The History of Rome

Valerian and his son Gallienus did their best to hold the Empire together through the 250s AD, but after Valerian was captured by the Sassanids things quickly spiraled out of control.

This podcast explores the shock and leadership crisis after Emperor Decius' death, Emperor Gallus' efforts to combat Gothic raids, the devastating Cyprian Plague, Sharpewort's campaign against the Romans, and the tensions and victory achieved by General Emilionus.

In 249 AD Decius ousted Philip the Arab and ascended to the Imperial throne. Two years later though, Decius was dead after leading the legions to a massive defeat at the hands of the Goths.  

Gordian III died in 244 AD and was succeeded by his Praetorian Prefect Philip the Arab. While Philip dealt with internal revolts and external invasion, he found time to celebrate Rome's 1000th birthday in 248 AD.

Explore the events leading up to the showdown between the sanitorial regime and Maximinius Thrax, the siege and internal discord among troops, the riots and chaos leading to the downfall of the new senatorial regime, the guard's attempt to reassert authority, and Gordian's rise to power and preparations for war against the Sassanids.

In 238, a revolt in Africa sparked a revolution in Rome that would eventually lead to six different men claiming the title of Augustus.

After bungling a campaign in the east, Alexander headed to the Rhine where he was assassinated by Maximinius Thrax in 235 AD.

Alexander was only 13 when he ascended to the throne in 222. With the help of his mother and a few key advisers, he managed to avoid being the kind of disaster that previous teenage Emperors had been.  

Elagabalus became Emperor in 218 AD at the tender age of 14. His short reign was defined by a scandalous private life and an obsession with the eastern sun god El-Gabal.