“We heard that D’Annunzio was coming, and Italy and freedom were coming with him.” Anonymous Italian citizen of Fiume “The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.” William Blake“Legionaries adore him. The men from the palace fear him. Little kids think he’s the devil.” Leon Kochnitzky about Guido KellerThis is the tale of one of the weirdest cultural-political experiments in modern history. The brutal end of WWI left many Italian soldiers dissatisfied, since the Allies refuse to grant them lands they had conquered at the price of rivers of blood. Feeling cheated by their own government and the Allies, some of these soldiers turned to the most popular man in the entire country: Gabriele D’Annunzio. Saying that he was a famous writer and a veteran of WWI doesn’t capture the magnetic power the man possessed. He was a true rock star before rock stars were a thing. He stopped traffic wherever he went. He made army units desert without using any weapon but his voice. Countless women risked their marriages, families and careers for a chance to have a fling with him. Casanova was an amateur compared to D’Annunzio. In 1919, D’Annunzio agreed to lead renegade units of the Italian Army to taking over the border city of Fiume. Despite the fact that this infuriated the Italian, French, British and American governments, D’Annunzio would go on to rule for fifteen months over an outlaw state where things that were not looked kindly upon in the world of 1919 (from drug use to free love, from the right to vote for women to nudism, from homosexuality to piracy) were widely practiced.Part One of this two-part series tackles the Italian experience in WWI, D’Annunzio’s literary and military career, the raid to occupy Fiume, the Futurist movement, the wild culture that sweeps through town, a pre-1960s sexual revolution, Guido Keller (the craziest man in town), and much more.This series is dedicated to Franco BolelliIf you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my Patreon to access plenty of bonus content.All the links to History on Fire social media can be found at our LinkTree, including the HOF YouTube Channel, Substack, Instagram, TikTok.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/hof  Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started Purest Mushrooms where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at Dakota Pure Bison. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout.This episode is supported by Arizona State University. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the fascinating lives of two unconventional saints: St. Francis of Assisi, who renounced wealth for a life of poverty and compassion, and Drukpa Kunley, the 'divine madman' known for his outrageous antics and wisdom. Explore their struggles against societal norms and religious authorities, their humorous yet profound tales, and the cultural significance they hold. From mystical experiences to a clash with materialism, these stories reveal a refreshing take on spirituality that emphasizes authenticity over tradition.

“No matter how big a guy might be, Nicky would take him on. You beat Nicky with fists, he comes back with a bat. You beat him with a knife, he comes back with a gun. And you beat him with a gun, you better kill him, because he'll keep comin' back and back until one of you is dead.” From the film Casino“The condition of the people was pitiable to behold. They sickened by the thousands daily and died unattended and without help. Many died in the open street, others dying in their houses, made it known by the stench of their rotting bodies.” Giovanni Boccaccio“If anyone can refute me—show me I’m making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective—I’ll gladly change. It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.” Marcus Aurelius“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Frankl“Severe to himself, indulgent to the imperfection of others, just and beneficent to all mankind.” Edward GibbonMarcus Aurelius would have loved nothing better than studying philosophy for the rest of his days. Instead, destiny chose him to be the head of the Roman Empire. As a philosopher- emperor, Marcus turned to Stoicism to help him deal with more drama than any human being should have to deal with. Most of his children died before reaching adult age. Rome’s old rival, Parthia, engaged the empire in a brutal war for supremacy. Germanic tribes raided the frontier and invaded Italy. Marcus’ adoptive brother and co-emperor died early, leaving to Marcus the burden to lead the empire under dreadful circumstances. And then there was the pandemic… a terrifying plague that would kill large chunks of the population, cripple the economy, disrupt travel, and create a very well justified climate of fear. Marcus’ ability to navigate all this and more thanks to his philosophical practices enshrined his name among those of the best emperors Rome ever had.In this final episode of this series about him: the first time Rome is ruled by two emperors at the same time, the party animal that was Lucius Verus, persecuting Christians, war with Parthia, a con man with his glove puppet, the movie Casino, Robert Greene’s book The 48 Laws of Power, Romans reaching China, a deadly pandemic, snake gods & Tulsa Doom, great ideas and not-so-great ideas in The Meditations, the Hagakure, Viktor Frankl, Deepak Chopra vs. Joe Rogan, the Dread Pirate Roberts, Germanic invasions, rebellions, marrying your adoptive uncle who was once engaged to your mom, the strange case of Commodus, and much more.If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my Patreon to access plenty of bonus content.All the links to History on Fire social media can be found at our LinkTreeIncluding the HOF YouTube Channel, Substack, Instagram, and TikTok.Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started Purest Mushrooms where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at Dakota Pure Bison. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Rise up and do battle.” Homer“Discipline is freedom, and the companion to imagination. Discipline makes it possible for you to become whatever you want to be.” Deng Ming DaoMarcus Aurelius would have loved nothing better than studying philosophy for the rest of his days. Instead, destiny chose him to be the head of the Roman Empire. As a philosopher-emperor, Marcus turned to Stoicism to help him deal with more drama than any human being should have to deal with. Most of his children died before reaching adult age. Rome’s old rival, Parthia, engaged the empire in a brutal war for supremacy. Germanic tribes raided the frontier and invaded Italy. Marcus’ adoptive brother and co-emperor died early, leaving to Marcus the burden to lead the empire under dreadful circumstances. And then there was the pandemic… a terrifying plague that would kill large chunks of the population, cripple the economy, disrupt travel, and create a very well justified climate of fear. Marcus’ ability to navigate all this and more thanks to his philosophical practices enshrined his name among those of the best emperors Rome ever had.In this first episode, we cover: Lost, Marcus’ pep-talks, the power of rituals, the genesis of the empire, Marcus Aurelius’ early life, the impact of Greek culture in Rome, Emperor Hadrian’s murderous ways, Stoicism, Antoninus’ reign, and much more.If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my Patreon to access plenty of bonus content.All the links to History on Fire social media can be found at our LinkTree, including the HOF YouTube Channel, Substack, Instagram, and TikTok.This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/hofThroughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started Purest Mushrooms where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount.Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at Dakota Pure Bison.History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the riveting world of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, where political intrigue resembles a Mafia saga. Follow Nezahualcoyotl, the poet-king, as he grapples with revenge, betrayal, and the ruthless ambition of Tezozomoc. Experience a tale filled with shocking twists, including unexpected appearances of beheaded enemies and human sacrifices. Discover how these historical figures navigated treacherous alliances and shaped the rise of Mexica nationalism, all while leaving a complex legacy that echoes through time.

Dive into the wild world of ancient steppe nomads, where tattooed warriors and women in combat thrived. Discover the Scythians' vibrant rituals, from drinking from enemy skulls to blood brotherhood rites. Explore their unique gender roles and the mythic clash of Queen Tomyris against Cyrus the Great. Learn about the nomadic lifestyle enriched by horse culture, open relationships, and indulgent practices involving cannabis and fermented mare milk. Uncover the intricate tapestry of art, warfare, and spiritual beliefs that shaped these fierce societies.

Explore the tumultuous life of John Brown, a figure both revered and reviled in American history. Discover his ambitious plans to combat slavery, his connections with prominent abolitionists like Frederick Douglass, and the creation of a progressive constitution advocating for equality. Delve into the harrowing details of his raid at Harper's Ferry and the emotional fallout that followed. Ultimately, confront the legacy of his actions, which ignited a critical movement toward abolition and deeply influenced the Civil War.

This podcast features John Brown, a pivotal abolitionist known for his radical actions against slavery. The discussion dives deep into the escalating violence surrounding the slavery debate and how John Brown's resolve transformed him into a leader of the abolitionist cause. It covers the personal struggles of Brown and his family amid the chaos of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, the impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's work, and the violent uprising of abolitionists in Kansas. The narrative also reveals the psychological toll on Brown's sons during this turbulent period.

In this first episode of a three-part series, we’ll introduce the early part of John Brown’s lifeand his crusade against slavery. Among today’s topics, we’ll have the ethics of punching aNazi, how the beating of an enslaved child set Brown on his path, how both pro and anti-slavery forces used Christianity to justify their stances, racism masquerading asphilanthropy, the Nat Turner rebellion, grief & PTSD, the Underground Railroad, themurder of Elijah Lovejoy, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tomoe Gozen, a legendary female samurai celebrated for her exceptional courage, takes center stage in this riveting discussion. Listeners dive into the gripping conclusion of the Genpei War, featuring power struggles within the Minamoto and Taira clans. Discover tales of epic battles, including the fierce charge at Ichi No Tani and a soul-stirring duel between Kumagai Naozane and Taira Atsumori. The conversation also touches on themes of honor, betrayal, and the remarkable role of women in samurai history.