We jump back to 54 BCE and talk about what’s been happening in Rome while Caesar has been stomping on Gaul. Massive political corruption. Pompey is made sole Consul. Laws are deliberately passed that make it impossible for Caesar to return to Rome without facing near-certain exile and ruin. After this episode, it’s hard to think of anything different Caesar *could* have done than cross the Rubicon.
And at the end of this episode, Ray and Cam spend 45 minutes talking about contemporary geopolitics, answering many emails we’ve had from listeners asking why Ray doesn’t speak up when Cam goes on a rant about the American military.
Ray, Cam, you have done a delightful job getting us to the crux of Caesar’s story. Everything in the Caesar story builds to this moment, the Rubicon. It is Caesar’s decision to invade Italy that changes the course of Roman society and Western civilization ever after. Correct appreciation of Caesar’s motives and the circumstances surrounding his actions are paramount to the adequate comprehension of both Western history and Caesar the man. No pressure but, the success of your endeavor rests in this next chapter. 😉 This is no time to lighten your pace. Give this all you’ve got. Leave nothing unevaluated. Godspeed!
Hey Cameron, you probably saw this, but just in case. There was an Intelligence Squared debate on Napoleon (the Great?).
http://www.intelligencesquared.com/events/napoleon-the-great-andrew-roberts-adam-zamoyski/