178- Not With A Bang But A Whimper

In the last few years of the Western Empire a series of Emperors came and went. The cycle finally ended in 476 with the exile of Romulus Augustulus. 

178- Not With A Bang But A Whimper

Comments

[Bill from Philly]

Thanks Mike! One of my favorite podcasts! Will surely be missed!

[Len Cohen]

Mike - THOR has truly been one of the highlights of my week. I actually felt excited about the upcoming work week and my long commute because I knew I had THOR to listen to on a Monday morning.
Best of luck with the little one. And I hope at some point you'll come up with a new project that we can all enjoy again (and pay for - I for one would be willing to do that!)

[zach]

Mike, thanks so much for your dedication to this. This has been a massive undertaking and few would have dared tread where you slogged for so long. You've greatly increased my interest in Roman history and you made it enjoyable and funny where it could have easily devolved into boring ear fodder. Thank you again! Congrats on the new phase of family life, and we look forward to whatever you do in the future.

[Matthew]

Thank you!

[Bradley]

I managed to discover the podcast at number 5. Way back at the beginning, it's been a fascinating journey and I learned more than I ever thought I would. I hope that the new baby delays a week, but I can't honestly thank you enough for such a fascinating and fulfilling podcast.

I have followed you through the bad audio, the addition of audible, and even the addition of the Mrs. History of Rome. Though I have never met you, you will be sorely missed.

Congratulations again!

[Jesse]

Mike,
Thanks for all the hard work. You have a real gift and it's been a pleasure listening on my Monday commute. Thanks again!

[Greg Noonan]

Best of Luck with your new production. I'm sure tht he/she will be even more rewarding and at times, as challenging.
As with so many I will miss the podcasts but I commend you for your sensational legacy.

[Alastair (Scotland)]

Mike, It's been five years now, hard to believe, that you've been brightening my weeks with your wonderful podcast. You have rekindled my love for the ancient world, dormant since undergraduate days in the early 1980s. You have succeeded where I previously failed in getting my wife as interested as I have been in the history of the Roman empire. You have brought pleasure and enlightenment to so many of your listeners. You can be truly proud of your achievement. I hope you will produce another podcast - you are a brilliant broadcaster. I very much hope you'll continue with the HoR tours - with a young family they weren't possible for us up to now but they sound wonderful. As the father of 3 boys, the eldest now just a teenager, I can confidently say that life will never be the same again for you and Mrs History of Rome. Parenthood is a truly wonderful experience, and I wish you and your family joy.

[Bob Markunas]

I was hoping 476 would never get here. Mike, your podcast has been the standard for history podcasts. Most every Sunday night I would remember that a THoR podcast would be waiting for me Monday morning and I would actually look forward to getting into work. And the other Sunday nights I would remember you said no podcast was coming and feel the old dread of Monday morning.

I think your Day in the Life podcast was the best. Still love your Vespasian and Aurelian shows. You actually sounded sad when telling us Aurelian was murdered.

One thing I'd love to know, either in the epilogue or from a listener here, did the Roman world at the end look and feel more like a medieval world or the ancient Roman? Were emperors dressed like King Henry or Augustus? Did they still wear laurels or did they wear crowns?

[Madeleine McCrea]

Mike,

Congratulations on the ending of this magnus opus! I have enjoyed listening to your speaking style and humor. Good luck on the new baby.

[Jeff]

Mike, thank you for all your hard work over the years. It's been an absolute pleasure to have you in life. I guess I'll just have to listen to it all over again.

Good Luck to you, Mrs THoR and the new arrival.

. . . See Ya!

[Nathan]

Well, here I go now, downloading the entire archive of THoR in anticipation of one massive block of listening. When no further history is to be heard... hear it all over again!

Still looking forward to the epilogue!

[JosephG]

If you really want to understand something try explaining it to someone else. Was that the thing?

Mike Duncan, you're a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks for the years of effort.

[Nolan Winters]

Thank you so much for this amazing podcast. My brother and I have been listening to this since about episode 20. I doubt I will ever find a podcast that I'll enjoy more than I have this one. :)
I wish the best to you and your family.

[David Walker]

I've been listening since the podcast was talking about the 5 good Emperors and it's been one of the best podcasts I've ever listened to. Thanks so much and I hope your future life goes as well as this podcast.

Pax Vobiscum

[David Walker]

Oh, and as a quick follow up, I guess the tag under the History of Rome needs to be tweaked since it is no longer someday when the podcast wraps up with the exile of Romulus Augustulus.

[Tommy]

Thank you very much,

I have thorougly enjoyed every minute of your podcast.

You should consider setting up a paid download - were all the episodes can be downloaed in one convenient go for a voluntary (or not) donation. I'm sure lots of us would love to throw a few bucks your way as a thank you for all the hard work.

[Ed]

Thanks for all the hard work, you set the standard for others to follow, good luck with your baby.

[Stephen]

It's been a long and great ride! Thanks for doing this great podcast, it really has made us all wiser and happier during those many commutes, flights, journeys or just plain lazy armchair days with a glass of wine and you on the bins! Sad to see it come to an end but if you get itchy for the microphone again..how about THOAG? I will be waiting...

Thats The History of Ancient Greece to those in the know!

[David]

Hello and welcome to the history of rome. How much I loved the sound of those words on a monday morning. I remember starting this years back on a summer afternoon weeding the garden with a firstborn baby daughter. Its nice to think it is how it ends for you.

Farewell and goodbye to the history of rome.

[Alison Morton]

Am fascinated by next week's thoughts about what came afterwards, legacy, etc.

But it has been a fantastic podcast and one that got me to Rome in February. It was an honour touring and drinking with you, Mike.;-)

[Matt]

"...and in this way, 5 years passed."

Thanks for a great podcast.

[Arizona Baker]

One of my favorite podcasts ever. Thanks for the memories. Good luck with the baby. Good luck with everything else.

[Nathan]

72 hours, 31 minutes and 17 seconds of pure, recorded gold. Thanks, Mike! I'm off to listen to the whole thing over again, starting with Romulus!

[Mark G]

Thanks for all your hard work, it's been brilliant.

Best of luck with the little THoR - now there's a name.

Mind you, if it's your first it could be weeks overdue. Just saying, don't blame me if it is.

If no one else has mentioned it, BBC series at the moment 'Meet the Romans' with the, err, unusual Mary Beard. Love it so far.

[Kris]

A simple "Thank you". It has been a blast.

[Antipodeanwriter.wordpress.com]

All the best Mike. Loved The History of Rome podcast.

"New babies aren't the end of the world: but a new beginning. (And a lot of full nappies.)"

[Hovig M]

Thank you so much. I've been here since episode 4. Now a piece of me has died... Thank You!!!

[Georgie Lee]

The end! It can't be. My iPod won't be the same without this show. Hopefully, you can find some other angle of Roman history to explore. Congratulations and best of the luck with the baby!

[Josh]

Thank you so much for this!

It's been one of my all time favorite podcasts. I wish you nothing but luck in all your future endeavors.

[Michael Grant]

An epic piece of work. You were with me through long drives and long Costco aisles. Thanks man.

[Avalon]

Thank you so much, Mike for this podcast. You are a wonderful historian, and I'll miss your podcasts immensely. All the best with your new baby, and I'll be listening if you ever make a return to podcasting!

[David]

Mike,
I started listening about 2 years ago. At the time, I was traveling to Italy regularly for work, and the podcast helped me better appreciate some of the areas I would travel through and provided a familiar, friendly (English-speaking) voice.

You have done a great job with the podcast, and it became something that I looked forward to each week.

More recently, it became a bond with my 9-year-old son. One morning in the fall I put it on while driving him to an early morning hockey practice. I figured he would fall asleep and not care what I was listening to. However, you captured him immediately, and it has been something we have listened to and talked about every week now during that drive.

With the birth of your son, my wish is that you too will find things to share with him and to bring you together, whether it is the history of Rome or some other unexpected thing. Thank you so much for this surprising gift.

[Ryan]

I started listening to the History of Rome about two months after the first Podcast, and like most here I've been glued to it ever since. At the time of first listing to THoR I was living in Trestevere, Rome (Mike we'll forgive you your pronunciation), I then moved to Saudi Arabia, with one day off a week ThoR was the highlight of my week.

I and I'm sure others recall the dreadful 'Hiatus' and then the joy when THoR resumed.
I left Saudi Arabia and am now listening in from Thailand.

THoR has been a line of continuity in my life since since 2007 - Thoroughly enjoyable and always eagerly awaited.

We have a long weekend here, so I'm making preparations to listen on Monday - I have a good bottle of wine and I'm going to buy in some dried hams and olives tomorrow.
I'm going to lock the door, take the phone off the hook and and enjoy the end of an era.
Thank you Mike, your hard work has been deeply appreciated.

[Greg]

Thanks for the years of work. I feel like I'm losing a friend. Best wishes to you and your family

[Eileen]

Mike,

I am usually not one to post reviews or comments, but I couldn't let the end of this fantastic podcast pass without adding my adulations to the already immense mountains of praise posted here for you.

THoR is the standard against which I measure all other podcasts. I've been listening for a few years and loved it when I could enjoy marathon sessions of the backlog. Finally getting up to date was thrilling (feeling more in community with you and other listeners) tempered by the angst of having to wait for new episodes. You didn't just impart the facts, you entertained me, you educated me, you made me laugh. My two favorite bits were the reference to the Battle of Hoth during a description of a battle from one of the Punic Wars (I think, that episode was a long time ago) and the Day in Life type episodes, particularly the Christmas episode which I listened to late at night in bed on a hot summer's night (hooray for an immense archive!). And, my favorite person of note who I hadn't learned about before was Scipio Africanus. For some reason, you made him sound rather hot.

I'll truly miss not learning more history from you every, but I'll still probably fall asleep to your voice many, many more times as I go back to the beginning and listen for hours on end. Plus, I'll be waiting for any future podcasts you care to do, particularly on the topic of American history that you mentioned some time ago.

Best of luck to you and your soon-to-be newly expanded family. You are the best friend that I've never met!

[Calum MacEachran]

Thanks very much for the enormous effort you have put in over the last few years. It's been entertaining, educational and fascinating all at the same time.

All the best for the future...

Calum, Aberdeen, Scotland

[Patrick Meehan]

Bravo, Mike. I've been a loyal listener since 2008, although this is the first time I've ever commented. Your podcast has been a great comfort to me, and I appreciate every effort you've made putting it together. I wish all the best to you and your family.

[Andrew Lowry]

For those interested in seeing some photos of very nice re-enactors in both military and civilian clothing from Ancient Rome check out this Facebook page; http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.401793626508224.90952.187883637899225&type=1

There is also a bit of Ancient Greece including the Trojan horse.

[John Wittgenstein]

Thank you so much for this podcast. It has brought me so much happiness and rekindled a love of history that had been smoldering since my childhood. Good luck on your future endeavors and know that you will always have some loyal listeners.

Again, thank you!

[Aamir]

Great saga, thanks alot for your brilliant and inspiring and knowledge-based work. Our Mikeus Augustus has finally ended his conquests now begins the consolidation (working with baby). :) Hail Caesar! Best of Luck with the baby and my prayers for the family.take care
Thank you
Aamir
Pakistan

[Mark Lin]

Hi Mike,

I’ve listened to your podcast the past 9 months, and something I looked forward to during my Monday commute. It was absolutely amazing, and I’ve been hooked ever since the very first episode I heard.

Like all the listeners, I was sad it was the very last one and hope to hear from you one last time next week.

Good luck to you, and look forward to finding out whatever your next endeavor will be.

[Paul Babcock]

thanks mike

i discovered your podcasts only a couple months back. and so far i am up to 170 something, close enuf to notice you are wrapping this up.

i too will miss it.

[Lynn Perkins]

i have never commented on here before, in fact i just signed on to this sight
but i have been a huge fan for the whole time, when you are away for periods of time i go back and relisten to the past episodes.
i must admit i am pretty sad it is coming to an end!
I wish you well with you new baby, and i hope when things settle in the next couple years you might tackle something again!

[Haydn Salvas]

Mike,

Just wanted to drop a quick note of thanks for you and your body of work. I've got no idea what would possess someone to start such an ambitious project but to actually complete it! Personally I’m glad you did! You gave me an opportunity to fall in love with something that you have loved.

All the best for the future and thanks for again.

Regards,
Haydn

[Chris]

Thank you, Mike, for your tour of the Roman Leviathan. It has become, by far, my favorite podcast, and woe unto those who misrepresent Roman history in my presence. And while I will truly miss listening to the podcast every Sunday evening, I feel as though I am losing more than that, as though I am saying goodbye to a friend. So, goodbye friend, at least until we meet again...

[Rapid Travel Chai]

I am nursing these last few...it won't end for me until I play 178. And then, perhaps return 1.

[Michael L]

Mike,
What you did here was a work of love that brought so much joy to so many. Sincere congratulations on a job so extremely well done.

I can only join the chorus in applauding you and wishing you well. Your dedication, hard work, and excellent presentation will not soon be forgotten.

Thank you.

[Paul Caldwell]

Thank you so much for this podcast. I've actually enjoyed the drive to work listening to THoR. I'll echo what others have said: If you ever publish a book/transcripts of THoR, you've got a sale here.
Thank you again. Peace and long life to you and your family.

[Brian L.]

thanks Mike for the years of companionship.
and I love the title of the last episode!
maybe you can do a podcast on the tribulations of a new baby?
I'd even listen to that if you were doing it!

[Rich]

Thank you for the podcast. I have enjoyed it the past three years. It was well-researched and written. It was the podcast I most looked forward to hearing each week.

[Chick]

Dear Mike,

Thank you. Congratulations on the great accomplishment this has been. May you have continued success in parenthood and life.

[Beth]

Wow! I guess all good things have to end, but I hate to see the end of this podcast. Thanks so much for all of your hard work - it's been great to listen to!

[AlanM]

It's all been said, but this was a real shock. To think this weekly ritual is over brings me genuine sorrow. Thanks for the literally hundreds of hours of listening and re listening to one of the greatest stories ever told, told by a truly great storyteller. What about a last episode, considering the causes of decline of the ROman empire. We all know, of course, that livia did it! What are the chances of that!

[Miguel]

I remember stumbling on this podcast about 10 episodes in and instantly loving it.

Thank you Mike for all your work and commitment to this podcast. I wish you and Mrs. The History of Rome the best as you guys join the wonderful world of parenthood :)

[RB]

Thanks, Mike! Hey, wait, how will we know when the book is in the works??
Oh, yeh, and please keep us posted on your tour schedule. I'm sure everyone reading this has been already or is saving up...

[Andy G.]

Being commenter #160 or so, you might not get to this for a while given the events in your life! Congratulations and best wishes! I have enjoyed every single episode and I thank you wholeheartedly for doing this. It was the first podcast I subscribed to when I got an Ipod in 2008, so I'm not quite as long-term as some others - but at least pre-Imperial. I can't really add any originality to what's already been said, so I'll echo: I am (selfishly) sad to see it end, but extremely grateful that you did it, and I will miss this podcast very much. Finally, thanks for enlightening me to the wonderful prose of Edward Gibbon - it's hard, but worth it. Very best wishes for your future endeavors! - Andy

[James Rathbun]

Mike, thanks for the hours of complete entertainment for the last couple of years. Good luck with your next project.

[Richard]

What a blast ! ! Mike, a fantastic podcast - I'm in mourning already !
All the best for the future --- I really hope I'll hear you again someday soon.

[mike]

I can't believe that you managed to complete this. Thank you and well done.

[Geosta]

Livia did it. Funniest thing I've heard in a long time! Nearly spat coffee over the person sitting opposite from me on the train. You do have a way Mike :-)