Jan 13, 2017
When Augustus finally returns to Rome late in 24, he travels along newly restored roads that he had mostly paid for himself. They were adorned with statues of him. But how much did those statues, and those that survive today, actually resemble his true likeness? Also,...
Jan 6, 2017
We’re back! First show of 2017! On his way back from Spain, Augustus falls deathly ill with man flu, which forces him to think about his future. It doesn’t stop him from becoming consul for the 10th time where his new colleague is a guy with an unfortunate...
Dec 21, 2016
It’s in Spain where we first see the new cautious Augustus. Instead of taking crazy risks, like he sometimes did when he was younger, now that he’s 38, his favourite slogans are now: “festina lente” or “make haste slowly.” This doesn’t mean he isn’t fully aware...
Dec 16, 2016
Augustus needed to decide on the size and shape of the army. How many soldiers would he need to maintain the borders and to expand them when desired? And now that the civil war is over, what kind of new discipline is needed? [powerpress] HOW TO LISTEN If...
Dec 9, 2016
Before Augustus leaves Rome, the gates of the Temple of Janus were re-opened, which means the peace is officially over. He’s going to war, to restore Roman order to his regions. But these are good old fashioned wars against foreign tribes. They aren’t civil wars....
Nov 25, 2016
With great reluctance, Octavian allows the Senate to refuse his resignation. It’s a brilliant piece of political theatre. And to celebrate, he gets a new name. [powerpress] HOW TO LISTEN If you’re seeing this message, it means you aren’t...
Nov 18, 2016
On the 1 January 27 BCE, Octavian started his seventh consulship. On the 13th Jan, the Senate convened with Octavian as presiding consul. And it was that day, that Octavian quit his job. [powerpress] HOW TO LISTEN If you’re seeing this...
Nov 11, 2016
Just this one time, we ignore Augustus and Rome to do a special edition about what just...
Oct 28, 2016
[powerpress] HOW TO LISTEN If you’re seeing this message, it means you aren’t logged in as a subscriber. If want to listen to the premium episodes of the series – 200 episodes on the lives of Julius, Augustus and Tiberius Caesar – you’ll need...
Oct 21, 2016
Octavian gives a speech to the Senate, inviting each senator to look at his own reputation, wealth and ancestry and decide whether he was truly fit to belong to Rome’s most prestigious body. He reduces the number of senators and he is made ‘princeps...
Oct 7, 2016
Octavian is trying to restore some kind of normality to Rome. He hands out large wads of cash, opens the Temple to the Divine Julius and on 1 January 28 BCE begins his sixth consulship – this time with Agrippa – which they hold for the entire year, taking...
Sep 29, 2016
Octavian is running around settling affairs in the Middle East before he returns to Rome. Herod in Judaea visited Octavian to win his support. Octavian then does a peace treaty with the Parthians. Finally, in 29 BCE, Octavian finally returns to Rome...
Sep 15, 2016
It was a whole year after the suicides of Antony and Cleopatra before Octavian returned to Italy. Octavian captured the city of Alexandria on August 1, 30 BCE. Egypt now lost the independence it had enjoyed for thousands of years and would not...
Sep 12, 2016
Excerpt from a new iTunes review: “Some facts: The History of Rome covered the period from the introduction of Julius Caesar to the death of Cleopatra in 3.5 hours. That includes adverts for Casper mattresses. Ray and Cam have taken 3.5 days. I really like the...
Sep 9, 2016
Rome had never seen anything like the three—day celebration of Octavian’s three-fold triumph — for his victories in Illyricum, Actium, and Alexandria — held in August of 29 BC. He was granted a range of new powers, some he even refused as being too...
Sep 2, 2016
The poets of Rome vilify Cleopatra and yet also are in awe of her. Antony’s name and memory is wiped from the official records. And a Cicero gets to rejoice in the news of Antony’s suicide. But of course the question on everyone’s lips is –...
Aug 26, 2016
This is one of those episodes that feel like major turning points in the narrative. Ever since Julius Caesar was assassinated, way way back in 44 BCE, Mark Antony has been one of our main characters. He bestrode the Roman world like a colossus. And today we kill him...
Aug 18, 2016
The Battle of Actium begins. Octavian (& Agrippa) versus Mark Antony (& Cleopatra) fight to see who will be the last man standing in Rome. [powerpress] HOW TO LISTEN If you’re seeing this message, it means you aren’t logged in as a...
Aug 12, 2016
After 13 years of being frenemies, shit finally comes to a head between Octavian and Antony (and Cleopatra) as they throw down gauntlets that will lead them to the Battle of Actium on 2 September, 31 BCE. [powerpress] HOW TO LISTEN If you’re seeing this...
Aug 5, 2016
We’re back! On this episode, Octavia and Livia are made sacrosanct and granted unprecedented honours. We talk about “pater familias”, something Ray is trying hard to bring back. Then Antony gets back on the horse and captures Slartibartfast aka King...
