

Emperors of Rome
La Trobe University
“Great empires are not maintained by timidity.” - Tacitus. A podcast series looking at the rulers of the ancient Roman empire, by Dr Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
False Nero
When Nero took his own life in 68CE it was the end of an era for Rome. The Julio-Claudians had ruled for close to 100 years, and with the end of the dynasty there was confusion, civil war, and an outpouring of grief.
Some would exploit this confusion and claim to be the still alive Emperor Nero, with the intention of retaking his empire.
Episode CCXLV (245)
Guest: Assistant Professor Zachary Herz (Legal Historian, Department of Classics, University of Colorado Boulder).

Jul 14, 2025 • 23min
Ludi Apollinares
Plague getting your people down? Suffering from a mysterious ailment? Perhaps a festival of Apollo is what you need. A simple festival with games, plays and feastings could be enough to sway Apollo in your favour. Or at least, distract your city for a while.
Episode CCXLIV (244)
Guest:
Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

Jun 26, 2025 • 30min
The House That Crassus and Pompey Built
After the death of Crassus his powerful name, his fortune, and his family’s honour survived. In this episode we’ll trace the life of the Crassi yet to come, and how the family comes together with an old rival.
Episode CCXLIII (243)
Part V of Crassus
Guest:
Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

Jun 26, 2025 • 30min
The House That Crassus and Pompey Built
After the death of Crassus his powerful name, his fortune, and his family’s honour survived. In this episode we’ll trace the life of the Crassi yet to come, and how the family comes together with an old rival.
Episode CCXLIII (243)
Part V of Crassus
Guest:
Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

May 29, 2025 • 34min
Glory and Gold
Crassus had power, he had money, but he still felt something was missing. With an army and a province in the east, he sets off to win the glory he had always been denied Perhaps it lay in Parthia.
Episode CCXLII (242)
Part IV of Crassus
Guest:
Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

15 snips
May 22, 2025 • 35min
Crassus and the Triumvirate
Dive into the fascinating world of ancient Rome as Crassus, Pompey, and Julius Caesar forge the powerful triumvirate. Discover Crassus's wealth and his ambitions for Egypt, alongside his rivalry with Catulus. Unravel the intrigue behind the Catiline conspiracy and its political implications. Explore the fierce competition between Crassus and Pompey, revealing their petty interactions and ambitions. Finally, see how Caesar's diplomatic skills helped unite these giants, navigating the complex web of loyalties and rivalries in a turbulent political landscape.

Apr 24, 2025 • 33min
Crassus vs Spartacus
In the tales of Hollywood Crassus will always be the antagonist to the slave hero Spartacus, but is that how would he see himself? A war against slaves is something that no self respecting Roman would like to be pushed into. And yet here we are.
Episode CCXL (240)
Part II of Crassus
Guest:
Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

7 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 31min
Crassus and the Social Wars
Dive into the life of Marcus Licinius Crassus, a wealthy and influential figure in the late Roman Republic. Uncover the complexities of his character through Plutarch's portrayal, revealing his frugal yet greedy nature. Explore the impact of his Etruscan heritage and his relationships with historical giants like Caesar and Pompey. The podcast also sheds light on fierce political rivalries and alliances during the Social War, illustrating how ambition shaped Crassus's legacy amidst the chaos of his time.

Mar 17, 2025 • 39min
Excavating Pompeii
Pompeii has been excavated for hundreds of years, and in that time techniques, practices and philosophies have changed. We’re now finding out a lot more about the city and the people who lived there, and there’s still more to find out.
The When in Rome podcast is now fundraising for an upcoming series 8. Please give your support.
Guest:
Dr Sophie Hay (Archaeologist, Archaeological Park of Pompeii)
Professor Steven Ellis (Classics, University of Cincinnati)

Feb 24, 2025 • 40min
Imperial Dining (with Mary Beard)
The simple act of dinner took on a new dimension for the Emperors. In an place where every meal could be a performance, an Emperor used the chance to reward and impress, intimidate and strike fear, and sometimes all at once. Having dinner with the Emperor was always a great honour, but sometimes you were risking your life.
Episode CCXXXVIII (238)
Guest:
Professor Mary Beard (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)