In the late 420s AD, the Roman General Flavius Aetius connived and backstabbed his way up the chain of command.
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February 05, 2012
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Curious...In honor of Super Bowl Sunday, I would think that THOR would do a special on the most popular sports of the Roman Empire. Fingers crossed but if THOR goes into the reign of Justinian, the topic of chariot racing will be interesting.
Not that I'm complaining though, another great episode Mike.
Posted by: Aapte | February 05, 2012 at 01:43 PM
Great podcast. Finally cought up with it, started two months ago. Great show!
Am I correct that the 'magister militium' is Master of the Foot?
As in previous episodes the Master of the Horse was mentioned as such, in English, and not Magister Equus (or whatever it would be in Latin).
It was slightly confusing for me and thought maybe the Roman army was again heavily reorganised somewhere along the line and I missed it.
Posted by: Remy | February 06, 2012 at 12:14 AM
I discovered your podcast last week and listening non stop when on the road. I'm now at the rising of Octavius/Octavian/Caesar/Augustus and looking forward to getting stuck in traffic again tonight.
I want to thank you for providing this and compliment you on the conciseness, clarity, and the vibrancy in which you recreate the rise and fall in all its aspects. This must take a lot of research and editing effort; the 4 years of work thus far are much appreciated.
Against all better knowledge, I hope it doesn't all end once we get to 476.
Posted by: Bert | February 06, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Loved the quip about a teenage girl with unlimited text messaging! I burst out laughing! I've been listening to you for years. I look forward to your podcast every week! Long ago you had mentioned a love for American history. When you finally put the Romans to bed I hope you'll consider beginning anew with America! You rock! Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Andrew Sutton | February 06, 2012 at 07:04 AM
Aetius seems a wiley bird, looking forward to his next cunning plan... just wondering how I can fit the texting simile into conversation this week.
Great podcast as always, will be tuning in to whatever you decide to do next.
Posted by: Sandy | February 06, 2012 at 09:52 AM
Aetius is on the rise, but still long way to match the itunes.
Posted by: Travel | February 07, 2012 at 05:31 AM
Aetius stands for the name of the person. It is consider a history but why this name use to name the gadgets. But anyway if it can be popular, it can be popular.
Posted by: What to do in London | February 07, 2012 at 05:37 AM
Thanks for sharing this post. I really enjoy reading it.
Posted by: Healthy Options | February 07, 2012 at 05:38 AM
What a wonderful podcast. I don't know what is sadder, realizing that the Roman Empire will soon end so pathetically or the podcast will conclude in a few more episodes.
Posted by: Rory | February 07, 2012 at 06:56 AM
It's embarassing how excited I got at the end of this week's episode...just knowing what (or rather...who) was coming. I think the introduction of Ceasar onto the stage was the last time I was so excited.
Posted by: Trevin | February 07, 2012 at 01:54 PM
Ditto on the great episode. I finally caught up a few episodes back, and have to say I got spoiled being able to listen nonstop for a while there. Now having to wait weekly is killing me! All the worse because it may be coming to an end soon. I hope you decide to continue with the East until the fall of Constantinople, but I can understand if you want to take a break and not continue for another 1000 years! I look forward to hopefully joining you on the History of Rome Tour in the near future (too bad you don't go to Istanbul/Constantinople anymore...).
Posted by: Franz Rivera | February 07, 2012 at 05:48 PM
Thanks Mike for another great episode. I've been looking forward to this episode. To me, Aetius, along with Aurelian are two of the most
intriguing men in Roman history. I wish we knew had more first hand knowlege of thier thoughts and motivations.
Posted by: Brian Denicola | February 07, 2012 at 07:43 PM
Mike, Thanks for another banger of an episode. I would like to recommend an audible book for next week's podcast. "Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson. It's the story of two divers who discovered and identified a WWII U-boat off the coast of New Jersey, at extreme risk to themselves.
Stew in Baltimore
Posted by: Michael Steward | February 08, 2012 at 04:46 PM
Hey mike
Back in episodes just before 100, you did a few episodes on regular romans, religion, etc. And then a q&a for episode 100. Do you think of doing something similar soon, maybe explain how life would change after 476 for regular folks? Also, i'd love to get answers to questions such as:
Which 5 roman moments are really overrated?
Why is it that we westerners have discounted the eastern empire as continuity of the roman empire? After all we still teach 476 as THE fall date.
Anyway been listening for years, and were it not for a baby, would have been in the tour couple of weeks from now! Have fun!
Posted by: Marc-andre deschenes | February 09, 2012 at 04:14 PM
Hi Mike,
I know Aetius is a great general and all, but i stumbled upon the career of the general Anatolius in the East, who dealt in a quite uncharacteristic friendly manner with both Sassanids and Attila, with success, and I hope we'll be lucky to hear what you find about him :)
Keep it up !
Posted by: Herve THOMAS | February 09, 2012 at 05:52 PM
Wow what a great episode! What a great ending! Listening to the last line of the episode face me chills! Can't wait for the next one :p
Posted by: Gerry Saucedo | February 10, 2012 at 02:32 PM
Another splendid podcast, Mike! I saw an old TV movie a while back in which Powers Boothe played Flavius Aetius. Your podcast gave me a better picture of who Flavius Aetius was. I also hope to read more about him (and Attilia) soon.
I would love to attend one of your Roman history tours. I went to Constantinople in 2009 and Rome in 2010, and want to go back. I am getting married in April and cannot this year so hopefully your will do another tour in 2013.
I hope that you will stay in the podcasting business after you finish up THoR with the exile of Romulus Augustulus. You have a good voice, a wry sense of humor, and excellent research skills, which are necessary for the history podcasting business. Also, let us know if you are writing a book on Roman history as part of THoR. I would be interested in reading it.
Enjoy Austin! It is a fabulous city!
Posted by: Greg Webb | February 12, 2012 at 08:32 AM
I like your site, its such a nice information and i appericiate that.
Dental Instruments
Posted by: Account Deleted | March 07, 2012 at 08:32 PM
I just got to this episode. I was pretty surprised to hear you heaping praise upon Mike Daisey just a month before the world was heaping scorn upon him. I think the orgy of shame was a bit hyperbolic since he didn't make any facts up, he just made up his personal relation to them. To put it into perspective, it would be a miracle if an episode of THOR had access to good enough information to be as factual as Daisey's act of non-journalism. Heck, most actual journalists are less concerned with facts than he was.
Thus ends a comment no one will read about a subject no one cares about anymore. My favorite kind of comment!
Posted by: Teiladnam | September 04, 2012 at 05:14 PM