Roman politician and general
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Alla luce dell'andamento processuale, quanto accaduto nell'udineza di martedi 19 maggio era scontato. Nell'aula bunker del carcere di Rebibbia, la Procura di Roma ha chiesto la condanna all'ergastolo per Mark Antony Samson: il ragazzo che nel marzo 2025 uccise a coltellate la sua ex fidanzata Ilaria Sula.
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
When I was in 6th standard, I always wanted a role with a huge number of dialogues. I finally got selected for an English drama
To love is to risk heartbreak. And while for some, breakups result in renewal, maybe some therapy (or a few months' spent wallowing), for the historical figures of this episode… a relationship's end has broken many more things than hearts. In this episode, Dan and Elizabeth discover the lessons of history's epic failed romances through three world-changing unions: Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn; Mark Antony and Cleopatra; and Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Each couple burned bright and fast, and with their downfall came the end to the worlds from which they came: Catholic England, the Roman Republic, and (in the case of Edward) a grand near-miss. So what can epic historical breakups teach us about our world today? And why are we compelled to come back to grand romantic epics? – As always, Dan's royal favourites can chime in anytime on the royal court on Patreon at patreon.com/thisishistory. And don't forget to listen to this season's accompanying bonus episodes for this miniseries, where Dan and Producer Al are dissecting the biggest historical failures as submitted by the royal favourites. In this episode, they discuss the failures of royals over various centuries to deliver the one thing they need - heirs. – A Sony Music Entertainment production. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices –– Presented by Dan Jones and Elizabeth Day Producer - Alan Weedon Senior Producer - Dominic Tyerman Researcher - Phoebe Joyce Executive Producer - Simon Poole Executive Producer - Dan Jones Executive Producer for Daylight Productions - Elizabeth Day Production Manager - Jen Mistri Production coordinator - Eric Ryan Head of content - Chris Skinner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Looking for drama? Forget reality TV—this week we're diving into ancient scandals that would absolutely break the internet. We're talking about Henry VIII literally creating a new religion just to divorce his wife… then executing the next one. Cleopatra turning political alliances into headline-making affairs with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony that reshaped the world map. Caligula allegedly trying to put his horse in government, Nero catching heat for “vibing” while Rome burned, the brutal betrayal behind the assassination of Caesar and MUCH MORE. These aren't just messy headlines—they're scandals that toppled empires, sparked wars, and would have today's social media in absolute chaos. And of course, it wouldn't be FratChat without everything else going off the rails. We've got a listener email that somehow escalates the infamous “restaurant fart” story into full-blown disaster territory, plus a debate on whether pets should be treated like children that might divide the room. In our news segment, we revisit the shocking case of Kouri Richins—and finally get the update we've been waiting for. And for “Not the Drag Queens,” we break down the disturbing indictment of John Kent Tarwater, another case that proves the real scandals aren't coming from where certain people keep pointing. Got a question, comment or topic for us to cover? Let us know! Send us an email at fratchatpodcast@gmail.com or follow us on all social media: Instagram: http://Instagram.com/FratChatPodcast Facebook: http://Facebook.com/FratChatPodcast Twitter: http://Twitter.com/FratChatPodcast YouTube: http://YouTube.com/@fratchatpodcast Follow Carlos and CMO on social media! Carlos: IG: http://Instagram.com/CarlosDoesTheWorld YouTube: http://YouTube.com/@carlosdoestheworld TikTok: http://TikTok.com/@carlosdoestheworld Twitter: http://Twitter.com/CarlosDoesWorld Threads: http://threads.net/carlosdoestheworld Website: http://carlosgarciacomedy.com Chris ‘CMO' Moore: IG: http://Instagram.com/Chris.Moore.Comedy TikTok: http://TikTok.com/@chris.moore.comedy Twitter: http://Twitter.com/cmoorecomedy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Regina Botros is joined backstage by Mark Leonard Winter, whose Mark Antony has emerged as the standout performance in Bell Shakespeare's bold 2026 production of Julius Caesar. Making his Bell Shakespeare debut, Mark brings a volatile, magnetic energy to Antony in a contemporary staging set in 1990s Eastern Europe and directed by Peter Evans. A Helpmann Award winner and founding member of independent theatre company Black Lung, Mark is known for his fearless, risk‑taking performances across Australia's major stages, including Sydney Theatre Company and Melbourne Theatre Company. His acclaimed turn as Antony has drawn glowing reviews, with critics praising its wild charisma, mercurial shifts, and unsettling modernity — a performance that commands attention and divides opinion in all the right ways. We talk about Antony as both Caesar's confidant and political operator, the choices behind finding the character's duplicity, and how Mark approached a role often overshadowed by Brutus. He also reflects on breaking the fourth wall, including the production's much‑discussed funeral speech moment, and what it means to play Shakespeare with such direct audience connection. Bell Shakespeare's Julius Caesar runs at • Sydney Opera House: 7 March – 5 April 2026 • Canberra Theatre Centre: 10 – 18 April 2026 • Arts Centre Melbourne: 23 April – 10 May 2026
Cleopatra revealed: power, propaganda, and the woman behind the mythMost people think they know Cleopatra — the irresistible seductress who captivated Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. But what if that story is largely fiction, shaped by political spin and centuries of retelling?In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by acclaimed historian and author Lucy Hughes-Hallett to dismantle the enduring myths surrounding Cleopatra VII — and reveal the formidable ruler hidden beneath the legend.Cleopatra: More Than a SeductressCleopatra has long been reduced to a caricature — a femme fatale whose beauty brought powerful men to ruin. But as Lucy Hughes-Hallett explains, this version of Cleopatra owes more to Roman propaganda than historical reality.Much of what we “know” comes from sources loyal to Octavian (Augustus), who had every reason to discredit his rival Mark Antony. Portraying Cleopatra as a dangerous, manipulative temptress helped justify his victory — and reshape history.The truth? Cleopatra was a highly capable ruler who:Stabilised Egypt's economy during crisis Built powerful political alliances Ruled independently in a male-dominated world Understood and deployed propaganda just as effectively as her enemies The Politics Behind the PassionWhile her relationships with Caesar and Antony are often framed as epic romances, this episode explores their political importance.Cleopatra needed Roman military backing. Rome needed Egypt's immense wealth. Their alliances were strategic — not just romantic.Even the famous “love stories” were later exaggerated to serve narratives about:Power and masculinity in Rome Fear of powerful women Suspicion of foreign rulers The dangers of “losing control” to desire Beauty, Myth and MisrepresentationWas Cleopatra truly the legendary beauty of popular culture?Ancient sources suggest otherwise. Coins from her reign depict a strong, distinctive profile — not the flawless icon of Hollywood. According to later accounts, her real strength lay in her intelligence, charisma, and political skill.Her story evolved over centuries:Medieval writers like Geoffrey Chaucer recast her as a model of devotion Renaissance dramatists, including William Shakespeare, emphasised passion and tragedy Each version reveals more about the storyteller than Cleopatra herself.About Lucy Hughes-HallettLucy Hughes-Hallett is an award-winning cultural historian and author, known for exploring how history and myth intertwine.
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)
7. Mark Antony and the Divine Spectacle of the East Following Caesar's assassination, Cleopatra wooed Mark Antony with a theatrical arrival on a gilded boat, presenting herself as the goddess Aphrodite. While Antony viewed her as a vital political opportunity, conservative Rome saw her as a dangerous seductress who had caused a Roman general to abandon his principles. Their union was marked by Antony's increasing reliance on Cleopatra for funding his failing military campaigns against the Parthians. Simultaneously, a massive volcanic eruption in Alaska triggered climate cooling and poor Nile floods, leading to famine and further destabilizing the Egyptian economy as Octavian prepared for war. (7)CARTHAGE
8. The Tragic End of the Ptolemies and the Roman Conquest After their defeat at the Battle of Actium, the saga of Antony and Cleopatra reached its tragic conclusion in Alexandria. Mark Antony died in Cleopatra's arms after being mortally wounded, a scene confirmed by historical records. Realizing Octavian could not be seduced and refusing to be paraded as a captive in Rome, Cleopatra took her own life. Her death marked the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Octavian, dismissive of Egyptian traditions, transformed the kingdom into a conquered province. Egypt became the essential "breadbasket" of the Roman Empire, its vast grain reserves used to feed and pacify the Roman populace. (8)CARTHAGE
Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The romance between Mark Antony and Cleopatra has beguiled us for centuries. What most people don't realize is that when Mark Antony met Cleopatra, he was already married—to someone just as epic. Her name was Fulvia. Cleopatra had glamour and divinity and lots of money. But Fulvia had the gangs. She was a populist firebrand, military leader, and for a while, the undisputed power in Rome: both in the Senate and in the streets. 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
5. Julia: The Tool and Rebel of Augustus (9)Augustus used his only daughter, Julia, as a political tool to secure his heirs. He forced her into multiple marriages with potential successors like Agrippa and Tiberius. While she was initially obedient and produced five children, Julia eventually rebelled by engaging in very public affairs, including one with the son of her father's rival, Mark Antony. Furious that she undermined his public image of family virtue, Augustus exiled her to a remote island for nearly twenty years. After Augustus died, Tiberius took control and starved her to death. (10)
Understanding the background of Philippi will help us appreciatethe message that Paul writes to this church in this letter. Philippiwas located in the region of Macedonia, which today would be in northernGreece. The city was set on a fertile plain near the Aegean Sea and waspositioned along one of the most important highways in the ancient world—thefamous Roman road called the Via Egnatia. This highway connected the easternpart of the Roman Empire to the western part, stretching all the way from theAegean Sea across to Rome itself. Because of its location on this major traderoute, Philippi became a very important commercial and military city. Originally,the town was known by another name. But in 356 B.C., a man named Philip II, thefather of Alexander the Great, conquered the city for Greece and renamed itPhilippi after himself. Later,when the Romans conquered the region, Philippi became an even more significantcity in Roman history. In 42 B.C., one of the most decisive battles in Romanhistory took place near the city. The armies of Mark Antony and Octaviandefeated the forces of Brutus and Cassius—the men who had been involved in theassassination of Julius Caesar. That battle helped bring an end to the RomanRepublic and paved the way for the Roman Empire. After that battle, many Romansoldiers were settled in Philippi, and the city was given the status of a Romancolony. Nowthis is very important to understand. A Roman colony was considered anextension of Rome itself. The citizens enjoyed many special privileges. Theywere Roman citizens, which meant they were exempt from certain taxes. Theyfollowed Roman laws and customs. Latin was the official language, Roman dresswas common, and Roman pride ran deep among the people. In many ways, Philippiwas a little piece of Rome located in Macedonia. Thisbackground helps us better understand something Paul wrote in Philippians 3:20:“For our conversation is in heaven…”. The word conversation thereactually means citizenship. Paul was reminding the believers in Philippithat although they were proud Roman citizens, their true citizenship was inheaven. They belonged to another kingdom. I'm proud to be an American. But myfriend, my real citizenship is in heaven. Anyone who trusts Jesus Christ astheir personal Lord and Savior has their true citizenship in heaven. Anotherinteresting thing about Philippi is that there does not appear to have been asynagogue in the city when Paul visited, as recorded in Acts of the Apostleschapter 16. If you remember, in most of the cities Paul visited he began hisministry by first going to the synagogue. As you read through the book of Acts,that pattern becomes very obvious. But he did not go to a synagogue inPhilippi. Why? Possibly because there was not one there. A synagogue requiredat least ten Jewish men in the community, and apparently there were not enoughJews in Philippi to meet that requirement. Instead,there was a small group of people who gathered outside the city by a river topray. And it was there that the gospel would first take root in this Romancity. From this unlikely beginning, God would plant the first church in Europe.This reminds us of something very important about the work of God: God oftenbegins great works in very small and unexpected ways. I could tell you manystories about how I have seen that happen in ministry over the past fiftyyears. A small prayer meeting…a few people gathered quietly…and yet God beginsto do something powerful. Thereby the riverside in Philippi sat a woman named Lydia, sitting bythe river, ready to hear the gospel. God's plan was unfolding. That littlegathering became the starting point for something that would eventually impactthe entire continent of Europe. From that small beginning came the church thatPaul would later write to with such love and affection in the book ofPhilippians.
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
ANTONY, FULVIA, AND CLEOPATRA'S END Colleague Daisy Dunn. The conversation turns to Mark Antony'sunpopular affair with Cleopatra and his wife Fulvia, who instigated a war in Italy to counter Octavian. Dunn highlights the Roman propensity for public emotion and early marriage. Following Antony's botched suicide, Cleopatra takes her own life to avoid being paraded as a trophy by Octavian. Dunn suggests the "asp" story might be a myth covering a lethal injection or poison. NUMBER 15 1841 DEATH OF CLEOPATRA
SHOW 12-30-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THESDHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT THE PURPOSE OF WAR-MAKING AS EXPRESSED MOURNFULLY BY HECTOR'S WIFE ANDROMACHE... SHOW 12-30-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR TRANSLATION AND THE SEARCH FOR TROY Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. John Batchelor interviews Professor Emily Wilson about her new iambic pentameter translation of the Iliad. They discuss the historical location of Troy in modern Turkey and the archaeological layers discovered by Schliemann, who wrongly believed he found Agamemnon's mask. Wilson explains that while the Greeks viewed the Iliad as partly historical, it is a poetic imagining composed centuries after the events, designed for oral performance and rhythmic reading. NUMBER 1 HOMER'S NARRATIVE CHOICES AND ORAL TRADITION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilsondiscusses the "Homeric Question," noting that oral stories existed for centuries before the alphabet arrived in the 8th century BCE. She highlights the Iliad's sophisticated narrative structure, which omits famous events like the Apple of Discord and the Trojan Horse to focus intensely on a specific period of the war. The conversation compares the Iliad'sfocus on Greek infighting with Virgil's Aeneid, noting the distinct goals of each epic tradition. NUMBER 2 TRAGIC COUPLES AND DIVINE INTERVENTION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. The segment explores key character pairings, starting with Helen's complex view of Paris and her weaving as a metaphor for the story. Wilsonanalyzes the tragic relationship between Hector and Andromache, emphasizing Hector's choice of duty over family. They discuss the gods' roles, particularly Thetis's prayer to Zeus which seals Achilles' fate, and Hera's bargaining with Zeus to ensure Troy's destruction, highlighting the interplay of divine will and mortal suffering. NUMBER 3 TRANSLATION AND THE SEARCH FOR TROY Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. John Batchelor interviews Professor Emily Wilson about her new iambic pentameter translation of the Iliad. They discuss the historical location of Troy in modern Turkey and the archaeological layers discovered by Schliemann, who wrongly believed he found Agamemnon's mask. Wilson explains that while the Greeks viewed the Iliad as partly historical, it is a poetic imagining composed centuries after the events, designed for oral performance and rhythmic reading. NUMBER 1 HOMER'S NARRATIVE CHOICES AND ORAL TRADITION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilsondiscusses the "Homeric Question," noting that oral stories existed for centuries before the alphabet arrived in the 8th century BCE. She highlights the Iliad's sophisticated narrative structure, which omits famous events like the Apple of Discord and the Trojan Horse to focus intensely on a specific period of the war. The conversation compares the Iliad'sfocus on Greek infighting with Virgil's Aeneid, noting the distinct goals of each epic tradition. NUMBER 2 TRAGIC COUPLES AND DIVINE INTERVENTION Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. The segment explores key character pairings, starting with Helen's complex view of Paris and her weaving as a metaphor for the story. Wilsonanalyzes the tragic relationship between Hector and Andromache, emphasizing Hector's choice of duty over family. They discuss the gods' roles, particularly Thetis's prayer to Zeus which seals Achilles' fate, and Hera's bargaining with Zeus to ensure Troy's destruction, highlighting the interplay of divine will and mortal suffering. NUMBER 3 APHRODITE, PATROCLUS, AND TROPHY WOMEN Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilson examines Aphrodite's intervention on the battlefield and her representation of baser instincts like lust. The discussion shifts to Briseis, a "trophy" of war, and her relationship with Patroclus, whom Wilson refuses to classify as a "beta male" despite his kindness. Patroclus is described as a brutal killer and Achilles' closest companion. The segment highlights the emotional depth of Achilles, who displays immense vulnerability alongside his capacity for violence. NUMBER 4 AGAMEMNON'S FAILURE AND DIVINE POLITICS Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. This segment details the plot's catalyst: Agamemnon seizing Briseis from Achilles, causing the hero to withdraw from battle. Wilson explains the divine politics, including Hera trading three Greek cities to Zeus to ensure Troy's destruction. They analyze Agamemnon's flawed leadership; while he blames Zeus for his bad decisions, the poem portrays the immense difficulty of holding a disparate army together, leading to disastrous choices that necessitate Achilles' eventual return. NUMBER 5 THE GORE AND GLORY OF BATTLE Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. Wilson discusses translating the Iliad'svivid violence, drawing on insights from combat veterans regarding the trauma of battlefield death. A central theme is the treatment of corpses; possessing and stripping a dead enemy's armor is the ultimate sign of dominance. The conversation touches on the physical nature of the gods, who bleed "ichor" when wounded, and Poseidon's support for the Greeks in contrast to his brother Zeus. NUMBER 6 THE DEATH OF PATROCLUS AND HECTOR Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. The tragedy culminates with Patroclus ignoring Achilles' warning, leading to his death by Hector and the loss of Achilles' armor. Wilson describes Achilles' terrifying return to battle, equipped with new armor from Hephaestus, and his slaughter of Trojans. The segment covers the final confrontation where Achilles kills Hector and, driven by vengeance, drags his body behind a chariot, denying him burial rights and intending to mutilate him forever. NUMBER 7 GRIEF, GAMES, AND ACCEPTANCE Colleague Professor Emily Wilson. After Hector's death, Achilles finds a form of healing through funeral games, which offer a non-lethal model of competition. He even awards Agamemnon a prize without a contest, possibly as a slight. The poem concludes not with victory, but with a "humanitarian pause" for Hector's funeral. Wilson notes the ending focuses on women's lamentations, emphasizing the Iliad's enduring lesson on the struggle to accept human mortality. NUMBER 8 FEMALE AUTHORSHIP AND THE TROJAN WOMEN Colleague Daisy Dunn. Daisy Dunn discusses the legend of Phantasia, a rumored female source for Homer, and the myth of Leda and the Swan. She argues that the Trojan Warlikely reflects real historical conflicts at the site of Hisarlik. The segment highlights key female figures: Andromache, who offers military advice to Hector, and Briseis, the enslaved woman central to the dispute between Agamemnon and Achilles, illustrating the centrality of women to the epic. NUMBER 9 SAPPHO OF LESBOS Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn explores the life of Sappho, debunking myths about her appearance and suicide. She explains that Sappho was exiled due to her family's aristocratic background during a time of political revolution. The conversation covers Sappho's disapproval of her brother's relationship with the courtesan Doricha and her professional jealousy when students left her school for rivals. Weaving is presented as a metaphor for women shaping fate. NUMBER 10 ETRUSCANS AND THE WOMEN OF EARLY ROME Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn discusses the Etruscans, noting their advanced dentistry and the shock Greeks felt at Etruscan men and women dining together openly. Transitioning to Rome, they recount the violent founding myth of the Rape of the Sabine Women. The segment details the tragedy of Lucretia, whose rape and subsequent suicide led Brutus to overthrow the monarchy and establish the Roman Republic, making her a paragon of virtue. NUMBER 11 DIDO AND THE FOUNDING OF CARTHAGE Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn recounts the story of Dido, the clever founder of Carthage who tricked a local king to secure land. When Aeneas abandons her to fulfill his destiny, Didocurses him, foreshadowing the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage. The segment explores her tragic suicide on a pyre, noting the societal judgment against her for breaking vows of celibacy, while acknowledging her capacity as a talented ruler and builder of cities. NUMBER 12 CORNELIA AND SERVILIA: MOTHERS OF ROME Colleague Daisy Dunn. This segment focuses on Cornelia, the educated "one-man woman" who raised the reforming Gracchi brothers to challenge the Roman elite. Dunn notes Cornelia's heartbreak as she tried to dissuade her second son from following his assassinated brother's path. The discussion shifts to Servilia, Caesar's long-term mistress and mother of Brutus. Servilia is depicted as a politically astute woman caught between her lover and her son, the future assassin. NUMBER 13 CLEOPATRA AND CAESAR Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn describes Cleopatra's dramatic entrance from a rug to meet Caesar and secure her rule in Egypt. Despite her intelligence and linguistic skills, the Romans viewed her with suspicion and distaste, labeling her a "whore queen." Dunn challenges the Hollywood image of Cleopatra's beauty, noting coin portraits show a hooked nose, and argues her power lay in her charisma and voice. She remains a figure of admiration today. NUMBER 14 ANTONY, FULVIA, AND CLEOPATRA'S END Colleague Daisy Dunn. The conversation turns to Mark Antony'sunpopular affair with Cleopatra and his wife Fulvia, who instigated a war in Italy to counter Octavian. Dunn highlights the Roman propensity for public emotion and early marriage. Following Antony's botched suicide, Cleopatra takes her own life to avoid being paraded as a trophy by Octavian. Dunn suggests the "asp" story might be a myth covering a lethal injection or poison. NUMBER 15 THE WOMEN OF THE JULIO-CLAUDIAN DYNASTY Colleague Daisy Dunn. Dunn profiles the powerful women of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Livia is portrayed as Augustus's essential political partner and diplomat. The segment covers the tragic life of Julia, the lechery of Caligula, and the notorious reputation of Messalina. Finally, Agrippina the Younger is described as a co-emperor to her son Nero before he turned against her. Dunn concludes that Roman politics were bloodier but more politically savvy than the Greeks. NUMBER 16
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 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 1880 ASSASSINATION
Professor Toby Wilkinson. Cleopatra seduced Mark Antony with a theatrical entrance as Aphrodite, securing a romantic and political partner. Antony relied on Egyptian wealth for his campaigns but suffered military setbacks, alienating Rome by adopting Eastern customs. Their union produced children and challenged Octavian's authority, leading to inevitable conflict. 2900 SUEZ
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.
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
When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt bloodlessly in 332 BC, he was welcomed as a liberator after a period of Persian domination. Establishing cities like Alexandria and Philadelphia, his short life meant that the double-crown passed shortly to one of his most trusted generals, Ptolemy I Soter, kicking off a 300-year reign of Greek-Macedonian leadership over the ancient country.But times were changing during that three century period, with the power of Greece ebbing and a new superpower, Rome, emerging across the Mediterranean Sea. By the time that Ptolemy XII was securing the Egyptian throne for his children, Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII, Julius Caesar was large and in charge well beyond Italy, and took a keen interest in the troubles the two co-pharaohs were having. It turns out things between the young rulers were worse than even Caesar expected, with the two factions in armed rebellion against each other. Ptolemy XIII made the choice to attack Caesar and Cleopatra in Alexandria, and subsequently died in the Battle of the Nile.There was romance between Caesar and Cleopatra that produced a child, but upon Caesar's death, Cleopatra had to once again take a look at the power dynamics of the world around her to preserve her kingdom and her dynasty. The Roman general Mark Antony fit the bill as both a strategic partner and lover - for a time, anyway.Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast.To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
When Alexander the Great conquered Egypt bloodlessly in 332 BC, he was welcomed as a liberator after a period of Persian domination. Establishing cities like Alexandria and Philadelphia, his short life meant that the double-crown passed shortly to one of his most trusted generals, Ptolemy I Soter, kicking off a 300-year reign of Greek-Macedonian leadership over the ancient country. But times were changing during that three century period, with the power of Greece ebbing and a new superpower, Rome, emerging across the Mediterranean Sea. By the time that Ptolemy XII was securing the Egyptian throne for his children, Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII, Julius Caesar was large and in charge well beyond Italy, and took a keen interest in the troubles the two co-pharaohs were having. It turns out things between the young rulers were worse than even Caesar expected, with the two factions in armed rebellion against each other. Ptolemy XIII made the choice to attack Caesar and Cleopatra in Alexandria, and subsequently died in the Battle of the Nile. There was romance between Caesar and Cleopatra that produced a child, but upon Caesar's death, Cleopatra had to once again take a look at the power dynamics of the world around her to preserve her kingdom and her dynasty. The Roman general Mark Antony fit the bill as both a strategic partner and lover - for a time, anyway. Listen ad-free at patreon.com/trashyroyalspodcast. To advertise on this podcast, reach out to info@amplitudemediapartners.com.
THE SECOND SECTION of the Book of 1 Enoch isn't as well known as the part that deals with the fallen Watchers, but it's important for New Testament theology. The Book of Parables, chapters 37–71 of 1 Enoch, deals specifically with how the world will be purified from the sin introduced by the rebellious Watchers. To the author(s) of this section of 1 Enoch, which was probably written by Essenes in the Galilee between 25 BC and the end of the first century BC (in other words, just before the birth of Jesus), the world had been so corrupted by the fallen angels that only God's direct intervention could put things right. This week, we share the historic backdrop of the Book of Parables: The return of Jews from Babylon who found a priesthood in Jerusalem that believed the age of prophecy was over, repeated invasions by Greeks, Armenians (yes, really), Parthians, and Romans, and civil war, which only intensified a belief among the group that came to be known as Essenes that the arrival of a Savior was imminent. When he didn't come on schedule (sometime between 90 and 80 BC), the Essenes revised their timeline. After a period of civil war, followed by a Parthian invasion around 40 BC, Herod the Great, governor of Galilee, returned from Rome with the backing of the army of Mark Antony (yes, that one). When Herod drove the Parthians from Judea in 37 BC after a three-year war, many Essenes apparently thought Herod was the Anointed One—the Messiah! It didn't take long for Herod to disabuse everyone of that notion. That's the back story of the Book of Parables. It was written at a time when many Jews believed Messiah's arrival was imminent. The Book of Parables was a reminder that God's promises would be fulfilled, and the agent of God's imminent judgment was a figure called the Anointed One, the Chosen One, and, most frequently, the Son of Man. This would all be nothing more than historical interest except for an important fact: Jesus applied the title “the Son of Man” to himself 78 times in the New Testament, and that title doesn't appear in any Jewish writing prior to the Book of Parables. This week's question: Are there ranks of demons, some of which are more difficult than others to exorcise? We referenced the work of Restoration in Christ Ministries (rcm-usa.org). The study notes Derek mentioned by the founder of RCM, Dr. Tom Hawkins, are no longer available to download, but a study on the cosmic hierarchy is available here. Sharon's niece, Sarah Sachleben, has been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer, and the medical bills are piling up. If you are led to help, please go to GilbertHouse.org/hopeforsarah. Our new book The Gates of Hell is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! Derek's new book Destination: Earth, co-authored with Donna Howell and Allie Anderson, is now available in paperback, Kindle, and as an audiobook at Audible! If you are looking for a text of the Book of 1 Enoch to follow our monthly study, you can try these sources: Parallel translations by R. H. Charles (1917) and Richard Laurence (1821)Modern English translation by George W. E. Nickelsburg and James VanderKam (link to book at Amazon)Book of 1 Enoch - Standard English Version by Dr. Jay Winter (link opens free PDF)Book of 1 Enoch - R. H. Charles translation (link opens free PDF) The SkyWatchTV store has a special offer on Dr. Michael Heiser's two-volume set A Companion to the Book of Enoch. Get both books, the R. H. Charles translation of 1 Enoch, and a DVD interview with Mike and Steven Bancarz for a donation of $35 plus shipping and handling. Link: https://bit.ly/heiser-enoch Follow us! • X: @gilberthouse_tv | @sharonkgilbert | @derekgilbert• Telegram: t.me/gilberthouse | t.me/sharonsroom | t.me/viewfromthebunker• YouTube: @GilbertHouse | @UnravelingRevelation | @thebiblesgreatestmysteries• Facebook.com/GilbertHouseFellowship Thank you for making our Build Barn Better project a reality! We truly appreciate your support. If you are so led, you can help out at GilbertHouse.org/donate. Get our free app! It connects you to these studies plus our weekly video programs Unraveling Revelation and A View from the Bunker, and the podcast that started this journey in 2005, P.I.D. Radio. Best of all, it bypasses the gatekeepers of Big Tech! The app is available for iOS, Android, Roku, and Apple TV. Links to the app stores are at www.gilberthouse.org/app/. Video on demand of our best teachings! Stream presentations and teachings based on our research at our new video on demand site! Gilbert House T-shirts and mugs! New to our store is a line of GHTV and Redwing Saga merch! Check it out at GilbertHouse.org/store! Think better, feel better! Our partners at Simply Clean Foods offer freeze-dried, 100% GMO-free food and delicious, vacuum-packed fair trade coffee from Honduras. Find out more at GilbertHouse.org/store. Our favorite Bible study tools! Check the links in the left-hand column at www.GilbertHouse.org.
THE SECOND SECTION of the Book of 1 Enoch isn't as well known as the part that deals with the fallen Watchers, but it's at least as important from a theological perspective. The Book of Parables, chapters 37–71 of 1 Enoch, deals specifically with how the world will be purified from the sin introduced by the rebellious Watchers. To the author(s) of this section of 1 Enoch, which was probably written by Essenes in the Galilee between 25 BC and the end of the first century BC (in other words, just before the birth of Jesus), the world had been so corrupted by the fallen angels that only God's direct intervention could put things right. This week, we share the historic backdrop of the Book of Parables: The return of Jews from Babylon who found a priesthood in Jerusalem that believed the age of prophecy was over, repeated invasions by Greeks, Armenians (yes, really), Parthians, and Romans, and civil war, which only intensified a belief among the group that came to be known as Essenes that the arrival of a Savior was imminent. When he didn't come on schedule (sometime between 90 and 80 BC), the Essenes revised their timeline. After a period of civil war, followed by a Parthian invasion around 40 BC, Herod the Great, governor of Galilee, returned from Rome with the backing of the army of Mark Antony (yes, that one). When Herod drove the Parthians from Judea in 37 BC after a three-year war, many Essenes apparently thought Herod was the Anointed One—the Messiah! It didn't take long for Herod to disabuse everyone of that notion.That's the back story of the Book of Parables. It was written at a time when many Jews believed Messiah's arrival was imminent. The Book of Parables was a reminder that God's promises would be fulfilled, and the agent of God's imminent judgment was a figure called the Anointed One, the Chosen One, and, most frequently, the Son of Man. This would all be nothing more than historical interest except for an important fact: Jesus applied the title “the Son of Man” to himself 78 times in the New Testament, and that title doesn't appear in any Jewish writing prior to the Book of Parables. This week's question: Are there ranks of demons, some of which are more difficult than others to exorcise? We referenced the work of Restoration in Christ Ministries (rcm-usa.org). The study notes Derek mentioned by the founder of RCM, Dr. Tom Hawkins, are no longer available to download, but a study on the cosmic hierarchy is available here: https://rcm-usa.org/product/the-cosmic-hierarchy/
For the first time, scientists have successfully sequenced Adolf Hitler's DNA, taken from a bloodstain in the bunker where he spent his final days. It's one of the most remarkable scientific studies in modern history, and the results are astonishing. They reveal a previously unknown medical condition, which finally uncovers the truth behind that famous wartime song, raise fascinating questions and resolve long-standing questions: Is Hitler of Jewish ancestry? Was he a schizophrenic? And what does his DNA tell us about evil?This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestoryGuest: Jack Blackburn, History Correspondent, The Times.Host: Manveen Rana.Producer: Dave Creasey.Clips: Times Radio, NBC, Channel 4/Blink Films UK.Read more: - Hitler had hidden genetic sexual disorder, DNA analysis reveals- Sunken port may provide clue to Cleopatra and Mark Antony's lost tombPhoto: Shaun Parkinson/Getty Images.Get in touch: thestory@thetimes.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Rome. Egypt. Love. War. Over 2,000 years ago, the fates of two ancient worlds collided in one of history's most legendary love stories: Antony and Cleopatra.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Daisy Dunn to uncover the truth behind the myth - from their first meeting at Tarsus to the political intrigue that scandalised Rome. It was an affair that ignited a civil war, forged an empire that lasted for an age and gave rise to one of world history's most dramatic and tragic deaths, so join us to discover how passion, ambition, and betrayal reshaped the ancient Mediterranean world.Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcastMOREThe CleopatrasThe Rise of Mark AntonyPresented 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 and ad-free podcasts. 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.
On September 2, 31 BC, one of the most important battles in history took place off the coast of Greece. The forces of Octavian, the posthumously adopted son of Julius Caesar, squared off against the forces of Mark Antony, the former right-hand man of Julius Caesar. After having been partners in ruling Rome for years, the two developed irreconcilable differences that had to be resolved on the battlefield. The outcome of the battle influenced the course of the Roman Empire for centuries. Learn more about the Battle of Actium, what caused it, and how it affected history on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Mint Mobile Get your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/eed Stash Go to get.stash.com/EVERYTHING to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase. Newspaper.com Go to Newspapers.com to get a gift subscription for the family historian in your life! Subscribe to the podcast! https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ -------------------------------- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & Cameron Kieffer Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere Discord Server: https://discord.gg/UkRUJFh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/ Disce aliquid novi cotidie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cost of Glory Greece Retreat: https://costofglory.com/retreatPart 3 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. From triumph to near-disaster. Caesar's Egyptian entanglement transforms him from a glorious victor to a desperate challenger. In this episode:Pompey's assassination in Egypt and Caesar's unexpected grief over his former ally's deathCleopatra's legendary entrance in a bed-sack and her political seduction of CaesarThe brutal urban warfare trapping Caesar in the palace quarter for six monthsThe burning of the Great Library during the harbor battles—400,000 volumes lostCaesar's desperate swim to safety while clutching precious documents above waterYoung King Ptolemy XIII's tragic fate and the consolidation of Cleopatra's powerThe lightning campaign against Pharnaces in Asia—"Veni, Vidi, Vici"The veterans' mutiny outside Rome and Caesar's masterful psychological manipulationCato's final stand in Africa and his defiant suicideThe decisive Battle of Thapsus and the strategic genius of fighting on narrow groundThe massacre of surrendering enemies as Caesar's clemency finally failsAs Caesar recounts, the Republic's future dictator came very close to destruction in the palaces and canals of Alexandria. While Rome descended into chaos under Mark Antony's drunken rule, Caesar fought for his life against war elephants and Numidian cavalry, transformed by his liaison with the living goddess Cleopatra. The man who emerged from Egypt was no longer merely a Roman general, he had consorted with divinity and fathered the son of a pharaoh. As Cicero wrote in frantic letters to Atticus: "Where am I to look for solace?" The final campaign that would cement Caesar's supremacy began with the most dangerous gamble of his career.Works Cited: (Affiliate links - support the show!)Gareth Sampson, The Battle of Pharsalus Matthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and Statesman James Froude, Caesar: A Sketch, Raaflaub (ed.) Landmark Caesar 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!
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the speeches that became a byword for fierce attacks on political opponents. It was in the 4th century BC, in Athens, that Demosthenes delivered these speeches against the tyrant Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, when Philip appeared a growing threat to Athens and its allies and Demosthenes feared his fellow citizens were set on appeasement. In what became known as The Philippics, Demosthenes tried to persuade Athenians to act against Macedon before it was too late; eventually he succeeded in stirring them, even if the Macedonians later prevailed. For these speeches prompting resistance, Demosthenes became famous as one of the Athenian democracy's greatest freedom fighters. Later, in Rome, Cicero's attacks on Mark Antony were styled on Demosthenes and these too became known as Philippics. With Paul Cartledge A. G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow at Clare College, University of Cambridge Kathryn Tempest Reader in Latin Literature and Roman History at the University of Roehampton And Jon Hesk Reader in Greek and Classical Studies at the University of St Andrews Producer: Simon Tillotson Spanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the speeches that became a byword for fierce attacks on political opponents. It was in the 4th century BC, in Athens, that Demosthenes delivered these speeches against the tyrant Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, when Philip appeared a growing threat to Athens and its allies and Demosthenes feared his fellow citizens were set on appeasement. In what became known as The Philippics, Demosthenes tried to persuade Athenians to act against Macedon before it was too late; eventually he succeeded in stirring them, even if the Macedonians later prevailed. For these speeches prompting resistance, Demosthenes became famous as one of the Athenian democracy's greatest freedom fighters. Later, in Rome, Cicero's attacks on Mark Antony were styled on Demosthenes and these too became known as Philippics. With Paul Cartledge A. G. Leventis Senior Research Fellow at Clare College, University of Cambridge Kathryn Tempest Reader in Latin Literature and Roman History at the University of Roehampton And Jon Hesk Reader in Greek and Classical Studies at the University of St Andrews Producer: Simon TillotsonSpanning history, religion, culture, science and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 is essential listening for the intellectually curious. In each episode, host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests explore the characters, events and discoveries that have shaped our world.
As the Roman Republic slid into civil war and re-emerged as an empire in the late first century BC, Marcus Agrippa was a key figure in this radical transformation. The best friend and right-hand man of Augustus, first Roman emperor, he was both a witness to and active participant in the climactic battles and sweeping reforms that birthed the Pax Romana.A story from Roman history (63 - 12 BC), featuring: Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Gaius Octavius / Octavian / the emperor Augustus, Julius Caesar, Sextus Pompey, Mark Antony, Cleopatra---CREDITS: Music by Scott BuckleyThumbnail Images: Bust of Agrippa (c. 25 BC)Augustus of Prima Porta (1st century AD)Panel from Trajan's Column featuring Roman soldiers (113 AD)WDS Logo Image: Kylix with Apollo playing the lyre and pouring a libation (c. 470 BC, Delphi Archeological Museum)
Did Cleopatra have a bee-powered vibrator? Why did she marry both of her brothers? And how serious were her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony?Kate is joined by Egyptologist Sarah Parcak to find out where Cleopatra's seductress reputation came from, and whether she lived up to it.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. The producer was Sophie Gee. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.Please vote for us for Listeners' Choice at the British Podcast Awards! Follow this link, and don't forget to confirm the email. Thank you!Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here.All music from Epidemic Sounds.Betwixt the Sheets: History of Sex, Scandal & Society is a History Hit podcast.
Was this history's most extravagant dinner? Well, we're diving into the legendary tale of Cleopatra's lavish banquet, where it is said she dissolved a priceless pearl in vinegar and then drank it. All to win a bet with Mark Antony. But what really happened that night?Was it opulence, science, or myth-making at its finest? Tune in for the fascinating blend of history, drama, and chemistry behind one of antiquity's most iconic meals.Don't forget to subscribe, rate, comment, and leave a review for more Dirt Diaries!-Stay curiousWant more Dirt Diaries?Join patreon with all your history-loving friends!patreon.com/TheDirtDiariesTravel with me, my socials, and more!https://beacons.ai/dirtdiaries.tenn
The Roman Republic is collapsing and everything hangs in the balance. It's a political game of kill-or-be-killed, and Fulvia did not come to play. You've heard of Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra. But have you heard of Fulvia, who was in the eye of that infamous ancient Roman storm? ___________________ Travel with us to ITALY, to walk in Fulvia's footsteps! Our new LOST WOMEN OF ITALY Tour is open for registration! Daisy Dunn is an award-winning classicist and author of The Missing Thread, A Women's History of the Ancient World. Music featured in this episode: Michael Levy "Cogitatio," "Sacred Flame of Vesta," "Amatores" Jesse Gallagher: "The Anunnaki Return," "Spirit of Fire" Jimena Contreras: "Cosmic Nightmares" I Think I Can Help You: "Crab Nebula" M Murray: "Viking Medieval Theme" Plus sound effects from YleArkisto and LilMati Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In our latest special episode, we were positively tickled to be able to chat to Dr Jane Draycott about her latest historical biography Fulvia: The Woman who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome (published with Atlantic Books).For the uninitiated, Fulvia is one of the more notorious characters from the Late Roman Republic. If you've heard of her, it is probably as the wife of Mark Antony – the one he first cheated on with Cleopatra. What an honour.However, in this episode, you will get to hear why Dr Draycott thinks she is so much more than that. Join us to hear all about Fulvia's other husbands, her many children and the rhetoric that destroyed her reputation.Dr DraycottDr Jane Draycott is a historian and archaeologist and is currently Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Glasgow. Her research interests are extensive and include: displays of extraordinary bodies in the ancient world; the depiction of the ancient world in computer games; and domestic medical practice in ancient Rome. In 2023, Dr Draycott published Prosthetics and Assistive Technology in Ancient Greece and Rome with Cambridge University Press. 2022 was a huge year for Dr Draycott in terms of publications! First, there's the co-edited collection Bodies of Evidence: Ancient Anatomical Votives Past, Present and Future with Routledge; Second, the co-edited the volume Women in Classical Video Games with Bloomsbury; Third(!), the edited volume Women in Historical and Archaeological Video Games for De Gruyter; And fourth (we're already tired thinking about this much writing coming out all at once), the biography Cleopatra's Daughter: Egyptian Princess, Roman Princess, African Queen (Bloomsbury)We know that you will be running out to get yourself a copy of Fulvia once you have heard the fascinating details shared in this episode.And for keen listeners, rest assured that Dr Rad was keeping a tally throughout the interview of all of Augustus' hideous crimes :)Sound CreditsOur music is provided by the wonderful Bettina Joy de Guzman.For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of ancient Egypt, was a brilliant and charismatic queen whose legacy still captivates the world. Known for her intelligence, political acumen, and fluency in multiple languages, she skillfully ruled Egypt during a time of immense turmoil. Unlike the myth of relying solely on her beauty, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist who formed powerful alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Her reign was marked by bold diplomacy, economic reform, and efforts to preserve Egypt's independence against the growing power of Rome. Personally, she was deeply loyal, passionate, and proud of her Egyptian heritage, despite being of Macedonian Greek descent. She navigated betrayals, wars, and Roman politics with unmatched resilience. Her tragic end alongside Mark Antony marked the fall of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the beginning of Roman Egypt. Cleopatra remains a symbol of power, grace, and timeless intrigue. KiranPrabha narrates the real story of Cleopatra in 2 Parts talk show. This is Part 2/Last Part.
Episode 529 - Karen Essex - Award-winning journalist and a screenwriter and author of KleopatraAbout the AuthorKaren Essex is the author of Kleopatra, Pharaoh, Stealing Athena, Dracula in Love, and the international bestseller Leonardo's Swans, which won Italy's prestigious 2007 Premio Roma for foreign fiction. An award-winning journalist and a screenwriter, she lives in Los Angeles, California. Here's a bit more about my novels:KLEOPATRA: The Early Years, tells the little-known story of the princess's harrowingrise to the throne, surviving her murderous family members, exile, war, riots in thestreets of Alexandria. If you think your family has problems…at least they're probablynot trying to kill you!“Keenly researched and brimming with exotic, erotic detail, Essex's style is as seductiveas her subject.”— Dallas Morning NewsPHARAOH: Book II of Kleopatra begins when twenty year-old Kleopatra meets JuliusCaesar and takes the reader on her fascinating journey partnering with him and anotherpowerful Roman, Mark Antony. But rather than concentrate on mere romance, the novelalso explores Kleopatra's extraordinary political acumen, diplomacy skills, and foresight.“This stunning sequel to Kleopatra completes the story. Readers will enjoy the vividportrayal of Kleopatra and the period in which she lived.”— Library JournalLEONARDO'S SWANS puts Leonardo da Vinci's rivalrous female muses at its core,aristocratic women who shaped the art and politics of the Italian Renaissance. The novelwas a runaway bestseller in Italy and won the prestigious Premio Roma for foreignfiction.“Essex combines art, political intrigue, family feuds and sex to create a page-turner.” —USA TodaySTEALING ATHENA is a sweeping historical saga from the perspectives of twofascinating women, Aspasia, philosopher and mistress to Pericles, and Countess MaryElgin, who twenty-three hundred years later saw the demise of Pericles's great Athenianmonuments.“Stealing Athena firmly entrenches Karen Essex as one of the top historical novel writersof our time.”— Bookreporter.comDRACULA IN LOVE, born from my love of fellow New Orleanian Anne Rice's work and achildhood fascination with reruns of DARK SHADOWS, retells Bram Stoker's classic talefrom the perspective of the vampire's obsession, Mina Harker, who surprises readerswith her own supernatural lineage.“Brilliant. Sweeping. Breath-taking. Essex's journey into the social expectations of Victorian women through the telling of the Dracula story is genius.” —Book Banter“An intensely erotic story of romance and obsession. . . . Lusciously sexy andoutrageously chilling by turns.” – Newark Star-Ledgerhttps://karenessex.com/Support the show___https://livingthenextchapter.com/podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/Coffee Refills are always appreciated, refill Dave's cup here, and thanks!https://buymeacoffee.com/truemediaca
Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of ancient Egypt, was a brilliant and charismatic queen whose legacy still captivates the world. Known for her intelligence, political acumen, and fluency in multiple languages, she skillfully ruled Egypt during a time of immense turmoil. Unlike the myth of relying solely on her beauty, Cleopatra was a shrewd strategist who formed powerful alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Her reign was marked by bold diplomacy, economic reform, and efforts to preserve Egypt's independence against the growing power of Rome. Personally, she was deeply loyal, passionate, and proud of her Egyptian heritage, despite being of Macedonian Greek descent. She navigated betrayals, wars, and Roman politics with unmatched resilience. Her tragic end alongside Mark Antony marked the fall of the Ptolemaic dynasty and the beginning of Roman Egypt. Cleopatra remains a symbol of power, grace, and timeless intrigue. KiranPrabha narrates the real story of Cleopatra in 2 Parts talk show. This is Part 1.
She super-charged Mark Antony's rise to power, whipped up gang violence, went to war with Octavian – and may, just may, have abused Cicero's decapitated head with a hairpin. Here, in conversation with Spencer Mizen, Jane Draycott explores the life of Fulvia, the extraordinary figure who rewrote the rulebook of what a woman could achieve in the cut-throat world of ancient Roman politics. (Ad) Jane Draycott is the author of Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome (Atlantic Books, 2025). Buy it now from Waterstones: https://go.skimresources.com?id=71026X1535947&xcust=historyextra-social-histboty&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Ffulvia%2Fjane-draycott%2F9781805464877. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The fall of the Roman Republic is one of the great stories in all of ancient history and it can still teach lessons relevant to every element of modern life. This telling of the Roman Republic's demise blends systems-based history, trends and forces, events like the Punic Wars and Spartacus' slave rebellion, and the sheer will of legendary historical figures like the Gracchi brothers, Gaius Marius, Sulla, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Octavian, and more. Shedding light on wealth inequality, political and economic corruption, population shifts, the impact of war-both overseas and at home, political violence, questions over citizenship, economic populism, zero-sum politics, violation of political and social norms, a loss of faith in democracy, and more-this historical story has something for everyone. -Consider Supporting the Podcast!- Leave a rating or review on apple podcasts or spotify! Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory Check out my podcast series on Aftersun, Piranesi, Arcane, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart here: https://www.reflectinghistory.com/bonuscontent Try my podcast series "Nazi Germany and the Battle for the Human Heart"-- What led to the rise of Nazi Germany? The answer may surprise you…Why do 'good' people support evil leaders? What allure does fascism hold that enables it to garner popular support? To what extent are ordinary people responsible for the development of authoritarian evil? What is fascism? What did it mean to be a Nazi? How did nazism infect schools, institutions, bureaucracy, the media? This podcast series explores these massive questions and more through the lens of Nazi Germany and the ordinary people who collaborated or resisted as the Third Reich expanded. You'll not only learn about the horrifying, surprising, and powerful ways in which the Nazis seized and maintained power, but also fundamental lessons about what fascism is-how to spot it and why it spreads. Through exploring the past, I hope to unlock lessons that everyone can apply to the present day. Check it out on my Patreon page at: https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory. Try my podcast series "Piranesi: Exploring the Infinite Halls of a Literary Masterpiece"-- This podcast series is a deep analysis of Susanna Clark's literary masterpiece "Piranesi." Whether you are someone who is reading the novel for academic purposes, or you simply want to enjoy an incredible story for it's own sake, this podcast series goes chapter by chapter into the plot, characters, and themes of the book...“The Beauty of the House is immeasurable; it's kindness infinite.” Piranesi lives in an infinite house, with no long-term memory and only a loose sense of identity. As the secrets of the House deepen and the mystery of his life becomes more sinister, Piranesi must discover who he is and how this brings him closer to the “Great and Secret Knowledge” that the House contains. Touching on themes of memory, identity, mental health, knowledge, reason, experience, meaning, reflection, ideals, and more…Piranesi will be remembered as one of the great books of the 21st century. Hope you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed making it. Check it out at https://www.patreon.com/reflectinghistory. Subscribe to my newsletter! A free, low stress, monthly-quarterly email offering historical perspective on modern day issues, behind the scenes content on my latest podcast episodes, and historical lessons/takeaways from the world of history, psychology, and philosophy: https://www.reflectinghistory.com/newsletter.
Episode: 2408 Roman Political Invective. Today, a look at Roman mudslinging.
Drunk In Love is our brand-new podcast! Listen as Melissa tells Daniel history's most famous love stories. Go give the podcast a follow. Drunk in Love can be found on all major podcast streaming platforms. Enjoy!Send us a textCourtroom ConfidentialThe true crime podcast where headline-making trials meet expert legal analysis.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show
You may be thinking to yourself, didn't you already cover this couple already? Nope! A few weeks back we covered the brief affair between Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. This week, we're diving deep into the legendary romance between Cleopatra and Mark Antony. One of history's most famous power couples, and the inspiration for at least two of William Shakespeare's plays (maybe even more). Join us as we explore the passionate love affair that transcended political alliances, shaped the future of the ancient world, and led to a dramatic war between Rome and Egypt.***** About Significant LoversSignificant Lovers is a true-love podcast exploring celebrity couples and historic romances. Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @significantlovers, and contact us at significantlovers@gmail.com.
The concept of a love triangle has probably existed for as long as relationships have themselves. From Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and Octavia to more modern-day trios such as Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and Monica Lewinsky, and countless others in between. Most people enter into relationships with no interest in looking at anyone else with the […]
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Shushma Malik and comedian Thanyia Moore to learn about Cleopatra.Cleopatra – the seventh Ancient Egyptian Queen to bear that name – was born around 69 BCE and she's seen by many historians as the final ruler of dynastic Egypt; a lineage that stretched back 3,000 years.From marrying and murdering her siblings to liaisons of love and political pragmatism with top Romans Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, Cleopatra led a very turbulent life. But when we strip back the modern myths and ancient interpretations, who was the real Cleopatra?This is a radio edit of the original podcast episode. For the full-length version, please look further back in the feed.Research by Aimee Hinds Scott Written by Emma Nagouse, Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Produced by Emma Nagouse and Greg Jenner Assistant Producer: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow Project Management: Isla Matthews Audio Producer: Steve Hankey
Momentum building for Octavin and Agrippa. Mark Antony cut off from supplies. Trying to escape back to Egypt. The horrors of ancient naval warfare. We can never use the communists language, they have chosen it to deceive and meeting them half way is only giving them a win. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seeking refuge and being betrayed. Mark Antony holding Octavian's money. Medal of Honor: Martin May – Fortifying the IslandSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.