History on Fire

“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 Dao Marcus 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/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. 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 life and his crusade against slavery. Among today’s topics, we’ll have the ethics of punching a Nazi, 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 as philanthropy, the Nat Turner rebellion, grief & PTSD, the Underground Railroad, the murder 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.

Minamoto Yoshitsune, a legendary figure in the Genpei War, takes center stage in this discussion. The podcast unravels the gripping drama of the conflict between the Minamoto and Taira clans and their impact on Japanese society. Discover the significance of archery in samurai warfare, the rise of warrior monks, and the story behind iconic battles. Key moments include Yorimasa's heroic suicide and Yoshitsune’s swordsmanship lessons from forest demons, paving the way for a turbulent yet transformative era.

“He must be handed over to a tribunal of the people so it can judge him quickly. We want this, even though we think an execution platoon is too much of an honor for this man. He would deserve to be killed like a mangy dog.” - Future Italian President Sandro Pertini about Benito Mussolini “The world unfortunately continues to be a battlefield where different egos clash, repeating the mistakes of the past.” - Federigo Giordano “Death to the Nazi-Fascists.” - The closing quote of most letters written by Federigo Giordano during WWII I am not done with stories of resistance from Italy during WW II. Today, I’ll tell the story of a friend, one of the very last partisan commanders to still be alive—Federigo Giordano (battle name “Gek.”) His name is still recognized in some towns in Northern Italy since he was the one to lead his men to liberate them from Fascists and Nazis. In this episode we’ll tackle the growth of racism within Fascist ideology, becoming a partisan in the mountains of Northern Italy, rejecting the Alexander Proclamation, saving American aviators, participating in the capture of Benito Mussolini, Mussolini ‘hanging’ in Piazzale Loreto, drunk Nazis in one room while partisans hide in the attic, having to explain to a 90+ year old lady why you killed her sister over 70 years earlier, and much more. Here's the link to my daughter’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@isabellahan-bolelli 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. 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

Liana Germani, a courageous teenager and combat partisan during WWII, shares her gripping experiences fighting against fascism and the Nazis in Italy. She recounts the heartbreak of losing her boyfriend to fascist violence and her harrowing activities of smuggling weapons and explosives. Delving into family history, she reveals the deep emotional and psychological scars left by war. The discussion also touches on the broader resistance movements, the role of women in the fight, and the haunting legacy of songs like 'Bella Ciao'.