After the death of Tiberius's son Drusus, Praetorian Prefect Lucius Sejanus's influence grew exponentially. Sejanus was the defacto ruler of Rome from 26 AD until his fall from power 5 years later.
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Awesome Glad you got the podcast up I listened to the first couple minutes and I am glad that the deal with Audible apparently went through I have been waiting for the URL so you get "credit" when I try it out. Although I have to admit I am waiting to see what Mike in Houston says with his ramblings about "weaties" commercials... but whatever I will keep listening and check out your recomendations (though more likely in print form).
Thanks for the great podcast
Rob in Cincinnati
Posted by: leedo2502 | June 14, 2009 at 09:58 PM
Hi Mike,
Another great episode, and I had no problem with the ad at the start. Well done on turning this into some financial gain for yourself.
Cheers,
Nick
Posted by: Nick | June 15, 2009 at 12:59 AM
THOR's Audible recommendations are:
* Lives of the Twelve Caesars (Unabridged), by Suetonius.
* The Complete Works of Tacitus: Volume 1: The Annals, Part 1, by Tacitus.
I couldn't find a link on Audible for Suetonius's unabridged version. Might be worth putting a link to your recommendations in show notes so we can add them to our Audible wishlist more easily. :)
Posted by: Lisa | June 15, 2009 at 06:46 AM
Hi all,
I think I read in a previous post by someone that they were worried that post the change from Republic to Empire this podcast was becoming a list of emperors. I think they were worried that less time was spent on culture, the plebs, and the Roman world beyond the ruling class.
I think they may have had a point but I'm still enjoying the podcast. But I heard an excellent podcast: part of the BBCs long-standing In Our Time series. This week's was about The Augustan Age and had a lot about Augustus' influence on culture, particularly poets like Ovid, Virgil, and Horace. It's well worth the listen. The format is having fairly stuffy professors waxing lyrical about their area of expetise, possibly not to everyone's taste but a great and timely complement to the History of Rome.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ktfmw/In_Our_Time_The_Augustan_Age/
Posted by: Luke Baxter | June 15, 2009 at 12:46 PM
I deeply enjoy this podcast, and among other things, I do love the style in which you speak, it is a pleasant shift for one who is used to listening to tons of audio books either monotone or overly dramatic and with a terrible accent. bravo for that!
I have a question..
Who was it that said, "Furthermore, I propose that war be declared on Carthage" after ever speech? was it Cicero? Cato the younger? or Cato the Elder?
if you have time, please email me with the answer at [email protected]
Posted by: Andrew Hayes | June 15, 2009 at 05:17 PM
Hey Andrew, it was Cato the Elder, all-knowing wikipedia says so! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carthago_delenda_est
Thanks, Mike, for continuing this podcast. I enjoy it every week!
Posted by: Carrie | June 15, 2009 at 09:20 PM
Hey Mike, great episode. I like the way you worked in the audible.com commercial as well. I'll be sure to check it out and set up that trial offer to see how it works. Oh yeah, and I can't wait until next week to hear you take on that mad man Caligula. Keep up the good work Mike!
Posted by: Mike in Phoenix | June 15, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Cato the Elder = Dick Cheney in a Toga (That's what I'm picturing anyway)
Posted by: Teresa neal | June 16, 2009 at 09:18 AM
Hey Mike, great podcast, just wanted to say the adverts really don't affect the show and I'm glad you're making a little money off of it, you deserve it! Keep it up, I listen every week!
Posted by: Lauren | June 16, 2009 at 03:52 PM
"I think I read in a previous post by someone that they were worried that post the change from Republic to Empire this podcast was becoming a list of emperors."
Actually I was thinking this too. The show has gotten very Emperor centric. But then again this span of Emperors... the Claudio-Julian emperors... is a very famous and interesting saga, and a story that needs to be told.
But I hope you do divert off into other worthwhile stories too. Vesuvius is due to erupt some time in the next few episodes, for example.
Posted by: Gregorian | June 16, 2009 at 05:28 PM
Hi Mike,
I discovered your podcasts a few weeks ago and I'm addicted. Great work and thank you. I'm already a subscriber to Audible, but whenever I find out that they are sponsoring another podcast I like, I always send them a note to say thanks.
- Nic.
Posted by: Nic Morgan | June 16, 2009 at 07:34 PM
I agree with everyone else!
Anything you can do to keep History of Rome going (though I am sure you would keep it going anyway)so the ads are more than welcome. You deserve it!
Also, I recently had a latin exam and while about Roman religion generally, not one event, knowledge gained from your podcast really came in handy!
Thank you!
Lots of love, Brendan.
P.S. The Roman Party here in Britain got 200 seats in my county!
Posted by: Brendan | June 17, 2009 at 02:27 AM
Hi Mike. Thanks again for the great podcasts. The ads are fine too. Less of a problem than in other podcasts I listen to. I did have a question question. What was up with the Legions at this point? I understand how Sejanus kept the Roman population at bay with fear and intimidation, but wasn't someone related to, friends with, whatever with some charismatic general who tried to swoop in and destroy Sejanus's mere 12k troops? What kept them at bay? Seems the army would already be predisposed for an intervention after the death of Germanicus.
Posted by: Mike | June 17, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Great podcast and the advert isn't bad, but the Audible deal appears to not be available in the UK I keep getting redirected to the UK site because of "regional restrictions", and there's no 14 day trial :( Never mind though I'll still be listening to your podcast.
Posted by: James | June 18, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Hello,
I've been listening to your podcast since the beginning. Great job!
I have one complain so far, and it's in that last episode, when you talked about the crucifixion of Christ. You talked about it like it absolutely certain it was an historical event. Honestly, I've been reading about the Christ myth theory lately, and I would have really enjoyed a little bit of doubt in that presentation, just a hit that maybe - you know maybe - the story in the Gospels didn't happened exactly as the Bible said it did and that maybe - you know maybe - the historical Jesus wasn't crucified or even that maybe, but hey really just maybe (who knows for real?) there wasn't really an historical Jesus.
And then, if the Christ myth theory is true, the really big event is when that guy who hated jew really badly went on the road to Damascus, had a big sunstroke, and had an hallucination that would reshape the world.
Keep up the good work,
Posted by: Venom | June 19, 2009 at 08:23 AM
Mr Duncan,
I am now at this very special moment in time : in 4 weeks, I'm now up to date. AARGH ! Now, I need to wait ! And truly, your narration is worth the wait. Thanks for the useful postings of pictures and maps. They really increase the value of your podcast !
I've truly become a die-hard fan !
Posted by: dario | June 19, 2009 at 08:36 AM
needing credit card info for a free trial ? dont think so.especially not when the one audio book i want is already on itunes
Posted by: robert | June 19, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Hi Mike,
Like James above, I'm a little disappointed that the Audible.com deal doesn't seem to transfer to your loyal listeners from the UK!
Anyway, fabulous work as always. Ever since I blundered onto this podcast 6 months or so ago I have been absolutely hooked. Well done also for making the advert bit pretty painless for us!
Posted by: Graham | June 20, 2009 at 02:31 AM
@Venom
This is about the history of Rome, not theological debates. This podcast is based on what history tells us, it's not really speculation.
That said, I think it's an interesting topic, this just isn't the proper forum to discuss it.
Posted by: Wes | June 21, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Responding to Venom:
I recently came across the Jesus Myth hypothesis myself and found it very interesting, although I think that there's enough circumstantial evidence to tell us that someone was crucified in the reign of Tiberius whose followers came to believe was resurrected and began a new cult of worship (in the ancient sense) around him.
Paul himself was a jew who persecuted the early Christians as a zealot. His following, however, was largely made up of gentiles who had converted from paganism.
Posted by: Jamie | June 22, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Hello Mike
Great episode, by the way.
Only recently discovered these podcasts, and am busy catching up. Hooked already though.
Can't help but draw mental comparrisons between Sejanus and J Edgar Hoover, with the way he tried to act as the real power behind the Kennedy's throne, with perhaps a little Macarthy paranoia-sewing thrown in for good measure. Or perhaps I am reading his character unjustly.
Posted by: Steve O'Grady | August 20, 2009 at 02:43 PM
This week's was about The Augustan Age and had a lot about Augustus' influence on culture.
Posted by: fallen earth chips | January 14, 2010 at 12:21 AM
Mike -
I'm really enjoying your podcast! I thought I knew a lot about Roman history but I learn new things with every podcast! I know you said it wouldn't happen but I'm begging you to take this podcast all the way to 1453 and the fall of Constantinople!
Charles
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LSD is one of the best ways to get an hallucination, of course mushrooms as well, but the easiest way I believe is by LSD, a friend of my try it and he told me that it is an incredible ride, but in order for a good trip the mood plays a key role.
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Love the podcast! Thanks so much.
I'm curious why iTunes is missing podcasts 58-84...anyone know?
Posted by: Mike | October 07, 2010 at 11:36 AM
I came here to ask the same question Mike.. I'm stuck on episode 57
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This may seem obvious, but (I think) I figured out what I was doing wrong: 1) I never realized that the pan should be really hot before you add the protein, 2) I didn’t remove the protein before cooking the veggies, and 3) I didn’t realize how quickly a true stir fry should cook. This,asdf of course, resulted in stir fry (beef, chicken, tofu, pretty much any protein I tried) with the texture of shoe leather.
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Posted by: swtor credits | December 28, 2011 at 12:27 AM
A weekly podcast tracing the history of the Roman Empire, beginning with Aeneas's arrival in Italy and ending (someday) with the exile of Romulus Augustulus
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