Podcasts about Suetonius

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Did Nero believe he was the fulfillment of prophecy? In Episode 5 of this Revelation series, Jay Rogers explores a fascinating and often overlooked question: how first-century messianic expectations may have shaped the actions of the Roman Empire—and possibly Nero himself. Ancient sources like Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus all point to a widespread belief that a ruler would rise from Judea to dominate the world. Rome didn’t ignore that prophecy—they feared it. In this episode: The Roman awareness of Jewish prophecy Why Judea was seen as a growing threat How messianic expectations fueled unrest and rebellion The connection between Daniel’s vision and imperial ambition Whether Nero may have seen himself as part of the prophecy As tensions rose and revolt broke out, prophecy and politics collided—leading to one of the most decisive moments in history. This episode reframes the story of Nero, not just as a tyrant—but as a ruler reacting to a world shaped by prophecy.

Did Nero believe he was the fulfillment of prophecy?In Episode 5 of this Revelation series, Jay Rogers explores a fascinating and often overlooked question: how first-century messianic expectations may have shaped the actions of the Roman Empire—and possibly Nero himself.Ancient sources like Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus all point to a widespread belief that a ruler would rise from Judea to dominate the world. Rome didn't ignore that prophecy—they feared it.In this episode:The Roman awareness of Jewish prophecyWhy Judea was seen as a growing threatHow messianic expectations fueled unrest and rebellionThe connection between Daniel's vision and imperial ambitionWhether Nero may have seen himself as part of the prophecyAs tensions rose and revolt broke out, prophecy and politics collided—leading to one of the most decisive moments in history.This episode reframes the story of Nero, not just as a tyrant—but as a ruler reacting to a world shaped by prophecy.Watch all of our videos and subscribe to our channel for the latest content >HereHere

Based on statements that he was a young man 20 years after Nero died, it's believed Roman historian Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus, was born around 69 AD and died in 122 AD. A close friend of Pliny the Younger, Suentonius eventually became the personal secretary of Emperor Hadrian. According to one source, he was dismissed after having an affair with the emperor's wife.

My links:My Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/rhetoricrevolutionSend me a voice message!: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/liam-connerlyTikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@mrconnerly?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc⁠Email: ⁠rhetoricrevolution@gmail.com⁠Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connerlyliam/Podcast | Latin in Layman's - A Rhetoric Revolution https://open.spotify.com/show/0EjiYFx1K4lwfykjf5jApM?si=b871da6367d74d92YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MrConnerly 

Happy Resurrection Sunday - Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Today's question is "Why do you believe He is risen?" Pastor starts today's class with a personal testimony in which the Bible changed the direction of his life at the age of 15. Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection of Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:14 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Pastor shares the Evidence Trail of Jesus' Resurrection on the bases of writings from believers, unbelievers, recorded data, and old and new studies. The Evidence Trail will encourage believers and will challenge those who are skeptics. 1. Resurrection was a scandalous message in the ancient world.  a. The CROSS was foolishness (1 Cor 1:18,23) Sources beyond the Bible record Christ's crucifixion - this was a scandalous way to die. If it was made up they would have chosen a more honorable way to die for Jesus. b. The CROSS as stumbling block (1 Cor 1:23) yet many gave their lives for faith in Christ c. The RESURRECTION story was nonsense (Lk 23:11) yet they proclaimed the truth of His resurrection Painful Honesty  a. All 4 gospels declare that women were the first eyewitnesses to Jesus' resurrection. We nowadays have no problem with this. But in the ancient Middle East and the ancient mediterranean world, people of that time were skeptical about anything told by woman. Example - Women could not testify in court trials. In that day women were considered untrustworthy. Yet the writers of the Bible honestly reported the truth saying that women were first irregardless of perceived credibility. (Mt 28:1ff; Mk 16:18, Lk 24:1ff; Jn 20:1ff) b.  Gospel "heroes" were flawed (Mt 26:60ff; Lk 22:54ff; Jn 7:5; Jn20:25ff)  The writers of the New Testament told of their flaws and failures and did not hide the truth of their actions. They didn't "clean up" the stories, instead they boldly told the truth in painful honesty. Strategic Locale a, Jerusalem as the center of Judaism b. Unsilent witnesses of the empty tomb - even the enemies of Jesus admitted the tomb of Jesus was empty.  Multiple Witnesses a. Jesus' chosen Apostles - boldly shared the story of Jesus' resurrection b. Significant doubters - Jesus' brother James, for example, did not believe Jesus was who He said He was, but after the resurrection James did believe and was later martyred for His faith in Jesus. (1 Cor 15:7-10) c. 500 eyewitnesses (1 Cor 15:6) d. Vocal opponents against Jesus freely conceded that Jesus did amazing things, was crucified by Pontius Pilote, that many believed He rose from the grave, and that the message was spread throughout the ancient world. Sacrificial lives  a. Being a believer in that day was not the popular thing, as many of those ancient early believers suffered heinous deaths and yet, were unwilling to change their minds and recant and willingly died for their faith in Jesus.  They died for what they knew as truth (as one would not die for a lie.) Early documentation a. Unparalleled Gospel accounts - many copies discovered - from across the ancient world b. Early New Testament sources - the evidence shows believers and unbelievers agreeing that copies were written during the lifetimes of eye witnesses.  c. Non-Christian writings (Tacitus, Suetonius, et al) Roman officials concede the fundamentals of the Christian faith. People did believe Jesus was raised from the grave.  d. Jewish rabbinic sources (Sanhedrin 43a) Shocking Conclusion a. Those living in the year of Jesus' death and into the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60's of the first century, boldly proclaimed Jesus' death, deity and resurrection. b. The New Testament authors and the early believers, both testified to the Old Testament pointing to Jesus and that He fulfilled what was foretold about a Savior. c. Clear declaration in the New Testament that Jesus is none other than the Living God come to earth.  The Evidence Trail gives us strong, rational, historical, biblical, and literal evidence for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Let us give thanks for the evidence and be prepared to share it! If you are not a believer, check out this evidence and we encourage you to pick up a Bible. Christ is risen, He is risen, indeed!   Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE.   Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/whats-the-answer Join us Sundays  https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service

A @Christadelphians Video: [Inspiring]We invite you on a thought-provoking journey to examine the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this insightful presentation, we analyse compelling testimony from five key non-Christian historians—Tacitus, Josephus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, and Phlegon—who independently attest to the life, death, and profound impact of Jesus. This expositional study builds a powerful, external case that corroborates the biblical account, providing a wonderful foundation for faith. We then explore the outstanding internal evidence from Scripture itself, focusing on the Apostle Peter's masterful argument in Acts 2 and Paul's pivotal teaching in 1 Corinthians 15. Join us to discover the revealing truth that strengthens Christian belief.**Chapters:**00:00 – Introduction & Historical Evidence Overview01:18 – Tacitus: The Annals & Nero's Persecution03:22 – Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews05:31 – Suetonius: The Lives of the Caesars06:45 – Pliny the Younger: Letter to Emperor Trajan08:37 – Phlegon: Chronicles & the Crucifixion Eclipse10:36 – Conclusions from External Evidence12:08 – Biblical Evidence: The Gospel Accounts13:17 – Peter's Argument in Acts 215:31 – Paul's Defence in 1 Corinthians 1520:22 – Interactive Q&A: Other Biblical Resurrections23:09 – The Means & Meaning of Christ's Resurrection27:15 – Closing Remarks & Next Week's Topic**Key Bible Verses Discussed:**

Milo, Phoebe and Pat are back at the Suetonius and this time it's the turn of the Emperor Nero. This episode tackles the big questions: Was Nero the son of the most conniving MILF of all time? Was he the first guy to get an acoustic guitar out at the afters? How do you get the job of arch-poisoner? Listen to find out. Come see Milo on tour in Australia starting April 2nd: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows-aus Support us on Patreon and get loads more episodes just like this for $5 per month, here: https://www.patreon.com/mastersofpod

The Obstacle Is the Way Expanded 10th Anniversary Edition: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by: Ryan Holiday The Enchiridion & Discourses by: Epictetus The Lives of the Caesars by: Suetonius

Milo, Patrick and Phoebe are back at the Suetonius. Patrick is in charge this week for Rome's first ever nepo-uncle: Claudius. Sometimes in a palace coup, you just grab the nearest uncle and make him Emperor and if you're really lucky he conquers Britain. Something like that. Milo's Time for Questions show is being taped at Big Belly in London on Wednesday, a few tickets left if you're a London listener: https://bigbellycomedy.club/event/milo-edwards-presents-time-for-questions/ Loads more like this on the Patreon from just $5 per month, here: https://www.patreon.com/mastersofpod

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

Marc Hyden returns to the show to discuss the life and times about the second Flavian emperor Titus. The Flavians were the second dynasty of the imperial period extending from 69 CE until the assassination of Domitian in 96 CE. Titus' reign is short, but significant. We sit down with Marc to consider details of Titus' rule of Rome and its impact across the Mediterranean, particularly involving Judaea.Marc's book Emperor Titus: The Right Hand of Vespasian (2025) is out now and explores at lot of the contextual details that helps us appreciate Titus' rule as emperor from 79-81 CE. What's the state of Rome in 68/69 CE?Nero's death leads to a period of political chaos in Rome. If you're keen to delve into the notorious Year of the Four Emperors, we recommend checking out our interview with Dr Rob Cromarty.Once the dust settles, the military general Vespasian ends up as the top dog in Rome. From unlikely beginnings, Vespasian sets up the Flavian family for dominance over the next thirty years and his eldest son, Titus, was his right-hand man.The Flavians and JudaeaIt is impossible to truly understand the Flavians' rise without considering the foothold that they had in Judaea. Military actions in the east were part and parcel of the Roman empire, but the particulars of Vespasian as the Roman general in Judaea when relationships broke down means that Vespasian (and thus the Flavians) are substantially enriched by the sack of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Marc takes us through some of the key details including Josephus' role in the conflict, the riots across the regionTitus and BereniceApparently you can be a Roman a war, but still fall in love with a lady from the local aristocracy. The story of Titus and Berenice is one of the most interesting details of the Flavian era, and we don't know as much about their relationship than we'd like, but there's enough gossip to create something of a historical record! Tune in for the details of their seemingly on-again, off-again liaison. The Busiest Reign and the Most Tragic DemiseTitus comes into full imperial power on the natural death of his father Vespasian and, oh boy, is he busy. He rules over the eruption of Vesuvius, he formally opens the Flavian Amphitheatre (aka the Colosseum), not to mention a pestilence. With all this busyness, we can only wonder how his reign would have gone if he lived for longer. But sadly it is not to be. Titus dies after a short but intense illness opening wide speculation about the cause of death. We explore some here.Things to listen out forQuestions about the reliability of Suetonius (shock! horror!)Titus, the playboy?The marriages of Titus and Arrecina Tertulla and Marcia FurnillaThe role of Praetorian PrefectJosephus' account of the war in JudaeaAn important farm house in Sabine countryFor 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.

Everitt and Ashworth review primary sources shaping Nero's legacy, distinguishing gossip-laden Suetonius from hostile but reliable Tacitus, while noting Petronius of the Satyricon and Pliny the Elder's anecdotal encyclopedia.NERO

What was really going on in Rome during Augustus' reign? We've heard from Suetonius and now it's once again time for Milo and Phoebe to bombard Dr Wyman with stupid questions. Expect a lot of deep cuts about Roman cities and also a revelation about statue botherers. Get this full episode and tons more on Patreon here from just $5 a month: https://www.patreon.com/posts/147258003/ Check out Milo on tour in the UK, EU, Ireland and Australia here: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows

Romans Overview The Question of Sin (3:23) The Question of Salvation (4:5) The Question of Sanctification (6:16) The Question of Sovereignty (11:33-36) The Question of Service (12:1-2) More to Consider Rome As early as the second century b.c., a Jewish colony existed in Rome. After 63 b.c., when Judea became a part of the Roman Empire, this colony grew. By 59 b.c. Cicero wrote of it as powerful and influential. At times the Jews suffered expulsion from Rome, and as in an a.d. 19 financial scandal. Yet, within a few years the Jews would drift back again to this center of finance, trade, and political power. In a.d. 49 Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome in an act mentioned in Acts 18:2. Strikingly, the historian Suetonius said that the cause of Claudius' action was the "constant indulgence of the Jews in riots at the instigation of one Chrestus." Apparently the message of Christ divided the Jewish community at Rome and, as it did in the cities to which Paul journeyed on his missions, provoked bitter and violent controversy! Priscilla and Aquila, whom we meet later in this letter and who are mentioned in Acts 18, were apparently converted at this time. They were already believers when Paul met them. Claudius' expulsion edict, like the earlier ones, had no lasting effect. A few years later the Jewish colony again flourished and, as before, included Jewish believers in Christ. By the time Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, a large number of Gentile and Jewish Christians comprised a typical church. Paul had longed to go to Rome, both to minister to the believers there and to be encouraged by them. But he was not able to go just then. So instead Paul sent a lengthy letter. In his letter we have our most careful, thorough, and detailed explanation of that Gospel which God called Paul to preach. In Galatians we catch glimpses of themes that Paul now fully develops. As we study Romans, we see that in Christ, God has truly taken a new and dynamic approach to the question of righteousness. The cage of the Law was designed to restrain unrighteousness. The freedom of the Gospel is designed to produce in man the righteousness of God. "In the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last" Teacher's Commentary Chrysostom, one of the early church fathers, had the epistle read to him twice a week. And it was Coleridge who said that the Epistle to the Romans was the most profound writing that exists. Further, we find that one of the great scientists turned to this book, and he found that it gave a real faith. This man, Michael Faraday, was asked on his deathbed by a reporter, "What are your speculations now?" Faraday said, "I have no speculations. My faith is firmly fixed in Christ my Savior who died for me, and who has made a way for me to go to heaven." Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee. On May 24, 1738, a discouraged missionary went "very unwillingly" to a religious meeting in London. There a miracle took place. "About a quarter before nine," he wrote in his journal, "I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." That missionary was John Wesley. The message he heard that evening was the preface to Martin Luther's commentary on Romans. Bible Exposition Commentary New Testament, Volume 1.

Pat is in the driving seat this week, explaining to Milo and Phoebe what Suetonius thinks about the man who found Rome a city of brick but did some rather nifty cladding work. We also get into the thorny issue of Nolan's Odyssey and which director we would rather have. Sign up to the Patreon for twice as much of this podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/c/mastersofpod You can see Milo on Tour in Birmingham, Leicester Europe and Ireland here: https://www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows Merry Christmas and or Saturnalia depending on your preference!

In this episode I talk with Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman about his groundbreaking new book, Gospel Birth Narratives and Historiography: Reopening a Closed Case (Baylor University Press). For centuries, scholars have debated whether the birth narratives of Jesus in Matthew and Luke were intended as history or legend. Many modern studies dismiss them as legendary embellishments.Dr. Friedeman challenges this skepticism by showing that, in ancient biographies, birth narratives were typically written with historiographic intent. His research demonstrates that the Gospel birth narratives fit this pattern, meaning they were meant to be understood historically—not as myth.We discuss:Why modern scholarship often sidelines Jesus' birth narrativesHow ancient biographers like Plutarch and Suetonius treated birth storiesWhat this means for reading Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 todayImplications for historical Jesus studies and Christian faithThis conversation will deepen your appreciation for the Gospels and their historical reliability.Youtube - https://youtu.be/3j6SQLa_zCMAudio - https://andymilleriii.com/media/podcastApple -  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-to-the-story-with-dr-andy-miller/id1569988895?uo=4Dr. Caleb T. Friedeman (PhD, Wheaton College) is David A. Case Chair of Biblical Studies and Associate Research Professor of New Testament at Ohio Christian University. He is the author of The Revelation of the Messiah and coauthor of Holiness: A Biblical, Historical, and Systematic Theology. His latest work, Gospel Birth Narratives and Historiography, reframes the discussion of Jesus' birth in historical scholarship.Resources & Links:Order Gospel Birth Narratives and Historiography from Baylor University PressConnect with Dr. Caleb Friedeman: calebfriedeman.comIf you are interested in learning more about my two full-length video-accompanied courses, Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude andHeaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/coursesAnd don't forget about my most recent book, Contender, which is available on Amazon! Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching - Recently, I updated this PDF document and added a 45-minute teaching video with slides, explaining this tool. It's like a mini-course. If you sign up for my list, I will send this free resource to you. Sign up here - www.AndyMillerIII.com or Five Steps to Deeper Teaching and Preaching. Today's episode is brought to you by Wesley Biblical Seminary. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Check out our certificate programs, B.A., M.A.s, M.Div., and D.Min degrees. You will study with world-class faculty and the most racially diverse student body in the country. www.wbs.eduThanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net

Artist Marc Dennis joins Jim O'Shaughnessy to explore the intersection of hyper-realism, humor, and the "meta-narrative." Marc shares his incredible non-linear journey—from accidentally starting a forest fire at age seven to becoming a tenured professor and eventually betting it all to become a full-time artist with no plan B. They discuss why the "key to failure" is trying to please everyone, how humor acts as a survival mechanism, and the crucial difference between perception and reality. Marc also offers a masterclass on intention, explaining why he plants hidden stories within his paintings and sharing the profound realization that you cannot love others until you love yourself. This conversation is a deep dive into the creative mind, offering insights on resilience, identity, and the art of betting on yourself. For the full transcript, episode takeaways, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, "Hmm, that's interesting!", check out our Substack.   #Art #Creativity #Hyperrealism #Philosophy #MentalModels #Resilience #Humor #Psychology   Important Links: Substack: https://newsletter.osv.llc/ Marc's Website: http://www.marcdennis.com/ Marc's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darcmennis/ Books mentioned: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

Phoebe is in the driver's seat this week, telling Milo and Pat what Suetonius reckons about the second half of Julius Caesar. Expect more sad Bibulus and a bunch of salacious details about Caesar's bottoming experiences. Milo's UK, Paris, BENELUX and Ireland dates are live here: www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows Get loads more episodes like this (and the entire Seinfeld back catalogue) on the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mastersofpod

Milo, Phoebe and Pat embark on a new series - discussing every one of Suetonius' Twelve Caesars. This week Milo is taking us through the first half of Julius Caesar's life, with a little help from Roman PopBitch and a certain amusingly named adversary... Get loads more episodes like this (and the entire Seinfeld back catalogue) on the Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/mastersofpod Come see Milo on Tour in the UK: www.miloedwards.co.uk/liveshows

After three (very full!) weeks of Shakespeare, we reluctantly leave England for Italy—and step into the vivid world of Renaissance art. Ted Gioia's Immersive Humanities List serves up a refreshing change of scene with Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists and Benvenuto Cellini's Autobiography.Both were brand-new to me, and both were a delight. Vasari, himself an accomplished painter and architect, profiles the greats—Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo—not as remote geniuses but as human beings: witty, flawed, brilliant, and endlessly ambitious. His writing reminded me of Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars—a chronicle of greatness, but with warmth instead of gossip. Vasari captures not just the artists but the culture that shaped them: a world where beauty was power, art was currency, and patrons competed to prove their taste and influence.Each artist glows in Vasari's telling. Giotto, kind and devoted to the Church; Botticelli, charming and hopeless with money; Leonardo, the restless perfectionist who could give a lizard wings; Raphael, the graceful imitator who died too young; Michelangelo, the divine genius who could never quite trust the world that adored him. Reading Lives left me wondering how Florence could possibly have produced so many masters at once—and wishing we could live, just for a moment, in a world that valued art that deeply.Then came Benvenuto Cellini, the goldsmith, sculptor, and self-styled rogue whose Autobiography reads like an adventure novel. He's talented, impulsive, funny, and so honest that you can't help but like him. Cellini's stories—his fiery temper, his father's musical ambitions, his devotion to Michelangelo—make the Renaissance feel wonderfully alive.This week's title, “True Colors,” fits perfectly. Vasari and Cellini reveal the true colors of art and ambition—divine inspiration, human pride, and all the messy brilliance in between.This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for Cervantes and Molière.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)All the video links are available in this Substack PostCONNECTThe complete list of Crack the Book Episodes: https://cheryldrury.substack.com/p/crack-the-book-start-here?r=u3t2rTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate -

Sean comes down to the city to sperg out on Harold about Ovid, Vico, sacred prostitution, and the Venus mother goddess myth; Harold talks DFW, Suetonius, life in the city, and Rob Rubsam's Male Literature Vulture piece. FULL EP: https://www.patreon.com/c/1storypod

Gary discusses the popular signs spoken of in the NT that people today use to claim that the last days are upon us. All these events need to be read in light of the first century context, which Jesus says is "this generation." All of these natural phenomena were given as signs to them, not to us.

Willow Pipp, Simon Maker, Fennel Wispywhisks, and Squeaky McSquirmels face off against the wicked Princess Maybelline, attempting to secure the Staff of Suetonius from its crystal cocoon. Afterwards, once again mounted on Sir Snuffles, they journey to the Northern Marches, where Lord Balthazar and his Pierats dwell in the city of Chimneyhaus. An epic battle ensues, and the lowly mice of Bernpyle must rise to the occasion and prove they truly belong among the renowned ranks of the Mausritter.  

Riding on the back of Sir Snuffles, the mice enter the realm of the Faeries in search of the Staff of Suetonius. Once there, they immediately find themselves entangled in royal intrigue and must fight to free Queen L'Oréal from imprisonment at the hands of her usurper, Princess Maybelline.         

Cleopatra was released in 1963 and has gone on to herald the end of the golden age of the historical epic in Hollywood. Known as one of the most expensive films to ever be made, its troubled production and the on screen connection between Taylor and Burton have both cemented its place in cinematic history.A Troubled ProductionWe have a look at some of the issues that led to production delays and there were a lot! From tricky weather conditions, Taylor's health troubles, to issues with the script, there wasn't an issue that this film didn't face in the journey to release. Dr Rad delves into the details of the factors that influenced the production including:the monetary problemsthe challenges into Twentieth Century Fox in this periodthe increasing pressure to write and shoot for Mankiewiczand Taylor's public aura in the early 1960sA Foray into Roman and Egyptian HistoryThe historical pedigree of Cleopatra is based on a few different sources including credit given to Plutarch, Appian, and Suetonius! The impetus for the film was also based on the book published in 1957, The Life and Times of Cleopatra by Carlo Maria Franzero. There's a depth of references throughout the film that have support in the ancient sources. Dr G considers:the representation of Ptolemy and his advisorsThe divided representation of Cleopatra as a savvy politician and a seductressThe burning of the library of AlexandriaThe history of where Alexander the Great's body ends up after deathThings to listen out forThe life and significance of CaesarionThe importance of Mankiewicz in bringing this project to lifeShifting to French hoursWhat's up with Mithridates?Caesar's winding journey through the MediterraneanOur historical sources for Cleopatra's lifeJulius Caesar in Egypt versus Cleopatra in RomeCleopatra's complex Mediterranean identityThe powerful representation of motherhoodElizabeth Taylor's requirements for this filmKeen to delve more into Cleopatra? Check out our conversation with Yentl Love about the reception of Cleopatra over time.Further readingBrodsky, Jack; Weiss, Nathan (1963). The Cleopatra Papers: A Private Correspondence (Simon and Schuster)Cooney, Kara (2018). When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt (National Geographic Society)Lucan De Bello CiviliWagner, Walter and Hyams, Joe (2013). My Life with Cleopatra: The Making of a Hollywood Classic (Knopf Doubleday)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.

Full Text of ReadingsMonday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 377The Saint of the day is First Martyrs of the Church of RomeFirst Martyrs of the Church of Rome's Story There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in 57-58 A.D. There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city “caused by the certain Chrestus” [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius' death in 54 A.D. Paul's letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims. Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31. Reflection Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of Christians. Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Political power can take many forms, from the top-down model of the Roman Empire, to operating in the democratic politics of today, to the possibilities offered by new technologies for more horizontal power structures in the future.Matthew Sweet is joined on a stage at the Hay Festival by historian Tom Holland, whose new translation of Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars examines Roman power politics from the inside; Guto Harri, who saw the inside workings of power as Downing Street Director of Communications; Adam Greenfield, whose book Lifehouse looks at local networks of mutual aid that have emerged in response to climate crisis; and political philosopher Sophie Scott-Brown - whose book The Radical Fifties: Activist Politics in Cold War Britain is out in July.Producer: Luke Mulhall

Can you be scandalized by a 2000-year-old book? I think I was with Suetonius' Lives of the Caesars, a gripping, gossipy account of the first twelve Roman emperors, from Julius Caesar to Domitian. Written around 120 AD, Suetonius' work (part of The Honest Broker's “Humanities in 52 Weeks” list) blends history with salacious details, offering a vivid, if dark, portrait of power, excess, and moral decline. It's not exactly light beach reading but proved endlessly fascinating for its unapologetic dive into the personal lives of Rome's rulers.Suetonius, born around 70 AD to a Roman knight family, organizes the book into twelve biographies, which I've listed here for easy reference:Julius CaesarAugustusTiberiusCaligulaClaudiusNeroGalbaOthoVitelliusVespasianTitusDomitian. Notably, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius, from the chaotic years of 68-69 AD, were barely recognized as emperors. Each biography sketches the ruler's family background, reign, military campaigns, and personal habits, with Suetonius excelling in the juicy details of their excesses. His vivid prose, like describing Caligula as transitioning from “emperor” to “monster,” reveals the depravity of unchecked power—think murders, incest, and shocking debauchery.The book's strength lies in its storytelling, but its darkness—wanton death, sexual depravity, and a lack of heroism—can be exhausting. The Roman people's hope for better rulers is repeatedly dashed, as seen when Caligula's assassination leads to Claudius, another cruel leader. The complex web of intermarriage and adoptions among the Julio-Claudians is dizzying, with family trees barely helping. Economically, Suetonius notes rising “value” in Roman real estate under Julius Caesar, missing that this was inflation driven by reckless state spending, a recurring issue that strained the empire and its people.Suetonius' perspective, shaped by living through Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian's reigns, adds depth, though his distance from earlier emperors allows for embellishment. This week's music was Mozart's symphonies 39-41, sweetness and light compared to Rome's darkness. This is a year-long challenge! Join me next week for the Koran and the poems of Rumi.LINKTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)I misspoke! Gates of Fire was written by Steven Pressfield, not Victor Davis Hansen. Sorry about that!CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5GpySInw1e8IqNQvXow7Lv?si=9ebd5508daa245bdApple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crack-the-book/id1749793321 Captivate - https://crackthebook.captivate.fm

This week, we're diving toga-first into the life and utter chaos of Caligula—the Roman emperor who ruled for just four years and made every single second a full-blown historical fever dream. From horse palaces and floating orgy boats to stabbing Poseidon and bullying his own guards, Caligula redefined what it meant to rule like a god (or at least think he was one). But was he really mad… or just the ultimate troll in a laurel wreath? This is Roman history at its weirdest—and honestly, its most fun. ⏱️ What You'll Hear 00:02:00 – Who was Caligula really? And why did soldiers call him “Little Boots”? 00:06:00 – Roman power struggles, poisoned dads, and childhood trauma 00:08:00 – The golden-boy emperor everyone loved… until he got sick 00:11:00 – Enter: the villain era. Tormenting senators, gladiator cosplay, and birthday revenge 00:13:00 – Floating bridges, floating orgies, and Mussolini's wild archaeological discovery 00:17:00 – Declaring war on the ocean and forcing soldiers to collect seashells 00:20:00 – The assassination that changed Roman history—and why the public still loved him

Episode OverviewThis week, I consider the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations and Epictetus' Enchiridion, part of Ted Gioia's Humanities List (link below!). Moving from Greek dramas to 2nd-century Roman Stoics, we first talk about the move from Greek lit to Roman, how the mindset and history will impact what we read. I cover Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus in depth, mention Admiral Stockdale (a modern Stoic) and end the episode with Rudyard Kipling's poem "If." Marcus Aurelius' MeditationsMeditations, the private journal of a Roman emperor, emphasizes self-focus, humility, and inner peace. Key takeaways include: Focus on your own mind and skills, not others' actions or opinions. Embrace nature to cultivate curiosity and appreciation for the world. Accept life's brevity and smallness, acting virtuously without expecting rewards. Find peace within, not in external escapes like vacation homes. Hold pleasures loosely to achieve contentment in the present moment.I note the surprising modernity of Aurelius' advice but question its contradictions, like the futility of life versus the call to virtue.Epictetus' EnchiridionEpictetus, a former slave turned philosopher, offers a direct, practical guide in The Enchiridion. I prefer Epictetus' straightforward style, finding it more relatable than Aurelius' introspections. Highlights include: Distinguish what harms the body from what affects the will—Epictetus' own lameness adds poignancy to this teaching. Know your limits and operate fully within them, committing wholeheartedly to your purpose. Avoid excess in speech, laughter, or indulgence, embracing simplicity.Consider the parallels to Biblical teachings like Colossians 3:17.Reflections and ChallengesI don't love Stoicism, as I think it sacrifices deep love and beauty. But there's no doubt that its ideals have a place in society--Stockdale and Kipling both reflect that. Translation struggles (George Long's arcane 1877 version versus Gregory Hays' readable Meditations) and time management issues due to travel delayed this week's reading. Classical music (Haydn's Symphonies 45, 94, and 104) enriched the experience, though I skipped the art.What's NextNext week, I explore Suetonius' Twelve Caesars with Mozart's symphonies and Italian art by Botticelli and Caravaggio. Subscribe to follow the journey! LINKSTed Gioia/The Honest Broker's 12-Month Immersive Humanities Course (paywalled!)My Amazon Book List (NOT an affiliate link)Haydn's Surprise SymphonyAdmiral James StockdaleSpencer Klavan (Modern Classicist)CONNECTTo read more of my writing, visit my Substack - https://www.cheryldrury.substack.com.Follow me on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cldrury/ LISTENSpotify -

Have you ever had an experience that changed your opinion or attitude on something? I mean, you thought you knew all the facts—until you went through a situation that completely changed your mind. In this program, guest teacher John Dickerson will do that by sharing two powerful testimonies that'll touch your heart.Main Points Three basic evidence categories to know that Jesus' radical claims are true: ANCIENT evidence – historical writers (Josephus, Suetonius, Tacitus, etc.) EXTERNAL evidence – an objective human record of Christ's impact on humanity. INTERNAL evidence – this is evidence that can only be known through experience. The power of “currents” In life we get carried along by different currents: Popularity, achievement, material possessions, relationships These currents while alluring and momentarily satisfying, are actually taking us into anxiety and we can't get out. You'll never know for sure if the ‘current' of Jesus will carry you to fulfillment unless you get into it. The “current” available to everyone: John 3:16 This “current” is the only one that brings salvation to anyone who believes. Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew 11:28 The fulfillment of Jesus is found in the space between religion and relationship. Broadcast Resource Download Free MP3 Message Notes Resource Page Additional Resource Mentions Why I Believe & Jesus Skeptic Book Bundle About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About John Dickerson John Dickerson is a prize-winning research journalist, a seminary-trained pastor, and a frequent commentator in national news outlets such as USA Today. Dickerson is the author of Hope of Nations, Jesus Skeptic and serves as the lead pastor of Connection Pointe Christian Church in the Indianapolis metro area. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

Have you ever had an experience that changed your opinion or attitude on something? I mean, you thought you knew all the facts—until you went through a situation that completely changed your mind. In this program, guest teacher John Dickerson will do that by sharing two powerful testimonies that'll touch your heart.Main Points Three basic evidence categories to know that Jesus' radical claims are true: ANCIENT evidence – historical writers (Josephus, Suetonius, Tacitus, etc.) EXTERNAL evidence – an objective human record of Christ's impact on humanity. INTERNAL evidence – this is evidence that can only be known through experience. The power of “currents” In life we get carried along by different currents: Popularity, achievement, material possessions, relationships These currents while alluring and momentarily satisfying, are actually taking us into anxiety and we can't get out. You'll never know for sure if the ‘current' of Jesus will carry you to fulfillment unless you get into it. The “current” available to everyone: John 3:16 This “current” is the only one that brings salvation to anyone who believes. Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew 11:28 The fulfillment of Jesus is found in the space between religion and relationship. Broadcast Resource Download Free MP3 Message Notes Resource Page Additional Resource Mentions Why I Believe & Jesus Skeptic Book Bundle About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About John Dickerson John Dickerson is a prize-winning research journalist, a seminary-trained pastor, and a frequent commentator in national news outlets such as USA Today. Dickerson is the author of Hope of Nations, Jesus Skeptic and serves as the lead pastor of Connection Pointe Christian Church in the Indianapolis metro area. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

#OzWatch: Gaius & Germanicus Discuss the Celebration of Suetonius's Work, "Twelve Caesars," by Renaissance Artists and Sculptors. Jeremy Zakis, New South Wales. #FriendsOfHistoryDebatingSociety 1575 itian's painting depicting Doge Antonio Grimani kneeling before the personification of Faith.

If someone asked you: “How do you know Jesus actually lived?” or “Can we really trust the Bible?” what would you say? In this program, guest teacher John Dickerson will address these questions. He is going to unpack the evidence for Christianity and highlight notable Christians from history who changed our world.Main Points Three basic evidence categories to know that Jesus' radical claims are true: ANCIENT evidence – historical writers (Josephus, Suetonius, Tacitus, etc.) EXTERNAL evidence – an objective human record of Christ's impact on humanity. INTERNAL evidence – this is evidence that can only be known through experience. The power of “currents” In life we get carried along by different currents: Popularity, achievement, material possessions, relationships These currents while alluring and momentarily satisfying, are actually taking us into anxiety and we can't get out. You'll never know for sure if the ‘current' of Jesus will carry you to fulfillment unless you get into it. The “current” available to everyone: John 3:16 This “current” is the only one that brings salvation to anyone who believes. Jeremiah 29:13 Matthew 11:28 The fulfillment of Jesus is found in the space between religion and relationship. Broadcast Resource Download Free MP3 Message Notes Resource Page Additional Resource Mentions Why I Believe & Jesus Skeptic Book Bundle About Chip Ingram Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways. About John Dickerson John Dickerson is a prize-winning research journalist, a seminary-trained pastor, and a frequent commentator in national news outlets such as USA Today. Dickerson is the author of Hope of Nations, Jesus Skeptic and serves as the lead pastor of Connection Pointe Christian Church in the Indianapolis metro area. About Living on the Edge Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus. Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

This is my message to the Jews. It follows up on my video about Christian/Muslim relations. I mention Elon Musk, Philo of Alexandria, Caligula, Suetonius, Claudius, Prescilla, Aquila, Gallio, Sosthenes, Jusitn Martyr, Trypho, Simon Bar Kokhba, Polycarp, Constantine, Athanasius of Alexandria, Caiaphas, Paul of Samosata, Photinus of Galatia, Arius, Constantius II, Gregory of Nyssa, Hank Kruse, Theodosius the Great, Ambrose of Milan, Julian the Apostate, Aphrahat the Persian Sage, Nestorius of Constantinople, Justinian the Great, John Calvin, Michael Servetus, Marian Hillar, Lelio and Fausto Sozzini, Malcolm Collins, John Locke, Andrzej Wiszowaty, Samuel Przypkowski, Isaac Newton, John Milton, Benedict Spinoza, Pierre Bayle, Voltaire, David Hume, Joseph Priestly, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, John Adams, Hannah Adams, Mordecai Noah, The Apostle Paul, and more.

Let's return to this classic history of the Roman emperors and hear a bit about a ruler both famous and infamous in his need for public adulation. Why pay attention to affairs of state when you can perform for judges you've bribed? Stately!   Help us stay ad-free and 100% listener supported! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/boringbookspod Buy Me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/d5kcMsW   Read “The Lives of the Twelve Caesars” at Project Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/6400 Music: "earth 2 earth,” by PC III, licensed under CC BY   If you'd like to suggest a copyright-free reading for soft-spoken relaxation to help you overcome insomnia, anxiety and other sleep issues, connect on our website, http://www.boringbookspod.com.

Tom Holland is a storyteller whose range and erudition seem to be as unbounded as history itself. Now he brings us closer than ever to the lives of the first twelve Roman emperors. The ancient Roman empire was the supreme arena, where emperors had no choice but to fight, to thrill, to dazzle. To rule as a Caesar was to stand as an actor upon the great stage of the world. Delving into his new translation of Suetonius's Lives of the Twelve Caesars, Tom Holland joins George Osborne to illuminate the lives of the Caesars as never seen before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

History was written down for the very first time in the ancient region of Mesopotamia. In Between Two Rivers, Moudhy Al-Rashid tells the story of the civilisations that rose and fell, through the details left on cuneiform tablets from 4000 years ago – from diplomatic letters to receipts for beer. And the drive that led ancient scribes to record the events and legends of the past.Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus was probably born in AD69, and although little is known about his own life, his biography of the twelve Caesars vividly captured what it was like to be at the centre of power in the Roman Empire. The historian Tom Holland pays homage to his fellow history-writer, Suetonius, in a new translation of The Lives of the Caesars.Archaeologists at the ancient Sumerian city-state of Ur believe they found evidence of a museum in the ruins, which suggests that the desire to display and preserve artefacts, and tell stories from the past, is nothing new. Gus Casely-Hayford is the curator of the V&A East which opens in the Spring, and is expected to offer a new way of viewing the past, and a chance to see behind the scenes of a museum.Producer: Katy Hickman

Lists of important Roman historians would certainly include cerebral Polybius (who, to be fair, was also Greek); the friend of Augustus, Titus Livius; the austere Tacitus; and the gossipy Suetonius,. To one extent or another, all of them were participant observers–not simply historians, but actors in the drama of Roman life and politics.  Not usually included on this list of great Roman participant-historians is Cassius Dio. Like Polybius, he was Greek. But since he was born somewhere between 155 and 165 AD, and died in the 230s, the Mediterranean world had changed quite a bit since Polybius' time, three centuries before. For Cassius Dio was a Roman senator, and he served and wrote during a time of unprecedented tumult within the Roman Empire. He is often the only source for a variety of events, even ones which occurred centuries before his own lifetime. But was he simply a Tacitus wannabe? Or an important and influential historian in his own right? With me to talk about Cassius Dio is Colin Elliot, Professor of History at Indiana University. He hosts his own podcast, Pax Romana, where you can hear many verbal footnotes  to Cassius Dio, which helped inspire this discussion. Colin's last appearance on Historically Thinking was in Episode 351, when we talked about this book Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World.

How cruel was Caligula? How depraved was Tiberius? And how monstrous was Nero? The dark reputations of these emperors owe a great deal to the Roman writer Suetonius, whose 121 AD work Lives of the Caesars offered intimate portraits of 12 rulers of Rome – from Julius Caesar to Domitian. The popular historian and podcaster Tom Holland has just produced a new translation of the Lives and he speaks to Rob Attar about the profound influence of Suetonius' work – and whether it's an example of ancient fake news. (Ad) Tom Holland is the translator of The Lives of the Caesars (Penguin, 2025). Buy it now from Waterstones: http://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=3090&awinaffid=489797&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.waterstones.com%2Fbook%2Fthe-lives-of-the-caesars%2Fsuetonius%2Ftom-holland%2F2928377309039&clickref=historyextra-social-histboty. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following the bloody assassination of the twenty-eight year old Emperor Caligula, Rome found herself without a leader. Who then should fill the enormous power vacuum left by the death of an emperor? Should Rome return to a Republic? Then, one overlooked candidate - a scion of the hallowed family of Augustus long lurking in the wings of imperial power - unexpectedly rose to the fore: Claudius, Caligula's uncle. Famed as a drooling idiot all his life, Claudius' apparent shortcomings had kept him safe from the ruthless ambitions of his family and enemies. But his life of anonymity would now be brought to an abrupt end, with a shocking coup led by the Praetorian Guard. The Praetorians, one of the most potent forces in Rome, feared the loss of the emperor's patronage, and so pulled him out from the curtain behind which he had been hiding, carried him to their camp, and declared him emperor. The reign that ensued - described in gory, glistening, salacious detail by the Roman historian Suetonius - would see Claudius dismantle his mask of imbecility to reveal himself clever and studious, but easily duped by his advisors, freemen, and wives alike. It would see him claim the conquest of Britain, increase the strength of the Roman army, fall foul of the senate, play cuckold in one of the most famous sexual scandals of all time, and marry his niece. All the while, the shadows of Nero's rise to supreme power were lengthening… Join Tom and Dominic for the mighty conclusion of their journey through the lives of Rome's first Caesars, as described in rich, technicolour by Suetonius, climaxing with the epic reign of Rome's most unexpected emperor: Claudius. Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893 _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Jack Meek Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Enough of the Princeps, what remains to be described, is the monster..." The Roman emperor Caligula endures as one of the most notorious figures in not only Roman history, but the history of the world. Famed as a byword for sexual degeneracy, cruelty and corruption, the account of his life written by the Roman historian Suetonius has, above all, enshrined him as such for posterity. Throughout the biography there is a whiff of dark comedy, as Caligula is cast as the ultimate demented caesar, corrupted absolutely by his absolute power and driven into depravity. Born of a sacred and illustrious bloodline to adored parents, his early life - initially so full of promise - was shadowed by tragedy, death, and danger, the members of his family picked off one by one by the emperor Tiberius. Nevertheless, Caligula succeeded, through his own cynical intelligence and cunning manipulation of public spectacle, to launch himself from the status of despised orphan, to that of master of Rome. Yet, before long his seemingly propitious reign, was spiralling into a nightmare of debauchery and terror…. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the most notorious emperor in Rome: Caligula, a man said to have slept with his sister, transformed his palace into a brothel, cruelly humiliated senators, and even made his horse into a consul. But what is the truth behind these horrific legends? Was Caligula really more monster than man...?  Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here:  https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893 _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Video Editor: Jack Meek Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Roman historian Suetonius' biography of the controversial Emperor Tiberius is one of his most shocking and salacious, condemning Tiberius to infamy. But was Tiberius really the perverted monster Suetonius would have us believe? Born of Rome's most illustrious family and a sacred bloodline - the Claudians - Tiberius' mother Livia was unceremoniously taken from his father while she carried him, to marry the great Emperor Augustus. So it was that Tiberius grew up in the very heart of imperial power, proving himself intelligent, and a superb military commander. But, following the unforeseen deaths of Augustus' young heirs, he found himself primed to become the next caesar of Rome. The reign that ensued would prove largely peaceful, prosperous and stable, though Tiberius himself was increasingly plagued by paranoia and fear. While the last of Augustus' bloodline were wiped out one by one, he retired to Capri, much to the horror of the Roman people. Before long, rumours had begun percolating of the heinous deeds, sick proclivities, and vile abominations Tiberius was practicing on his pleasure island… Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Tiberius, the impressive though widely lambasted second emperor of Rome. What is the truth behind the sordid myths and mysteries of his reign…? Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893 _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Roman historian Suetonius' The Lives of the Caesars, written during the early imperial period of the Roman Empire, is a seminal biography covering the biographies of the early emperors of Rome, during two spectacular centuries of Roman history. Delving deep into the personal lives of the caesars and sparing no detail, no matter how prurient, pungent, explicit or salacious, it vividly captures Rome at the peak of her power, and those colourful individuals at the heart of everything. It is an unsettling yet fascinating portrait of the alien and the intimate, that sees some of history's most famous characters revealed as almost modern men, plotting a delicate line between private and public, respectability and suspicion. From the showmanship of Augustus, the first Caesar, and his convoluted family melodramas, to Tiberius, a monster in the historical record famed for his sexual misdeeds, to Caligula, who delighted in voyeuristic moral degeneracy, and the looming shadow of Nero; all will be revealed… Join Tom and Dominic as they launch into Suetonius and the lives of Rome's most infamous emperors, illuminating a world of sex and violence that both venerates, deifies and condemns absolute power. When the curtain is lifted, what deprivation lurks behind the majesty of Rome? And who was the real Suetonius, the man laying it all bare? Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here. _______ **Are you getting the wrong episode on Apple Podcasts? Remove download, and then re-download the episode, which will resolve the problem.** _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producers: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In 61 CE, Boudica of the Iceni led a bloody revolt to end Roman rule in Britain. Roman historians tell us with great drama and flair that the grand finale is a huge battle between Boudica and the Roman governor, Suetonius. Tens of thousands of Celtic warriors went head-to-head with a small force of veteran legionaries to decide the fate of Roman Britain.Today we're joined by Caitlin Gillespie, a historian and author of Boudica: Warrior Woman of Roman Britain. She tells us the story of this revolt, the famed warrior queen who led it, and how it all ended.Produced by James Hickmann and edited by Dougal Patmore.Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Sign up HERE for 50% off for 3 months using code ‘DANSNOW'.We'd love to hear from you - what do you want to hear an episode on? You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com.You can take part in our listener survey here.

Full Text of ReadingsThirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 98The Saint of the day is First Martyrs of the Church of RomeFirst Martyrs of the Church of Rome's Story There were Christians in Rome within a dozen or so years after the death of Jesus, though they were not the converts of the “Apostle of the Gentiles” (Romans 15:20). Paul had not yet visited them at the time he wrote his great letter in 57-58 A.D. There was a large Jewish population in Rome. Probably as a result of controversy between Jews and Jewish Christians, the Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome in 49-50 A.D. Suetonius the historian says that the expulsion was due to disturbances in the city “caused by the certain Chrestus” [Christ]. Perhaps many came back after Claudius' death in 54 A.D. Paul's letter was addressed to a Church with members from Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. In July of 64 A.D., more than half of Rome was destroyed by fire. Rumor blamed the tragedy on Nero, who wanted to enlarge his palace. He shifted the blame by accusing the Christians. According to the historian Tacitus, many Christians were put to death because of their “hatred of the human race.” Peter and Paul were probably among the victims. Threatened by an army revolt and condemned to death by the senate, Nero committed suicide in 68 A.D. at the age of 31. Reflection Wherever the Good News of Jesus was preached, it met the same opposition as Jesus did, and many of those who began to follow him shared his suffering and death. But no human force could stop the power of the Spirit unleashed upon the world. The blood of martyrs has always been, and will always be, the seed of Christians. Love the saints? Check out these six titles on Catholic saints! Saint of the Day, Copyright Franciscan Media

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Roman emperor Tiberius. When he was born in 42BC, there was little prospect of him ever becoming Emperor of Rome. Firstly, Rome was still a Republic and there had not yet been any Emperor so that had to change and, secondly, when his stepfather Augustus became Emperor there was no precedent for who should succeed him, if anyone. It somehow fell to Tiberius to develop this Roman imperial project and by some accounts he did this well, while to others his reign was marked by cruelty and paranoia inviting comparison with Nero.WithMatthew Nicholls Senior Tutor at St. John's College, University of OxfordShushma Malik Assistant Professor of Classics and Onassis Classics Fellow at Newnham College at the University of CambridgeAnd Catherine Steel Professor of Classics at the University of GlasgowProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Edward Champlin, ‘Tiberius the Wise' (Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, 57.4, 2008)Alison E. Cooley, ‘From the Augustan Principate to the invention of the Age of Augustus' (Journal of Roman Studies 109, 2019)Alison E. Cooley, The Senatus Consultum de Cn. Pisone Patre: text, translation, and commentary (Cambridge University Press, 2023)Eleanor Cowan, ‘Tiberius and Augustus in Tiberian Sources' (Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, 58.4, 2009)Cassius Dio (trans. C. T. Mallan), Roman History: Books 57 and 58: The Reign of Tiberius (Oxford University Press, 2020)Rebecca Edwards, ‘Tacitus, Tiberius and Capri' (Latomus, 70.4, 2011)A. Gibson (ed.), The Julio-Claudian Succession: Reality and Perception of the Augustan Model (Brill, 2012), especially ‘Tiberius and the invention of succession' by C. VoutJosephus (trans. E. Mary Smallwood and G. Williamson), The Jewish War (Penguin Classics, 1981)Barbara Levick, Tiberius the Politician (Routledge, 1999)E. O'Gorman, Tacitus' History of Political Effective Speech: Truth to Power (Bloomsbury, 2019)Velleius Paterculus (trans. J. C. Yardley and Anthony A. Barrett), Roman History: From Romulus and the Foundation of Rome to the Reign of the Emperor Tiberius (Hackett Publishing, 2011)R. Seager, Tiberius (2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2005)David Shotter, Tiberius Caesar (Routledge, 2005) Suetonius (trans. Robert Graves), The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics, 2007)Tacitus (trans. Michael Grant), The Annals of Imperial Rome (Penguin Classics, 2003)

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the Roman emperor Tiberius. When he was born in 42BC, there was little prospect of him ever becoming Emperor of Rome. Firstly, Rome was still a Republic and there had not yet been any Emperor so that had to change and, secondly, when his stepfather Augustus became Emperor there was no precedent for who should succeed him, if anyone. It somehow fell to Tiberius to develop this Roman imperial project and by some accounts he did this well, while to others his reign was marked by cruelty and paranoia inviting comparison with Nero.WithMatthew Nicholls Senior Tutor at St. John's College, University of OxfordShushma Malik Assistant Professor of Classics and Onassis Classics Fellow at Newnham College at the University of CambridgeAnd Catherine Steel Professor of Classics at the University of GlasgowProducer: Simon TillotsonReading list:Edward Champlin, ‘Tiberius the Wise' (Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, 57.4, 2008)Alison E. Cooley, ‘From the Augustan Principate to the invention of the Age of Augustus' (Journal of Roman Studies 109, 2019)Alison E. Cooley, The Senatus Consultum de Cn. Pisone Patre: text, translation, and commentary (Cambridge University Press, 2023)Eleanor Cowan, ‘Tiberius and Augustus in Tiberian Sources' (Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte, 58.4, 2009)Cassius Dio (trans. C. T. Mallan), Roman History: Books 57 and 58: The Reign of Tiberius (Oxford University Press, 2020)Rebecca Edwards, ‘Tacitus, Tiberius and Capri' (Latomus, 70.4, 2011)A. Gibson (ed.), The Julio-Claudian Succession: Reality and Perception of the Augustan Model (Brill, 2012), especially ‘Tiberius and the invention of succession' by C. VoutJosephus (trans. E. Mary Smallwood and G. Williamson), The Jewish War (Penguin Classics, 1981)Barbara Levick, Tiberius the Politician (Routledge, 1999)E. O'Gorman, Tacitus' History of Political Effective Speech: Truth to Power (Bloomsbury, 2019)Velleius Paterculus (trans. J. C. Yardley and Anthony A. Barrett), Roman History: From Romulus and the Foundation of Rome to the Reign of the Emperor Tiberius (Hackett Publishing, 2011)R. Seager, Tiberius (2nd ed., Wiley-Blackwell, 2005)David Shotter, Tiberius Caesar (Routledge, 2005) Suetonius (trans. Robert Graves), The Twelve Caesars (Penguin Classics, 2007)Tacitus (trans. Michael Grant), The Annals of Imperial Rome (Penguin Classics, 2003)