Folk Singers Helmed by Robin BatteauRobin Batteau's “Banned in Sparta” is a collaborative album of songs based on poems by Classical Greek poets and recorded by a number of friends Tom Paxton, Eric Andersen, Livingston and Kate Taylor, Matt Nakoa, Robin Lane, 2-time Tony winning actor James Naughton and his gifted children Keira and Greg, plus Carolyn Hester.  Robin was inspired by an Ancient Greek History class he took when he returned to Harvard during the Pandemic to finish a degree he started in the 1960s. Robin earned the World Record of taking a 50-year break (between 1970 to 2021) to return to Harvard and finish his degree in 2022.   “Banned In Sparta” focuses almost entirely on poets from Ancient Greece between 700 and 400 BC.  One poet, Gaius Valerius Catullus (84 – 54 BC), as smitten with the ghost of Sappho as Robin or Alcaeus, is from Rome during Julius Caesar's reign, for whom Eric Andersen performs “Cross (of Gold),” an ode to interlaced and conflicted feelings, “Odi et Amo"— I hate and I love.The title “Banned in Sparta” finds its name from Archilochus, the Bob Dylan of the 7th century B.C., a warrior-poet so irreverent he was “Banned in Sparta.”  James Naughton sings the song “Archilochus Re-Deemed (I Am a Servant of the Lord God of War).” Kate Taylor performs “Telesilla's On the Wall,” from the female poet Telesilla, who led her fellow women warriors to victory against those same renowned Spartans. “The Greek Lyric poets performed live, and were the stars of their day,” says Robin. “They were singer/songwriters, they played the lyre (hence "Lyric") and danced around the stage like Tom Paxton and Taylor Swift.”Robin, who studied Ancient Greece and Integrative Biology at Harvard, found that most of what was left of the poems were fragments and myth, “So I mosaic-ed songs to reflect their expressions and intentions— who they were, and are to me.”         A range of female poets contributed to the lyrical history of Greece including Corrina, whose “In Her Loving Arms” is sung by Carolyn Hester, and Praxilla's “The Most Beautiful Thing in the World,” a hymn to Adonis, sung by Keira Naughton.  Sappho's writing inspires “Terra Cotta Heart,” sung by Robin Lane.  Livingston Taylor sings “My Sappho, Sweetly Smiling” from the smitten neighbor and rival Alcaeus. The fun and frolicking “Shake your Hair (You Thracian Filly),” sung by Tom Paxton. Pianist and folk singer Matt Nakoa offers a Bruce Hornsby-like treatment for Simonides of Ceos's “Theatre of Memory (Man of Gold).”    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag’s “On Photography.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

What the bible is all about; Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil vs Tree of Life; Walls of misunderstanding; Pharisees and Sadducees; The serpent in the garden; Whole truth?; Why Leviticus was written; Pontius Pilate's position; Monetary system in Judea; Decline of Roman republic; Duty to fellowman; Evidence of salvation; Knowing the WHOLE Jesus; Devil believes in Jesus; Have you repented?; Things God hates; Nicolaitans and Baalam; Charity; Levites; Atonement; What we thought we knew that just ain't so; Lev 5:1 Awkward translation; Jewish Christmas lights story; Hating; The "world" God loves; All MIGHT be saved; Bearing witness to iniquity; Carcase?; Unclean things?; Sacrifice?; nun-biet-lamad-hey; Julius Caesar and the Gauls; Unclean bread provided by Rome; Foolish things; Golden calf; Reserve fund?; Oaths; Bound to unknown crimes; Guilt; Confession - to whom?; Making recompense; How to have a healthy community; Unintended consequences; Trespass offerings; Stones of the Levite altars; Touching unclean things; Offering covering the trespass; Taking care of the needy; Social welfare via the altars; Turtledove?; Cheating; Sprinkling blood?; Christ forbade us…; Atonement for sin?; Ransom, price of life, sacrifice; Things of value; The principle: you caused damage; Owning up; Responsibility; Spirit of a free society; v12 - bringing to priest; "fire"; Why the old men wept; Forgiveness; Paying it forward; Reparations?; Freewill offerings; What Christ was doing; Making amends; Forgiven by whom?; Prodigal son example; Whose house do you live in?; Getting back to your father's house; Repent and seek His kingdom and righteousness; Why a priest?; Wise, efficient giving; "Kingdom"; Determining what you owe in recompense; Things forgotten; Injuring someone is a trespass against the LORD; Human resources; Caiaphas and Jesus; Pay it forward.

Today, I'm thrilled to announce my interview with veteran actress Elizabeth Marvel, who is currently starring in THE DINOSAURS at Playwrights Horizons. Tune in to hear some of the stories of her legendary career, including her unlikely beginnings, how Michael Langham gave her her Broadway debut in THE SEAGULL, performing the controversial revival of JULIUS CAESAR in the Park, why she wants to form a new National Actors Theater, being an American actor at Stratford, working with Glenda Jackson on KING LEAR, her collaboration with Ivo Van Hove, finding a new take on A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, researching THE LITTLE FOXES, starring in TOP GIRLS as a new mother, the drawings Edward Albee made during SEASCAPE, acting opposite Frances Sternhagen, why PICNIC was an exorcism for her, approaching Shakespeare like music theory, what draws her to new work, and so much more. Don't miss this candid conversation with one of Broadway's best.

In this episode of the Broad Street Review Podcast, host Darnelle Radford welcomes director Morgan Green to discuss the Philadelphia Theatre Company's adaptation of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. They explore the shared leadership model in Philadelphia theatre, the unique interpretations of the cast, and the relevance of the play in today's society. The conversation delves into character analysis, choreography, and the audience's engagement with the production, highlighting the emotional and political themes that resonate with contemporary issues.A Bold and Modern New AdaptationCaesarAdapted by Tyler Dobrowsky From Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Directed by Morgan GreenWhat would you do to protect your home?Shakespeare's classic political tragedy is reborn as a gripping contemporary thriller in this bold new adaptation by Tyler Dobrowsky. Caesar stays true to Shakespeare's original language but trims the story to its leanest, most urgent core—cutting to the heart of ambition, authoritarianism, and the cost of protecting democracy.Brutus, a principled Roman senator, joins a conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar, fearing the rise of tyranny. But once the deed is done, the fragile dream of liberty spirals into violence, unrest, and civil war. As alliances shift and Rome descends into chaos, the play asks: Who gets to hold power? And at what price?Running just 95 minutes, Caesar is fast-paced and fiercely relevant, inviting audiences to draw parallels between ancient Rome and the political tensions of our world today.In a season about what it means to be home, Caesar asks: who gets to shape the future of a nation? And what are we willing to risk to defend the place—and people—we love?ABOUT MORGAN CLAIRE GREENPTC: Debut. Off-Broadway: Five Models in Ruins, 1981, LCT3; Staff Meal, Playwrights Horizons; School Pictures, Playwrights Horizons. Regional: Hilma (Opera), Eternal Life Part 1, School Pictures, Fat Ham (digital; Pulitzer Prize for Drama), Wilma Theater. Additional premieres include Five Models in Ruins and The Karamazovs (film). Awards: Obie Award. Leadership: Co-Artistic Director of Philadelphia's Tony Award–winning Wilma Theater, where she has directed numerous world premieres and new theatrical collaborations.FOR TICKETS AND INFORMATION: https://philadelphiatheatrecompany.org/caesar/

Send a textWhat we honestly have is ancient testimony, not “medical proof.What the ancient sources actually sayTwo major biographers written well after Caesar's death report episodes that sound like seizures:Suetonius (writing ~150 years later) says Caesar was “twice attacked by the falling sickness” during his campaigns, and also mentions fainting fits and nightmares later in life. Plutarch also describes Caesar as having episodes of illness and uses them at times to explain his behavior in public life (though Plutarch's descriptions are not clinical “case notes”). And in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Casca calls it “the falling sickness”—that's Shakespeare drawing on the same tradition rather than independent medical evidence.   His exact words are He - meaning Julius Caesar - fell down in the market-place, and foamed at the mouth, and was speechless.Romans often used morbus comitialis for what we'd now associate with epilepsy (the idea being that a seizure could halt a public assembly). So: yes, the term points toward epilepsy—but it's still a label from ancient writers, not a diagnosis with modern criteria.How reliable is it?Reasonably important, but not ironclad:These accounts come from biographies written later, using earlier sources we don't always have, and they can mix observation, hearsay, and   moral storytelling. “Falling sickness” could have been applied loosely to several kinds of sudden collapse—not only epilepsy.What might it have been, in modern terms?There's genuine debate. Some modern clinicians/historians argue the episodes may fit transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes) or other causes of sudden fainting/weakness rather than epilepsy. Others still argue that “late-onset epilepsy” remains plausible based on the descriptions. Do we have reliable proof? No—no medical records, no exam notes, no contemporary clinical description.Do we have credible ancient reports that Caesar had episodes called “falling sickness”? Yes, especially Suetonius. Support the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

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 Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Cassius argues that "Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." In this week's episode, we are exploring early modern ideas of fate and the stars and the practices and beliefs of astrology in Shakespeare's time.  We'll discuss the difference between the early modern concepts of natural and judicial astrology, the popularity and influence of astrology and astrologers in Early Modern England, and how it found its way into plays like Shakespeare's. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander.   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: Bragg, Melvin, host. "Renaissance Astrology." In Our Time: Science, BBC Radio, 14 Jun 2007. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007nmym Cash, Cassidy, host, and Barbara Traister, guest. "Episode #13: Interview with Barbara Traister exploring astrology, doctors, herbs, and witches in Shakespeare's England." That Shakespeare Life, episode 13, Cassidy Cash, 16 July 2018. https://cassidycash.libsyn.com/episode-13-interview-with-barbara-traister-exploring-astrology-doctors-herbs-and-witches-in-shakespeares-england Kassell, Lauren, host. "Simon Forman: astrology, Medicine and Quackery in Elizabethan England." University of Oxford Podcasts, University of Oxford, 26 Oct 2011. https://podcasts.ox.ac.uk/simon-forman-astrology-medicine-and-quackery-elizabethan-england Lipscomb, Suzannah, host, and Benjamin Woolley, guest. "Elizabeth I's Conjuror: John Dee." Not Just the Tudors, episode 364, History Hit, 9 Oct 2024. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/elizabeth-is-conjuror-john-dee/id1564113869?i=1000670531385 Oxford English Dicitionary. "Astrology, N. Meanings, Etymology and More | Oxford English Dictionary." Oxford English Dictionary, 2026, www.oed.com/dictionary/astrology_n. Oxford English Dicitionary. "Astronomy, N. Meanings, Etymology and More | Oxford English Dictionary." Oxford English Dictionary, 2026, www.oed.com/dictionary/astronomy_n. Schifini, Julia and Amanda McLoughlin, hosts, and Kelly Downes, guest. "Episode 361: Astrology and Shakespeare (with Kelly Downes)." Spirits Podcast, episode 361, Multitude Productions, 8 Nov 2023. https://spiritspodcast.com/episodes/shakespeare-and-astrology  Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night, or What You Will , edited by Keir Elam, ARDEN SHAKESPEARE, LONDON, UK, 2008, pp. 180n1.3.132-5. Third. Walker, Katherine. "Almanacs as Underdogs: Folger Shakespeare Library." Folger Shakespeare Library Almanacs as Underdogs Comments, Folger Shakespeare Library, 19 Mar. 2019, www.folger.edu/blogs/collation/almanacs-as-underdogs/.  Smith, William Bruce, "Shakespeare and astrology" (1989). Chapter 2. Master's Theses. Paper 1083

Send a textThe Caesar Shakespeare gives us is not a cardboard tyrant. That's important. If Caesar were obviously monstrous, the play would become an easy sermon: “Kill the tyrant and save the republic.” But Shakespeare refuses the easy version. He makes Caesar impressive, admired, and also irritating. He makes Caesar popular, and also proud. He makes Caesar capable of generosity, and also capable of dismissing people. He makes Caesar a public figure, and still a man who likes being told he is exceptional. That mixed portrait is the point, because political violence is almost never born from a neat moral diagram. It's born from competing fears—and competing stories people tell about those fears.So who is Julius Caesar here?He is, first, a public magnet. The city pulls toward him. Soldiers love him. Ordinary citizens treat him like a living holiday. Even his enemies cannot stop talking about him. And that is its own kind of power: the power of being the topic, the center of gravity, the person around whom everyone else must arrange themselves. In a republic, that kind of gravitational pull feels dangerous even when the person at the center is not consciously plotting tyranny. Because republics depend on the idea that no single person becomes the nation.Second, he is a master of his own image. Caesar understands theater. He knows the value of showing confidence. He knows how to receive honor as if it is inevitable. He knows how to make gestures that look like humility while still feeding the legend. And in Rome, where politics is as much spectacle as it is policy, that skill can feel like destiny. The trouble is that destiny is exactly what a republic is not supposed to accept.Third, he is physically vulnerable, and Shakespeare wants us to notice it. Whether you interpret his illness in modern medical terms or simply accept it as the play's description, the effect is the same. It reminds us that even the most celebrated person is not a god. And ironically, that vulnerability increases the danger, because it creates a strange emotional cocktail in the people around him: admiration mixed with contempt, affection mixed with impatience, fear mixed with a desire to prove they are not afraid. Nothing leads to rash political choices faster than that mixture.Support the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag’s “On Photography.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Every divorced dad needs to hear Charles Brownlee's story. This episode reveals the brutal reality of what happens when the system completely fails fathers. Charles survived hell heroin addict dad, crackhead mom, left starving as a child. Built a life: 14 years logging, $500K house, 4 kids, wife of 15 years. Then it all collapsed. Wife's mental illness (75+ suicide attempts/year), stabbed him multiple times, kidnapped the kids. He got shot twice, lost everything. Now rebuilding from nothing focused on being worth coming home to when his kids return.  What You'll Discover: • The shocking truth about mental health and custody battles • How false accusations can destroy a father's life • Why documentation is critical (Charles had witnesses but still lost) • The brutal reality of family court bias against fathers • How to stay strong when you've lost everything • Why choosing peace over revenge protects your future with your kids • The spiritual strength needed to survive complete devastation    Powerful Moment: "I can't be no good man behind bars or dead. I have to be worth somebody worth coming home to when those kids do come home."   WATCH the full video episode on YouTube  LISTEN everywhere: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts SUPPORT the mission: https://www.patreon.com/daddyissues   ⭐ If this episode helped you, please leave a 5-star review and share with other dads who need to hear this.   FREE Resources for Divorced Dads: • Father's rights legal directory • Crisis support hotlines • Mental health resources for men • Legal documentation guides • Custody battle preparation checklist   This episode covers difficult topics including domestic violence, mental health crises, and child custody battles. Listener discretion advised.   Got your own story or need support? Email: daddyissuespodcastshow@gmail.com   #CustodyBattle #DivorceAdvice #FathersRights #FamilyCourt #DadLife #MentalHealth #ChildCustody #DivorceStrategy #LegalAdvice #DaddyIssues #Resilience #Faith    

This is Part 2! For Part 1, check the feed!This week we're tracing the life of one of the most famous people to have ever lived: Caesar! We'll see his relatively humble origins, we'll travel with him to Gaul and Britain and finally, we'll see Cleopatra enter the stage.And this week we're discussing locksmiths, beers in the bath to calm down and so much more. If you'd like to add to our postbag, you can do so by emailing: hello@ohwhatatime.comAnd if you want more Oh What A Time, you should sign up for our Patreon! On there you'll now find:•The full archive of bonus episodes•Brand new bonus episodes each month•OWAT subscriber group chats•Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show•PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone elseJoin us at

Send us a textA large National Council of Teachers of English teacher survey reported by Education Week lists Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet among the most frequently assigned texts in U.S. And Folger Shakespeare Library notes its edition sales (a good “what schools buy” proxy) had Romeo and Juliet first, followed by Hamlet, Macbeth, then A Midsummer Night's Dream, Othello, and Julius Caesar.But before I start talking about British school subject matter, I better describe one certificate and one assessment of skills that are more or less standard in the United Kingdom.First, there is the GCSE or General Certificate of Secondary Education.It's the main set of school qualifications students typically take in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, usually at age 15–16 (Year 11). Students take several subjects (like English, Math, Sciences, History, etc.), and the results are used for next steps such as A-levels or vocational courses.And then there is the AQA -  which stands for Assessment and Qualifications Alliance an exam board in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland that creates the syllabuses, sets the exams, and award qualifications for subjects such as English, History, Sciences, etc.).Now back to the Shakespearean plays most frequently studied in the United Kingdom.Most-studied in UK secondary schools - In the UK, the gravitational center is Macbeth—especially at GCSE level. A UK secondary teaching survey reports Macbeth as the most popular overall, and one study cited within the literature reports ~65% teaching it for GCSE (with Romeo and Juliet next).Exam boards also list Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, The Merchant of Venice, Much Ado About Nothing, Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night.  12th night is sometimes add it to the list.So before I start going into some of the modern productions of Shakespeare's plays, I thought it might be more fun, as well as instructional, to go back and look at the originals.But first I'm going to give you what I hope is a simple timeline - about a minute - that roughly puts Romeo and Juliet into perspective date wise.Early 1590s: early blood-and-thunder tragedy + first big history hits (think Henry VI plays, Richard III).1594–1596: lively early comedies and experiments as his voice sharpens (e.g., Love's Labour's Lost, A Midsummer Night's Dream).c. 1594–1596: Romeo and Juliet (mid-1590s), one of his early breakthrough tragedies.1595–1596: Richard II (another key mid-1590s work).1596–1597: The Merchant of Venice (often placed around this period).1598–1599: Much Ado About Nothing (late-1590s “mature comedy”).1599–1600: Julius Caesar (turn-of-the-century political tragedy).1599–1601: Hamlet (written around this window; many place it at 1601).Early 1600s: the “big tragedy” period ramps up (including Macbeth, usually dated after James's 1603 accession).1610–1611: late “romance/magic” phase, including The Tempest and The Winter's Tale.1613: very late career work like Henry VIII.Support the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag’s “On Photography.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

This week we're tracing the life of one of the most famous people to have ever lived: Caesar! We'll see his relatively humble origins, we'll travel with him to Gaul and Britain and finally, we'll see Cleopatra enter the stage.And this week we're discussing locksmiths, beers in the bath to calm down and so much more. If you'd like to add to our postbag, you can do so by emailing: hello@ohwhatatime.comAnd if you want more Oh What A Time, you should sign up for our Patreon! On there you'll now find:•The full archive of bonus episodes•Brand new bonus episodes each month•OWAT subscriber group chats•Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show•PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone elseJoin us at

Odd little February is the shortest month of the year. Historians aren’t exactly sure just why that’s the case. But tracing its evolution gives us a capsule history of the evolution of the calendar. The modern western calendar is a descendant of the earliest Roman calendar. It included only 10 months, beginning with March. The months were followed by about 60 days that weren’t part of any month. That system didn’t work very well, though, so two months were added to the end of the year – January and February. Eventually, they were shifted to the start of the year. The lengths of the 10 original months were changed to leave 56 days for the newcomers. But the Romans feared even numbers, so they added a day to January to give it 29. February was the month for festivals of repentance and for honoring the dead, so it stayed an unlucky even number. But this version of the calendar contained only 355 days. So an extra month was added every other year. In those years, the last five days of February were dropped. After that, February remained unchanged until 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar introduced the basic calendar that’s in use today. He named the seventh month for himself: July. And he might have lengthened February to 29 days. If so, it was cut back to 28 by Augustus Caesar, who took the extra day for the month that bears his name: August. Script by Damond Benningfield

Greg Jenner is joined in ancient Rome by Professor Mary Beard and comedian and actor Patton Oswalt to learn all about Emperor Nero. Nero has gone down in history as one of Rome's most infamous rulers – the villain in any number of films and television programmes, and the man who fiddled while the eternal city burned. He was also emperor during a number of momentous moments in the history of ancient Rome, including the revolt in Britain led by Iceni warrior queen Boudica. But does he deserve his notorious posthumous reputation? This episode explores the man and the myth, examining Nero's complicated path to the imperial throne, his relationship with famous philosopher Seneca the Younger, his murderous behaviour towards the women in his life, and the numerous plots that swirled around him. Along the way, we take a look at the more ridiculous moments in Nero's life, including the athletic games he founded, the festival to himself that he instituted, and his numerous dramatic appearances on the stage. If you're a fan of evil emperors, political plots and the bloody history of Ancient Rome, you'll love our episode on Nero. If you want more from Patton Oswalt, listen to our episode on the American War of Independence. And for more Roman history, check out our episodes on Agrippina the Younger, Boudica, and the Rise of Julius Caesar. You're Dead To Me is the comedy podcast that takes history seriously. Every episode, Greg Jenner brings together the best names in history and comedy to learn and laugh about the past. Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Aimee Hinds Scott Written by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Dr Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Dr Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Production Coordinator: Gill Huggett Senior Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Executive Editor: Philip Sellars

561 – Händel, politiek dier en geniaal musicus Zijn werken zijn al 300 jaar door en door politiek. De opera’s van Georg Friedrich Händel vertellen hoe heersers hun tijd en wereld domineren en hoe zij wijs, mild en rechtvaardig kunnen regeren. Maar ook hoe wreed, normloos en gewetenloos zij vaak zijn. Hoe ze mensen vertrappen, bedriegen en in het verderf storten. Dezer weken is Amsterdam Händel hoofdstad van Europa. Vooral ook door spectaculair optreden van een jonge wereldster die met Julius Caesar zo’n sluwe, wrede en machtige heerser vertolkt. Met deze Poolse countertenor, Jakub Józef Orliński, duiken Jaap Jansen en PG Kroeger in de vele lagen van de meeslepende muziek van Händel (1685 - 1759). In diens tijdloze actualiteit en virtuoze diepte van zijn mensenkennis. Zijn 'Giulio Cesare in Egitto' blijkt een soort kabinetsformatie van twee machtsdieren uit de Oudheid: Cleopatra en Caesar. Een van die cynische, nobele en wrede verhalen over hoe macht, intriges en gerechtigheid met elkaar strijden om de voorrang in het geopolitiek geweld. Net als nu. Hier. Vandaag. *** Deze aflevering is mede mogelijk gemaakt met donaties van luisteraars die we hiervoor hartelijk danken. Word ook vriend van de show! Steun Greenpeace voor gelijke bescherming, klimaatrechtvaardigheid en de toekomst van ons allemaal. Help met een donatie via: greenpeace.nl/betrouwbarebronnen Heb je belangstelling om in onze podcast te adverteren of ons te sponsoren? Zend ons een mailtje en wij zoeken contact. By scrolling down, you will find a text in English. The conversation with Jakub Jozéf Orlínski starts at after about 36 minutes. *** Händel was een Europees fenomeen. Als jong musicus uit Halle in Saksen-Anhalt werd hij al bejubeld in Rome en Venetië. Hij reisde langs alle hoven en concertzalen en belandde in Londen, waar hij de beroemdste componist, organist én kunstpaus werd, ook die voor het koningshuis. Het koninklijk publiek verwachtte dan ook opera's met politieke boodschappen en portretten uit verhalen uit alle eeuwen en windstreken. En Händel leverde. Van stukken uit het oude Rome, Perzië, Mongolië en tot muziektheater dat speelt in de diepste middeleeuwen, aan de Olympus en vertelt uit ridderromans tijdens de Kruistochten. Jakub Józef Orliński levert niet minder. Hij vertelt over zijn visie op 'Cesare' als veroveraar en uitbuiter van het onmetelijk rijke Egypte. En als politiek, militair en amoureus veroveraar van Cleopatra. Die blijkt minstens zo'n politiek dier als hijzelf en heeft haar heel eigen agenda. In Händels beroemdste aria's en duetten ontdekken die twee in het Concertgebouw elkaars ambities, charmes, belangen en 'Wille zur Macht'. Ze sluiten een deal, alsof ze onderhandelen in Davos of Mar-a-Lago. Hij maakt haar Farao, in plaats van haar gemene broer. Zij baart hem de opvolger die hem ontbrak. Orlínski zong in januari bij de Nationale Opera nog een heel andere rol, die van de naïeve prins Athamas. Bij zijn feestelijke royal wedding slaan de wrede goden toe. Of zijn dat de spookbeelden van zijn bruid Semele? Is haar dromen van oppergod Jupiter als haar ware echtgenoot niet ook weer zo'n politiek fata morgana? Zo'n droom van tomeloze macht om te ontsnappen aan dit huwelijk? Desnoods een waaraan zijzelf en de brave Athamas ten onder gaan? Bij Händel draait het steeds weer om macht, wellust, sluwheid en de hoop op oprechte menselijkheid. Zijn opera's worden bevolkt door Poetins, Von der Leyens, Ruttes, Jettens en Wilders uit alle eeuwen. Orlínski droomt van sommige van die rollen voor zijn komende carrière, vertelt hij. Het gesprek met de Poolse barokster gaat over zijn avonturen op het wereldtoneel. De opening van de Olympiade in Parijs van 2024 bijvoorbeeld. Hoe was het om als verrassende breakdancer annex zanger twee miljard kijkers te veroveren, alsof hijzelf een Caesar van de muziek was? Wat maakt dat hij zo dol is op Amsterdam, maar niettemin één dagelijkse ergernis heeft? Orlínski blijkt een zanger die zijn vak buitengewoon professioneel uitdiept. "Ik heb wel zeven lange termijnprojecten voor mezelf en gezelschappen en operahuizen die ik zorgvuldig probeer uit te bouwen." Zo ontstond ook de tournee en straks in Warschau de opname van 'Giulio Cesare', een gedurfde stap. Maar hij noemt zich ook ‘een soort archeoloog’. Met zijn researcher speurt hij in archieven naar verloren gewaande muziek, opera's waarvan we alleen nog de naam kennen. Eén ontdekking van een vergeten stuk is zo'n toekomstproject dat hij hoopt te lanceren als nieuwe opera op het wereldrepertoire. Händels work is deeply political, already 300 years. Händels operas show how rulers dominate their age and world, how to be masters of wisdom, mildness and justice. But no less how cruel and merciless they can be, how they do not shrink to destroy people, fool and ruin them. These weeks Amsterdam is 'the George Frederic Handel capital of Europe'. Most of all thanks to the spectacular musical debut of a young global Baroque-star who will sing such a cunning, cruel and powerful ruler. Julius Caesar, no less. With worldwide recognized Polish countertenor, Jakub Józef Orliński, the hosts of the podcast 'Trusted Sources' look for the many layers of the fabulous music of Händel (1685 - 1759). His "Giulio Cesare in Eigtto' is an opera as a diplomatic summit of two political animals of the Ancient World, Cleopatra and Ceasar. A cynical, noble and cruel tale where power, intrigue and justice are combating for primacy in the geopolitical reality of the day. Like with us, now, here, in the present. Orlínski tells about his take on 'Cesare', the victor and exploiter of immensely rich Egypt. And the political, military and amorous conqueror of its Queen. Cleopatra proofs to be no less a political pro, having a cunning agenda of her own. In aria's and duets these two discover each others ambitions, interests, charms and ruthlessness. As if in Mar-a-Lago or in Davos they strike a deal in Amsterdams Concertgebouw. He makes her Pharao instead of her cruel brother, she bears him the dynastic successor he lacks. In the National Opera Jakub Józef Orliński also sings the naïve prince Athamas, whose exuberant 'Royal Wedding' is ruined by merciless 'divine intervention' of Jove, king of the Gods of Olympus. Is this real or a nightmare of his bride Semele? Is her dream of a God as Lover a way to escape, even as this destroys herself and Athamas' hope of love? Händels operas again and again adress the dilemmas of power, cruelty, lust, mercy and hope for humanity. They are filled with Putins, Melania's, Berlusconi's, Ursula von der Leyens, with you and me. Talking with Orlínski is sharing wonderful stories of his adventures on a world stage. His live role at the Olympics in Paris, watched by an audience of billions around the world. But getting soaking wet there while breakdancing through a French Renaissance aria. His bike in Amsterdam. His ambitions as "almost an archeologist of music", going through archives to dig up unknown diamonds of Baroque music, forgotten over 300 years. The young Pole is a deeply dedicated artist and we can only wish him to entrance audiences for many years with his focus on discoveries and a fresh approach to timeless art. *** Verder kijken Jakub Józef Orliński & Ensemble Fantasticus - Händel - Semele: Your Tuneful Voice | Podium Klassiek Jakub Józef Orliński - He Was Despised (Händel's Messiah) Jakub Józef Orlínski - Händel - Ombra mai fu Jakub Józef Orliński – Händel: "Pena tiranna" (Amadigi di Gaula) Jakub Józef Orlínski - Viens, Hymen - opening Olympische Spelen Parijs 2024 *** Verder luisteren 387 - Niets is zó politiek als opera - 100 jaar Maria Callas207 - Zomer 2021: Boekentips met Händel in London, the making of a genius43 - Kleine Mozart aan het Binnenhof in 1765346 - Beethoven: Alle Menschen werden Brüder!498 - Gustav Mahler en zijn tweede stad Amsterdam531 - Muziek en tirannie: de schrijnende actualiteit van Dmitri Sjostakovitsj 305 - Andrea Wulf, Hoe rebelse genieën eeuwen later nog ons denken, cultuur en politiek beïnvloeden488 - Het Congres van Wenen (1814-1815) als muzikaal feest én briljant machtsspel373 - Nederland en België: de scheiding die niemand wilde Hoe een opera België van Nederland afscheurde 200 - De Heerser: Machiavelli's lessen zijn nog altijd actueel*** Tijdlijn 00:00:00 – Deel 1: Georg Friedrich Händel 00:36:26 – Deel 2: Gesprek met Jakub Józef Orliński 01:07:05 – Deel 3: Gesprek met Jakub Józef Orliński 01:25:50 – Einde See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  

He was at various times in his life known as Gaius Octavius Thurinus; Gaius Julius Caesar; and Caesar Augustus. He called himself Princeps, the first man in Rome; the Roman Senate would eventually call him pater patriae, the father of his country. Heir to his great-uncle Julius Caesar, this 19 year old was dropped into the tumult of Roman political violence, and emerged from it the sole and undisputed victor after decades of civil war. He murdered hundreds, and then became the founder of a new Roman system that brought peace and prosperity to Rome's citizens and inhabitants. He was tyrannical and giving, cruel and clever, manipulative and noble. And he has claim to be one of the most successful politicians to ever lead a nation or a kingdom, who created a system which lasted for hundreds of years after his death.With me to discuss Caesar Augustus is Adrian Goldsworthy, author of Augustus: First Emperor of Rome, now being reissued in its second edition. The annoyingly prolific author of a shelf of books, both of ancient history and historical fiction, Adrian Goldsworthy has been described as the OG scholar of the Roman Army and the Mr Darcy of Ancient History. Since his next book comes out in May, this promises to be the first of at least two conversations with him in 2026–and this is his sixth appearance on the podcast.ChaptersIntroduction: Caesar Augustus (0:00)The Standard Received View: Syme's Roman Revolution (1:33)The Importance of Names: Octavian vs Caesar (13:27)Why Not Call Him Emperor? (22:56)Why Did Julius Caesar Pick This Kid? (27:06)Augustus's Talented Circle: Agrippa, Maecenas, and Livia (36:20)Augustus's Travels and Provincial Administration (47:59)Marriage Laws and Religious Reform (57:34)The Aeneid: Propaganda or Great Literature? (64:08)The Last 16 Years and Augustus's Legacy (71:52)

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 Julius Caesar, Shakespeare repeatedly reminds us that Brutus is an honorable man. In this episode we will explore if this is true, how Shakespeare depicts both masculine honor and its early modern counterpart, feminine virtue, in the characters of Brutus and Portia, and how Portia's characterization by editors and theatremakers has changed over time.  First, we unpack how honor was defined for Shakespeare's audiences and how the play incorporates Early Modern anxieties about rhetoric throughout the plot. We then closely examine Brutus's desire to be perceived as honorable, how that shapes his choices, and whether or not he is ultimately honorable.  Then we will turn to Portia, tracing how editors and theatremakers have altered her language and characterization across time in order to make her virtue more palatable to the moral expectations of their moment. We look at what gets changed, what gets softened or erased, and what those choices reveal about how women are policed on stage and on the page.  Content Warning: Discussions of suicide and self-harm.  If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK  to 741741. Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. 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: GRAY, PATRICK. "CONCLUSION TO PART I: SHAKESPEARE'S PASSION PLAY." Shakespeare and the Fall of the Roman Republic: Selfhood, Stoicism and Civil War, Edinburgh University Press, 2019, pp. 145–74. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctv7n09n2.9. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026. Sacharoff, Mark. "Suicide and Brutus' Philosophy in Julius Caesar." Journal of the History of Ideas, vol. 33, no. 1, 1972, pp. 115–22. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2709060. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026. Scott, Sarah K. "Portia and the Circulation of Virtue: 'Men May Construe Things after Their Fashion.'" Medieval & Renaissance Drama in England, vol. 32, 2019, pp. 219–38. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26800556. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.  Xiao, Xinyao. (2018). "Oxymoronic Ethos: the Rhetoric of Honor and Its Performance in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar." Philological Quarterly. 97. 263-285.    

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag. Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Gunnar tries to convince everyone that Julius Caesar is the most influential person in history.

Part 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!

Jacks joins us this week to continue our Season 13 viewing of the hit Hallmark Channel show, When Calls the Heart.ABOUT: WHEN CALLS THE SEASON (SEASON 13 EPISODE 3)Elizabeth welcomes new students as Nathan and Bill investigate wildfire.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR: WHEN CALLS THE SEASON (SEASON 13 EPISODE 3)January 18 2026 | Hallmark ChannelCAST & CREW OF: WHEN CALLS THE SEASON (SEASON 13 EPISODE 3)Erin Krakow as Elizabeth ThorntonKevin McGarry as Nathan GrantChris McNally as Lucas BouchardBRAN'S WHEN CALLS THE SEASON (SEASON 13 EPISODE 3) SYNOPSISIt's the first day of school, but the classroom just isn't ready. Nathan shows up with flowers for Elizabeth and encourages her, though she wonders if it might be too soon for these new kids to be back in school at all.Speaking of new kids, Gwen is not thrilled about school—and even less thrilled that Rosemary is trying to dress her in ugly, scratchy outfits.Edie talks with Lucas about needing a place to stay and casually starts doing jumping jacks. Lucas is enjoying every second of it.At school, there's a new kid named Rupert who is a total nerd and absolutely not interested in putting up with Allie's nonsense. Unfortunately for both of them, they're clearly the two smartest kids in the class. Competition incoming.The day starts off slowly, so Elizabeth encourages the Hope Valley kids to get to know the Benson Hills kids. Instead, the Benson Hills kids immediately start talking about how much they hate it in Hope Valley.Molly thinks she saw someone carrying something into the woods before the fire. Lee is convinced it was McGinty. Bill and Nathan want to handle things by the book, but Lee is frustrated that they aren't arresting McGinty without proof. Honestly, he should move to America.Allie tries to talk to Ollie about Julius Caesar, but the guy could not care less.Later, Lee spots McGinty having a drink at the saloon and confronts him with the accusations. McGinty refuses to engage and storms out. Lee follows, bumps into him, and McGinty falls—leading to Lee getting arrested.Elizabeth catches Oliver reading Julius Caesar. He explains that he wants to talk to Allie about it, so Elizabeth hands him The Grapes of Wrath instead. You know, something a little more contemporary.Elizabeth decides to make the next school day a fun one, complete with an obstacle course. She notices Toby and Cooper are moping, and they explain they're dealing with something like survivor's guilt.Lee gets home from jail and ends up bonding with Gwen. She's really starting to warm up to him.Edie gets angry with Lucas when he skips a meeting with wildfire victims after getting talked into attending a fancy dinner with a hotshot dealmaker instead.The episode ends with Toby and Cooper finally opening up to Elizabeth. They confess that they started a fire to make stew and thought they put it out properly—but what if they didn't? They're terrified. Elizabeth promises them they're not alone. Watch the show on Youtube - www.deckthehallmark.com/youtubeInterested in advertising on the show? Email bran@deckthehallmark.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today we dive into the history of Cleopatra VII—the queen who charmed Julius Caesar and famously seduced Mark Antony as the goddess Aphrodite. We track her ruthless political maneuvers, the brutal smear campaign against her, the massive Battle of Actium, and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death and burial site. Welcome to HISTORY CAMP!

Brutus is an honorable man, but Caesar is Caesar: at the beginning of Shakespeare's play, his name is near the point of becoming synonymous with dictatorial power, and his every wish, as Mark Antony points out, has the substance of a command. For the rebels who oppose him, this identification of political authority with personal will is a perversion of republican institutions, and a form of corruption that justifies any means of putting an end to it, even if that means killing a friend. Yet Brutus's conception of himself as unflaggingly virtuous is one he in fact shares with Caesar, and perhaps reflects the same authoritarian tendency, in grounding the legitimacy of political action in the character of a particular actor. Then again, it is not clear that democratic institutions will always forestall authoritarian tendencies, rather than enable the masses to sanction absolute power in a charismatic leader. Wes & Erin discuss Shakespeare's “Julius Caesar,” and its sustained reflection on how political power is constructed, located, and legitimated. Upcoming Episodes: “Amadeus,” Susan Sontag. Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Ancient accounts of Julius Caesar's early life depict an all-action hero who outwitted tyrants and terrorised bandits. But can they be trusted? This Long Read written by David S Potter investigates... Today's feature originally appeared in the December 2025 issue of BBC History Magazine, and has been voiced in partnership with the RNIB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Mercury Theatre on the Air || (110) Julius Caesar | September 11, 1938Written by William #Shakespeare 1650 years after Caesar's murder Julius Caesar is a great political tragedy about the death of a dictator. It is the history of a political assignation, the killing of a man who tried to make himself king. It is an account of how the murder was prepared, how it was carried out and what happened later to the men who took part in it. Directed by: Orson Welles: : : : :You can donate to show your support for my podcast and the time I put into creating and posting every week. Donations are through my duane.media PayPal account:https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=MSL7S8FKCSL94My other podcast channels include: MYSTERY x SUSPENSE -- DRAMA X THEATER -- SCI FI x HORROR -- COMEDY x FUNNY HA HA -- VARIETY X ARMED FORCES.Subscribing is free and you'll receive new post notifications. Also, if you have a moment, please give a 4-5 star rating and/or write a 1-2 sentence positive review on your preferred service -- that would help me a lot.Thank you for your support.https://otr.duane.media | Instagram @duane.otr#orsonwelles #oldtimeradio #otr #radioclassics #citizenkane #oldtimeradioclassics #classicradio #mercurytheatre #duaneotr:: :This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podtrac - https://analytics.podtrac.com/privacy-policy-gdrp

On 10 January 49 BC, Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River, a decision that would trigger civil war and reshape the Roman world. But what did this moment really mean, and how inevitable was the conflict that followed? In this episode of the Ancient Warfare Podcast, the team explore the political and military background to Caesar's fateful decision. We look at the breakdown of relations between Caesar and Pompey, the pressures within the Roman Republic, and why compromise ultimately failed. Was Caesar forced into action, or did he deliberately choose war? The discussion goes beyond the famous phrase and the dramatic image of a single river crossing. We examine the military realities Caesar faced, the loyalties of his legions, Pompey's strategic position, and how contemporaries understood the step Caesar had taken. Finally, we consider how the crossing of the Rubicon has been remembered, mythologised, and misunderstood ever since.   Join us on Patreon patreon.com/ancientwarfarepodcast  

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. As we start off another one of Shakespeare's plays, we will first take a look at the themes, motifs,  and production history of Julius Caesar in this Stuff to Chew On episode. This will provide a basis for future conversations as we dive deeper in later episodes.  Shakespeare Anyone? is created and produced by Kourtney Smith and Elyse Sharp. Music is "Neverending Minute" by Sounds Like Sander. 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 -- get 50% off of your first month with code HBD5 until February 1, 2026 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: Mowat, Barbara, and Paul Werstine. "About Shakespeare's Julius Caesar." Folger Shakespeare Library, 2025, www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/julius-caesar/about-shakespeares-julius-caesar/. Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Edited by Andrew James Hartley, Arden Shakespeare, 2024. SparkNotes Editors. "Julius Caesar" SparkNotes.com, SparkNotes LLC, 2005, https://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/juliuscaesar/

Wes & Erin continue their discussion of the 1949 classic film “The Third Man,” about friendship and betrayal, and about the stories we tell ourselves in order to love, survive, kill, or even die. Upcoming Episodes: “Julius Caesar.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

Episode: 1502 In which the temptress Moon leads calendar-makers astray.  Today, the moon deceives us.

Episode: 2364 46 BC: In which Julius Caesar creates the longest year.  Today, UH scholar Richard Armstrong tells us about the longest year in history.

The so-called “third man factor” is a phenomenon in which people in dire circumstances experience the presence of an extra person in their midst who gives comfort and aid when it's most needed—a guardian angel, perhaps, or some figure of divine intervention. Harry Lime seems to have played just such a role in the lives of Holly Martins and Anna Schmidt. But is Lime from heaven or from hell? Perhaps a less-than-angelic third man might estrange rather than bring together, muddle rather than clarify, adulterate rather than help. And indeed, as a black market middle-man, Lime has the devilish power to intervene in people's lives for the worse—like a narrator who edits out characters and manipulates the plot. Wes & Erin discuss the 1949 classic film “The Third Man,” about friendship and betrayal, and about the stories we tell ourselves in order to love, survive, kill, or even die. Upcoming Episodes: “Julius Caesar.” Pre-order Erin’s forthcoming book “Avail” here: http://subtextpodcast.com/avail For bonus content, become a paid subscriber at Patreon or directly on the Apple Podcasts app. Patreon subscribers also get early access to ad-free regular episodes. This podcast is part of the Airwave Media podcast network. Visit AirwaveMedia.com to listen and subscribe to other Airwave shows like Good Job, Brain and Big Picture Science. Email advertising@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast. Follow: Twitter | Facebook | Website

‘Evil genius' is a phrase that could have been invented to describe Augustus, the first emperor of Rome. Augustus butchered his way to power in the chaos that followed Julius Caesar's assassination, and then showed the political cunning to remain there for four decades. In conversation with Spencer Mizen, Ed Watts – author of The Romans: A 2,000-Year History – considers the secrets of the success of an extraordinary individual who transformed the ancient world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cleopatra and the Secret Carpet!

Show 12-26-25 The show begins in doubts of the veneration of Cicero. and the derogation of Aggripina Minor. 1880 SULLA SACKING ROME ROME BEFORE THE EMPERORS: CICERO'S RISE Colleague Josiah Osgood. John Batchelor introduces Josiah Osgood to discuss Marcus Tullius Cicero, a "new man" who rose to political prominence through legal skill in the 1st century BCE. They examine Cicero's debut defense of Roscius, accused of patricide, a crime punished by being sewn into a sack with animals. Cicero proved Roscius was framed by relatives seeking to seize his inheritance, establishing his reputation for storytelling and detective work. NUMBER 1 THE PROSECUTION OF VERRES Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero takes on the corruption trial of Gaius Verres, the governor of Sicily who looted art and money from the province. Although Cicero usually defended clients to earn favors, he prosecuted Verres to align with political shifts demanding reform. Verres was backed by the Senateestablishment and Sulla's followers, making Cicero's move a bold attack by an outsider against a "crooked establishment" to cleanse the government. NUMBER 2 CICERO VS. CATILINE: THE CONSPIRACY BEGINS Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero captivated the jury against Verres by describing the governor partying while pirates raided Syracuse, causing Verres to flee into exile. Later, Cicero achieved the consulship by defeating Catiline, an aristocrat who became his bitter rival. Desperate after losing the election again, Catiline conspired with a fashionable group of young men to overthrow the government, leading to a showdown with Cicero in the Senate. NUMBER 3 THE EXECUTION MISTAKE Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero ordered the execution of five high-ranking Romancitizens allied with Catiline without a trial, believing them to be traitors who forfeited citizenship. This decision, made despite Julius Caesar's suggestion of life imprisonment, became a major political error. Cicero's gloating and refusal to grant due process alienated the public and powerful figures, turning him into a target for the populist movement and threatening his future career. NUMBER 4 THE BONA DEA SCANDAL Colleague Josiah Osgood. A scandal erupts when Publius Clodius infiltrates the women-only Bona Dea ceremony at Caesar's house disguised as a female musician, allegedly to pursue Caesar's wife. Although Cicero initially hesitated, he testified against Clodius, destroying his alibi that he was out of town. This testimony created a dangerous enemy in Clodius, who, despite the sacrilege charge, managed to secure an acquittal through bribery. NUMBER 5 EXILE AND THE TEMPLE OF LIBERTY Colleague Josiah Osgood. Seeking revenge, Clodius transitions to plebeian status to become a tribune and passes a law punishing anyone who executed citizens without trial, specifically targeting Cicero. Forced into exile, Cicero flees Rome while Clodius destroys his mansion on Palatine Hill. Clodiusdedicates the site to the goddess Liberty as a political coup and a humiliation to Cicero, while also harassing Cicero'swife, Terentia, who remained in Rome. NUMBER 6 THE IDES OF MARCH Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero returns to a Rome on the brink of civil war, eventually being pardoned by the victor, Caesar. Resenting Caesar's tyranny, Cicero seemingly encouraged Brutus but was not part of the assassination plot. On the Ides of March, Cicero witnessed the murder in the Senate; Brutus shouted Cicero's name while holding the bloody dagger, linking the orator to the restoration of the Republic in the public eye. NUMBER 7 THE DEATH OF CICERO Colleague Josiah Osgood. Following Caesar's death, Cicero returns to politics to oppose Mark Antony, delivering the "Philippics" and allying with young Octavian. This strategy backfires when Octavianreconciles with Antony, leading to a kill order against Cicero for his anti-Caesar rhetoric. Cicero is assassinated, possibly meeting his death with theatrical heroism by extending his neck to the soldiers, a scene likely popularized by his loyal secretary Tiro. NUMBER 8 THE SABINE WOMEN AND AUGUSTAN HISTORY Colleague Emma Southon. Emma Southon discusses A Rome of One's Own, examining history through women's perspectives. They analyze the myth of the Sabine women, abducted by Romulus to populate Rome. This story, recorded by Livy to flatter Augustus, culminates in Hersilia and the women intervening in battle to unite the warring fathers and husbands. It establishes women as the "glue" holding Romanfamilies and society together. NUMBER 9 LUCRETIA: VIRTUE AND SUICIDE Colleague Emma Southon. The discussion moves to Lucretia, the model of Roman female virtue. During a contest among husbands, Lucretia is found virtuously weaving wool while others party. This leads to her rape by Sextus Tarquinius, who threatens her reputation. To protect her honor, Lucretia confesses to her family and commits suicide, an act Augustus later used to define female virtue and which sparked the end of the monarchy. NUMBER 10 TULLIA AND THE BIRTH OF THE REPUBLIC Colleague Emma Southon. Contrasting Lucretia is Tullia, a figure of female ambition and wickedness. Tullia conspires with her brother-in-law to murder their spouses and her own father, the king, even driving over his body. Her crimes and the subsequent assault on Lucretia by her son, Sextus, justify the overthrow of the monarchy. Brutus uses Lucretia's body to incite the revolution that establishes the Roman Republic. NUMBER 11 CLODIA: THE PALATINE MEDEA Colleague Emma Southon. The segment focuses on Clodia, a wealthy, independent woman and sister of Clodius. Cicero, feuding with her brother, attacks Clodia's reputation during the trial of Caelius. In his speech Pro Caelio, Cicero characterizes her as a "Palatine Medea" and a seductress to discredit her claims of attempted poisoning. Unable to speak in court, Clodia is silenced by Cicero's rhetorical assassination of her character. NUMBER 12 JULIA: THE EMPEROR'S REBELLIOUS DAUGHTER Colleague Emma Southon. Augustus uses his daughter Julia as a political tool, marrying her to Marcellus, Agrippa, and finally the reluctant Tiberius to secure an heir. While she had five children with Agrippa, her forced marriage to Tiberius leads to rebellion. Julia engages in public adulterous affairs to humiliate her father, resulting in her permanent exile and eventual starvation by Tiberius after Augustus'sdeath. NUMBER 13 QUEENS OF BRITAIN: CARTIMANDUA AND BOUDICCA Colleague Emma Southon. This segment contrasts two British queens: Cartimandua and Boudicca. Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes, collaborates successfully with Rome, understanding they are "not to be defeated, they're to be pleased." Conversely, Boudicca represents resistance; provoked by Roman mistreatment, she leads a rebellion but is defeated. While Tacitus claims Boudicca committed suicide to preserve honor, English schools celebrate her as a symbol of resistance against tyranny. NUMBER 14 WOMEN OF COMMERCE AND THE FRONTIER Colleague Emma Southon. We meet Julia Felix, a Pompeianentrepreneur who ran a luxury bath and dining complex, offering "bougie" experiences to the middle class before dying in the Vesuvius eruption. The discussion shifts to Vindolanda in Britain, where letters between Sulpicia Lepidina and Claudia Severa reveal a vibrant social life for women in military forts, including birthday parties and domestic luxuries like wild swan and imported wine. NUMBER 15 PERPETUA AND THE RISE OF CHRISTIANITY Colleague Emma Southon. The final segment discusses Perpetua, a young nursing mother and Christian convert in Carthage. Defying the Roman mandate to sacrifice to the emperor, she views suffering as redemptive rather than a punishment. Unlike Romans who viewed suicide by poison as honorable, Perpetua and her slave Felicity choose martyrdom in the arena, having their throats cut to demonstrate their faith, signaling the rise of Christianity. NUMBER 16

THE EXECUTION MISTAKE Colleague Josiah Osgood. Cicero ordered the execution of five high-ranking Romancitizens allied with Catiline without a trial, believing them to be traitors who forfeited citizenship. This decision, made despite Julius Caesar's suggestion of life imprisonment, became a major political error. Cicero's gloating and refusal to grant due process alienated the public and powerful figures, turning him into a target for the populist movement and threatening his future career. NUMBER 4 1889 CICERO, CATILINE

PREVIEW Guest: Douglas Boin. This discussion centers on Boin's new book regarding Clodia, who was the wealthiest woman in Rome during the tumultuous era of Julius Caesar. The narrative explores why Cicero, the era's most famous lawyer, became obsessed with her, resulting in her prosecution and humiliation in the Roman Senate. While the historian Plutarch later hinted at a romantic interest, available evidence only documents Cicero's intense disdain for her "confident heirs," leading him to famously refuse to say her name aloud. This personal feud reflects the broader shift from the Republic to the Empire. 1870 EXCAVATING THE FORUM

Professor Toby Wilkinson. Cleopatra VII aligned with Julius Caesar to secure her throne, using her intellect and charisma to win his support. During Caesar's defense against Egyptian forces, he burned ships in the harbor, an inferno that accidentally spread to and destroyed the Great Library of Alexandria. 1892 CAIRO

THE REIGN OF THE EMPEROR AND THE PROBLEM OF SUCCESSION Colleagues Gaius and Germanicus, Friends of History Debating Society, Londinium, 91 AD. In the final segment, Gaius and Germanicus analyze the New York Times characterizing the Trump presidency as a "reign," a term Gaius embraces as historically accurate for the current state of the American executive. Germanicus argues that the American presidency has evolved into a system indistinguishable from the Roman imperial court, complete with "imperial mausoleums" (presidential libraries) and vast building programs intended to project power, similar to Hadrian rebuilding Athens or FDR building the Pentagon. The conversation turns to the 2028 election, with Germanicus comparing Joe Biden and potential successor Gavin Newsomto Roman emperors who inherited the throne, such as Titus or Commodus, viewing them as weak because their elevation was orchestrated by elites rather than won through personal struggle. In contrast, figures like Julius Caesar, Augustus, and Trump are described as possessing a "will to power" that imbues them with natural authority that "selected" leaders lack. NUMBER 3 1793 VIRGIL READING AENEID TO AUGUSTUS

SHOW 12-19-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUTGAVIN NNEWSOM  ON THE AMPAIGN TRAIL FOR 2028... LA 1900 WEST COAST WEATHER AND PORTLAND'S DECLINE Colleague Jeff Bliss, Pacific Watch. Jeff Bliss reports that Nordstrom Rack is leaving downtown Portland, citing high vacancy rates, crime, and homelessness. He also details a massive atmospheric river bringing heavy rain to the West Coast and dangerous Tule fog in California, while analyzing Gavin Newsom's presidential prospects amidst state economic struggles. NUMBER 1 CHINA'S CHIP THEFT AND AI WARFARE RISKS Colleague Brandon Weichert, The National Interest. Weichert discusses China's attempts to upgrade older ASML machines and reverse-engineer chips to bypass sanctions. They also review 2025 lessons, noting that AI in military war games tends to escalate conflicts aggressively toward nuclear options, warning that China may fuse AI with its nuclear command systems. NUMBER 2 ITALY'S ECONOMIC STABILITY AND DEMOGRAPHIC CRISIS Colleague Lorenzo Fiori, Il Giornale. Lorenzo Fiori reports that Italy's economy is stabilizing, with debt under control and bond spreads narrowing close to Germany's levels. While northern Italy remains industrialized, the south suffers from depopulation and climate change. Fiori emphasizes the urgent need for government policies to boost Italy's declining birth rate. NUMBER 3 NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION AND RUSSIAN SANCTIONS Colleague Henry Sokolski, Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Sokolski criticizes the lifting of sanctions on Russian banks for nuclear projects and highlights the dangers at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant. He warns against potential deals allowing Saudi Arabia and South Korea to enrich uranium, arguing this brings them dangerously close to bomb-making capabilities. NUMBER 4 LANCASTER COUNTY AND A HOLIDAY SPENDING SLUMP Colleague Jim McTague, Author and Journalist. Reporting from Lancaster County, Jim McTague observes a sluggish Christmas shopping season, with consumers buying practical items like gloves rather than expensive packages. While tourist venues like Sight & Sound Theaterremain busy, he predicts a mild recession in 2026 due to rising local taxes and utility costs. NUMBER 5 THE URGENCY OF SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM Colleague Veronique de Rugy, Mercatus Center. Veronique de Rugy argues Social Security must be reformed before trust funds run dry in the 2030s. She contends the system unfairly redistributes wealth from young workers to increasingly wealthy seniors and advocates for capping benefits or means-testing rather than raising taxes or allowing across-the-board cuts. NUMBER 6 NASA'S NEW LEADERSHIP AND PRIVATE SPACE Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Bob Zimmerman discusses Jared Isaacman's confirmation as NASA administrator and an executive order prioritizing commercial space. Zimmerman predicts Isaacman might cancel the crewed Artemis II mission due to safety concerns with the Orion capsule, signaling a shift away from government-run programs like SLS toward private enterprise. NUMBER 7 SPACE BRIEFS: ROCKET LAB AND MARS RIVERS Colleague Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com. Zimmerman highlights Rocket Lab's record launches and Max Space's new inflatable station module. He notes a European satellite report on sea levels omitted "global warming" references. Additionally, he describes Martian drainage features that resemble rivers and cites a study claiming AI algorithms are exposing children to harmful content. NUMBER 8 THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC: SULLA TO CAESAR Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Watts traces the Republic's fall, starting with the rivalry between Marius and Sulla. Sulla'sbrutal proscriptions and dictatorship traumatized a young Julius Caesar. Watts explains that Caesar eventually concluded the Republic's structures were broken, leading him to seize power to enforce rights, which his assassins misinterpreted as kingship. NUMBER 9 NERO, AGRIPPINA, AND THE MATRICIDE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Professor Watts details the pathology of the Roman emperorship, focusing on Agrippina's maneuvering to install her son Nero. Watts describes Nero's eventual assassination of his mother using a collapsible ship and his pivot to seeking popularity through rigged Olympic victories in Greece before losing control of Rome. NUMBER 10 THE YEAR OF FOUR EMPERORS AND FLAVIAN RULE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Watts analyzes the chaos following Nero's death, where Vespasian seized power after a brutal civil war that burned Capitoline Hill. The segment covers the Flavian dynasty, Titus's destruction of Jerusalem, and Domitian's vilification, concluding with Nerva's coup and the adoption of Trajan to stabilize the succession. NUMBER 11 THE BARRACKS EMPERORS AND THE ANTONINE PLAGUE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. The discussion turns to the "barracks emperors," highlighting Trajan's expansion into Dacia and Hadrian's infrastructure focus. Watts describes Marcus Aurelius's Stoic governance during constant warfare and a devastating smallpox pandemic, which forced Rome to settle German immigrants to repopulate the empire. NUMBER 12 SUPREME COURT CHALLENGES TO TARIFF POWERS Colleague Professor Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution. Professor Epstein analyzes potential Supreme Court rulings on the President's use of emergency powers for broad tariffs. He predicts the Court may find the interpretation unconstitutional, creating a logistical nightmare regarding the refund of billions in collected revenues and addressing the complexity of overturning Article I court precedents. NUMBER 13 EXECUTIVE POWER AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES Colleague Professor Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution. Epstein discusses a Supreme Court case regarding the President's power to fire members of independent boards like the FTC. He fears Chief Justice Roberts will side with executive power, a move Epstein views as an "unmitigated disaster" that undermines the necessary independence of agencies like the Federal Reserve. NUMBER 14 ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN AND CONSUMER SPENDING Colleague Gene Marks, The Guardian. Gene Marksreports on a US economic slowdown, citing contracting architectural billings and falling hotel occupancy. He notes that while the wealthy continue spending, the middle class is cutting back on dining out. Marks attributes inflation to government money circulation and discusses proposals for mandated retirement contributions. NUMBER 15 AI ADOPTION IN BUSINESS AND CONSTRUCTION Colleague Gene Marks, The Guardian. Marks argues that AI is enhancing productivity rather than replacing humans, despite accuracy issues. He highlights AI adoption in construction, including drones and augmented reality for safety. Marks notes that small businesses are eager for these technologies to improve efficiency, while displaced tech workers find roles in smaller firms. NUMBER 16

THE FALL OF THE REPUBLIC: SULLA TO CAESAR Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts, University of California at San Diego. Watts traces the Republic's fall, starting with the rivalry between Marius and Sulla. Sulla'sbrutal proscriptions and dictatorship traumatized a young Julius Caesar. Watts explains that Caesar eventually concluded the Republic's structures were broken, leading him to seize power to enforce rights, which his assassins misinterpreted as kingship. NUMBER 9

He's the villain of the Nativity. An alleged killer of innocents, remembered as one of history's great monsters. But the truth about Herod the Great is far more dramatic, far more complex, and far more shocking.On today's special episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes asks: who was the real Herod behind the legend and the infamy? Joined by Professor Benedict Eckhardt, Dr Kimberly Tchaikovsky and Professor Helen Bond, he charts the gripping rise of one of antiquity's most formidable and misunderstood rulers. From perilous beginnings to becoming Rome's chosen King of Judea, Herod's story blends Greek-style tragedy with ruthless Roman politics and features encounters with towering figures like Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Join us to step into the turbulent world of Roman Judea and discover how Herod defied the odds to seize his throne.MOREThe Wise Men:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Great Jewish Revolt:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.