Death of the Roman Republic

The Roman Republic was led by elected leaders, who checked and balanced each other.  However, a lot changed over the nearly 500 years it existed; the Roman Republic became the Roman Empire, ruled by a single Roman Emperor.  How did this happen, and how has your own country changed since its foundation? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

The Roman Republic is established!  In a few centuries, Rome blows up from a small settlement in Italy surrounded by enemies, to the master of the Mediterranean.  How did the Romans do it? Listen to find out! Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: How did the Roman Republic become so powerful? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

The Roman Republic was built on a broken foundation; Roman culture, society, and government would, and did, poison the Republic.  We see how the Republic structured its government so no one person held all the power, the role of competition in Roman politicians and generals, the value of a politician’s auctoritas, why Romans loved war, and how the Republic (badly) governed its provinces. Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What motivated Romans to keep conquering their neighbors, and expand in size? And how would this motivation lead to instability? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

This is where the fun begins! We meet our first two power players in the Death of the Roman Republic.  Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus enter the Republic’s politics, and they aren’t playing the political game the way it had always been played.  They were not great generals who went to war to win fame and acclaim, but populists.  Tiberius began the Populares faction of Roman politics, and was opposed by the traditional, established, Optimates.  The Popularis and the Optimate ideologies would clash, and thousands of Romans were going to be killed for it. Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode: Who are the Populares, who are the Optimates, and how do they seek to gain power and auctoritas? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

The Optimate Senate successfully killed the Populares Gracchi, but the Republic is now suffering under Optimate leadership.  A new man, Gaius Marius, will rise to lead the Republic through this crisis, and gain unprecedented power.  Additionally, Rome also goes to war with its eldest allies. Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What allowed Marius to stay in power? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Lucius Cornelius Sulla was a former lieutenant of Marius, and was a strong commander in the Social War.  With a new threat facing the Republic in the East, it’s Sulla’s time to shine! But just as it’s about to go so right, it goes so wrong… In fact, a lot goes wrong for the Republic this episode! Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What is the benefit of controlling an army? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

With the end of Sulla’s vicious civil wars and dictatorship, the Republic can hopefully recover.  We follow the careers of two of Pompey’s most able subordinates: Gnaeus Pompey Magnus and Marcus Licinius Crassus.  Both men served Sulla well, and became very powerful with his help.  Now, without Sulla, they throw themselves into the Republic’s politics.  The two rivals have their strengths and weaknesses, and successes and failures. Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What happens if you become too successful in Roman politics? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Pop the sparkling cider, we finally meet Gaius Julius Caesar! We’re going back in time a bit, to see how Caesar had been a background character in Roman politics - a small fish in a big pond.  We see Caesar’s early career, and how he tries to make a name for himself, and some of his misadventures, in the wacky world of the Roman Republic. Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What is Julius Caesar like? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Marcus Tullius Cicero’s claim to fame is that he was Rome’s greatest orator, and in this episode, we see how the power of his words, shapes the minds of Romans, and shapes the Republic.  This episode, we also see how Cicero deals with a conspiracy: a hostile takeover of the Republic.  Will Cicero be able to save the Republic? What roles do Crassus, Caesar, and Cato the Younger play?  Listen to find out! Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What is Cicero’s political alignment? Is he more of a Popularis, or an Optimate? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Returning to Julius Caesar, Caesar’s success as a politician was not guaranteed.  He still had a lot of debt, and he had some unpopular stances that were recently brought to bear.  Will Caesar be able to recover, and continue a viable career in politics? What will Caesar have to do to succeed? Listen and find out! Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What is the benefit of what would be the First Triumvirate to its members? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

The First Triumvirate had accomplished a lot of their goals.  Now, they struggle to hold it together.  Julius Caesar has a great opportunity in Gaul, though is surrounded by danger.  In Rome, Pompey Magnus and Crassus struggle to hold onto power.  The First Triumvirate threatens to break, all of their work for naught…  Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What was Rome’s philosophy of conquering territory? Why did non-Romans eventually stop fighting Roman conquest? Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack. Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Julius Caesar wants to come home to Rome after so many years of war in Gaul.  The problem? He can only return home under very specific conditions that will grant him legal immunity.  His enemies also want Caesar home, without legal immunity, so that they can tear him down.  Who will win the legal battle, and how might Pompey Magnus help? And of course, what will happen, if Caesar doesn’t get his way?   Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: Was a new civil war inevitable? Intro/Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack.  “Tolling Bell” from soundbible.com.  “Proscription” sound effect obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com  Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Julius Caesar launched a civil war on Rome against Pompey Magnus and the Optimates.  Caesar’s civil war will take him across the Roman World, as he fights his enemies in Spain, and at Dyrrachium.  Pompey, the Optimates, and their forces will fight back, as the two sides fight for control of the Republic.  Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: Who will win this civil war? The Caesareans, or Pompeians? What advantages and disadvantages does each side have? Intro/Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack.  “Tolling Bell” from soundbible.com.  “Proscription” sound effect obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

In this episode, Julius Caesar’s civil war against Pompey Magnus and the Optimates continues, and a decisive victor is decided.  We also glimpse at life in Ptolemaic Egypt, and introduce Queen Cleopatra.  We see the civil war she’s embroiled in, who she allies with to win her throne, and how that affects the Roman Republic. Our essential question to keep in mind throughout the episode is: What did Pompey need to win the Civil War, and maintain power after, if he won? And what did Caesar need to win the Civil War, and maintain power after, if he won? Suicide is a prevalent theme in this episode, and is mentioned a lot at the end of the episode.  In one instance, a historical figures suicide is descriptive, and some may consider it graphic.  This is in no way meant to glorify suicide, but so we can understand why this historical figure did what he did, and how that affected others.  If you would like an edited MP3 of this episode with less descriptive elements, you can contact the show by emailing dotrrpod@gmail.com.  The US National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 1-800-273-8255 if you feel like you need support.  Intro/Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack.  “Smooth and Sexy R&B”  Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.

Julius Caesar won his civil war! Caesar’s civil war proved that there was a lot wrong with the Republic, and there were a lot of issues that needed to be fixed.  Julius Caesar was made a dictator for 10 years, and then life, to fix these issues.  While some chafed under Caesar’s dictatorship, Caesar felt his position was safe, as he restored the Republic with his unlimited power. Our essential question to keep in mind through the episode is: Why did Julius Caesar do what he did? Intro/Outro Music: “Into Uncertainty’’ from Jay Man - OurMusicBox.  Thumbnail made with Bannersnack.  “Smooth and Sexy R&B”  Death of the Roman Republic (DOTRR) is an educational podcast, and any clips from other media is used to transform and elevate its educational content, using modern media to help people relate to a 2000 year old story. (Speaking as a not-Fair Use expert), DOTRR seeks to use Fair Use, in transforming media clips used for educational purposes, and in that Death of the Roman Republic will never make a profit (no advertisements, Patreon, etc.).   *2024 update - Google Podcasts is apparently shutting down, I am attempting to upload to podcast to Spotify.  Fingers crossed this works, I nonetheless have an always will do this for fun, and do not seek to make any profit, and use media to elevate education (without outdated memes and references) through transformative means.