Podcasts about Roman Republic

Cato the Younger is a figure rightly revered for his adherence to principles during the late Roman Republic as he opposed the rise of Julius Caesar. While Cato showed remarkable courage in the face of danger, he was also a man obsessed with the idea of upholding law no matter the cost. This has brought him great respect, but it also forced him to exacerbate tensions and spurn allies until he became directly responsible for the creation of the political coalition that would destroy his beloved republic. Historian and host of the "Cost of Glory" podcast Alex Petkas joins me to discuss Cato's tragic fate.  Follow on: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-auron-macintyre-show/id1657770114 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3S6z4LBs8Fi7COupy7YYuM?si=4d9662cb34d148af Substack: https://auronmacintyre.substack.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuronMacintyre Gab: https://gab.com/AuronMacIntyre YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/c/AuronMacIntyre Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-390155 Odysee: https://odysee.com/@AuronMacIntyre:f Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auronmacintyre/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode Notes: RECORDED LIVE - This week Zed Games celebrates the third of 26's Indie Dev Night featuring loads of local devs showing their stuff including; 'Dungeon Pizza' from Growing Games, 'Aqueducks' by Corkscrew Games, 'Lone Pine' by Bang Bang Bang Interactive, 'Oath for Glory' by Sleep Deprived Studios, 'Deathbed' by Devil Juice, 'Descend' by Fizzy Games, 'On The Hearth' by Earl Grimm Games, and 'Ides of March' by One Thousand Rats. But on the show Hazel and Caroline call each other out for comfort gaming before talking the week in #GamingNews. Caroline then reaches for the power of cardboard while dungeon crawling battling power creep and eye strain in 'Vampire Crawlers' from poncle and Nosebleed Interactive. Timestamps and Links: 00:00 - Welcome to Zed Games 04:32 - #GamingNews 12:50 - Vampire Crawlers from poncle and Nosebleed Interactive 22:33 - Indie Dev Night Indie Dev Night 'Dungeon Pizza' by Growing Games - A cooking game with a fantasy twist! Knead the dough, spread the sauce, and prepare… the rat chunks?! Open your own pizzeria deep inside a dungeon, serving weary adventurers who come to rest and refuel between their quests and bounties. 'Aqueducks' by Corkscrew Games (boardgame) - It is the crux of the Roman Eggpublic, and the Pondifex has tasked the players with establishing a new city to lead the ducks of Rome into a new age. 'Lone Pine' by Bang Bang Bang Interactive - A single-player, 2D adventure set in the fictional Lone Pine National Park. You play as Izzie, who has come to Lone Pine to try to photograph some of its mysterious, undiscovered 'cryptids'. 'Oath for Glory' by Sleep Deprived Studios - Play as a lowly knight competing in a tournament. A skill-based boss rush game built around directional combat. 'Deathbed' by Devil Juice (card game) - The Old King is on his deathbed. Each day, each kingdom sends a representative to perform a eulogy. Through strategic timing and political manipulation your kingdom could hold the most influence when The King finally passes! 'Descend' by Fizzy Games - Slay hordes of enemies to gain procedural skills, augments and loot to shape your build and fight deeper. Descend is set apart with a unique skill system, run-altering persistent upgrades, and an evolving quest system that influences gameplay. 'On The Hearth' by Earl Grimm Games - A narratively driven mystery game, blending magic and community as tools of deduction. Decode your mentor's grimoire, master your craft, and solve a myriad of mysteries as you lead your loveable, rag-tag village against the rising tensions of an inbound crusade. 'Ides of March' by One Thousand Rats - Themed after the conspiracy to assassinate Julius Caesar, a historical event so world-shattering it led to the fall of the Roman Republic, the creation of an iconic Shakespeare play, and this game (all equally significant moments in culture) - Ides of March is a large multiplayer game for 6 - 12 players, with an included expansion making the game suitable for up to 24 players. Upcoming Events Indie Dev Night @Lost Souls Karaoke Thursday 6-9pm; 15th Oct, 12th Nov. Radiothon Event: 13th Aug Produced and recorded by Hazel for Zed Games at 4zzz in Fortitude Valley, Meanjin/Brisbane Australia on Turrabul and Jaggera Country and edited by Tobi for podcast distribution for Creative Broadcasters Limited.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Due to changing marital laws (among other things), the late Roman Republic saw a rise in a certain kind of wealthy elite woman with more independence and power than her foremothers. These women were financially independent, highly educated, sexually liberated, and unafraid to seize the reins of power. One of those was a woman named Clodia. Daughter of the aristocratic Claudii, Clodia (and her brother Clodius) changed her name to reflect a more plebeian status. A fierce populist, she was vilified by Cicero even as she was the victim of a murder plot. And she was an unlikely champion of true democratic values. Join us as we discuss her fascinating life with author and biographer Douglas Boin—and explore what her life tells us about the state of the patriarchy then and now.    Sponsors and Advertising: This episode is sponsored by Taskrabbit. Get $15 off your first task at Taskrabbit.com or the Taskrabbit app using promo code FANGIRL. 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

A conversation with Morgan Watkins of TheBaseCreates and George Carter from Old Sovereign Publishing about the importance of re-enchanting the world through theatre and the tradition of the classics, specifically focusing on a new drama competition called "The Great Panathenaea". Links: TheBaseCreates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBaseCreates TheBaseCreates X: https://x.com/thebasecreatesSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient historyGet in touch at: Website: https://costofglory.com X: https://x.com/costofglory

54 год до нашей эры... Урок восемьдесят восьмой. О стихах, ставках и театре Шрёдингера -==- Поддержать подкастpatreon.com/romafallrepublicboosty.to/romafallrepublicСсылки на сервисы одноразовых донатов (прямой перевод на карту)https://pay.cloudtips.ru/p/de81e92chttps://www.tinkoff.ru/cf/8OhkxZI8dPpКрипта Etherium, USDT ERC-20 и прочий эфир0x4079debeb19987bdf8ff4184f971744805875b3dBitcoinbc1q4ask5drexztq4p07d4nzluxdkylz93tmkdspq6USDT TRC-20TZ7v8oFDviL2dY7quiAUrTF14nTpThapXH-==- Герои выпуска. Осторожно, спойлеры к предыдущим сериямhttps://telegra.ph/Predgrozovoj-cikl-1-seriya-Interitus-Legum-Gibel-zakonov-06-02-==- Для заказа рекламы пишите на почту или в телеграмgeasmuire@gmail.comhttps://t.me/caledfwlch_as-==- Подкаст выходит по четвергам. Подписывайтесь на любых платформах и присоединяйтесь в сообществахhttps://t.me/romafallrepublichttps://instagram.com/roma_fall_of_the_republic/?hl=ruhttps://vk.com/romafallrepublichttps://twitter.com/ROMApodcast-==- Таймкоды00:00 Перенесемся в прошлое…02:50 Qurites!04:17 Эпиграф к серии04:37 Зал ста колонн07:08 Портик Помпея10:45 Театр Помпея18:33 Как же похорошел Рим при триумвирах!22:39 Поражение консерваторов25:09 Древнеримский Пушкин28:45 Реванш на одну рыжую половину30:29 Юлия38:56 Делайте ставки!52:34 Первый круг. Суд1:04:27 Деньги... Всем нужны деньги1:07:24 Неожиданный союз1:10:07 Ход Помпея1:14:58 Где лошади?1:19:24 Возвращение Габиния или дурной запах1:22:10 Программа консерваторов1:25:25 ПослесловиеИсточникиCassius Dio. Roman HistoryМарк Туллий Цицерон. Письма и РечиПлутарх. Сравнительные жизнеописанияАппиан. Гражданские войныГай Светоний Транквилл. Жизнь двенадцати цезарейКорнелий Тацит. АнналыТит Ливий. История Рима от основания городаКвинт Асконий Педиан. Комментарий к речи Цицерона в защиту СкавраПлиний Старший. Естественная историяВалерий Максим. Достопамятные деяния и изреченияВеллей Патеркул. Римская историяГай Валерий Катулл. Книга стихотворенийErich S. Gruen. The Last Generation of the Roman RepublicБиллоуз, Ричард. Юлий Цезарь. Римский колоссD. R. Shackleton Bailey. Cicero: Select LettersИ. А. Покровский. История римского права

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. Last month, on May 14th, we were joined by nearly 800 listeners in New York City for the first ever Know Your Enemy live show, "Decline and Fall." The event was a fundraiser for Dissent, so we called in the big guns, our great friend Mike Duncan, to join us on stage. Many KYE listeners will be familiar with Mike, the brilliant and prolific host of the Revolutions and, especially relevant for the purposes of this conversation, History of Rome podcasts. We discuss how the right talks about decline, their hilariously ignorant invocations of Rome, our very symptomatic obsession with political decline and dissolution, the power of nostalgia and declension narrative—and then answer audience questions! Thank you again to everyone who joined us in person, to Mike Duncan, to Patrick Iber and Rosalie Ryan and everyone at Dissent, to our intrepid producer Jesse Brenneman (who was able to fly in from Montana to join us), to listeners near and far who so generously continue to support Know Your Enemy! Donate to Dissent here. Photo credit: Jack Califano Sources: For quotes from conservatives about Rome's decline: Reagan, Nixon, Buchanan, Vance Mike Duncan, The Storm Before the Storm: The Beginning of the End of the Roman Republic (2017) James J. Walsh, The Thirteenth, Greatest of Centuries (1907) Michael Oakeshott, Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays (1962) Kate Wagner, "Fear of a Breakdown," Late Review, May 11, 2026. D.W. Winnicott, "Fear of a Breakdown," Intl. Review of Psychoanalysis, (1974)

In 73 BC, a gladiator escaped slavery and launched a rebellion that shook the Roman Republic to its core. His name was Spartacus, and his uprising became one of the greatest threats Rome had ever faced from within.Tristan Hughes is joined by Ben Kane to explore the dramatic story of Spartacus and his slave revolt that swept across Italy. Together, they cover the breakout at Capua to the battles against Roman armies and discover how Spartacus transformed a small band of fugitives into a force capable of humiliating Rome. Was he fighting for freedom, revenge, or something more?MOREThe Roman CenturionListen on AppleListen on Spotify How to Survive in Ancient RomeListen on AppleListen on Spotify The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch here: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Who was the boring lawyer who quietly built the machine that made America work? Was John Adams so relentlessly right that even his allies couldn't stand him? And, how did the man who wrote the most beautiful words on human equality spend decades owning the woman who bore his children?Peter and Afua tear into the contradictions of 1776 — the forgotten architect, the honest man nobody liked, and the wordsmith whose legacy history has never quite known what to do with.0:00 The original Brexit: what 1776 really was 6:00 John Jay — the unsung hero who built the legal framework of a nation 11:00 The Federalist Papers and the Roman Republic obsession 14:00 Jay's reluctant revolution: the man who wanted reconciliation 16:00 Enter Thomas Jefferson: plantation privilege and the Declaration of Independence 18:30 Jefferson at his desk — and the enslaved people outside the window 21:00 Martha, Sally Hemings, and the relationship history tried to bury 25:00 John Adams: the honest man too competent for his own good 31:00 Rome's collapse, checks and balances, and why they feared what they were building 36:00 Jefferson gave the revolution its language, Jay its structure, Adams its urgencyJoin Legacy Plus for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more. legacy.supportingcast.fmStay connected with Legacy: Instagram: @originallegacypodcast TikTok: @legacy_productions Explore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.comJoin Legacy+ for bonus episodes, early access, Q&A's, fewer adverts and more.legacy.supportingcast.fmStay connected with Legacy:Instagram: @originallegacypodcastTikTok: @legacy_productionsExplore more from Peter and Afua — essays, sources, and ideas: Substack: peterfrankopan.substack.com | afuahirsch.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diodorus Siculus was a 1st-century BCE Greek historian from Agyrium in Sicily who wrote during the late Roman Republic. His most famous work, the Bibliotheca historica ("Historical Library"), is a massive universal history in 40 books that aimed to chronicle the world's history from mythological times to his own era. In this excerpt, we hear of Cimon, a well-known Athenian general from the 5th century BCE, who helped expand Athens' power in the eastern Mediterranean. His connection to Cyprus comes from his final campaign in 450 BCE, when he led an expedition to free the island from Persian control. He died during the siege of Citium (now Larnaca), but his forces later won a naval battle near Salamis, Cyprus, before returning home. In my next episode, I welcome back Dr. Christian Korner Dr. Christian Körner to discuss Cyprus in the 5th century!

Rome vs Alexander. It's a counterfactual of suitably epic proportions, fit for movie theatres and sprawling strategy video games. What would've happen had the great Macedonian general not perished in Babylon and advanced on an emerging Roman Republic?Tristan Hughes is joined by Roman historian and friend of the show Steele Brand to ask - what would've happened had Alexander invaded Italy? They explore the work of Roman historian Livy, who wrote about this very scenario - would Rome have had enough to resist the mighty legions of an undefeated Macedonia, even before it had really started to forge it's empire? From the sparkling phalanxes of Alexander's Asian realm to the Rome's countless mass of citizen soldiers, find out which of these titans of history achieves ancient world domination.MOREAlexander the Great: Lord of AsiaListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Battle of Phillipi: Death of the Roman RepublicListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. 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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My conversation with author, soldier, and scholar, Nicholas Tobias.This is the first public interview with Nicholas, and he agreed to speak on condition that we'd preserve his alias and therefore his anonymity. Hence there is no video of him, and the sound quality from his undisclosed location was not perfect. But this was a fascinating conversation that I'm going to be thinking about for a long time.Let me know what you think in the comments.Subscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!A pope gets crowned as the hero of progress and then publishes a document telling bishops to treat modern ideas like a “fatal pestilence.” That swing sounds impossible until you walk the road with Pope Pius IX from 1846 to 1864, with riots in the streets, assassination in Rome, and the slow, methodical dismantling of the Papal States hanging over every decision.We start with the version of Pius IX the newspapers loved: merciful, pastoral, granting amnesty, loosening restrictions, embracing railways and civic reforms. Then the revolutions of 1848 hit, the Roman Republic rises, Church property is seized, religious orders are suppressed, and the Pope is driven out of his own capital. From that point on, Italian unification and liberal nationalism don't just threaten a border, they threaten the independence of the papacy itself and the public place of Catholicism.With that backdrop, we dig into Quanta Cura and the Syllabus of Errors: religious liberty, freedom of conscience, the press, state power over the Church, and the fight over who forms children through education. We also connect the arguments of “free church, free state” Catholic liberals to the long road toward Vatican I, where papal authority becomes impossible to ignore.If this helped you make sense of modern Catholic debates through real history, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.Support the showGet 10% off an amazing Black Monk Rosary by going to https://www.blackmonkrosaries.com/?ref=AVOIDINGBABYLON and using code AVOIDINGBABYLON at checkout!Check out our sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

On how the Spartans achieved emotional mastery, long before Stoicism was invented.

Plus: Peruvian spiders.People go to Los Angeles for lots of reasons: fame, money, food, outstanding weather, love of the movies, hatred of themselves, etc. Jonah Goldberg, perhaps uniquely, goes to philosophize. After ruminating on his attendance at a super swanky film festival, Jonah gives a crash course on Hegel, Trump as a world-historical figure, the imperial Roman Republic, Marxism as a shibboleth, unpatriotic librarians, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Baptists and bootleggers, and Maine's new Nazi-tattooed Democratic Senate nominee.Show Notes:—John B. Judis: “What Hegel Knew About Trump”—“The YOLO Presidency: Trump is focused on becoming one of history's ‘great men.'”—Tyler Austin Harper Remnant—Jonah's column on librarians and book bans—The End of History and the Last Man—Friday's Dispatch Podcast—Thursday Commentary Podcast —Standing Athwart Hegel, Yelling ‘Stop!' The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An excellent examination of ancient Persia, in its relations with the Roman Republic and Empire, with lessons for today's dumb war against Iran, that is, Persia. The written version of this review can be found here (https://theworthyhouse.com/2026/04/27/rome-and-persia-the-seven-hundred-year-rivalry-adrian-goldsworthy/). We strongly encourage all listeners to bookmark our main site (https://www.theworthyhouse.com). You can also subscribe for email notifications, or subscribe at Substack. The Worthy House does not solicit donations or other support, or have ads. Other than at the main site, you can follow Charles here: https://x.com/TheWorthyHouse https://charleshaywood.substack.com/

Send us Fan MailCato and Caesar were there at the end of the Roman Republic.  We look at the both men to try to gain insights into the end of an era.  

Want to support the podcast? Join our Patreon or buy us a coffee. As an independent podcast, Shakespeare Anyone? is supported by listeners like you. In this episode, we use Freyja Cox Jensen's Reading the Roman Republic in Early Modern England to explore how early modern readers encountered, studied, and understood ancient Rome, and what that means for how we read Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. First, we ask whether early modern people were truly obsessed with Julius Caesar and ancient Rome, and how Rome became so omnipresent in the early modern imagination. We then trace the roots of that obsession: how Roman history was embedded in early modern education and pedagogical theory, which Roman authors Shakespeare and his contemporaries were actually reading, and how the rise of the printing industry accelerated the spread of classical texts across England. From there, we explore what early modern people actually thought about Rome: how they understood it, idealized it, and argued about it. Last but not least, we'll examine how ancient Rome was reimagined on the early modern stage, and what all of this tells us about Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. 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:  Cox Jensen, Freyja. Reading the Roman Republic in Early Modern England. Brill, 2012.

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

The well-educated Founders of America structured the new nation based on the classical literature of Democratic Athens and the Roman Republic that they had studied in college. And ended up with something they never expected. But it worked. And it has continued to work for 250 years. But now our political leaders are rejecting those ideas and principles. In this commentary we look at the sources of America's Founding Principles and investigate why our current leaders are abandoning them.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comTom is a historian, translator, and podcaster. He hosts with Dominic Sandbrook the most downloaded history pod in the world, “The Rest Is History.” He's the author of many books, including the two we discussed this week: Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic, and Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World. Those two erudite, beautifully written books made a huge impact on me.For two clips of our convo — on the paradoxical power of Christ's crucifixion, and the Christian roots of “secular” — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up in Oxford and near Stonehenge; dinosaurs his first passion; how the past is more interesting than the present; Pontius Pilate; Cato; Caesar in Gaul and conquering Rome; Hegseth reveling in death; the war prayer at the Resolute Desk; Trump's pre-Christian values; Socrates; Paul the Apostle; turning the other cheek; agape; Christ's silence and withdrawal; logos; the Gospels; the Gnostic Gospels; the Book of Revelation; Exodus and Israel; martyred Christians in the arena; Augustine; the emergence of Islam; the Koran as the literal word of Allah; the Crusades; Pope Gregory VII making the Church sovereign; Machiavelli and mastering the secular; the Reformation; toppling idols; Nietzsche and the death of God; Marx; the Sexual Revolution; #MeToo; Dawkins and the New Atheists; the religion of wokeness; racism as a collective sin; Michael Pollan and “All You Need Is Love”; Fleming Rutledge's The Crucifixion; the awe of cathedrals; and the new wave of cultural Christianity.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Jeffrey Toobin on the pardon power, Derek Thompson on abundance, Tiffany Jenkins on privacy in a liberal democracy, Adrian Wooldridge on “the lost genius of liberalism,” Greg Lukianoff on free speech, and Tom Junod on his memoir and masculinity. As always, please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

Brent Johnson, founder and CEO of Santiago Capital and creator of the Dollar Milkshake Theory, joins The Julia La Roche Show in-studio for a wide-ranging conversation on why the world most investors grew up in is over. Johnson argues that power now matters more than economics — that the old framework of spreadsheets and cash flows is no longer sufficient when supply chains, national security, and geopolitical competition determine outcomes. He breaks down the US-China power competition, the implications of the Iran conflict for energy, food prices, and portfolios, and why he remains in US equities despite the consensus rotation into emerging markets. He also updates his Dollar Milkshake Theory, makes a provocative case that what comes after the American Republic is the American Empire, and explains why stablecoins may be the most underappreciated geopolitical tool the US has right now.Links: Twitter/X: https://x.com/SantiagoAuFundYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@milkshakespodSubstack: https://research.santiagocapital.com/0:00 Intro & welcome Brent Johnson1:05 Current macro picture: the world has changed & power matters more than economics4:37 Signposts reinforcing the thesis — Trump as symptom, not cause5:42 What the paradigm shift means for investors — the law of one price is gone8:25 The high angst/low drawdown paradox — markets only down 10% but everyone's acting like it's 30%9:43 Conviction vs. confliction — investing for what will happen vs. what you want to happen13:23 Iran: thinking through the probabilities without the certainty16:27 The US is still the most powerful country in the world — what that means for portfolios18:01 Portfolio implications of the Iran scenarios — energy, food prices, the Strait of Hormuz21:23 It's all about US-China — the prisoner exchange and the technology race29:16 Where Brent is putting money right now — capital preservation, cash, gold, US equities31:12 Why he's NOT rotating into emerging markets — the four scenarios framework34:09 The Dollar Milkshake Theory explained — and how it's held up in 2025-2639:29 Stablecoins: what Brent got wrong and why they matter more than he thought46:26 CBDCs vs stablecoins — and the coming conflict between the Fed and the Treasury50:05 The Fed: cut, hike or hold? 52:48 Japan: the yen trap, JGBs, and why it matters for everyone54:46 What question nobody asks Brent but should56:33 What keeps him up at night and what makes him optimistic57:44 The Roman Republic vs the Roman Empire — is America heading toward empire not collapse1:01:40 Parting thoughts: find a community of people you trust who disagree with you

-Lessons both personal and political from the life of Caesar.  -The Net Worth of Caesar's Estate-Also, could he be in heaven? What should a Christian's, or any modern man's attitude be toward Caesar?-Thanks to sponsors Shokworks and Dr. Richard Johnson!-Shout out to Ward Farnsworth, author of The Practical Stoic, Classical English Rhetoric, and more! Find out more about The Classical Society: https://theclassicalsociety.com

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)

This week Jeff and Dave zero in on the neoteric poetry of the Roman Republic's waning days. Relying on the efforts of the late great Peter Green (of "brackish tang" fame) and his 2005 translation and commentary on the Catullan canon, the guys look at poems 1 (to Cornelius Nepos), 13 (to Fabullus), and 14 (to Calvus). What is it that drives a poet of apparently trivial interests? Is it love? Revenge? Boredom? And are these interests really so trivial, or do they hide deeper and more significant themes? Along the way you can learn about the labor limae (endless work of revision), cow-eyed Clodia (Catullus' Lesbia), that Dave can't count, and how to make the feet in your line of poetry go all the way to 11 (hendecasyllabics). Finally, once you olfactory learners get a whiff of this particular episode, you'll beg the gods to make you one giant nose!

2. Lucretia and the Birth of the Republic (3)Southon explains that while most women can be removed from Roman history without much change, Lucretia is essential to the story of the Republic. During a "best wife" competition, Lucretia was found weaving wool, a sign of extreme domestic virtue, while other elite women were drinking wine. After being assaulted by the king's son, Sextus, she committed suicide to ensure her name would never be used to excuse unvirtuous behavior. Her family, led by Brutus, used her body to incite a revolution that overthrew the monarchy and established the Roman Republic. (4)

In this second episode of Season 5, I interview Dr. Reece Edmends, a graduate of King's College, Cambridge, and a junior faculty member in the Classics Department at Princeton University. Drawing on his recent PhD dissertation, “‘Liberation' in Augustan Propaganda” (2025), we discuss the fall of the Roman Republic, the empire that Caesar Augustus forged, as […]

In this second episode of Season 5, I interview Dr. Reece Edmends, a graduate of King's College, Cambridge, and a junior faculty member in the Classics Department at Princeton University. Drawing on his recent PhD dissertation, “‘Liberation' in Augustan Propaganda” (2025), we discuss the fall of the Roman Republic, the empire that Caesar Augustus forged, as well as the other fascinating figures in this story, from Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony to Brutus and Cicero. The transcript for this interview will be available on our new Substack page. Hosted by Ryan Shinkel, Madison's Notes is the podcast of Princeton University's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In this second episode of Season 5, I interview Dr. Reece Edmends, a graduate of King's College, Cambridge, and a junior faculty member in the Classics Department at Princeton University. Drawing on his recent PhD dissertation, “‘Liberation' in Augustan Propaganda” (2025), we discuss the fall of the Roman Republic, the empire that Caesar Augustus forged, as well as the other fascinating figures in this story, from Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony to Brutus and Cicero. The transcript for this interview will be available on our new Substack page. Hosted by Ryan Shinkel, Madison's Notes is the podcast of Princeton University's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

In this second episode of Season 5, I interview Dr. Reece Edmends, a graduate of King's College, Cambridge, and a junior faculty member in the Classics Department at Princeton University. Drawing on his recent PhD dissertation, “‘Liberation' in Augustan Propaganda” (2025), we discuss the fall of the Roman Republic, the empire that Caesar Augustus forged, as well as the other fascinating figures in this story, from Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony to Brutus and Cicero. The transcript for this interview will be available on our new Substack page. Hosted by Ryan Shinkel, Madison's Notes is the podcast of Princeton University's James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the historical play, Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare made famous the phrase, “Beware the Ides of March.” Perhaps you've heard it but not known the full story starting on March 15 that eclipsed the death of the Roman Republic—and the birth of the Roman Empire. And perhaps the connection of this event to biblical history is vague! Well, to get the story behind the story, join me, Linda Lacour Hobar, the author of The Mystery of History, for a look at the origin and impact of the famous phrase, “Beware the Ideas of March.” For a free coloring page of Julius Caesar for your students, click here.

The Ides of March is the best-known date in the ancient world, thanks to one of the most infamous acts in history: the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar. Assassin's Creed Origins portrays Caesar at the peak of his powers, who was shockingly assassinated by a gang of Senators, including his most loyal friends and followers, like Brutus. What had Caesar done to deserve this? Who stabbed him first? And how did the assassins' plan to save the Roman Republic ultimately lead to the creation of the Roman Empire?Prof. Colin Elliot from Indiana University Bloomington, host of the Pax Romana podcast, joins Matt Lewis to reveal the true events of that fateful day. His book Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook The World offers a comprehensive, wide-ranging account of the world's first pandemic.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel, and listen to our previous episodes about the wars of Caesar and Cleopatra.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Robin McConnellProduced by: Robin McConnell, Peta StamperSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:Winds of Cyrene by Sarah SchachnerAcross the Dunes by Sarah SchachnerPtolemy's Lament by Sarah SchachnerIf you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here.Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You know that the Partial Historians can't resist talking about Ancient Rome on film, so we were thrilled to chat to Dr Jeremiah McCall about his book, Swords and Cinema.Who is our special guest?Dr Jeremiah McCall (or DMac as his students call him) is a teacher at Cincinnati Country Day School in Ohio with a PhD in Ancient History. Along with an interest in Roman military and political systems in the Republic, he has done a lot of work on pedagogy of using video games to learn about history, publishing Gaming the Past: Using Video Games to Teach Secondary History in 2022. He divides his research time between historical game studies and Roman history. Dr McCall's other publications include The Cavalry of the Roman Republic (2002); the Sword of Rome (2012), Clan Fabius: Defenders of Rome (2018) and Rivalries that Destroyed the Roman Republic (2022). Manly Men We will touch on the battle scenes and depiction of the Roman military in all your favourite Roman movies and TV shows. Things to look out for: · The defeat of Spartacus - Spartacus vs. Rome: The Last Battle· The battle of Alessia (52 BCE) in HBO's Rome - Rome Fighting with Gauls HD· The battle of Philippi in HBO's Rome - HBO Rome - Battle of Philippi (Battle only)· The opening battle sequence in Gladiator (2000) - Gladiator 2000 Opening Battle· And a bit on Centurion (2010) and The Eagle (2011) to finish!· The Eagle | Channing Tatum Fends Off A Midnight Sneak Attack· The Eagle | Channing Tatum Leads Roman Centurions Into Battle· Centurion 2010 Best movie Scene HD· Plus some things that get set on fire! You will need your popcorn for this special episode! Our music is by 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.

In this episode of Purple Political Breakdown, host Radell Lewis sits down with Dr. Bernd Reiter, political scientist and Professor of LusoLatin American Studies at Texas Tech University, for a wide-ranging conversation about the crisis of representative democracy, extreme wealth inequality, and what it would actually take to fix America's political system. Dr. Reiter brings a unique international lens to American politics. Born and raised in Germany, he's lived and researched across Colombia, Brazil, and the United States, and has held positions at the University of South Florida, Harvard University's Afro-Latin American Research Institute, and the Barcelona Institute for International Studies. A Fulbright Distinguished Chair and the author of nearly 100 publications including The African Origins of Democracy (Routledge, 2025) and the forthcoming Status: Honor and White Privilege in Brazil and Beyond (Routledge, 2026) Dr. Reiter's work centers on democracy, race, and decolonization, drawing lessons from the Global South to challenge how we think about political systems. Together, Radell and Dr. Reiter tackle pressing questions: Why are people so disconnected from local politics? Should we rethink career politicians and embrace term limits? Can civic education fix political polarization? What would "legal duty" a jury-duty-style system for lawmaking actually look like? And in a country on the verge of seeing its first trillionaire, is it time to talk about upper limits to wealth? From the Swiss model of direct democracy to the Roman Republic's accountability structures, from deliberative polling at Stanford to the town hall meetings of Vermont this conversation explores real alternatives to the political dysfunction Americans are living through. Whether you lean left, right, or purple, this episode challenges you to think beyond partisan blame and toward practical, systemic solutions. Connect with Dr. Bernd Reiter: TEDx Talk (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViPwZA-baWg Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bernd-Reiter/author/B001JOVEB0 Texas Tech Faculty Page: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/classic_modern/people/spanish/Reiter_Bernd.php Topics covered: democracy crisis, wealth inequality, billionaire tax, civic education, political polarization, local politics, direct democracy, term limits, deliberative democracy, oligarchy, equality of opportunity, decolonizing politics, Global South perspectives, career politicians, civic engagement, political participation, representative democracy reform New episodes drop every Tuesday at 8 AM EST on all audio platforms. Rate 5 stars Share with friends and family Part of the Alive Podcast Network Purple Political Breakdown Political solutions without political bias.Standard Resource Links & RecommendationsThe following organizations and platforms represent valuable resources for balanced political discourse and democratic participation: PODCAST NETWORKCheck Out the Podcast Website: www.purplepoliticalbreakdown.comALIVE Podcast Network - Check out the ALIVE Network where you can catch a lot of great podcasts like my own, led by amazing Black voices. Link: https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/ CONVERSATION PLATFORMSHeadOn - A platform for contentious yet productive conversations. It's a place for hosted and unguided conversations where you can grow a following and enhance your conversations with AI features. Link: https://app.headon.ai/Living Room Conversations - Building bridges through meaningful dialogue across political divides. Link: https://livingroomconversations.org/ UNITY MOVEMENTSUs United - A movement for unity that challenges Americans to step out of their bubbles and connect across differences. Take the Unity Pledge, join monthly "30 For US" conversation calls, wear purple (the color of unity), and participate in National Unity Day every second Saturday in December. Their programs include the Sheriff Unity Network and Unity Seats at sports events, proving that shared values are stronger than our differences. Link: https://www.us-united.org/ BALANCED NEWS & INFORMATIONOtherWeb - An AI-based platform that filters news without paywalls, clickbait, or junk, helping you access diverse, unbiased content. Link: https://otherweb.com/ VOTING REFORM & DEMOCRACYEqual Vote Coalition & STAR Voting - Advocating for voting methods that ensure every vote counts equally, eliminating wasted votes and strategic voting. Link: https://www.equal.vote/starFuture is Now Coalition (FiNC) - A grassroots movement working to restore democracy through transparency, accountability, and innovative technology while empowering citizens and transforming American political discourse. Link: https://futureis.org/ POLITICAL ENGAGEMENTIndependent Center - Resources for independent political thinking and civic engagement. Link: https://www.independentcenter.org/ GET DAILY NEWSText 844-406-INFO (844-406-4636) with code "purple" to receive quick, unbiased, factual news delivered to your phone every morning via Informed (https://informed.now) ALL LINKShttps://linktr.ee/purplepoliticalbreakdownThe Purple Political Breakdown is committed to fostering productive political dialogue that transcends partisan divides. We believe in the power of conversation, balanced information, and democratic participation to build a stronger society. Our mission: "Political solutions without political bias."Subscribe, rate, and share if you believe in purple politics - where we find common ground in the middle! Also if you want to be apart of the community and the conversation make sure to Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/ptPAsZtHC9

A conversation with American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson.We discuss:Why Epaminondas remains one of the most underrated commanders in Greek history, and how the loss of Plutarch's Life of Epaminondas has obscured his legacyThe pivotal liberation of Thebes in 378 BC: how a small band of conspirators overthrew the Spartan-backed oligarchy and sparked a democratic revolutionEpaminondas's strategic masterstroke at Leuctra — the deep oblique phalanx on the left — and how it shattered 200 years of Spartan military supremacyHow freeing the Messenian Helots and building Megalopolis, Mantinea, and Messene permanently encircled and emasculated Sparta as a great powerThe fatal miscalculation of 335 BC: why Thebes revolted against Alexander on the basis of a false rumor, and how every potential ally abandoned themThe recurring pattern of doomed civilizations — from Thebes to Carthage to Constantinople — that share delusions about allies, enemies, and their own declineWhat ancient history reveals about America's current strengths and vulnerabilities, from demographic pressures to the China threatSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history: https://costofglory.substack.com/Get in touch at:Website: https://costofglory.comX: https://x.com/costofglory

In this episode of History 102, 'WhatIfAltHist' creator Rudyard Lynch and co-host Austin Padgett explore American history's "Corporate Era," dissecting the rise of managerial elites , cultural shifts toward nihilism , and the recurring structural patterns shaping modern society's evolution. -- FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @LudwigNverMises (Austin) @TurpentineMedia -- TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (01:42) Internal Colonization and the Pax Americana (05:19) Houston Smith's Forgotten Truth and Disbelief in Progress (08:08) The Transition from Small Business to National Corporations (10:30) The Double Helix: Cycles of Constant vs. Change (13:11) Comparisons to the Roman Republic's Decadence (16:59) Sam Francis' Leviathan and Its Enemies (21:09) The Old Industrial WASP Elite vs. New Bureaucracy (25:32) Frederick Jackson Turner and Frontier Individualism (28:55) The Gilded Age and the Rise of Populism (33:00) FDR and the Democratic Coalition (36:02) Cultural Origins: North vs. South English Settlement Patterns (40:24) Staggered Industrialization and Geographic History (43:38) Internal Colonization of Appalachia (51:00) Post-War Prosperity and the Decision to Lower Inequality (56:40) The Great Forgetting: Loss of Tradition and Social Technology (01:01:17) Anti-Fragility and the Advantage of Federalism (01:07:41) The Managerial Revenge Against Founder Families (01:13:30) Imperial America and the Northeastern Core (01:19:11) The Lonely Crowd: Anxiety-Based City Culture (01:23:01) The Destabilization of Black Communities under Progressivism (01:36:24) Neoliberalism and the Age of the Last Men (01:46:46) The State of Denial and the Wealth of Old America (02:04:39) The Mutation of Marxism in Institutions (02:10:10) The 120-Year Cycle and Decay of Hollywood (02:19:02) American Beauty as a Reflection of Modern Nihilism (02:23:59) Wrap Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The two hundred and eighty years between the death of the philosopher Confucius and the reign of the first Emperor of China saw one of the most profound revolutions in human history. Not only did it end with the creation of an imperial rule that persisted through successive dynasties for 2,132 years, but it also saw the creation of “new traditions of thought and practice…great monuments of art, literature, and philosophy…that still inform social life in our own lifetime.” The era of the “warring states”, as scholars call it, was critical not just for China or East Asia, “but to that of humanity writ large.”Yet this era remains almost unknown in the English-speaking world. “If one enters any bookstore…in search of a book about classical Athens, the conquestions of Alexander, or the early Roman Republic,” writes my guest Andrew Meyer, “one will have many options. But if one looks for such a book about the corresponding period in early Chinese history, there are none. I wrote this book to fill that gap.”Andrew Seth Meyer is Professor of History at Brooklyn College. A specialist in the intellectual history of early China, he is the author of The Dao of the Military: Liu An's Art of War and co-author of The Huainanzi: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Government in Early Han China. His latest book is To Rule All under Heaven: A History of Classical China, from Confucius to the First Emperor, which is the subject of our conversation today.Chapters0:35 - Book Overview & Historical Context 4:47 - Dating the Warring States Period 8:42 - What Are the Warring States? 11:08 - Social Structure & Aristocracy 18:39 - Rivers & Regional Differences 24:45 - Military Power & Wealth 31:37 - Four Great Questions: State Models 40:51 - Centralization vs Regional Autonomy 51:26 - Education & Intellectuals

Would the Roman general Publius Cornelius Scipio successfully march on Africa? What happened when Hannibal and Scipio - the greatest commanders of their age - came head to head at the Battle of Zama, in the ultimate showdown? And, what would be the fate of these two titans of the ancient world? Join Tom and Dominic, as they discuss the Roman Republic's audacious invasion of North Africa under the leadership of the dashing Scipio, and his clash with Hannibal. _______ To hear our previous series on the rise of Carthage, Hannibal, and the battle of Cannae, go to episodes: 421, 422, 423, 424, 568, 569, 570, 571. _______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at ⁠the⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠ For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to ⁠www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Michael Vlahos as Germanicus compares the fall of the Roman Republic to modern American corruption, arguing that while Augustus and even Putin could contain oligarchic excess, American oligarchs possess unchecked power several orders of magnitude greater, with lawfare transforming crime into legal immunity in ways more dangerous than historical precedents.1900 CARTHAGE

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!

January 16, 27 BCE. Octavian is granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire. This episode originally aired in 2025. Support the show! Join Into History for ad-free listening and more. History Daily is a co-production of Airship and Noiser.Go to HistoryDaily.com for more history, daily.

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  

The rise of the Roman Republic was built on conquest and war, but also on the massively expanding economy of Italy as a whole and Rome in particular. What was it like to live through that, and what did an expanding economy actually mean?Patrick launched a brand-new history show! It's called Past Lives, and every episode explores the life of a real person who lived in the past. Subscribe now: https://bit.ly/PWPLAAnd don't forget, you can still get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge.Listen to new episodes 1 week early, to exclusive seasons 1 and 2, and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistoryBe the first to know about Wondery's newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 1600 RAPE OF THE SABINE WOMEN

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

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

The true Christmas story is far more powerful—and far more personal—than the version we often see wrapped in sentiment and tradition. Through Luke 2, Pastor Greg looks at how Christmas has been romanticized and even sidelined, yet the real story remains explosive: God stepped out of Heaven and into human history. Notes: Taking Christmas Back Luke 2 The real Christmas story is explosive. That’s because the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Christmas has been hijacked. Christmas has been emptied of its meaning. Portland, Oregon just had its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Christmas has perhaps been far too romanticized even by well-meaning Christians. The beauty of the true Christmas story has explosive power. The night when God Himself came to this earth. The first Christmas is when God stepped out of Heaven and entered history. Mary was living in Nazareth, a town known for its wickedness. Mary was a nobody in a nothing town in the middle of nowhere. The angel Gabriel had announced to Mary that she would be the mother of the Messiah. Luke 1:28–30 (NLT) Gabriel appeared to her and said, "Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!" Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. "Don't be afraid, Mary," the angel told her, "for you have found favor with God! Read Luke 2:1–7 Joseph is the unsung hero of the Christmas story. God’s selection of Joseph was just as significant as His selection of Mary. God, the Father in Heaven, chose Joseph to be a stepfather or father figure on earth for Jesus. Jesus grew up in many ways like any other child. We are in danger of becoming a fatherless society in America. That’s why Joseph matters. Hearing that Mary was pregnant, Joseph was willing to simply “put her away quietly,” to break the engagement. But the angel of the Lord came to Joseph, too. Matthew 1:20–21 (NKJV) But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." Luke is very meticulous in his reporting. Luke was not an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. He carefully researched and had first-person interviews with the principal characters of the story. It was his desire to bring a historical and accurate record of the life of Jesus. These are not fairy tales or legends Luke invented. Luke 1:3 Caesar Augustus was the first real Roman emperor. His real name was Caius Octavius. The Roman Republic was now the Roman Empire. One inscription that was found called Augustus Caesar “the savior of the whole world.” Luke 2:11–12 (NKJV) "For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." The angel was saying, “Augustus is not the savior of Rome, Jesus is.” In a time when man wanted to be God, God became a man. God incarnate born on the dirt floor of a filthy cave. God became a fetus. Deity in diapers. Babies are so amazing and so helpless. You have to cradle their heads. “It was clearly a leap down— as if the Son of God rose from his splendor, stood poised on the rim of the universe irradiating light, and dove headlong, speeding through the stars over the Milky Way to earth’s galaxy . . . where he plunged into a huddle of animals. Nothing could be lower.” — R. Kent Hughes This symbolized Jesus’s whole life on this earth, from the cradle to the cross. 2 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. Luke 2:7 (NKJV) And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. That phrase became emblematic of Jesus’s life and ministry on earth. Christ said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” We didn’t have any room for Him, but He has many rooms for us. We effectively lose Jesus at Christmas. We say things like, “I would like to go to church, but I’m just too busy.” When Mary and Joseph got back home, they realized Jesus was gone. This can happen to us, too. Not that we lose our salvation, but we can lose sight of Jesus. It’s not about Christmas presents but His Christmas presence. The message of Christmas is, “let us worship.” We need a savior because we are sinners. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ROME VS. CARTHAGE: DESTINY, TRAGEDY, AND THE CONSENSUS FOR WAR Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. The conflict between Rome and Carthage is symbolized by the tragedy of Dido, representing the incompatibility of their powers. Despite Hannibal's devastating victories, the Roman Republic prevailed through a political system that prioritized consensus and collective sacrifice, allowing them to endure immense losses without surrendering. NUMBER 11 1900 CARTHAGE

PREVIEW 69 AD: VITELLIUS FAILS TO RESTORE THE ROMAN REPUBLIC Colleague Professor Ed Watts. Professor Ed Watts discusses 69 AD, where Emperor Vitellius's attempt to return power to the Senate failed. Blocked by the Praetorian Guard to protect their own interests, this conflict led to a massacre and the burning of Capitoline Hill. This moment marked the end of attempts to restore the Roman Republic. 1533

SHOW 12-18-25 THE SHOW BEGINS IN DOUBTS ABOUT THE POTUS AT YEAR'S END... 1951 BALD EAGLE ALASKA CRUNCH EU SUMMIT DISCUSSES USING FROZEN RUSSIAN ASSETS FOR UKRAINE Colleague Anatol Lieven. The European Union is internally divided over seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's war effort and reconstruction, a move requiring rule changes that some members resist. While the US proposes using these funds for post-war rebuilding, current plans risk spending the capital on immediate warfare, potentially undermining international financial trust. NUMBER 1 NATO AND EU SEEK DEFENSE FUNDS AMID FEARS OF RUSSIAN AGGRESSION Colleague Anatol Lieven. European nations like Finland are demanding funds to counter perceived Russian threats, despite a lack of historical aggression toward them. Lieven argues that plans to spend billions on tanks are misguided, as the Ukraine war demonstrates that expensive armor is easily destroyed by cheaper drones and defensive lines. NUMBER 2 CALIFORNIA JOB LOSSES AND CHINA'S ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN AMID RETAIL SEASON Colleague Chris Riegel. California's new wage mandates have triggered significant job losses in the fast-food sector, forcing operators to move to lower-tax states. Internationally, while China boasts of leads in AI and EVs, these sectors rely on unsustainable subsidies, masking a deep consumer recession and deflation in the property market. NUMBER 3 SPAIN'S GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS TIES WITH VENEZUELA DESPITE OPPOSITION Colleague Mary Anastasia O'Grady. The Spanish government under Pedro Sanchez maintains ideological and economic alliances with the Maduro regime, prioritizing political agendas over democratic ideals. Opposition figure Cayetana Alvarez de Toledo accuses former Prime Minister Zapatero of acting as an international agent for Maduro, facilitating the dictatorship's survival despite mass migration. NUMBER 4 CHINA'S SURREPTITIOUS SUPPORT KEEPS THE MADURO REGIME AFLOAT Colleague Professor Evan Ellis. China sustains the Maduro regime through loans, surveillance technology, and military equipment while bypassing sanctions to import Venezuelan oil. The state oil company, PDVSA, collapsed due to the purging of technical experts and lack of investment, forcing Venezuela to rely on Iranian engineers to maintain minimal production. NUMBER 5 VENEZUELA'S TRAGIC DECLINE FROM PROSPERITY TO AUTHORITARIANISM Colleague Professor Evan Ellis. Historical imagery reveals Venezuela's transformation from a prosperous, modern nation in the 1950s to a ruined state today. Deep inequality and corruption in the pre-Chavez era alienated the poor, allowing Hugo Chavez to capitalize on their frustration and dismantle the free market system, leading to the current crisis. NUMBER 6 ELECTIONS IN CHILE, PERU, AND HONDURAS SIGNAL REGIONAL SHIFTS Colleague Professor Evan Ellis. In Chile, José Antonio Kast's rise reflects a rejection of progressive policies and crime, favoring order and investment. Meanwhile, Peru faces political fragmentation and violence, Honduras struggles with electoral disputes, and Costa Rica appears poised to elect a pro-US candidate who aims to limit Chinese influence. NUMBER 7 ARGENTINA'S CREDIT RATING RISES AS BRAZIL FACES POLITICAL POLARIZATION Colleague Professor Evan Ellis. S&P upgraded Argentina's credit rating following Javier Milei's austerity measures, which have stabilized the currency and reduced inflation despite social costs. In Brazil, the reduction of Jair Bolsonaro's prison sentence and his son Flavio's candidacy signal a continued, polarized struggle against Lula da Silva's agenda for the 2026 election. NUMBER 8 ROMAN KINGSHIP: FROM CITIZEN SELECTION TO THE IDEAL OF SERVICE Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. Early Roman kings were selected by citizens based on merit rather than heredity, but figures like Servius Tullius began bypassing this consent. Conversely, Cincinnatus exemplifies the Roman ideal of service; he accepted absolute dictatorial power to save the state during a crisis, then immediately resigned to return to his farm. NUMBER 9 APPIUS CLAUDIUS CAECUS: INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLITICAL GENIUS Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. Appius Claudius Caecus transformed the Roman censorship office into a power base by building the Appian Way and appointing wealthy Italians to the Senate. As a blind elder statesman, he shamed the Senate into rejecting peace with Pyrrhus, insisting Rome must fight to maintain its dominance and ancestral legacy. NUMBER 10 ROME VS. CARTHAGE: DESTINY, TRAGEDY, AND THE CONSENSUS FOR WAR Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. The conflict between Rome and Carthage is symbolized by the tragedy of Dido, representing the incompatibility of their powers. Despite Hannibal's devastating victories, the Roman Republic prevailed through a political system that prioritized consensus and collective sacrifice, allowing them to endure immense losses without surrendering. NUMBER 11 THE GRACCHI BROTHERS AND THE RISE OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE IN ROME Colleague Professor Edward J. Watts. The Gracchi brothers introduced political violence to Rome, with Tiberius using populism to revive his career and Gaius acting as a true believer in reform. Their assassinations by the Senate marked a departure from peaceful republican norms, as the elite used violence to protect entrenched economic inequality. NUMBER 12 DISCOVERY OF GIANT RADIO GALAXIES AND SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES Colleague Dr. Sabayashi Pal. Astronomers have discovered 53 giant radio galaxies, some 75 times larger than the Milky Way, powered by active supermassive black holes emitting radio jets. These ancient objects offer insights into galactic evolution, contrasting sharply with the Milky Way's smaller, dormant black hole that allows life to exist safely. NUMBER 13 INVESTING IN HUMAN INTELLECT OVER ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Colleague Dr. Sabayashi Pal. Given an unlimited budget, Dr. Pal would prioritize human resource development over new telescopes, proposing a space study institute in Africa to train experts. He argues that while AI is a useful tool, education is essential for humans to interpret data and appreciate the machinery rather than being replaced by it. NUMBER 14 EUROPE SCROUNGES FOR FUNDS AMID RUSSIAN ASSET DISPUTES Colleague Michael Bernstam. The UK threatens to seize proceeds from the sale of Chelsea FC for Ukraine aid, while the EU struggles to finance a $135 billion shortfall for Kyiv. European leaders propose leveraging frozen Russian assets for loans, but financial markets remain skeptical of the EU's ability to guarantee such debt. NUMBER 15 CONGRESSIONAL SPENDING AND THE REVERSE MIDAS TOUCH Colleagues Dave Hebert and Peter Earle. Hebert and Earle argue that Congressional spending exacerbates problems in education and healthcare by subsidizing demand while restricting supply through regulations. They contend politicians prefer "showy" supply-side interventions, like drug busts, over effective policies because the politics of appearing effective outweigh the economics of actual affordability. NUMBER 16