Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the great Roman military disaster of 9 AD when Germanic tribes under Arminius ambushed and destroyed three legions under Varus. According to Suetonius, emperor Augustus hit his head against the wall when he heard the news, calling on Varus to give him back his legions. The defeat ended Roman expansion east of the Rhine. Victory changed the development of the Germanic peoples, both in the centuries that followed and in the nineteenth century when Arminius, by then known as Herman, became a rallying point for German nationalism.With Peter Heather Professor of Medieval History at King’s College LondonEllen O'Gorman Senior Lecturer in Classics at the University of BristolAndMatthew Nicholls Fellow and Senior Tutor at St John’s College, OxfordProducer: Simon Tillotson

Dr. Matthew Nicholls, a historian from St John's College, Oxford, shares fascinating insights into the Circus Maximus, the epicenter of ancient Roman chariot racing. He discusses the arena's architectural grandeur, its role in Roman society, and the electrifying atmosphere of race days. The conversation highlights the intense rivalries among charioteers, who were akin to today's sports stars, and the political implications of such events. Nicholls also explores how this monumental venue fell into decline, marking a shift in Rome's entertainment culture.