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
Mar 12, 2015 • 18min
Interlude - Q and A
We put out a call to the audience for questions and you responded! Here are our answers.
Mar 9, 2015 • 23min
Episode XX - Agrippina the Younger
Agrippina the Younger was well connected in Rome - the sister of emperor Caligula, the wife of Claudius and the mother of Nero, she was at the centre of power for many years - and some say she held it herself.
Mar 2, 2015 • 14min
Episode XIX - Nero the Youngest Emperor
At the age of 17, Nero is the youngest Emperor yet. Through influence and guidance he takes Rome through what is called ‘five good years’, but it isn’t going to last.
Feb 16, 2015 • 19min
Episode XVIII - The Life of Claudius
Claudius brings his own style to the emperor which makes him enemies in both his family and the senate.
Feb 9, 2015 • 12min
Episode XVII - Claudius Conquers Britannia
The new emperor Claudius has a strong grounding as a scholar, but little experience as a soldier. He turns his attention to a land that has remained virtually untouched since Caesar's time: Britannia.
Feb 2, 2015 • 14min
Episode XVI - Claudius the Unlikely Emperor
With Caligula's brief rule leaving the Julio-Claudians in a sorry state, there isn't much of the imperial family left to become emperor. The title goes to his uncle Claudius mostly be default.
Jan 26, 2015 • 8min
Interlude - Reading List I
We’ve had requests for books to compliment this podcast series, so here’s a few suggestions. There’ll be a complete reading list available on our Facebook page.
Jan 19, 2015 • 14min
Episode XV - The Assassination of Caligula
Caligula's erratic rule has led to a fast erosion in popularity and support, and rumours of assassination come to head just four short years after he becomes emperor.
Dr Rhiannon Evans (Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University) and host Matt Smith look at downfall of this hated ruler of Rome.
Jan 11, 2015 • 13min
Episode XIV - The Madness of Caligula
Caligula is best known for his erratic and tyrannical behaviour, but were his reactions a result of deviance or madness?
Dr Rhiannon Evans (Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University) and host Matt Smith look at the literary sources on Caligula and the wrongs that they accuse him of.
Jan 4, 2015 • 15min
Episode XIII - The Rule of Caligula
When Caligula became emperor there was a lot of expectations after the disappointing neglect of Tiberius. But for an emperor with such a short time in power he had a lasting impact on the Roman Empire.
Dr Rhiannon Evans (Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University) and host Matt Smith discuss the promising beginning of the reign of Caligula.
