History Extra podcast How to live like a Roman emperor
Sep 25, 2023
Listen to Mary Beard, popular historian, author, and broadcaster, discuss the intriguing lives of Roman emperors. From their extravagant antics and legends to the challenges of governing the Roman Empire, Beard explores the perception of power and the rise of influential emperors like Julius Caesar and Octavian. She also reflects on the power dynamics of Roman society and the misconceptions surrounding the assassination and reputation of emperors. Delve into the fascinating world of Roman emperors with Beard's insights.
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Elagabalus: Symbol of Imperial Fears
- Elagabalus was a teenage Roman emperor from Syria known for wild and bizarre stories.
- Whether true or not, these stories reveal Roman fears about the dangers of bad emperors.
Empire Preceded Emperors
- The Roman Empire existed before emperors and was inherited by them, not created by them.
- Rome's Republic system couldn't govern the vast empire, leading to one-man rule under emperors like Julius Caesar.
Octavian's Violent Rise
- Octavian, later Augustus, was a violent young man who seized power after Caesar's assassination.
- Despite his brutal start, he rebranded himself as Rome's revered founding emperor.