

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

Apr 18, 2017 • 24min
Episode LXIX - Galen and the Antonine Plague
As the Parthian War comes to end the troops are dispersed throughout the corners of the Empire, and with them goes the Antonine plague. The effects of the plague will be felt for decades to come, and we know much about it through the extensive writings of the physician Galen.
Guest: Dr Leanne McNamara (Classics, La Trobe University).

Apr 4, 2017 • 26min
Episode LXVIII - Never Underestimate the Parthians
The reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus quickly erupts into war, a state which will continue for the rest of their lives. The first threat the empire encounters comes from the east, where the long-time enemy of the Romans, the Parthians, make their move.
Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University).

Mar 21, 2017 • 25min
Episode LXVII - Heir and a Spare
Introducing Marcus Aurelius: scholar, warrior, philosopher,leader, lover. And his younger brother, Lucius Verus.
Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans (Senior Lecturer, Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University).

Mar 6, 2017 • 25min
Episode LXVI - Fronto
When Marcus Aurelius was a young man he was important enough to be given the best education sestertius could buy, in the form of a number of prominent tutors. One of those was the respected senator, Marcus Cornelius Fronto, who remained close to Marcus for the rest of his life. His letters to and from the Emperor, as well their relationship, give a rare insight behind the scenes of imperial power.
Guest: Dr Callain Davenport (ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow at the University of Queensland).

Feb 20, 2017 • 34min
Episode LXV - Antoninus Pius
Antoninus became emperor in 138CE as part of a solid succession plan, keeping the empire safe until Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus came of age. No one expected him to be so successful, ruling over a peaceful and prosperous Rome for 22 years.

Feb 7, 2017 • 35min
Episode LXIV - Q and A III
Listeners provide questions and Rhiannon and Matt answer! In this episode:
- What did the Romans know about China and India?
- At what point does someone who is conquered become a slave?
- Where did the colours come from for Roman garments?
- What did Romans celebrate?
- What did Romans eat?
- Do we know where Julius Caesar was stabbed?
- Who is our favourite Emperor?
- How did the ancient texts get to us today?
- How do we prepare and do our research for the podcast?

Jan 24, 2017 • 24min
Episode LXIII - Women Poets
All our talk of Roman writing has focused on men, for the simple reason that, for the most part, that is all we have. This makes the fragments of work we have by Roman women an important aspect of life and culture in ancient Rome. Unfortunately, it can be covered in a single episode.

Jan 9, 2017 • 30min
Episode LXII - Juvenal
Juvenal was a poet from the second century CE, and was one of the last and greatest satirical poets of the Roman empire. His five books, collectively known as the Satires, can be a brutal critique of life in Rome, but his use of comedic expression and his tendency to exaggerate has made interpreting them a field of debate.

Dec 20, 2016 • 14min
Interlude - The Bronze Head of Augustus
One of the treasures of the British Museum collection is a bronze head of Augustus. Matt Smith is introduced by Dr Lily Withycombe, a curator from the National Museum of Australia.

Dec 12, 2016 • 35min
Episode LXI - Gladiator (2000)
The movie Gladiator is a work of historical fiction, telling the story of the fallen Roman general Maximus, his journey as a Gladiator, and his fight in the arena against the Emperor Commodus. So how much did Ridley and Rusty get right?