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Emperors of Rome

Author: La Trobe University

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“Great empires are not maintained by timidity.” - Tacitus. A podcast series looking at the rulers of the ancient Roman empire, by Dr Rhiannon Evans, Dr Caillan Davenport and Matt Smith.
261 Episodes
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Porcia

Porcia

2025-08-3040:24

Being the daughter of Cato and wife of Brutus came with certain expectations from the ancient world. Embody her father’s principles, be a fine, upstanding Roman lady, and put Rome first above all other things. Porcia did this, and was admired for her disposition. Episode CCXLVII (247) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Laudatio Turiae

Laudatio Turiae

2025-08-2241:181

In times of antiquity, alongside the Via Appia, stood the Laudatio Turiae, a funerary inscription praising the life of an exceptional Roman woman. While we aren’t sure of her actual identity her husband was clearly fond to her, and wanted everyone approaching Rome to know it. Episode CCXLVI (246) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
False Nero

False Nero

2025-07-3125:291

When Nero took his own life in 68CE it was the end of an era for Rome. The Julio-Claudians had ruled for close to 100 years, and with the end of the dynasty there was confusion, civil war, and an outpouring of grief. Some would exploit this confusion and claim to be the still alive Emperor Nero, with the intention of retaking his empire. Episode CCXLV (245) Guest: Assistant Professor Zachary Herz (Legal Historian, Department of Classics, University of Colorado Boulder).
Ludi Apollinares

Ludi Apollinares

2025-07-1422:301

Plague getting your people down? Suffering from a mysterious ailment? Perhaps a festival of Apollo is what you need. A simple festival with games, plays and feastings could be enough to sway Apollo in your favour. Or at least, distract your city for a while. Episode CCXLIV (244) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
After the death of Crassus his powerful name, his fortune, and his family’s honour survived. In this episode we’ll trace the life of the Crassi yet to come, and how the family comes together with an old rival. Episode CCXLIII (243) Part V of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Glory and Gold

Glory and Gold

2025-05-2933:51

Crassus had power, he had money, but he still felt something was missing. With an army and a province in the east, he sets off to win the glory he had always been denied Perhaps it lay in Parthia. Episode CCXLII (242) Part IV of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
As Crassus gathered more power and wealth his success was aided by two allies. One, Julius Caesar, had received financial aid from Crassus for many years. The other, Pompeius Magnus, was at the best of times a bitter rival. Together they formed the triumvirate - more powerful together than apart. Episode CCXLI (241) Part III of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Crassus vs Spartacus

Crassus vs Spartacus

2025-04-2433:122

In the tales of Hollywood Crassus will always be the antagonist to the slave hero Spartacus, but is that how would he see himself? A war against slaves is something that no self respecting Roman would like to be pushed into. And yet here we are. Episode CCXL (240) Part II of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Marcus Licinius Crassus was an influential politician in the late Roman republic, famous for the wealth he accrued and the power that he held. An ally of Caesar and a rival of Pompey, he rose to prominence during the social wars, but would never get the military glory he believed was his owed. Episode CCXXXIX (239) Part I of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Excavating Pompeii

Excavating Pompeii

2025-03-1739:26

Pompeii has been excavated for hundreds of years, and in that time techniques, practices and philosophies have changed. We’re now finding out a lot more about the city and the people who lived there, and there’s still more to find out. The When in Rome podcast is now fundraising for an upcoming series 8. Please give your support. Guest: Dr Sophie Hay (Archaeologist, Archaeological Park of Pompeii) Professor Steven Ellis (Classics, University of Cincinnati)
The simple act of dinner took on a new dimension for the Emperors. In an place where every meal could be a performance, an Emperor used the chance to reward and impress, intimidate and strike fear, and sometimes all at once. Having dinner with the Emperor was always a great honour, but sometimes you were risking your life. Episode CCXXXVIII (238) Guest: Professor Mary Beard (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Roman Dining

Roman Dining

2025-02-1825:551

For the Romans the simple act of dinner was so much more than a meal. It was an opportunity to socialise and do business, to see and be seen, and in some cases just to show off. Like everything it is steeped in protocol and tradition, but ultimately it emphasised spending time with others - as every good meal should. Episode CCXXXVII (237) Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
To celebrate the 10th year of the Emperors of Rome podcast, Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith convened a screening of the epic movie Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, preceded by a live podcast recording the history and basis of the character Commodus performed by Joaquin Phoenix. Recorded on the 19th October 2024 at the Thornbury Picture House, Melbourne.
The Roman festival of Faunalia Rustica was celebrated in rural areas in honour of the god Faunus, a god who according to epic poetry was the King of the Latins, but to many needed appeasement for country living. Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Diocletian and Maximian must be doing something right - keeping the borders of Rome safe, and ruling the Empire in harmony. They even have a catch-up in Milan, worthy of a panegyric. Things would be perfect, if it wasn’t for the revolt of Carausius in Gaul and Britain, who doesn’t want to rule Rome, he just wants to be included in the party. Part II of Diocletian Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
The man who would be the Emperor Diocletian was of unremarkable origins. Quick to recognise the challenges of Rome, he moved to set it up as a franchise opportunity. This worked when nothing else did, and to many he was the most successful Roman emperor in an age. Just don’t ask the Christians… Part I of Diocletian Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
As the wild and crazy experiment of the 3rd century winds to a conclusion, a man named Carus steps into the purple, with an imperial dynasty ready to go. But Rome has grown unwieldy. Challenged by enemies from beyond and within, it will take quite a leader to hold the empire together. Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
Probus had a fairly long reign for this time in the history of the Empire. Keeping the barbarians in check is one thing, seeing off usurpers is another, but just don’t ask too much of the military - they don’t like getting their hands dirty. Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
We now return to the late third century, where the Emperor Aurelian has finally reunited the Roman empire and been murdered for the trouble, and the senate in Rome, waning in its influence, makes a final flex of power. Tickets are now on sale for our special 10th anniversary live screening of the movie Gladiator! 19th October at the Thornbury Picture House in Melbourne. Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
The Bona Dea was a goddess of Rome, whose celebrations were the secret domain of elite women. To our male Roman sources they were mysterious and magical, that is until Clodius Pulcher decided he would gate crash. Tickets are now on sale for our special 10th anniversary live screening of the movie Gladiator! 19th October at the Thornbury Picture House in Melbourne. Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
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Comments (31)

Suzanne Grenier

q qqq

Feb 4th
Reply

Shawn Dunlavy

I absolutely love your podcast.

May 11th
Reply

Monica Johnson

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Feb 9th
Reply

Mermadone

Twitter no longer exists? What about X? Showing our lefty ideology are we?

Aug 27th
Reply

Granny InSanDiego

I wonder how listeners who come to these podcasts late can have access to the Fasti series and the Gallic Wars series.

Jan 10th
Reply

Granny InSanDiego

The US is now repeating history with an oligarchic Senate and a demogogue who has a cult following of racists and misogynists who fear true democracy. We are living through the last days os the USA.

Aug 22nd
Reply

Kevlar 45

I laughed at least 4 times. a must listen

Jun 21st
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Chris ryan

It appears the host, Matt Smith, has a "problem" with the Gracchi brothers....I don't think I like him very much anymore.

Jan 18th
Reply

Juju Longo

Dr. Zachary Herz is a gem. Amazing episode.

Oct 12th
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Juju Longo

I love Dr. Emma Southon! ❤️

Sep 11th
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Mikael Lindgren

love you guys. 5-6th playthrough of EoR! rhiannon is my favourite. I want her as a teacher. idea: Hadrian festival. a travelling festival and so forth

May 23rd
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Stiles

Great series, I really like how this series actually addresses the different sources. That being said, saying that "The alt-right in America uses Ovid as an excuse to subjugate women" is just plain silly. Matt your need to call out Professors when they make nonsensical political statements like that. Or tell them to stick to their field of study and just shut the fuck up about shit they don't know.

Apr 3rd
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Juju Longo

Love the episode! Emma Southon is a gem.

Dec 15th
Reply

1 Top 2 Clean.

And here's the link to the survey. (^^,) https://latrobe.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1OmwBdKRs0ErfPT May i suggest that they put web links in their podcasts ? (^^,) Maybe to more information or sources? E. g. Like this @RomePodcast or #RomePodcast https://mobile.twitter.com/RomePodcast Or like this, so people can Filter to Audio, Movies, Pictures, Collections and Texts. https://archive.org/search.php?query=%28Rome%20History%20%29 Or to peer reviewed written texts on any subject, just start on the front door. (^^,) https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=Rome+History&acc=off&wc=on&fc=off&group=none ... Anyhow this can be a great help to many. (^^,) Search for anything between heaven and your ears. https://www.searchall.net/

Sep 5th
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Adrian Harris

Great series.

Jul 27th
Reply

Granny InSanDiego

Hopefully the "host" Matt Smith will not rudely interrupt this new guest expert as he did on this episode.

Jul 24th
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Granny InSanDiego

Please Matt Smith fade into the background. You are not funny, merely distracting. You were much morr effective in the beginning. People listening to this subject enjoy it and your corny wisecracks are not appreciated.

Jun 20th
Reply (2)

adrian harris

wow. love this series. the best listening ever for me.

Mar 10th
Reply

1 Top 2 Clean.

Yes love this Podcast and also the podcast named... When in Rome also with Matt Smith and Rhiannon Evans.

Dec 14th
Reply (1)

Yolanda Esquer

I absolutely love this whole series. thank you!!!

Nov 15th
Reply (1)