

Chatter: How the Norm Against Political Violence Eroded in the Roman Republic, with Catherine Steel
Nov 12, 2024
Catherine Steel, Professor of Classics at the University of Glasgow, dives into the decline of norms against political violence during the Roman Republic. She discusses how events like the political chaos surrounding the Gracchi brothers shaped Rome’s future. The conversation touches on the roles of key figures like Cicero, the challenges of interpreting ancient sources, and the alarming parallels between Rome's descent into autocracy and today’s political landscape. Insightful reflections on democracy's vulnerabilities and the importance of civil discourse are also highlighted.
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Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Cicero and the Complexity of Roman History
01:43 • 10min
Political Intricacies of the Roman Republic
12:11 • 27min
Historical Parallels: Political Violence and Authority in Crisis
39:28 • 2min
The Role of the Pontifex Maximus and Political Violence in Ancient Rome
41:54 • 3min
Political Turbulence in the Roman Republic
45:23 • 27min
Cicero and the Complexity of Roman Power
01:11:54 • 13min
Spotlighting Influential Historians in Roman Culture
01:24:31 • 3min