
Emperors of Rome
“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.
Latest episodes

Mar 18, 2019 • 29min
Episode CXV - Ausonian Beast (Caracalla III)
After unleashing his unique brand of rule on the people of Rome, Caracalla becomes the problem of the provinces. After 212 he’ll spend the rest of his reign either at war or on tour, making the beast of Italy a problem for all Romans to deal with.
Guest:
Dr Caillan Davenport (Senior Lecturer, Roman History, Macquarie University)

Mar 5, 2019 • 24min
Episode CXIV - Mutilating Rome (Caracalla II)
Now that Caracalla is the sole emperor of the Roman empire he’s able to act as he wishes. While he does little to please anyone outside the military, it’s his economic and social reforms that will affect the empire for years to come.
Guest:
Dr Caillan Davenport (Senior Lecturer, Roman History, Macquarie University)

Feb 19, 2019 • 35min
Episode CXIII - Fratricidal Discord (Caracalla I)
The death of Septimius Severus left a strong line of succession with two sons ready to take control of the empire. There was no love lost between Caracalla and Geta, and it would be the Roman empire that bore the scars of their relationship.
Guest:
Dr Caillan Davenport (Senior Lecturer, Roman History, Macquarie University)

Feb 4, 2019 • 37min
Episode CXII - The Book of Love
The Roman poet Ovid penned The Book of Love in three volumes as a manual for how to deal with the art of love and seduction during the slightly austere days of the reign of Augustus.
This isn't exactly 'Men are From the Temple of Mars, Women are From the Temple of Venus', but happy Lupercalia everyone!
Guest:
Assoc Professor Peter Davis (Visiting Research Fellow, Classics, University of Adelaide)

Jan 22, 2019 • 33min
Episode CXI - The Equestrian Order
The equites belonged to a class of Roman citizen dating back to the kingdom of Rome. Ranked below the senatorial class, they grew in power and influence, occupying key positions in the government and military.
Guest:
Dr Caillan Davenport (Senior Lecturer, Roman History, Macquarie University)

Jan 8, 2019 • 29min
Episode CX - Anthology of Interest
The ultimate triumvirate! Three people present three Roman history topics each for three minutes. In this episode you will hear:
- The unfortunate demise of Cinna the poet
- Cicero's reluctance to send panthers to those in need
- The sensitive subject of baldness
- PTSD bought on by the Carthaginian War
- Women donning a toga
- Claudius' edicts and defending 'stupidity'
- The last of the Ptolemys
- The hazard of regifting the world's largest apple
Guests:
Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
Dr Caillan Davenport (Senior Lecturer, Roman History, Macquarie University)

Dec 17, 2018 • 27min
Episode CIX - Saturnalia
Saturnalia was the biggest festival on the Roman calendar - that special time in December when you gathered all your loved ones close, made a sacrifice to Saturn, and celebrated the festive season.
Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Nov 28, 2018 • 31min
Episode CVIII - A Lesson in Latin II
The power and prevalence of Latin - how did it develop, how has it influenced language, and where can we still come across it today?
Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Nov 12, 2018 • 25min
Episode CVII - The Legacy of Spartacus
Spartacus amassed an army and had some victories against the Romans. While he was ultimately unsuccessful, the story of his rebellion against oppressors would grow, and find a sympathetic audience in the modern time.
Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Oct 29, 2018 • 20min
Episode CVI - The Third Servile War
When Spartacus escaped the gladiator training school he may not have realised what he had started. What began as a simple bid for freedom soon became a cause for slaves around Italy, and he attracted thousands of followers.
The Romans were forced to pay attention to this enemy from within, despite the fact that there was little glory to be found fighting an army of slaves.
Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).