Emperors of Rome
History
“Great empires are not maintained by timidity.” - Tacitus. A podcast series looking at the rulers of the ancient Roman empire, by Dr Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith.
Episodes
Episode CCXXXII - Carus and Sons
11/7/2024
As the wild and crazy experiment of the 3rd century winds to a conclusion, a man named Carus steps into the purple, with an imperial dynasty ready to go. But Rome has grown unwieldy. Challenged by enemies from beyond and within, it will take quite a leader to hold the empire together.
Guest:
Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
Duration:00:25:53
Episode CCXXXI - Probus
10/23/2024
Probus had a fairly long reign for this time in the history of the Empire. Keeping the barbarians in check is one thing, seeing off usurpers is another, but just don’t ask too much of the military - they don’t like getting their hands dirty.
Guest:
Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
Duration:00:30:19
Episode CCXXX - Emperor Tacitus
9/24/2024
We now return to the late third century, where the Emperor Aurelian has finally reunited the Roman empire and been murdered for the trouble, and the senate in Rome, waning in its influence, makes a final flex of power.
Tickets are now on sale for our special 10th anniversary live screening of the movie Gladiator! 19th October at the Thornbury Picture House in Melbourne.
Guest:
Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
Duration:00:27:49
Episode CCXXIX - Clodius Pulcher and the Bona Dea
9/11/2024
The Bona Dea was a goddess of Rome, whose celebrations were the secret domain of elite women. To our male Roman sources they were mysterious and magical, that is until Clodius Pulcher decided he would gate crash.
Tickets are now on sale for our special 10th anniversary live screening of the movie Gladiator! 19th October at the Thornbury Picture House in Melbourne.
Guest:
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Duration:00:27:59
Episode CCXXVIII - Caesar vs Vercingetorix (Live in Albury)
8/16/2024
Caesar was a man who was careful of his image, and in his accounts of the Gallic Wars he records his skill and competence on the battle field. He also made a point of giving himself a credible nemesis, with the barbarian Vercingetorix taking the centre stage.
Recorded live in Albury at the Albury LibraryMuseum on 24th June, 2024.
Guests:
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Duration:00:35:15
Episode CCXXVII - The Catiline Comparison (The Catiline Conspiracy VIII)
7/30/2024
Throughout our examination of the Catiline conspiracy we have avoided the urge to make comparisons between the events in Ancient Rome and modern day politics. In this episode we resist no more.
Part VIII of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guests:
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Professor Nick Bisley (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University)
Duration:00:46:03
Episode CCXXVI - The Reputation of Catiline (The Catiline Conspiracy VII)
7/6/2024
Catiline’s name is often used as a byword for villainy, and over the years has been told and retold by different authors with different agendas. To some he is a villain, a traitor to the state. To others he’s a hero, standing up for the little guy.
Part VII of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:39:58
Episode CCXXV - The Exile of Cicero (The Catiline Conspiracy VI)
6/6/2024
Cicero may have won the battle against Catiline but he wouldn’t win the war. With too many enemies in the senate he makes a tactical retreat, leaving his beloved Rome for the safety of the coast of Greece.
Part VI of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:36:15
Episode CCXXIV - Indomitable Spirit (The Catiline Conspiracy V)
5/9/2024
Catiline and Cicero now wage very different wars. Cicero on the floor of the senate, arguing for the protection of the legacy of Rome. Catiline on the battlefield, fighting with a bravery that would make any hero proud.
Part V of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:35:50
Episode CCXXIII - The Championship of the Oppressed (The Catiline Conspiracy IV)
4/26/2024
Catiline and Cicero draw their lines of battle in the senate, with Catiline claiming to represent the will of the wretched and destitute. But his attacks on Cicero, directly or indirectly, earn him many enemies, and he is forced to flee the city of Rome.
Part IV of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:36:43
Episode CCXXII - A Stolen Election (The Catiline Conspiracy III)
4/10/2024
Catiline attempted to become consul of Rome more than once, and its a position he believes he deserves. When he fails in his efforts and Cicero is elected he attempts to force the issue, conspiring with all those who have a grudge against the state.
Part III of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:34:31
Episode CCXXI - An Entire Farrago (The Catiline Conspiracy II)
3/28/2024
Catiline doesn't have the best reputation in Rome, and in the years after his failed conspiracy he has been implicated in every failed plot of that time. Was he involved in them? Possibly.
Part II of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:32:28
Episode CCXX - A Disordered Mind (The Catiline Conspiracy I)
3/15/2024
Catiline is a notorious figure of the Roman republic, a longtime rival of Cicero who, after repeated attempts at the consulship decided to push the matter by force. In this episode we look at his character, his role in the social wars of Rome and his early attempts at office.
Part I of The Catiline Conspiracy
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:42:55
Episode CCXIX - Hispala Faecena and the Bacchanalia Conspiracy
2/21/2024
Hispala Faecena was instrumental in bringing the cult of Bacchus to the attention of Roman authorities, ending a conspiracy that was threatening lives and the rule of law.
Guest:
Dr Emma Southon (Author of 'A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women')
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:28:36
Episode CCXVIII - Martial on the Emperors
2/7/2024
Martial was a Roman poet primarily writing during the reign of Domitian, and while primarily known for his commentary on Roman life, his takedowns, his insults and vulgarity, in this episode we look at how he toes the careful line of praising the Emperor.
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:35:52
Episode CCXVII - Angeronalia
12/14/2023
Yes, it’s that festive time of year again, when you gather all ye merry people with sore throats, stand around a statue with its mouth covered, and keep the sacred name of Rome safe.
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:22:04
Episode CCXVI - A Roman Haunting in Three Parts
10/27/2023
A dire warning from the spirit of Africa! A Haunting in Athens! And someone cuts the hair of Pliny's freedman.
Pliny the Younger presents a Roman Haunting in Three Parts.
Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).
Duration:00:27:48
Episode CCXIV - Aurelian, Restorer of the Age
8/25/2023
Aurelian has seen off vandals, goths, and conquered the forces of Zenobia to reclaim the east. But to the west lies the Gallic Empire, once firm territory of Rome, awaiting his attention.
Part III of 'Aurelian'
Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).
Duration:00:22:59
Episode CCXV - The Unconquered Sun
8/25/2023
Aurelian is known as a conqueror, a general and a restorer, and his reputation is based on those achievements. But in his short rule of five years, he was also an Emperor, and made efforts to leave his mark on Rome.
Part IV of 'Aurelian'
Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).
Duration:00:22:59
Episode CCXIII - Zenobia
8/3/2023
The weakness of Rome was the strength of Palmyra, and the east came to be be ruled by the Queen Zenobia. Cultured and ambitious, her empire stretched from Egypt to Turkey, which made her a formidable challenge for Aurelian.
Part II of 'Aurelian'
Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).
Duration:00:34:50