Podcast
Vitellius #2 – OMEN in the ROMAN
Vitellius started his march towards Galba / Otho about 8 weeks after he sent Valens and Caecina. Along the way, he got news that he was the new…
Vitellius #1 – The Third New Emperor
ChatGPT gives us Shakespeare's version of Otho's last speech, while the news of his demise makes its way to Rome and everyone yawns and swears an oath of…
Otho #12 – Fortitude and Firmness
Despite having reinforcements on the way, and the firm support of his remaining praetorians, Otho decides, with fortitude and firmness, what his own fate shall be.Just a reminder…
Otho #11 – Donkey Kong
Otho's Generals squabble over the best strategy to march towards Caecina, but it's all for nothing when two Othonian Praetorian cohorts betray Otho's strategy to the enemy. And…
Otho #10 – The Comforts of Home
The Praetorians push for a fast campaign because they didn't want to spend any more time away from the comforts of Rome than necessary. Unfortunately, in letting them…
Otho #9 – Burning Bridges
As the Vitellians try to build a bridge and get over it, the Othonians try to burn their bridge down. Then Otho himself arrives on the scene and…
Otho #8 – Otho's Civil War
Italy is having its first civil war in one hundred years – not since the bloody and fateful days of Octavius v Marcus Antonius, the last days of…
Otho #7 – Yo Momma Jokes
By March 69, Caecina's troops (part of Vitellius' forces) had arrived in northern Italy and crossed the river Po. They first attacked Piacenza where Otho's commander, Spurinna, struggled…
Otho #6 – Otho On The Defense
Drunken soldiers storm the palace and threaten Otho, who they suspect is plotting something against the people. After he puts down that rebellion, Otho hears that Valens and…
Otho #5 – King Arthur, A Russian Myth
A Sarmatian tribe from Southern Russia attacks some Roman cohorts and we learn about the Russian origins of the King Arthur myth. The governor of Corsica declares his…
Otho #4 – 666
Pagans and Christians continued to believe Nero would return, either as the Antichrist or as the precursor to the Antichrist. But is the number of the beast 666…
Otho #3 – The Return of Nero
As soon as Nero was declared dead by the Senate, rumours started appearing that he was still alive, just in hiding, waiting for the right time to re-claim…
Otho #2 – The March of Vitellius
Vitellius starts his march on Rome with seven legions. He’s 54, popular with his men, and a good career behind him. But his troops’ reasons for supporting his…
Otho #1 – Head
With Galba dead, Otho is made the new emperor of Rome. Long may he reign.
Galba #4 – What Is Best for Rome
At the altar of Apollo, Galba was still praying to the gods to protect him and the empire, when suddenly he got news that a senator of unknown…
Galba #3 – A Plot Against The Throne
Otho didn’t take the news of Piso being chosen as Galba’s heir very well. He’d already been screwed over by one emperor and he bloody well wasn’t going…
Galba #2 – Long May He Reign
On Jan 1, 69 CE, the beginning of the new Roman year, life looked pretty rosy for Emperor Galba. He had no obvious threats to his power from…
Galba #1 – Republic Schmublic
In our last episode, we finished on June 9, 68. Nero was 30 years and six months old. He had ruled for 13 years and 8 months. On…
Nero #47 – THE END
News of Galba’s betrayal makes its way to Nero who is shocked into action. He sends troops to stop Galba – but they switch sides and join the…
Nero #46 – The Last Straw
Nero celebrates two official triumphs. Not for military victories, but for singing. It’s the last straw. A new rebellion is formed, lead by Vindex and Galba.