Episodes
Augustus Caesar #44 – The Reluctant Dictator
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. HOW TO…
Augustus Caesar #43 – I QUIT!
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,…
Special Edition: TrumPOTUS
Just this one time, we ignore Augustus and Rome to do a special edition about what just happened.
Augustus Caesar #42 – Making Rome Great Again
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…
Augustus Caesar #41 – Princeps
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…
Augustus Caesar #40 – The Restoration
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…
Augustus Caesar #39 – Knee Deep In The Hoopla
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…
Augustus Caesar #38 – A Load Of Bull
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.…
3.5 Days
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…
Augustus Caesar #37 – Victor
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…
Augustus Caesar #36 – Fatale Monstrum
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…
Augustus Caesar #35 – The Death Of Antony & Cleopatra
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…
Augustus Caesar #34 – The Showdown (Part 2)
The Battle of Actium begins. Octavian (& Agrippa) versus Mark Antony (& Cleopatra) fight to see who will be the last man standing in Rome. HOW TO LISTEN…
Augustus Caesar #33 – The Showdown (Part 1)
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…
Augustus Caesar #32 – Donations of Alexandria
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.…
Augustus Caesar #31 – Cleopatra & Cloaca
Agrippa rolls up his sleeves and gets shit done (literally) and we talk about the woman who ruled a country, wrote a book about make-up, and could talk…
Augustus Caesar #30 – Making Rome Great Again
Octavian fights in Illyricum (Croatia) where he reportedly is a brave and daring leader of men (cough cough bullshit). When he gets back to Rome, he and Agrippa…
Augustus Caesar #29 – Imperator
Meanwhile back at Rome, Octavian decides he will now be known as Imperator Caesar. He crucifies 6000 slaves, creates Rome's first public police and fire brigade and is…
Augustus Caesar #28 – Parthia Pt 2
Let’s talk some more about Antony’s Parthian campaign.
Augustus Caesar #27 – Parthia Pt 1
Let’s talk about Antony’s Parthian campaign.