90- The Hundredth Episode

Big question-time blowout!

90- The Hundredth Episode

Comments

[afischer]

Awesome! Thanks for answering my question.

[Brax]

Thanks for this and all the previous episodes. A superb story, well told. Looking forward to the next 350 years.

[Alex]

Mike,

I'm a writer/editor and have worked in publishing for about 15 years, independently for the past five. I've coauthored a book of pop history (World War II on the Air, 2003) along the way, and I'd love to help you transform your scripts into book form. I've been reading about ancient Rome for several years now (and listening to your podcast) just for fun, so I'd jump at the chance to dig into it professionally. Whether you're looking for help in organizing/editing, writing, putting together a book proposal, finding an agent, or just need some free advice, I'd be happy to help. Please contact me if you're interested in discussing it. (I wasn't sure how else to get in touch, so I hope this makes sense.)

Thanks,
Alex ([email protected])

[Mark]

I hope that book idea becomes a reality. I would gladly give up a shelf in my bookcase solely for the 350,000 word History of Rome book!

[Andres]

Great episode! I am looking forward to the fun times ahead with Carcalla, Elagabulus and the Krazy Kristians!

[Gerry]

For those of you that live in the Philadelphia area, the Nation Constitution Center is presenting an exhibit titled 'Ancient Rome and America.' It's from Febuary till March and it focuses on Ancient Rome's influence on the U.S. Here's the link: http://www.constitutioncenter.org/rome/

[JCR]

I've been reading Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series, and having such fun connecting all the awesome things I know from this podcast to McCullough's general outline. Though her books are historical fiction, they're really good. Try them (and this is to the general public, not just Mike).

[robert]

Going to get a book someday SWEET !!!.Great podcast hope you do another question answer someday say podcast 200!

[Claude]

Mike,
You tallied up 329,186 words - I'm impressed! Hey I have a suggestion regarding publishing. Please be sure to make it available on eReaders (Kindle, iPad, etc). I'm not a publisher, but I know it will definitely expand your audience base. There are a few books that I've put off buying because they're not yet available on Kindle. I'm sure Alex can help you set that up.
Thanks
P.S. You rock man!
Claude

[Steve]

How about a Q&A at the end of each episode. Just a minute or two answering one question a week.

[Charles]

great episode. It was definitely worth the wait. I love your answer of what three words would you describe the romans, they say it all: "veni, vidi, vinci".

I only missed that people didn't ask enough about your personal life, to a respectful point obviously, I would have like to know where your are from, where you grow up and what you do for a living, other then making history podcasts to rival 12 Byzantine rulers and the Napoleon podcast in scope and quality.

Mrs. History of Rome, I loved your entrance. At last we get a glimpse of the woman that captives and inspires Mr. History of Rome to do great podcasts. Hope to hear your voice again in some future podcast if ever a chance should present itself.

Mike, I can't thank you enough for the endless hours of dedication and effort you put on each and every episode. You really made a difference in my life and of thousands out their that await eagerly for each morsel of roman history you cooked for us every week.

May your way be bless by the goddess Fortuna in all your endeavors.

[MikeP]

I am really enjoying the podcast and have been listening to 5 or 6 a day to catch up. But I don't see anything on the feed after episode 57. Am I missing something, or will i have to manually download every episode separately?

[HMS]

Hey Mike!, I've been listing since early January this year, and so far I love the podcast. I'm a big fan and have been deeply into roman history for about 8 years now. Here are links for maps of the empire during the second century for everyone's benefit:

http://genetic-genealogy.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/RomanEmpire117.jpg

http://www.treesinthewoods.com/images/Merovech%20Dynasty/Roman%20Empire%20-%20Height.png

Also a link on a map from the year 200 A.D., in wich are visible the borders of the empire, it's client states, and almost every empire, kingdom or tribe location known from that time in the whole eastern hemisphere:

http://www.worldhistorymaps.info/images/East-Hem_200ad.jpg

Hope you all enjoy !!!

[Wim]

Dear Mike, congratulations to this 100th episode! I've commented twice before that I enjoy your podcast immensely. I listen to it while I'm rendering my artwork which includes some Roman themes by the way. Keep up your admirable account of Rome's history! Greetings from the Netherlands.

Should you like to - or have the time to - pay my site a visit be sure to choose the dutch version - it has some historical reconstructions you might like, for instance this auxilliary from near the limes in present day Holland: http://www.wimeuverman.nl/afbeeldingen/auxiliarius_romein_roman.jpg

[Francesco]

Mike
Loved the episode.
Might I make comment defending the depiction of Lucius Vorenus in Rome the TV sees. Lucius is depicted as an idea Roman, not a modern hero. That will inevitably make much of what he does unpleasant & unlikable to us. Any other Roman historic drama would have made him the villain, having a hero who we can sympathise with but the writers chose to make him the central character, helping to bring roman values front & centre for the entire show.

I cannot find Rome versus Rome anywhere on the internet, can you give more information about it. Thanks

[crogmobulon]

Francesco,

The 1964 epic that Mike referred to as one that should be required viewing for all students of history is actually titled "Rome against Rome". Do a search on Netflix. You will find it there.

I thought it might be an accout of the power struggle between the Caeserians and the Republicans, but it appears to have more to do with how the Roman empire ultimately devoured itself.

Mike, Thanks for the tremendous effort you put into the production of this podcast.

[Ben Nicholson]

A brilliant episode and as always I have so many more questions (which is good), but thats for other days.
If you do this book, which I would be very intrested in. I hope it gets published over in the UK so us british fans don't have to pay import charges (I know cheap skate comes to mind) and that you have some of your maps etc. on there as well as maybe a little reference bit in it as well. Anyway until I get a time machine to go in the future and get it, I will wait and keep enjoying your podcast and woundering what to do until your next podcast comes out.

[Francesco]

crogmobulon
Thanks. DVD ordered.

[Francesco]

crogmobulon
Thanks. DVD ordered.

[Francesco]

crogmobulon
Thanks. DVD ordered.

[Brian Denicola]

Mike - Great job as always. Really enjoy the podcast. Can't wait until you get to Aurelian and the last of the Romans ... Aetius.

[Ryan]

Mike,
Incredible job, just like you always do. Considering how much enjoyment I get out of your podcast each week, the least I can do is offer up some free help to you on the future book project. I have no contacts in publishing, but I work for a PR firm, adore history and am--I humbly state-- an excellent writer. I can think of nothing more enjoyable than spending a few hours each week plowing through your transcripts and tweaking them into a publishable format. If you need the man-hours, I would be honored to provide them. If you don't, no worries, and no offense will be taken.
-Ryan, [email protected]

[Casey]

Good episode....but in my heart Randy Johnson will always be an Expo or Astro.

[Stephenlamb]

Just a word of thanks for your podcast. I have enjoyed it immensely and have learned more than I ever dreamed possible when I started listening. You are my frequent companion on car journeys and I could not wish for a more entertaining or more stimulating passenger.

[Almost-Tricked]

Mike is having a little fun at our expense - so unless you really, really love old, low-budget zombie movies, then I'd stay clear of "Rome Against Rome."

(It is kind of funny to think of all of us, poor THoR-addicts that we are, waiting with bated breath for a cheesy horror flick. How devious!

[Gary Jungling]

Love the podcast, this episode was great. LOL on the movie choice too.

[jordan]

wanted to thank you for the great podcast. Also wanted to ask you a question: you mentioned a while ago (I am still catching up) Augustus exiling an alpine tribe that was causing trouble, but can't for the life of me remember which tribe. Can you please remind me?

[Smartypants]

Mike, you dog. Roma contro Roma! Really?

The folks at Netflix must be scratching their heads to figure out why a 45 year old zombie flick set in ancient Rome is suddenly getting posted at the top of so many movie queues.

Well played sir, well played.

Another terrific podcast. I hope you'll take questions again before the 200th episode -- it was great fun hearing what other fans are interested in and your always trenchant replies. Thanks for the many hours (days?!) of listening enjoyment.

[Luise (Tasmania,Australia)]

Mike!
The 100th episode was a triumph! Congratulations!
I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am amazed but not surprised at the amount of work you put into the podcast each week. It is quite a commitment in time and I wonder how history students 500-1000 years from now will view the work. "...class, please open your iPad at page 5432 of Duncan's The History of Rome for todays e lesson..."

[menzie]

Dear Mike

Just want to echo many of the comments you get thanking you for your podcast. I listen to them over and over - while I am riding to work, if i wake up in the middle of the night and cant get back to sleep and while I am doing the housework. It is always v exciting when there is a new episode to listen to. and thanks to Mrs History of Rome for allowing you all the time you put into this podcast when you could be doing things around the house or keeping her company.

while i think a book would be good, I would like to see a great history channel series which goes for several years too starring you and Mrs HoR of course.

thanks again

[scott]

Mike,
I found THoR two years ago and have been eagerly awaiting every episode! thank you so much for all your dedication.

As an ancient history student, i love this overview that helps me remember what i have since forgotten. Excellent!

I love how "Veni, vedi vici" was the 3 words. So apropopo.

[Spencer]

Mike, long time listener of THOR and just wanted to chime in to say thanks for all the endless hours of education and entertainment.

Also just wanted to say that we home school our 3 kids and since we are visiting Italy later this year we have used the THOR podcast as one of the backbones for our history lessons. (My son calls you teacher Mike)

And Randy Johnson will always be a Mariner. (Threw out the home opener first pitch at SAFECO this year)! W/O Randy the M's may not still be in Seattle.)

Thanks again!

[Lianne]

Hi Mike,

Really enjoying all the podcasts, and thanks for answering our questions :D

[GreaterBostonGuy]

100th episode was probably the best one yet. Well done sir!

[Kai Flessing]

Dear Mike,

thanks for the wonderful hundredth episode and for all the ones before. I enjoyed every single bit for I am a graduate in history myself.
One listener had a question about when Latin died out as a language and you were definitely on the right track when you dated it around the reign of Charlemagne.
But there was a certain event during the reign of Charlemagne that can be identified as a mark for the end of Latin.
By the time of the late eigth century the Latin language had long since developed into debased regional varieties in the lands that once were part of the Western Roman Empire. The situation had grown so bad that most people from the clergy still could read Latin but pronounced it so terribly that they were in danger of unconsciously spelling out heresies when they were performing the mass.

Ironically, the purest Latin in the eigth century was spoken by Irish and English monks and missionaries who had to learn it directly from the classic authors for it was not their native tongue.
A lot of these people, as you sure know, were influential advisers at the court of Charlemagne, Alcuin being the most prominent one.
So Charlemagne as heir to the Roman Emperors and thus being the lord of all Christendom decided that the Latin of the classic authors like Cicero or St.Augustine should be the only valid form in secular and in ecclesiastical matters.
Thus Latin was frozen into the classic form we identify today as proper Latin, mainly for reasons of liturgical accuracy.

I hope I could help. Keep on rockin´ Rome, Mike. I´m a big fan!

Kai

[Richard Cravy]

As a history buff, teacher and public speaker I have thoroughly enjoyed THoR since I first discovered it almost a year ago. Perhaps you can mention sometime how many estimated listeners you have. As for a book... well I think audio books work just fine, and you are producing one of those right now! No one said the printed version has to come first (or at all)!

[NJ]

Thanks, I almost ordered that film for my school to show in class. I love the show, would not have loved explaining a zombie film in Middle School Humanities to my principal.

[Luke]

Mike,
Congrats on the big 100! It has been a privilege and a joy to listen as you unravel the complicated, and often murky, history of the Roman civilization. Thank you. We are all looking forward to the journey ahead. Also, good luck with the book! It will definitely find a home on my shelf (hopefully with an autograph by the author).

[Andrew Payne]

I just caught up on episodes. I just wanted leave a word of thanks for everything you do here. I learn a great deal and enjoy your style and delivery.

How about taking this until the fall of the Holy Roman Empire to Napoleon? ;)

[daniel]

just discovered your site and what to say thanks.

[Bill Cashin]

Love the series and looking forward to Mrs. History of Rome's next appearenct (in Epsiode CC)

[Charity Wilson]

This episode was absolutely wonderful. Thank you for such a great series.

I used to skip over everything related to Roman History. What more was there to learn. School sucked the joy and curiosity out of me. I mean, for pete's sake, I knew Roman History, passed that test in school!

Ummm . . . yeah, I was wrong!

Thank you for making this time period absolutely come alive.

And thanks for being one of the cool podcasts that my 9 and 10 year olds enjoy listening to!

[Rich]

Mike,

Continued thanks for your podcast. It's always one of the highlights of my week.

re: Music. If it makes you feel any better, the Harvard Business Review IdeaCast podcast uses the standard iLife jingle "East Ender", and I'd guess they're a bigger outfit than you. :-)

[Ed]

I really appreciated your answer on America compared to Rome -- we have only been around for a blink of an eye, let the comparisons come if we are still around in a few hundred years.

I will say that in regards to comparisons and the fall of Rome, I think of St. Augustine and his work the "City of God" where he defends Christianity from those who blamed the sack of Rome on the peoples abandoning the old Roman gods for this new Christian faith. I know this is my own religious beliefs here, so disagree with me. But seems a certain amount of blame for America's decline is directed toward the Christian church butting into politics.

Augustine's point was that all Cities of Man (empires) will ultimately crumble and fall, even mighty Rome, but the City of God is eternal.

[Tony]

Great episode

You said you didn't want the show to become a history of the roman emperors, I in fact love how you cover the emperors so please keep it up.

[Aaron Cash]

Loved this episode it was just plain fun for me just all the cool questions from the listeners can't wait for episode 200. I thought it was great when your wife made an apperance. Just another great episode

[Joshua]

Mike,
I know its a bit late, but I'm surprised Justinian, Heraclius, or Basil didn't make it on your list of the 5 best Emperors. Thanks for your podcasts, I hope you continue to keep posting for a long time to come. Your podcast is the one thing i look forward to on Monday morning.

[Keithorenstein]

Thank you for the many hours of pleasurable listening. My commute now seems too short. Go figure.

[Ritchie]

Almost-Tricked: Might Mike have been thinking of the 1963 film "Alone Against Rome"? http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/67142/Alone-Against-Rome/