The Partial Historians

It is 403 BCE and we’re about to be blinded by some rhetorical fireworks. The situation between Rome and Veii is getting more serious.Episode 150 – Rhetorical FireworksWe've Got Chills, They're Speechifying!As the Romans prepare for a long siege, the suggestion was casually made that the soldiers will need to remain in winter quarters. The Romans were not used to being in the field this long and the tribunes of the plebeians were immediately suspicious. Is this why military pay had just been introduced? To distract the people whilst forcing them to live in a state of slavery? Outrageous. Nonetheless, this is what the plebeians get when they keep electing patricians into office.One of the military tribunes decides to hit back at the tribunes with their own epic speech. Who better for the task than the uber-patrician Appius Claudius? Let's watch those rhetorical fireworks fly!Appius’ speech, with its’ mixture of conservatism and logic, is so effective that he wins some of the people over. As everything hangs in the balance, word reaches Rome of a serious setback at Veii. A sneaky night attack led to all the Roman siege equipment being destroyed by fire and some of the soldiers had died trying to extinguish the blaze.Aule Metele (The Orator). A hollow-cast bronze showing an Etruscan male known as Aulus Metellus or Aule Metele in Roman-style clothing, dated to early 1st century BCE.. While this figure is not from our time period, the combination of Etruscan and Roman culture and the speechifying aspect of this statue seemed appropriate! Courtesy of https://www.collegesidekick.com/study-guides/boundless-arthistory/later-etruscan-art This disaster tips the balance in favour of Appius’ arguments. Patricians and plebeians put their differences aside so that they could focus on the war effort. Those Etruscans were asking for it!The senate no longer had to worry about whether the people were on board regarding winter service. Romans from various backgrounds were throwing themselves at the senate, begging to be allowed to go to war.Who knew that war could make people so happy? That’s the Romans for you!Please Sir. I Want Some… More?! Camillus, one of the Furii clan, makes his debut in this year as one of the censors. In order to pay for some of these new expenses, the censors introduced some new taxes on unmarried men and …orphans. Way to be harsh, Rome!Our Players 403 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerM’. Aemilius Mam. f. M. n. Mamercinus (or Mamercus) (Pat) Cos. 410, Mil. Tr. c. p. 405, 401L. Valerius L. f. P. n. Potitus (Pat) Cos. 392, Mil. Tr. c. p. 414, 406, 401, 398Ap. Claudius P. f. Ap. n. Crassus Inregillensis (Pat) Cos. 349 ?M. Quinctilius L. f. L. n. Varus (Pat)L. Iulius Sp.? f. Vopisci? n. Iullus (Pat)M. Furius – f. – n. Fusus (Pat)? M. Postumius (Pat)? M. Furius L. f. Sp. n. Camillus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 401, 398, 394, 386, 384, 381? M. Postumius A. f. A. n. Albinus Regillensis (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 426CensorsM. Furius L. f. Sp. n. Camillus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 401, 398, 394, 386, 384, 381M. Postumius A. f. A. n. Albinus Regillensis (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 426Our SourcesDr Rad reads Livy, ab Urbe Condita, 5.1-5.7.Dr G reads Plutarch, Life of Camillus, 1-3; Valerius Maximus 2.9.1; Diodorus Siculus, 14.35.1.Bradley, G. 2020. Early Rome to 290 BC (Edinburgh University Press).Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur theme music was composed by the amazing Bettina Joy de GuzmanAutomated TranscriptDr Rad: Welcome to the Partial Historians!Dr G: We explore all the details of Ancient Rome.Dr Rad: Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other.Dr Rad: I’m Dr Rad.Dr G: And I’m Dr G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories. Dr Rad: Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Dr Rad 0:32Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historian's. I am one of your hosts, Dr Rad.Dr G 0:41And I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 0:44So exciting Dr. G, because we are in yet another new recording setup.Dr G 0:51Oh yeah, this is very exciting, dear listeners, through the valued support of our honoured patrons, we've been able to purchase some slightly u

We are thrilled to sit down with Neil, The Ancient Blogger and host of the Ancient History Hound podcast to explore space and place in the Roman regal period. Neil, or ancientblogger as he's more commonly known, studied ancient history at degree level and then completed an MA in Classical Civilisation. Though he has a full time job he spends most of his time creating content on Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok – just search for ancientblogger. He also has a website ancientblogger.com and several years ago started what is now the Ancient History Hound podcast, where he covers a wide array of topics from ancient history.He also gets the chance to volunteer at schools around Brighton where he helps students with Greece and Rome, the latter usually whilst wearing his legionary armour. As his website states – he's all about ancient history and passionate about making the topic accessible to one and all.”Special Episode – Exploring Place in Regal Rome with Neil, The Ancient Blogger – Part 1Neil seems to have found himself in a museum of ancient vases while wearing a tshirt of ancient vases!What was the landscape of regal Rome like?There's no doubt that the topography of ancient Rome was very different to what we are able to see today. With the restraints around archaeological work you can expect in a city that is still as important and vibrant as the capital of Italy, it is partly through evidence on the ground and partly through reading the ancient sources that we can come to grips with what ancient Rome may have been like in its very early iterations.The Palatine and the AventineNeil takes us through the importance of hills in general, in Italy, and for Rome in particular. Romulus has a connection with the Palatine hill and Remus is connected with the Aventine. Neil delves into the details of the wolves in this area including the development of the Lupercalia rites and the significance attached to blood sacrifice in cultivating the meaning of place.The early pomeriumHow did it the sacred boundary of Rome work? Where was it? What were the implications for trying to cross it with early armies? None of these questions can be answered definitely because evidence is thin on the ground archaeologically speaking, but considering later written sources offers some ways into the topic. Looking to read more on this topic, consider Koortbojian, M. 2020. Crossing the Pomerium: The Boundaries of Political, Religious, and Military Institutions from Caesar to Constantine (Princeton University Press)The Campus MartiusThe campus Martius ‘Field of Mars’ was the site of the potential murder of Romulus, Rome’s first king. The area covers a fair amount of land next to the Tiber and we consider some of its historical details.The Tarpeian RockBound up with the early defence of Rome is the Capitoline Hill where the earliest defences of the city were thought to have been built. We explore the stories that the Romans told about how the rock got its name. This leads into a consideration of how death was treated in respect to place.The First Bridge over the TiberThe Pons Sublicius was the first bridge recorded to cross the Tiber. Not only was the bridge of strategic importance, but it was also connection with rituals. Neil takes us through some of the geographical features of the Tiber and how understanding the ancient river is quite a different proposition to understanding the Tiber as it can be observed today.The Janiculum and the CaelianThe importance of the Janiculum being on the far side of the Tiber as far as the Romans are concerned and the etymological possibilities for the names of some of the hills. The Caelian hill is often overlooked, but maybe it needs to find its spotlight especially for its connection to Numa, the second king.Things to listen out for:The Oracle at DodonaPallantium in Arcadia (Greece) and EvanderZeus Xenia and LyaconThe cultural significance of place and the development of the sacredThe sacrifice of IphigeniaThe clock face approach to understanding where the ancient hills of Rome wereHercules and Cacus the GiantAelius Gellius’ Attic NightsMiasma, the Ancient Greek understanding of pollutionQuintilian on the Tarpeian RockHoratius CoclesThe brontoscopic calendar of the EtruscansSound CreditsOur theme music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.Map of ancient Rome showing the theorised extent of the Servian Walls built by Rome's sixth king. The various hills and significant gates (porta) are also indicated. Note that the Janiculum is on the far side of the Tiber from Rome proper. Source Flickr.Automated TranscriptAutomated transcript lightly edited for our wonderful accents and the tricky terms in Latin!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Rom

Who is Servius Romanus you might ask? Well, in this episode we’re about to find out. But when we tell you it’ll be brief – we are telling only the truth! On the back of the putative introduction of pay for Roman soldiers in 406 BCE (a much disputed idea in scholarship), Rome is facing challenges from their neighbours. These challenges are coming from many directions, so it’s no doubt a relief when someone helps them out. Enter: Servius Romanus.Episode 149 – The Brief Life and Times of Servius RomanusSiege at Veii!Watch out Veii, Rome is coming for you! Veii seems to be well aware of the Roman threat, however, and might just be looking to call in the broader Etruscan peoples to support them. How will things pan out for Veii in the years 405 and 404? We consider the fairly limited details for your listening pleasure.But what about the Volscians?Rome is facing trouble on multiple fronts (perhaps indicated by the sheer number of military tribunes with consular power listed for both the years 405 and 404). It comes as no surprise that pursuing an aggressive policy against Veii opens the way for more conflict from the Volscii. Listen out for mentions of places including Ferentium, Ecetra, and Artena.Aerial photograph of the modern town of Artena in Lazio, Italy. Photo by FrancescoSchiraldi85 via Wikimedia Commons.Our Players for 405 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerTitus Quinctius T. f. L. n. Capitolinus Barbatus (Pat)Quintus Quinctius (L. f. L. n.) Cincinnatus (Pat)Gaius Iulius Sp. f. Vopisci n. Iullus (Pat)Aulus Manlius A. f. Cn. n. Vulso Capitolinus (Pat)Lucius Furius L. f. Sp. n. Medullinus (Pat)Manius Aemilius Mam(ercus). f. M(arcus). n. Mamercinus (or Mamercus) (Pat)Our Players for 404 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerGaius Valerius L. f. Vol. n. Potitus Volusus (Pat)Manius Sergius L. f. L. n. Fidenas (Pat)Publius Cornelius (M. f. M. n.) Maluginensis (Pat)Gnaeus Cornelius P. f. A. n. Cossus (Pat)Kaeso Fabius M. f. Q. n. Ambustus (Pat)Spurius Nautius Sp. f. Sp. n. Rutilus (Pat)Things to listen out forChallenges with the extant source materialThe organisation of the Etruscan federationThe Shrine of Voltuma (the Central Perk?)What’s going on with the politics of Sicily and Carthage?The intriguing modern history of ArtenaMilitary strategy re citadels in actionFood security in the ancient world compared with climate change todayA sneaky mention of VelitraeOur SourcesDr Rad reads Livy, ab Urbe Condita, 4.60-61Dr G reads Diodorus Siculus 14.17.1; 14.19.1; Fasti Capitolini for 405 and 404 BCEBradley, G. 2020. Early Rome to 290 BC (Edinburgh University Press).Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur theme music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.Painted terracotta Etruscan antefix depicting the head of Medusa. From the Portonaccio Temple at Veii, c. 510 BCE. Held in National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia, Rome. Photo by Carole Raddato via Flickr.Automated TranscriptLightly edited for Latin terminology and to support our wonderful Australian accents!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to a brand new episode of the Partial Historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:02And I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:04Welcome back, everybody! We are getting so very close to the turn of the century. Here, we're edging our way closer and closer with every episode. In fact, I think this episode, we're going to do two years in one episode, I'm just I just have a feeling.Dr G 1:21Look, I definitely have that feeling. But that might be because I have so many gaps in my source material.Dr Rad 1:28You're not alone. I don't have much in my particular source material this time. But we're excited to be talking once more about ancient Rome listeners, and what was happening at this particularly interesting time in their history.Dr G 1:43It is 405 BCE. And that's where we'll, that's where we'll be starting out in this.Dr Rad 1:

It is not often that we are fortunate enough to get to chat to one of our amazing guests a second time, but sometimes the gods are just that kind. We sat down to speak to the one and only Dr Victoria Austen about Augustus’ mausoleum.Special Episode – Augustus' MausoleumDr Victoria Austen holds a MA and PhD from King’s College London. She has lectured in the Classics at the University of Winnipeg and is currently the Robert A. Oden, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellow for Innovation in the Humanities and Classics at Carleton College, Minnesota. Her monograph Analysing the Boundaries of the Roman Garden: (Re)Framing the Hortus’ was released in 2023 as part of the Bloomsbury Ancient Environments Series. Vicky has recently been speaking for the American Institute of Archaeology on gardens and commemoration.‘The Mausoleum of Augustus’ from Pietro Santi Bartoli, Gli antichi sepolcri ii, 1727. courtesy of Carleton College Special Collections. What is Augustus' mausoleum?Augustus did not rest on his laurels after winning the Battle of Actium against Cleopatra and Mark Antony. He set about consolidating his political position and figuring out exactly what that would entail.Augustus set about transforming the city itself as part of his political machinations. Some of his key monuments include the Ara Pacis, the Horologium Augusti (think giant sun dial), and the mausoleum.He started construction on this tomb in 28 BCE and positioned it on the Campus Martius (Field of Mars). This is much earlier than you might expect. Augustus’ position was not unchallenged and there was still much to be decided regarding his status in Rome. Nonetheless, Augustus set about building this large circular mausoleum, intending to use it not just for himself, but his family.   Eventually the tomb would house the remains of numerous members of Augustus' family, as well as the princeps himself. Names you might recognise include Agrippa (his BFF and the husband of his daughter Julia), Marcellus (his nephew), Octavia (his sister), and Gaius and Lucius (his adopted sons).After Augustus’ death, his family continued to use the mausoleum. Livia (his wife), the emperors Tiberius and Claudius, Germanicus, Antonia Minor and Britannicus would all find their way to this monument. However, there was not an open-door policy for anyone with Julio-Claudian blood. The mausoleum became a sort of litmus test of who had fallen from grace and would be punished with exclusion… forever! You might already have spotted that Julia, Augustus’ only biological child, and her daughter Julia, did not make the cut. Ouch! Nor did the emperors Caligula and Nero. You had to earn your spot. Donati, A. (1584-1640) Roma vetus ac recens, courtesy of Carleton College Special Collections. What happened to the mausoleum?As with so many ancient monuments, the mausoleum has been repurposed many times. Tune in to hear about the Soderini family and their resurrection of the space, as well as good old Mussolini, who just loved to forge connections between himself and figures like Augustus.Things to Look Out For:Augustus getting BURNT by Dr Rad on numerous occasions.Good-natured tolerance from Drs A and G about afore-mentioned Augustan burns.Deep-seated longing to see inside the mausoleum.Discussion of the recent restoration project.The need to pay more attention to the plants and green spaces in the ancient world. Won’t someone think of the greenery???The importance of green spaces in urban environments in both ancient and modern timesSound CreditsOur music is by the highly talented Bettina Joy de Guzman.Automated TranscriptDr Rad 0:12Welcome to the partial historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Read. AndDr G 0:30I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:01Hello, and welcome to a very special episode of the partial historians. Dr. Rad and myself, Dr. G are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Victoria Austen to the show. And you might remember her fantastic conversation with us a little while back now about Augustus and temporal space and representation. And today we're going to be looking at Augustus his mausoleum. So a quick bio. Dr. Victoria Austen holds an MA and a PhD from King's College London. She has lectured in the classics at the University of Winnipeg and is currently the Robert A Odin Junior Postdoctoral Fellow for innovation in the humanities and classics at Carleton College Minnesota. Her research interests span the Latin literature of the late Republic and early empire, ancient Roman gardens and landscapes race and ethnicity in the ancient world, the reception of classical myth and the integration of digital humanities into the classroom. Austen's monograph Analysing

Money, money, money! We’re in 406 BCE and although its well before ABBA's pop hit, let's this be a small hint of things to come. Rome finds itself in a bit of a tricky situation. Not only are they navigating the fallout of their conflict with the Volscians, but with the long running tensions with Veii seem to be coming to a head.Episode 148 – It's All About the Money, Honey!There’s a distinct lack of enthusiasm for more fighting from the people who would be levied. Things are not looking positive on the morale front! Combine that with some meddlesome tribunes of the plebs and the recipe is ripe for a changing time ahead.What if we paid you?The big topic that makes the 406 stand out is the assertion in some ancient sources that this year is the first time the Roman soldiers receive pay for their service. That’s right, Rome’s been trundling along for centuries without offering those who risk life and limb anything but the potential thrill of booty. But is this claim to be believed? We consider some of the challenges.The Geography of Central ItalySpoiler alert! Rome extends their sphere of influence further into Volscian territory in 406. Anxur is on the coast just to the east of Circeii. Map below for reference for just how afar afield Anxur is from Rome! Tune in for all the tactical details.Map of Central Italy. Source Wikimedia Commons.Things to Listen Out ForSome tunic-ripping action!The introduction of AnxurSound as a military tacticThe power of laddersGrumpy tribunesOur Players for 406 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerPublius Cornelius M. f. L. n. Rutilus Cossus (Pat)Gnaeus Cornelius P. f. A. n. Cossus (Pat)Numerius or Gnaeus Fabius M. f. Q. n. Ambustus (Pat). NB Diodorus and the Fasti Capitolini have Numerius as the praenomenLucius Valerius L. f. P. n. Potitus (Pat)LegateGaius Servilius Ahala (Pat)Our SourcesDr Rad reads Livy 4.58-59Dr G reads Diodorus Siculus 14.12.1; Ennius’ Annales 4.162 V; Florus 1.6.8; Fasti Capitolini for 406 BCEBradley, G. 2020. Early Rome to 290 BC (Edinburgh University Press). Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association) Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis) Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press)  Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID239349186. Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur theme music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.The view of Anxur (known today as Terracina) from the sea. The cliff is VERY dramatic! At the top you can see the ruins of the Temple of Jupiter Anxur, which was built sometime in the mid-second to mid-first century BCE. Photo by Gugli73 via Wikimedia Commons.Automated TranscriptLightly edited for Latin terminology and to support our wonderful Australian accents!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:02Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the Partial Historians and I am one of your hosts, Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:11And I am Dr. Rad relieved that you know who you are, Dr. G.Dr G 1:16This time, for once.Dr Rad 1:18Call back to an episode a couple of months ago?Dr G 1:22Yes, well, you know, I mean, the thing is, so we are tracing the history of Rome, from the founding of the city. And we are in what I think is going to be a very exciting year, because we're going to be talking about 406 BCE.Dr Rad 1:43We certainly are, but before we get into that, of course, Dr. G, I would like to recap where we were in 407 and I can do that pretty succinctly because not a huge amount happened.Dr G 1:55I was gonna say you really have to do the recap for 407 because I don't know anything.Dr Rad 2:01Well, we got the hint that something was happening with me it was very peaceful, very diplomatic. But they is once again being mentioned which okay, I mean, there's been some big conflicts with Veii and you know, issues with the Etruscans in the past, but it's been a little bit quieter for the last couple of decades. But they did appear on the horizon in our last episode, but nothing very exciting really happened. And then we of course had the slaughter at Verrugo, which I'm sure you remember because I know you hate that place name.Dr G 2:3

This is a very exciting special episode all about the Roman military. We were incredibly fortunate to speak to an expert in the field about the Roman army in the early and middle republic. Special Episode – The Early Roman Military with Dr Bret Devereaux Dr Bret Devereaux is a historian specialising in the ancient world and military history. He holds a PhD in ancient history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA in classical civilizations from Florida State University. He teaches at North Carolina State University. His research interests include the Roman economy and the Roman military. Key to this is considering how the lives of people were shaped by structures of power, violence and wealth and the ways these factors shaped military capacity.His monograph Why the Romans Always Won: Mobilizing Military Power in the Ancient Mediterranean is under contract with Oxford University Press. We cannot wait to get our hands on a copy, and we’re sure you will want to put this on your wish list too! Dr Devereaux is an incredibly passionate and eloquent scholar, and he was very generous with his time. In this episode we were able to explore the evolution of Roman warfare from small-scale, localised conflicts to epic clashes with civilisations like the Carthaginians. Dr Bret Devereaux Things to Look Out For:Lots of issues in our source material! How unusual for usWar between powerful Roman clans The Fabulous Fabians and the Battle of the CremeraThe sophisticated military system developed by the Romans War with King Pyrrhus of Epirus (Pyrrhic Wars)  The Punic Wars (Rome vs Carthage)Discussion of Livy 8.8Polybius' description of the Roman ArmyYou can follow and support Bret at his blog A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry: A look at history and popular culture. Here you will find fascinating blog posts, book recommendations and collections of resources that you might find useful if you are a teacher.  If you are keen to learn more about the academics mentioned during the interview, you can find a list of the scholars mentioned below: Nathan Rosenstein Imperatores Victi: Military Defeat and Aristocratic Competition in the Middle and Late Republic. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press. (1990)Rome and the Mediterranean 290 to 146 BC : the Imperial RepublicJeremy ArmstrongThe Consulship of 367 BC and the Evolution of Roman Military Authority Romans at war : soldiers, citizens and society in the Roman Republic Early roman warfare : from the regal period to the first Punic WarWalter Schiedel The Great Leveler: Violence and the History of Inequality from the Stone Age to the Twenty-First Century (2017)On Human Bondage: After Slavery and Social Death (2017) The Cambridge Companion to the Roman Economy (2012)Peter ConnollyGreece and Rome at War (1981)Lawrence KeppieThe making of the Roman Army from Republic to Empire (1984)Sound CreditsOur music is by the wonderful Bettina Joy de Guzman.Automated TranscriptDr Rad 0:12Welcome to the Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad. AndDr G 0:30I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:03Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historians. I am Dr. G,Dr Rad 1:11and I'm Dr RadDr G 1:13and we are super thrilled to be joined by Dr. Brett Devereaux. Hello.Dr Bret Devereaux 1:19Hello. Great to be here.Dr G 1:21Thank you so much for joining us. We are going to be talking today all about Roman military things, which I think is a super interesting topic and one that Dr. Rad and myself confess that we know not so much about so we wanted to bring in somebody who was a specialist. So Dr. Brett Devereaux is a historian who specialises in the ancient world and military history. He holds a PhD in ancient history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has an MA in classical civilization civilization from Florida State University, and He currently teaches at North Carolina State University. His research interests include the Roman economy and the Roman military. Key to this study is considering how the lives of people were shaped by structures of power. How violence and wealth are factors that influence and shape military capacity. He currently has a monograph under contract with Oxford University Press, which will be entitled Why the Romans Always Won: mobilising military power in the ancient Mediterranean. And he is also very famous online for running the popular blog, A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry: A Look at history and popular culture. So this is super exciting. Thank you.Dr Bret Devereaux 2:43So I'm excited. Thanks for ha

Back in 409 BCE, the Romans had captured the fortifications of Verrugo from their Volscian foe. Unfortunately, in this episode we must discuss the bloody fall of Verrugo.Episode 147 – The Fall of VerrugoThe Romans had seized Verrugo after Carventum was retaken by the Aequians, allies of the Volscians. Verrugo was located in Volscian territory to the south of Rome. This had seemed like a huge triumph as they had secured lots of booty along with the fort.In 407 BCE, the garrison that had been left behind sent an urgent message for help, hidden in a small droid. The Romans took their sweet time to send reinforcements. When they arrived, a terrible scene greeted them…Join us in this short episode on the fall of Verrugo!  Our Players 407 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerL. Furius L. f. Sp. n. Medullinus (Pat) Cos. 413, 409, Mil. Tr. c. p. 405, 398, 397, 395, 394, 391?C. Valerius L. f. Volusi n. Potitus Volusus (Pat) Cos. 410, Mil. Tr. c. p. 415, 404N. (or Cn.) Fabius Q. f. M. n. Vibulanus (Pat) Cos. 421, Mil. Tr. c. p. 415C. Servilius P. f. Q. n. Ahala (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 408, 402Our SourcesDr G reads the Fasti Capitolini and Diodorus Siculus 14.11.5-6, 14.3.1Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.57.Bradley, G. 2020. Early Rome to 290 BC (Edinburgh University Press).Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN 978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID 239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.Automated TranscriptThis transcript has been automatically generated by Otter AI. Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad. AndDr G 0:30I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to another episode of the Partial Historians and ancient Roman history podcasts. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad,Dr G 1:10and I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:13Hey, hated Dr G, what's happening?Dr G 1:16Oh you know, just sitting down ready to talk about Ancient Rome in all of its glory.Dr Rad 1:24We are in an exciting moment, Dr. G, because we've been tracing the journey of Rome from the founding of the city and we are slowly edging our way towards the turn into a new century, which I find very exciting. I don't know why because of course, centuries are arbitrary that, hey,Dr G 1:39I think it is exciting. Partly because as historians, we tend to periodize things mentally. So it's like, even though it might not just be another year, it holds a certain significance, because we start to think about, well, we'll call it a different century. And maybe there'll be some different evidence coming through and maybe events will shift who knows what we'll discover.Dr Rad 2:04Indeed, now, if you haven't been listening to the podcast up until now, I highly recommend you go back because we've been talking a lot about the conflict of the orders, which is between these two supposes groups, the patricians and plebeians. And quite frankly, we can't read capital here.Dr G 2:19It's long and arduous. And let's just say the patricians are probably on the balance still on top.Dr Rad 2:29Indeed, and the plebeians are, on the whole, not. So Dr G. We're up to 407 this episode, but before we get into that, what happened in 408 BC? Well,Dr G 2:43if my recollection serves 408, was marked by a little bit of military tribunes with consular power, then that gave way to a dictator and his master of the horse.Dr Rad 2:58Not without some slappy fighting though.Dr G 3:00No, there was there was some upset folk amongst that. But nevertheless, it went ahead. And they headed down to Antium, which is south of Rome, but on the coast. And they took back what I think Rome thought was theirs, which was control of Antium. Because Antium had sort of started to get into a little bit of a situation with the Volscii and the Aequians. And although it seems like they were laughing at those guys, at in any case, there seem to be a confluence of these groups of peoples in the south towards Antium. And Rome was not having that they were like, that's gonna, that looks like collaboration. W

In this episode, the people of Antium start provoking the Aequians and the Volscians into war with Rome by calling them COWARDS. How else could they respond but to say, “Nobody calls me chicken!”Episode 146 – Nobody Calls Me Chicken!With the Antiates, Volscians and Aequians ganged up against them, the Romans decide it’s time for a dictator! Not all of the military tribunes were terribly happy with this decision. Ahala seems to have been the only magistrate who could put the state before his own ambitions.As a reward for being such a dazzling military tribune, Ahala was chosen to serve as master of the horse, the assistant to the dictator.Leaving his grumbling colleagues behind, Ahala and the dictator headed off to face the foe.Tune in to hear how the Romans fare against THREE of their rivals.Want to revisit a previous clash with Antium? Check out Episode 99 – Tusculum and Antium.Things to Look Out For: Dodgy election tacticsWhingy military tribunes with consular powerPatricians resorting to incredibly desperate measuresSmug tribunes of the plebsDr G having a small identity crisisArmpit fartsA mosaic of roosters fighting. Nobody calls them chicken! Courtesy of Amphipolis on Flickr.Our Players 408 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerC. Iulius Sp. f. Vopisci n. Iullus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 405P. Cornelius A. f. M. n. Cossus (Pat)C. Servilius P. f. Q. n. Ahala (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 407, 402.DictatorP. Cornelius M. f. L. n. Rutilus Cossus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 405Master of the HorseC. Servilius P. f. Q. n. Ahala (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 408, 407, 402Our SourcesDr G reads the Fasti Capitolini and Diodorus Siculus 13.104.1, 13.108.2, 13.109.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.56.Bradley, G. 2020. Early Rome to 290 BC (Edinburgh University Press).Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN 978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID 239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects courtesy of Orange Free Sounds.Automated Transcript.This transcript was automatically generated by Otter AI. Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the partial historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad. AndDr G 0:30I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:04Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of your favourite ancient Roman History podcast. The partial historians I am Dr. Radpsych it's a new year.I'm Dr. GDr Rad 1:30Excellent. And I am Dr Rad. I am a very confused little Dr Rad.Dr G 1:36I was just thinking, you know, new year we'll switch it up. We'll see if anybody notices you notice straight away though.Dr Rad 1:43Well, you know, it's a fairly distinctive name. I've had it all my life.Dr G 1:48Well, well, well.Dr Rad 1:52Well, welcome back. Dr. G. We are indeed in a new year. It's 2024.Dr G 1:57At time of recording, yes,Dr Rad 2:01it is a time of recording. And in terms of tracing the journey of room from the founding of the city. We had a very big episode last episode where we were talking about 409 BCE.Dr G 2:16Yeah, not only is this like the landmark year that marks this first century of the Roman Republic, but oh, boy, was it full of plebeian action.Dr Rad 2:28It was indeed, I believe that after some lengthy handwringing, and some classic conflict of the orders narrative, we did finally get a plebeian into the quaestorship.Dr G 2:42That's madness. It's crazy. I won't stand for it.Dr Rad 2:46Please, well, just going to end I mean, that's all equality ever really needs, isn't it?Dr G 2:51It's all over guys. I don't know how the patricians are going to hold up anymore. There's not enough fast cars or enough muscle to get them through this.Dr Rad 3:00They certainly did Look at it as a sign that the world was about to end,Dr G 3:04indeed, but I don't think it has fallen apart completely. Because we're here to talk about what happens after 409.Dr Rad 3:11We will the privilege maintain their position of privilege? Or will they have to concede more to whoever mysterious people that will be? And actually,Dr G 3:25I guess we'll find out. The other thing that's runnin

It's here! We delve into the wonderful world of Roman names. How do we understand who’s who? How did the Romans understand who was who? We’re here to consider the complexities of Roman naming conventions.Special Episode – Roman Naming ConventionsWe look into some of the key elements of the Roman naming conventions of the Republic and the Early Imperial period. This includes the praenomen (the first name), the nomen (a reference to the clan or gens that the person came from), the cognomen (this name could have a variety of meanings!), and the agnomen (nickname).This is by no means the extent of types of names that Romans deployed over the course of their history, but it's a good start on some of the tricky bits including why Roman loved repeating themselves.We look at some very interesting examples included:RomulusNuma PompiliusLivia's dadAugustusAnd a certain Spartacus may also get a mentionIs that Augustus with a bunch of fancy titles? Oh yeah. This comes from a statue base in Rome.[I]mp(eratori) Caesari / divi f(ilio) Augusto / pont(i)f(ici) maxim(o) / trib(unicia) potest(ate) XXXVII / co(n)s(uli) XIII p(atri) p(atriae) sacrumThis is sacred to Imperator Caesar Augustus, son of Divine, pontifex maximus, holding tribunician power for the 37th time, consul for the 13th time, father of fatherland.More details on this inscription here.Roman names and the social hierarchyNaming conventions differed depending on who you were, the family you were born into, and what happened to you during the course of your life. Elite families had specific naming conventions, while different rules applied to enslaved people and those who were manumitted.Got famous for all the wrong reasons? You probably had one or more unflattering nicknames.Got famous for all the right reasons (according to Romans)? You likely had a name to recognise your superlative achievements.Interested in our favourite Roman name so far? It's none other than Spurius Furius! There's been a few gentlemen with this name, but for a real blast from the past, check out Episode 91 – The Furious Romans.SourcesBrill's New Pauly entries on the Praenomen, Gens, Cognomen, Agnomen, and Personal Names: RomeSalway, B. 1994. ‘What’s in a Name? A Survey of Roman Onomastic Practice from c. 700 B.C. to A.D. 700’ The Journal of Roman Studies 84: 124-145.The longest attested Roman name is recorded on an inscription (ILS 1104). ILS stands for Inscriptiones Latin Selectae also known as CIL 14.03609Wilson, S. 1998. The Means of Naming : a Social and Cultural History of Personal Naming in Western Europe (UCL, London)Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.Automated TranscriptEdited for Latin terminology and to support our wonderful Australian accents!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the Partial Historians.Dr G 0:16We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:54Hello, and welcome to this very special episode of the Partial Historians. I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:03And I am Dr. Rad. But what does that mean Dr. G?Dr G 1:08What is in a name? Would a rose by any other name would smell as sweet?Dr Rad 1:14One of us had to go there.Dr G 1:17It didn't take long for this to fall down into a big heap did it? Roman names. That's what we're going to be talking about today.Dr Rad 1:23We are this is a special Patreon listener request. And you know what? It is about bloody time that we talk about names because God knows we trip over them all the time.Dr G 1:37Look, there's nothing like a Latin name to really wake up the tongue when you're trying to get all of your announced creation happening on a podcast about ancient Roman history.Dr Rad 1:46Yeah, I think my favorite one which always looks really daunting on the page is Tricipitinus or Tri-cip-itinus.Dr G 1:54Yeah, stay right away from that.Dr Rad 1:57So the Romans are known for having seemingly bizarre naming conventions where a lot of men are named the same thing, which makes things very confusing. And they also have seemingly very long and phonetically challenging names. So we thought it is a good idea to talk about this because it's actually there's actually so much more to it, I suppose there might first meet the eye and like an episode where we're just rattling off console names and that kind of thing. Indeed,Dr G 2:27and I think I'd like to start I'd like to take us right back to the beginning the very early days of Rome just to sort of set the scene a little bit back in the olden dear listeners, welcome to The Land Before Time.Dr Rad 2:45A tale as old as time. Okay, the scene is set.Dr G 2:52Rome was open fields ruled by kingsDr Rad 2:56Houses were built out

We've all been waiting for YEARS for this… more power to the plebs! Yes, you heard us correctly. For once, the patricians will not get exactly what they want.Episode 145 – Power to the PlebsIcilii, Icilii, Icilii It is 409 BCE and another exciting year in the conflict of the orders (allegedly). The plebeians were enraged when elections were held for consuls instead of military tribunes with consular power. The plebeians decided to channel the advice of the First Wives Club. Don't get mad, get everything! Denied the chance to elect their hero from the previous year, the plebeians rallied together and secured THREE plebeian quaestorship. The quaestorship had technically been open to plebeians since 420 BCE. However, it took a decade for the plebeians to finally take the plunge. They were assisted by several tribunes of the plebs from the Icilii family. The Icilii often appear when something important happens for plebeian rights. Don't you just love the grand narrative of Roman history?Hungry for more, the plebeians decided to push for elections of military tribunes with consular elections. They were determined to elect a plebeian candidate in 408 BCE.The patricians were already aghast at the prospect of plebeian quaestors, so they were hardly going to let that happen. Once again, we find ourselves in a stalemate, with neither the patricians or the plebeians willing to back down. Join us for another action-packed episode!Things to Look Out For:Tribune of the plebs in trench coats and sunglassesWay too many Icilii running around Rome Dr Rad’s phone alarm going off and her not hearing it because, you know, she’s deaf. Really sorry about that, guys!Patricians fantasising about world apocalypseMore military action at the mysterious CarventumNeed to catch up on 411 and 410 BCE? Check out Episode 144 – Where in the World is Carventum?Our Players 409 BCEConsulsCn. Cornelius A. F. M. m. Cossus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c.p. 414 L. Furius (L. f. Sp. n.?) Medullinus (Pat.) Cos. 413Tribune of the Plebs(L.?) Icilius ? Icilius? Icilius Quaestors P. AeliusK. Fabius Ambustus (Pat.)P. PapiusQ. SiliusOur SourcesDr G reads the Fasti Capitolini and Diodorus Siculus 13.80.1.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.54-55.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN 978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID 239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects courtesy of BBC, Pixabay and Fesliyan Studios.Automated Transcript.Courtesy of Otter AI. Dr Rad  00:12Welcome to the partial historians. We explore all the details of ancient Rome. Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad. And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts. Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the Hello, and welcome to another episode of the partial historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad,.Dr G  01:04and I am your other host, Dr. G.  Hey,Dr Rad  01:08Hey, Dr. G. Welcome to a history of Rome that's being told in excruciatingly painful detail,Dr G  01:17Just as the Romans would have liked it, I think.Dr Rad  01:19Exactly. I mean, we're just fulfilling their wishes.Dr G  01:22Yeah. Their fame lives on as long as we talk about them.Dr Rad  01:26That is correct. So Dr G, last episode we were dealing with 410 BC. Today we're going to be dealing with 409, it all makes chronological sense.Dr G  01:40Yeah, it looks so far. So good. I do not quibble at all with that logic. And 410 was an interesting year because we got introduced to a new location that we hadn't heard of before. Called Carventum. Ah, yes, we still aren't entirely sure where it is, the mystery remains. But we do think it might be part of a important strategic location that sort of forms the edge of Roman territory and Hernitian territory. And obviously, the Volscians and the Aequians want to get their little dirty paws all over it.Dr Rad  02:19Like they do everything.  Indeed,Dr G  02:22Indeed, that's just the way those guysDr Rad  02:24Oh, I know, don't they knew that Rome is destined to be the superpower in this corner of the world.Dr G  02:29Not yet. Not yet.02:33So what we had last time was some classi

What a confusing decade the 410s have been. It's definitely time for a Partial Recap! We run through what the ancient sources tell us about this decade.The Partial Recap – The 410s BCEWant to get all the details? Jump in at Episode 140: The Commonwealth of Slaves. Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. TranscriptDr Rad – Welcome to the Partial Recap for the 410s BCE!Dr G – I’m Dr G Dr Rad: and I’m Dr RadDr G: and this is our highlights edition of the 410s in Rome. We’ll take you through from 419 to 410 in an epitome of our normal episodes. Dr Rad: Perfect for those mornings when you don’t want some lengthy rhetoric with your coffee – but please be warned – the Roman world is a violent one.  Dr G: Get ready for a recappuccino. 419 BCEIn 419 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Agrippa Menenius Lanatus, Publius Lucretius Hosti Tricipitunus, Spurius Nautius Rutilus and Gaius Servilius Axilla.This was a year of high drama, mama!Some of the slaves in Rome decided to stage a pretty audacious uprising – setting fires all over the city and then taking control of the Capitol whilst everyone else was distracted. Naturally, Rome’s best bud – Jupiter – made sure their plot failed.In other words, some of the slaves turned informer and were rewarded with their freedom and a healthy bonusAs for the rest of the slaves – they were simply showered with attention – of the sharp and pointy kind. It’s a sad tale that does not end well.The Aequians and the Labici started rumbling in the distance this year – there was no major military action, but the Romans had their eyes peeled. 418 BCEIn 418 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Lucius Sergius Fidenas, Marcus Papirius Mugillanus, and Caius Servilius Axilla. Ambassadors from Tusculum arrived in Rome in this year with very expected news – the Labicani were ready for war. They were so ready, they had already teamed up with the Aequians and started attacking areas in the countryside.The Romans did not need to hear any more – it was war! The Senate dispatched two of the military tribunes to campaign whilst one would remain in the city. The military tribunes immediately started slappy-fighting over who got to command the armies Quintus Servilius – the dictator who had captured the slippery city of Fidenae and father of one of the military tribunes – had to step in and send them all to their rooms whilst he sorted out the mess. Servilius placed his son in charge of Rome and packed off the other military tribunes with a hefty smack around the ears and some stern marching orders – “You’ve bragged an awful lot about yourselves so – You’d better WERK!”Almost as though the ROmans knew something was going to go wrong, only ten tribes were levied – and it was just as well because the military tribunes started swinging their ….swords around before they had even left the city.They could not agree on anything – the struggle was real.Things were so out of control that their lieutenants had to insist that the military tribunes held supreme command on alternate daysNow, none of Rome’s wars happened very far away, so word made its way back to the city. Quintus Servilius told his son to get ready – disaster was on the horizon.Sure enough, Sergius ended up falling for the Meryl Streep performance given by the Aequians in an engagement and many of his men were slaughtered. The following day, the Roman camp was almost entirely surrounded and they had to abandon ship. OH THE SHAME! The leaders managed to grab their standards on the way out and headed for their most adorable allies – the Tusculans. With the rest of the Roman forces scattered as they fled – confusing reports reached Rome The general impression was – WORLD APOCALYPSE. Thanks to the wise leadership of Daddy and Sonny Servilius, the rest of the tribes were levied and readied. Sonny Servilius’ scouts tracked down the surviving soldiers at Tusculum, and it was a real morale booster to see that they were, you know, alive.The Romans felt a little more positive, but they knew they weren’t out of danger yet! Just to be safe, Daddy Servilius was made dictator. Servilius Snr chose Jnr to serve as his master of the horse – or perhaps he chose Mr Servilius Armpit (AHALA)?The Servilii trotted off into the fray and wouldn’t you know it? The Aequians were so overly confident after winning that Oscar in the previous battle, they started to get sloppy.In the very first engagement, Servilius Snr caused major disruption amongst the Aequian forces.Just to prove that he was the most serious Servilii in the camp, Servilius Snr killed a standard-bearer who hesitated when he ordered his troops to advance quickly. There’s no time for thinking!!! Just act, now, move, move,

Carventum enters the annalistic narrative of Rome and raises some questions. But in order to get there, we need to consider what Rome faces in 411 BCE. And it seems that the Roman elite are having a run on consuls recently, which, if we follow Livy, means that the plebeians continue to be locked out of the highest magistracy…Episode 144 – Where in the World is Carventum?411 BCE – A Year Better Forgotten?Sadly there’s not much to report about 411 BCE and what there is to know if the kind of thing the Romans would probably rather forget. Turns out that there’s a pestilence on the loose! To compound problems, sick people can’t farm and this has compromised the harvest. Rome faces challenges to its grain supply and they turn to their neighbours for aid. Keen to catch up on the action from the years leading up to this situation? Check out Episode 143 – Special Victims Unit.Where in the world is Carventum?410 BCE gets off to a bad start when the Volsicans and Aequians decide to try to squeeze Rome’s allies the Hernicians… how will Rome respond? First they’ll have to find the citadel of Carventum (location unknown). And that’s only after they resolve the challenge of pulling together a fighting force. Whenever there’s a tribune of the plebs, we can assume there’s going to be something going on between the elite families of Rome. The tribunes come into their own when there’s a military affair in the off-ing because they can push for rights and recognition for the plebeians in potential exchange for military service. Will the patricians negotiate land rights in order to field a force against the Volscians and the Aequians?Map of central Italy including Rome and Praeneste, one of the theorised locations of Carventum to the east of Rome.An ovatio with the a side of verbal abuse…The Roman populace may be under the pump of the patricians much of the time, so perhaps a protest action at the scene of an ovatio is a very legitimate form of criticism! While Valerius attempts to process through the city to celebrate a military win, things don’t feel so much like a celebration as the people hurl abuse. Who will the crowd turn their support towards in the aftermath?Things to Listen Out For:Disagreements about LivyWhat’s happening in the Mediterranean?Who is Cassiodorus?Samnites and SiciliansA tribunician veto? In this economy?What is the tribune of the plebs and how did this position really work in the early Republic?Mercenaries????What are the quaestors up to?Our Players 411 BCEConsulsMarcus Papirius L. f. – n. Mugillanus (or Atratinus?) (Pat.)Spurius (or Gaius) Nautius Sp. f. Sp. n. Rutilus (Pat.)Our Players 410 BCEConsulsManius Aemilius Mam. f. M. n. Mamercinus (Pat.)Gaius Valerius (L. f. Vol. n.) Potitus Volusus (Pat.)Tribune of the PlebsMarcus MeneniusOur SourcesDr Rad reads Livy 4.52.2-4.53Dr G reads Diodorus 13.68.1, 13.76.1; Cassiodorus ChronicaBroughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects courtesy of BBC Beta and Freesounds.Crop from “A new map of Latium, Etruria, and as much of ancient Italy, as lay between Gallia Cisalpina and Græcia Magna, shewing their principal divisions, cities, towns, rivers, mountains &c.” Sheldonian Theatre (Publisher); Wells, Edward, 1667-1727 (Cartographer). Source: New York Public Library Digital Collections.Automated TranscriptEdited for Latin terminology and to support our wonderful Australian accents!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Red,Dr G 1:02and I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:06Welcome, Dr. G. I'm so excited to be back in this century with you.Dr G 1:10Woohoo. We're nearly at the end of the fifth century BCE. It's kind of incredible that we've made it so far.Dr Rad 1:18I know. I know. So welcome, everybody. Welcome to our world of ancient Rome. Here we are traipsing our way through the 410s BC as we look at Rome's journey from the founding of the city. So Dr. G, before we head into a new episode, let's do a bit of a recap, shall we? Where were we last time we met?Dr G 1:42Look, the big standout for me was the return of an Icilius into the role of the tribune of t

In this special episode we sit down with Dr Emma Southon to discuss her brand new book A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women.This is the Roman antidote to all those fabulous reimagining of Greek myth by delving into the very real and very fascinating lives of some of the women who lived under the Romans.Special Episode – A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women with Dr Emma SouthonWe discuss the choices Emma made about who to include and who to leave out as well as consider some of the women who stood out for us when reading the book.If you have a history-minded people to consider at certain upcoming celebrations that may or may not resemble the Saturnalia, this book is worthy of your consideration. Not only is Emma erudite, but she has a great understanding of just how quirky the Romans were.Things to tune in forThe challenges of ancient evidence (a perennial topic on our podcast!)The amazing life of Turia‘Manus’ marriage – an ancient form of Roman marriage which saw a wife come under the direct power of her husband (or his paterfamilias)The enterprises of Julia Felix*The conquests and political power plays of ZenobiaThe very particular approach to Christianity of Melania the ElderWe firmly recommend checking out Dr Southon’s work, which can be found on her website: https://www.emmasouthon.com/If you’re interested in her latest book, here are links to where to buy online:Australia – BooktopiaUK – Bookshop.orgUS – Please note the US title is A Rome of One’s Own: The Forgotten Women of the Roman Empire – Bookshop.orgEmma is the co-host of the History is Sexy podcast and can also be found on Instagram. Emma is a great friend of the show and you're most welcome to check out our other conversations on Agrippina the Younger and murder in ancient Rome.Just look at those glorious book covers! Despite the title difference, these are the SAME book. The US release is known as A Rome of One's Own while the UK version is entitled A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women.Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.Automated TranscriptLightly edited for clarity!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to The Partial Historians. We explore all the details of ancient Rome. Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Read.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Welcome to a special episode of The Partial Historians, I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:08And I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:10And this is a special episode because we are talking to someone extremely exciting. Dr. G. Dare I say? scintillating?Dr G 1:19I think you should say scintillating. Yeah, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Emma Southon back to the show. Thank you so much for joining us.Dr Emma Southon 1:28Thank you so much for having me back. I just feel extra special when I get invited back like I didn't do something monstrous last time.Dr Rad 1:35Exactly, exactly. So, Dr Emma Southon, for those of you who haven't caused our previous episodes is one of our favorite guests for three reasons. Number one, she likes RuPaul's Drag Race and therefore will understand my random references to it unlike Dr. G. Number two, she likes women in history. And number three, she shares our outlook on the ancient Romans, which is that they are unintentionally hilarious and weird. Now to be a bit more specific, Dr. Southon is renowned a smarty pants and here's why. Aside from the obvious title before her name, she is the co host of the history comedy podcast ‘History is Sexy', along with our Kiwi cousin, Janina Mathewson. She's also the author of some of our favorite history books, including ‘Agrippina, Empress, Exile, Hustler Whore', autobuy autobiography, a biography of the most extraordinary woman in the Roman world, and ‘A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum'. However, we have already had the pleasure of talking to her about these books. And today, we get to talk to her about another exciting volume that has just been released ‘A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women: How Women Transformed the Empire'.Dr G 2:53Yay!Dr Emma Southon 2:56Impressive.Dr Rad 2:58Well, I will say this, you don't like a short title. I don't like a short title.Dr Emma Southon 3:03And you think I'd learn but that people struggle to remember short titles, but But yeah, I don't know. They end up being really long. In America, this book is called ‘A Rome of One's Own', which is snappier.Dr Rad 3:18Ahhh, nice.Dr G 3:18I do like that. I saw that on Amazon. And I was like, Oh, that is sweet. I enjoyed the pun.Dr Emma Southon 3:25It's yeah, I have friends who have much better puns than I am. And they come up with these great puns. And I'm like, right, well, that's my title. Thank you.Dr Rad 3:34Now

In this episode we tackle the years 413 and 412 BCE. These years come hard on the back of the murder of the patrician Postumius. Rome is facing challenges that seem to be bound up in the spolia in times of war and the broader annalist focus on the idea of the Struggle of the Orders which has been the defining feature of the early republic in Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus. To catch up on the unfortunate fate of Postumius, check out Episode 142 – A Wrongheaded Man.Episode 143 – Special Victims UnitOnwards and Upwards?Murder is not something to be overlooked lightly, especially when the victim is a Roman patrician. It might be time for an investigation! And not just any investigation, but a special taskforce is assembled to consider all the evidence and follow the clues wherever they lead.Livy mentions this group as a quaestio perpetua, but there’s good reason to be suspicious of this classification for the investigators. Strong evidence for the quaestio perpetua doesn’t emerge until the second century BCE over 250 years on from 413 BCE!Agrarian ReformWill Rome find a way to reform its practices around conquered land? This topic comes back to the fore as we have the name for a of the tribunes of plebs. Roman conquest of new lands also brings this thorny subject back into the public discourse. How historical could the issue be at this point in the early republic? And will the patricians finally offer the plebeians something on this matter? Time will tell!Issues with the VolsciansRome’s perennial tousle with their neighbours, the Volscii, continues in 413 BCE. The Hernicians seek Rome’s aid against the Volscian forces and Rome is happy to oblige. The city of Ferentinum comes to our attention through this situation. We learn about the location of Ferentinum as likely corresponding with modern Ferentino, which is to the southeast of Rome, and likely part of the territory of the Hernicians at this time. What happens next to the city of Ferentinum? Tune in to find out!Is that Ferentinum way down to the southeast of Rome in the territory of the Hernicii? It surely is! Source: https://www.heritage-history.com/The Return of the IciliiPerhaps Rome’s most famous plebeians gens at this point in early republican history is the Icilii. And in 412 BCE, we see another member of the Icilii gens come into the role of tribune of the plebs. Famously, the Icilii are connected with the Lex Icilia de Aventino Publicando which our annalist tradition places as early as 456 BCE. Looking to brush up on this? Check out our Episode 104 – Aventine, Aventine. Another Icilius is also connected with the second decemvirate on account of being engaged to Verginia. To revisit Verginia's tale, see Episode 114 – The Tale of Verginia.Things to Listen Out ForAncient sources? What sources?Leniency for those found guiltyLand redistribution in Bolae?Does Rome even have ager publicus to redistribute???Volero returns!?The introduction of later sources Florus and ZonarasThe Latin LeagueIs Rome entering an expansionist phase?A history of the Icilius gensPestilence!The Hernician FederationOur Players 413 BCEConsulsAulus (or Marcus) Cornelius – f. – n. Cossus (Pat.)Lucius Furius (L. f. Sp. n.?) Medullinus (Pat.)InterrexQuintus Fabius Vibulanus (Pat.)Our Players 412 BCEConsulsQuintus Fabius – f. – n. Ambustus Vibulanus (Pat.)Gaius Furius – f. – n. Pacilus (Pat.)Tribune of the PlebsLucius IciliusOur SourcesDr Rad reads Livy 4.51.1-4.52.1Dr G reads Diodorus 13.43.1, 14.54.1; Florus 1.17.1-2; Zonarus 7.20Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects courtesy of Freesounds.The Roman remains at Ferentino (ancient Ferentinum) include a first-second century CE archway which now has a road running around and through it. Image credit to Pietro Scerrato.Automated TranscriptEdited for Latin terminology and to support our wonderful Australian accents!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:55Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:04And I am Dr. RadDr G 1:07Whoohoo, together at last across the waves of the internet.Dr Rad 1:13Excellent. Well, Dr G., here we are chatting abo

In this episode, we tackle the years 415 and 414 BCE and the downfall of Postumius, a very wronghead man. Episode 142 – A Wrongheaded Man Did you remember to RSVP for the war? In 415 BCE, the Romans were gearing up for war with Veii and the Aequians… but neither of their dance partners turned up! It takes two to tango and in this case, neither the people of Veii or the Aequians felt ready to get down and boogie.A Wrongheaded Man Indeed!War against the city of Bolae kicked off in 414 BCE. One of the military tribunes with consular power, Postumius, was placed in command against this Aequian tribe. Whilst the Romans enjoyed success in battle, their internal problems overshadowed the victory. How do you create chaos in Rome? Simply take a tribune of the plebs, add a dash of agrarian reform, then stir in an arrogant patrician. Livy described Postumius as a wrongheaded man, and a questionable comment certainly had serious repercussions. Will sticks and stones, or words, do the most damage?Quote courtesy of Teacher's Corner.Join us for another tale of disaster with one of the Postumii at the centre.Need to catch up on the previous conflict with the Labici? You can find our previous episode here. Things to Look Out For:Dr G accidentally skipping over 415 BCEVarious attempts at agrarian reformWhat is #trending amongst the eliteA snide aside with very dramatic consequencesSeveral important lessons from the Romans that could also be applied to parentingOur Players 415 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular Power P. Cornelius A. f. P. n. Cossus (Pat)C. Valerius L. f. Volusi n. Potitus Volusus (Pat) Cos. 410, Mil. Tr. c.p. 407, 404N. (or M.?) Fabius Q. f. M. n. Vibulanus (Pat) Cos. 421, Mil. Tr. c.p. 407 *Q. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c.p. 405Tribune of the PlebsL. DeciusOur Players 414 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerCn. Cornelius A. f. M. n. Cossus (Pat) Cos. 409L. Valerius L. f. P. n. Potitus (Pat) Cos. 393, 392, Mil. Tr. c.p. 406, 403, 401, 398Q. Fabius Q. f. M. n. Vibulanus (Pat) Cos. 423, Mil. Tr. c.p. 416P. Postumius A. f. A. n. Albinus Regillensis (Pat) Tribune of the PlebsM. SextiusQuaestorsP. Sextius (or Sestius)Our SourcesDr G reads Virgil, Aeneid, 6.771-776; Diodorus Siculus 13.34.1, 13.381, 13.42.6; Dio Cassius, Roman History, 6.23; and the Fasti Capitolini.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.49-50.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN 978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID 239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects courtesy of BBC and Orange Free Sounds.Automated Transcript.Courtesy of Otter AI. Dr G  00:12Welcome to the partial historians.Dr Rad  00:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome. Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G  00:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad  00:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G  01:00Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historians. I am one of your hosts. I am Dr. G.Dr Rad  01:10And I am your other hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G  01:13Hello, Dr. Rad.Dr Rad  01:16It's so nice to have you back from Italy. Well, for me,Dr G  01:20it is a pleasure to be back. I'll admit I regretted it for a little while. But today is very sunny and warm and feels kind of Romanesque. So I'm back on board with being in Australia.Dr Rad  01:33It is getting very hot in here.Dr G  01:36Maybe too hot too soon.  Yeah, it's a worrying sign. But nonetheless, this is going to cool down a bit later this week. So I can return to my wintry state. Your natural habitat as it were.Dr Rad  01:49Exactly, yes.Dr G  01:51So we are tracing the history of Rome from the founding of the city. And if you are interested in supporting our work, we have a Patreon. We also do some merch. And we've also just released our book on The Roman kings. So there's plenty of ways when you miss us between episodes, to feel like you have us close at heart,Dr Rad  02:14and D and you can pick up our book online in a digital version from Gumroad or from Amazon. Or you can pick it up in a physical form from Abbey's books

This may be the best podcast episode you’ve ever heard, and that’s the gospel truth. We’re munching on protein bars and raw chicken as we discuss Disney’s Hercules (1997) with Professor Alastair Blanshard.Statue of Hercules in Shrewsbury – a copy of the Farnese Hercules. Hercules leans wearily on his club, which is covered by his lionskin. Carrying out all these labours is hard work! Courtesy of Elliot Brown on Flickr.Professor Blanshard literally wrote the book on Hercules, as well as several chapters on his representation in film. We are so lucky to have him on our show as he is not just a gigantic Hercules fanboy. He is currently the Paul Eliadis Chair of Classics and Ancient History at The University of Queensland and one of the most hilarious historians you will ever meet.The Birth of HerculesDisney’s Hercules came out during one of the most successful animated movie streaks for the studio. However, the film was a little different to the Disney Princess films such as Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. It was also pitched at a slightly older, male audience, and used the story of Hercules to explore the awkward journey from adolescence to manhood.  As people have learnt about muscle development and nutrition has changed, Hercules has often been played by bodybuilders like Steeve Reeves and more recently Dwayne ‘The Rock' Johnson. Image of Steeve Reeves, courtesy of John Irving on Flickr.Disney does not always provide the most faithful representation of Hercules’ story. How do you turn a myth about a serial murderer, a drunkard and a glutton into an exploration of what it means to be a true hero? Never you fear – Disney has all the answers!This film blends stories of Hercules, such as his strangling of the snakes as a baby and the Twelve Labours, with so many other elements from contemporary American society. Whilst Hercules was not quite as successful as other Disney movies of this era, there is a lot to love about this representation. The Greeks were not afraid to rework their own mythology, and it seems like Disney followed in their footsteps.Hercules having a chat with his father in Zeus' temple at Olympia in Disney's Hercules (1997). Courtesy of Adam Hammond. Join us for this fascinating conversation about the Disneyfication of a Greek hero. We delve into the characterisation of all your favourite characters: Meg, Phil, Hades, and of course, the man of the hour.Special Episode – Disney's Hercules (1997)If you would like to read more from Professor Blanshard, you can find a list of publications on his university profile. You can also find his contributions on The Conversations here.Sound CreditsOur music is courtesy of Bettina joy de Guzman,Intelligent Speech TicketsJoin us at the Intelligent Speech Conference this year! The event will be held online on November 4. You can buy tickets here and watch the event live, or access the videos later. If you use the code PEICE at checkout, you get 10% off your tickets and they'll know that we sent you. Automated TranscriptOur automated transcript is provided by Otter AI. Dr Rad 0:00Hey there listeners at the partial Historians tell me, are you doing anything on November for? No? Well, Dr. Jean, I have just the invitation for you come along to the intelligent speech conference for 2023. And hear us and other amazing presenters talk all about the theme of the year, which is contingencies. What happens when history meets the backup plan? How intriguing does that sound? Just head along to intelligence speech online.com to buy your tickets now. And if you're worried about the time difference, never you fear you can of course, join in the event live online, but you can also watch the videos afterwards at your own convenience. So what are you waiting for? Go and grab your tickets now. And if you use the code peace, P E, I C E at the checkout, they'll know the partial history and sent you and you'll get a lovely 10% off. We hope to see you there.Welcome to the partial historians.Dr G 1:21We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 1:25Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Red.Dr G 1:36And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 1:46Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to a special episode of the partial historians. I'm one of your hosts Dr RadDr G 2:15and I am Dr. G. And we're pretty excited about the conversation that we're about to have today. I mean, personally, I'm a big Hercules fan. And that might be a little bit of foreshadowing.Dr Rad 2:28Indeed, we are so lucky to be joined by I think it's safe to say the world's largest expert on Hercules, which is Alastair Blanshard. Alastair Blanshard is the Paul Eliadis professor of classics and ancient history, as well as the author of some amazing books that you might like to get

We return to the 410s BCE to explore some classic Conflict of the Orders. This one will end with an evil patrician plan (mwahahaha) to divide and conquer their plebeian foes.Episode 141 – Divide and ConquerSome Unfinished BusinessThe Romans had been engaged in battle with the Aequians when we last checked in on them. Due to some slappy fighting between the military tribunes with consular power, a dictator had been called in to get this military campaign back on track.Quintus Servilius was chosen for their role, and he took his son along for the ride. Fortunately for this father-son duo, the Aequians were getting sloppy. Servilius took full advantage of their overconfidence and whipped the Romans into shape. He even ordered the death of a slightly hesitant standard-bearer! With the stern Servilius Snr in charge, the Romans manage to turn the tables on their enemies.Roman standards were considered to be sacred by the legions. It is most unusual that the dictator ordered the death of a standard-bearer on the spot! Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. The Land from LabiciThanks to the defeat of the Labicani and the Aequians, the Romans finally have some new territory on their hands. Terrified that the tribunes of the plebs might try to redistribute the land, the Senate quickly established a colony in the new area.Trouble from the TribunesThe senators were probably right to be afraid, as two tribunes decided to put forward a new agrarian law. Land taken from the enemies of Rome should be split up and divvied up between the citizens. Cue some more Conflict of the Orders!The patricians were alarmed by this outrageous proposal. The descendent of uber—patrician royalty, Appius Claudius, was there to steer the patricians down a nefarious path. It was time to take the tribunes of the plebs on; to divide and conquer…    Things To Look Out For: Random facts about our family historyUs once again casting doubt on early Roman historical accountsClass traitors… always look out for class traitors!Classic Conflict of the Orders narratives Our Players 418 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerLucius Sergius C. f. C. n. Fidenas (Pat), previously consul in 437, 429; and previously military tribune with consular power in 433, 424Marcus Papirius L. f. -. n. Mugillanus (Pat)Gaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat), previously consul in 427, military tribune with consular power in the previous year 419DictatorQuintus Servilius P. f. Sp. n. Priscus Fidenas (Pat)Master of the HorseGaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat) – upgraded from military tribune with consular power!CensorLucius Papirius L. f. -. n. Mugillanus (Pat). Previously consul in 427 and military tribune with consular power 422.Our Players 417 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerP. Lucretius Hosti f. – n. Tricipitinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c.p. 419Agrippa Menenius T.f. Agripp. n. Lanatus (Pat) Cos. 439, Mil. Tr. c.p. 419C. Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (or Structus) (Pat) Cos. 427, Mil. Tr. c.p. 419, 418Sp. Rutilius Crassus ORSp. Veturius Sp. f. Sp. n. Crassus Cicurinus (Pat)Our Players 416 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerA.Sempronius L. f. A. n. Atratinus (Pat) Cos. 428b, Mil. Tr. c.p. 425, 420.M. Papirius L. f. – n. Mugillanus (Pat) Cos. 411, Mil. Tr. c.p. 418Q. Fabius Q. f. M. n. Vibulanus (Pat) Cos. 423, Mil. Tr. c.p. 414 Sp. Nautius Sp. f. Sp. n. Rutilus (Pat) Cos. 411, Mil. Tr. c.p. 419, 404Tribunes of the PlebsS. Maecilius(M.) MetiliusOur SourcesDr G reads Fasti Capitolini, Fasti Minores (CIL 1(2).1,p 55, no.1); Diodorus Siculus 13.2.1; 13.7.1; 13.9.1Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.45-49Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association) Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis) Holloway, R. Ross. 2008. ‘Who Were the “Tribuni Militum Consulari Potestate?”‘ L'Antiquite Classique 77, 107-125.Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects are courtesy of BBC Beta.Automated TranscriptCourtesy of Otter AI. Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to the partial historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:59Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:08And I'm ver

We sit down with Yentl Love to talk all about classical reception in Lil Nas X’s 2021 music video for ‘Call Me By Your Name'. Yentl Love is the famous Queer Classicist and we recommend checking out her blog for accessible analysis of the ancient world. We are thrilled to have Yentl return to the show – you may remember her from the insightful conversation we had about the reception of Cleopatra.Lil Nas X has enjoyed great success with his debut album Montero and we were keen to learn more about how he utilised allusions to the ancient world to drive conversations about black identity and queerness as well as to complicate ideas about the heroic and how we might derive meaning when we analyse the past. It's definitely worth watching the music video before getting into the episode itself!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swmTBVI83kThe ancient world has a wealth of symbolism and allusion that has built up and developed over time through the use and reuse of imagery and ideas and this conversation really just touches some of the potentials.Special Episode – Classical Reception in Lil Nas X with Yentl LoveThe Ideal ManWhat makes the ideal man? Lil Nas X poses the question with a visual allusion to Doryphoros, the famous sculpture by the Greek Polykleitos, which is thought to represent the physical ideal in ancient Greek culture. Doryphoros was a favoured subjected in later Roman sculpture as well.Doryphoros from Pompeii – A Roman marble reimagining of a Greek sculpture by Polykeitos. Now in the MAN Napoli.Architectural InfluencesThe opening of the music video provides a sweeping vista that on the surface has the appearance of paradise but is dotted with ruined buildings and structures. What could this mean? We ask Yentl's perspective.Still from ‘Call Me By your Name' showing a Doric Temple in the foreground and an Aqueduct in the backgroundJust a regular symposium…Famously, Plato's Symposium gets a shout out in ‘Call me By Your Name' with a quotation that roughly translates as “After the division the two parts of man, each desiring his other half…” We consider the significance of this phrase in context and enjoy the fact that every so often someone uses an ancient language in a modern setting!Still from ‘Call Me By Your Name' Ancient Greek from Plato's Symposium on the Tree of KnowledgeI like my hair like I like my Flavians!As the music video progresses, we see Lil Nas X shift scenes to an arena. The hairstyles on display in this scene recall the gravity defying hair styles favoured by the Flavian dynasty. Still from ‘Call Me By Your Name' showing hairstyles echoing the FlaviansFor comparison, consider the hair style of the portrait bust below. Although the identity of the subject is not certain, this piece is often identified as Julia Titi, the daughter of the Flavian emperor Titus. She was reputed to be a great beauty, but it's the very high ringlets that win the day here!Portrait bust of a young woman with an extremely high hair style made of ringlets. Capitoline Museum. Source: TumblrThings to listen out forLizzo’s music video for ‘Rumors’Katabasis – a traditional heroic descent to the UnderworldNero taking a man as wife and also being a brideThe sacred band of ThebesHadrian and AntinousCorrection – Dr G meant Patroklos not Paterculus when discussing Achilles!Black women writers on MedusaInterested in learning more about the writers mentioned in this episode? Consider the following:Dorothea Smartt on Medusa Listen to Dorothea perform poems from her catalogue here Shara McCallum’s “The Madwoman as Rasta Medusa” Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.Still from ‘Call Me By your Name' Music Video by Lil Nas X. Notes that the video was directed by Tanu Muino and Lil Nas X, song produced by D. Baptiste, D. Biral, O. Fedi, R. Lenzo.Automated TranscriptLightly edited for clarity.Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:57Hello and welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. I'm one of your hosts, Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:06And I am Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:08And we are thrilled to be joined today by Yentl Love, who is working on her PhD at Potsdam University and is universally famous for her blog as The Queer Classicist. Thank you so much for joining us.Yentl 1:26Thank you so much for having me. Yeah, I'm so glad to be back chatting to you more.Dr Rad 1:31So we're very excited because we're discussing something extremely cool. And actually, quite frankly, a little out of our comfort zone today.Dr G 1:41Yeah, look, I don't t

After the kerfuffles of 420 BCE, it’s time for a brand new year or two! In this episode we consider 419 and 418 BCE. These two years are packed with exciting moments as we get to learn about an uprising from below – we're siding with the slaves!We recorded in a new location for this episode. So if you hear a little bit of crowd noise in the background that's all part of the atmosphere of taping out and about.Episode 140 – The Commonwealth of SlavesThe Slaves are Revolting!It happens every so often, but in this year there’s a few twists! Whose side are the gods on? Is that the smell of smoke? We consider the representation of enslaved people in the ancient written literary sources that provide us with their annalistic narratives…As events unfold, we take a moment to explore the nature of bodily punishment and particularly crucifixion in ancient Rome. Where did it come from? When did it come into practice? We consider the details.Still from the film “Spartacus” (1960) showing the crucifixion of the rebels by Rome. We touch on Spartacus in our consideration of the practice of crucifixion. Note, the fate of the historical Spartacus is not known. Source: No Name Movie BlogTrouble in the RanksIt comes as no surprise that the Romans might be facing trouble from their neighbours, but the years 419-418 BCE hold not just trouble without but disagreements between the military tribunes with consular power. How will Rome wrangle their own leaders into line? And will they be able to do it in time to win the day on the battlefield? We delve into the details.Things to Listen Out ForThe AequiansConsiderations of the Italic peoplesWhat did you say about the Capitol?The Spartacan RevoltBlasé RomansThe TusculumsThe LabicaniCoriolanus!Our Players 419 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerAgrippa Menenius T. f. Agripp. N. Lanatus (Pat), previously consul in 439Publius Lucretius Hosti f. – n. Tricipitinus (Pat)Spurius Nautius Sp. f. Sp. n. Rutilus (Pat)Gaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat), thought to be previously consul in 427Our Players 418 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerLucius Sergius C. f. C. n. Fidenas (Pat), previously consul in 437, 429; and previously military tribune with consular power in 433, 424Marcus Papirius L. f. -. n. Mugillanus (Pat)Gaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat), previously consul in 427, military tribune with consular power in the previous year 419DictatorQuintus Servilius P. f. Sp. n. Priscus Fidenas (Pat)Master of the HorseGaius Servilius Q. f. C. n. Axilla (Pat) – upgraded from military tribune with consular power!CensorLucius Papirius L. f. -. n. Mugillanus (Pat). Previously consul in 427 and military tribune with consular power 422.Our SourcesDr G reads Fasti Capitolini, Fasti Minores (CIL 1(2).1,p 55, no.1), Dionysius of Halicarnassus 5.61; 8.19; 12.6.5-7; Diodorus Siculus 13.2.1; 13.6.7; Frontinus Stratagems 2.8.8Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.45-46Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association) Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis) Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects are courtesy of BBC Beta.A map showing regions south and east of Rome including a possible location for Labicum – just north east of Tusculum! Other important sites include Tusculum in the Alban Hills to the south-east of Rome. Image credits to ColdEel and Ahenobarbus. Source: Wikimedia Commons.Automated TranscriptLightly edited for clarity!Dr Rad 0:12Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:15We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:20Everything from political scandals to love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:30And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different ancient authors and comparing their accounts.Dr Rad 0:41Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:56Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. And I am one of your hosts, Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:05And I am your other host Dr Rad. Welcome.Dr G 1:08Welcome, welcome one and all, we are tracing Rome's history from the foundation of the city. And it's exciting times. It's been exciting times for a while. It's always an exciting episode when we return to Rome,Dr Rad 1:21I think, I think so. So last time, Dr. G, we were in the midst of 420 BCE.Dr G 1:28Ah, it was a great year.Dr Rad 1:30It was a great year because we actually got to talk about a woman It has been so long since we mentioned a woman.Dr G 1:36We've been going through a real dry patch with ladies

Content warning for this episode: violence, sexual violence, removal of childrenWe sit down to chat with Genn and Jenny, the fabulous cohosts of the Ancient History Fan Girl podcast. They have recently published Women of Myth: From Deer Woman and Mami Wata to Amaterasu and Athena which examines fifty women and femme presenting figures from cultures across the globe.While Women of Myth is the centre of this conversation, there’s no way to discuss ancient ideas about women without considering how that might reflect upon the contemporary issues that women face. This also leads into consideration of the challenges faced by women throughout history.We wrap up with a discussion of looking beyond the ancient Greco-Roman world – the value of doing that and what that can look like in podcasting.Special Episode – Women of Myth with Ancient History Fan GirlWhat makes a book?In this interview, we explore some of the details of the book includingThe ideas that shaped the concept for Women of MythThe role of Sara Richard’s illustrations in expanding representationWhat it was like to co-write a book togetherListen out for discussions aboutAmba/Shikhandi – The Vengeance-Seeking Genderqueer Warrior of the MahabharataAtalanta – The Ancient Greek Warrior, Athlete, and ArgonautĪtzpāpālōtl – The Skeletal Warrior Goddess of the AztecsLa Llorona – The Wailing Woman of Mexican MythologyMedea – Dr G draws parallels with La Llorona and Medea’s storiesThe Morrigan – The Ancient Irish Goddess of War and Battle FrenzyOya – The Yoruba Warrior Goddess and Orisha of the WindInterested in Women of Myth? Consider these retailers:Booktopia (Australia) Bookshop.org (US)Bookshop.org (UK)Contact your local indie bookstoreContact your local libraryThe book cover!Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman.An illustration by Sara Richard from Women of Myth of Ītzpāpālōtl, the Aztec Skeletal warrior goddess. She appears as a crown skull with green feathered hair surrounded by flames.Automated TranscriptDr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:20We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the levels as the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it, by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Welcome to a very special edition of The Partial Historians. I am Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:00And I'm Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:02And Dr. G, we are joined today by two extra special guests. I know this is very exciting for us two extra special people are with us. And the mystery of way shall soon be revealed. I know what I mean, this is this is really a treat because we are joined by two members of the unofficial lady pod squad. And that is right we are joined by Jenny and Genn, who are the hosts of the extremely popular Ancient History Fan Girl podcast. And we are both fan girls of that podcast. Are we not Dr. G?Dr G 1:39We are so it's like super, super exciting. It's like ancient history girls unite.Dr Rad 1:43Exactly, exactly.Jenny 1:45The feeling is mutual.Genn 1:46Very mutual.Dr Rad 1:50It's actually it's actually really shocking that we have not had you on our show before this because it was many, many moons ago that we recorded Spartacus together. And I feel like it's because we're constantly in contact in terms of I constantly see what you guys are up to on Instagram and constantly listen to your show. And I kind of forget that we haven't actually talked in real life for quite some time.Jenny 2:11It's a parasocial relationship.Dr Rad 2:15It's indicative of this sad social media world that we live in. It's like, oh, I'm totally caught up with this person's life.Jenny 2:21Yes, we are in meshed. I have I frequently have that as well.Dr Rad 2:28And we are having them on the show today. Because extra excitingly, they have just written a book.Dr G 2:37Oh, my God.Dr Rad 2:39That's right. That's right. They are now not only the cohosts of an excellent Ancient History podcast, but they are the coauthors of Women of Myth: From Deer Woman and Mami Wata to Ama – oh see, I'm going to screw this up. Amaterasu and Athena your guide to the amazing and diverse women from World Mythology.Jenny 3:05Yay. That's our book. Thank you so much for having us on. This is so exciting.Genn 3:13Yeah, we're so excited to be here.Dr Rad 3:15No problems at all. And we probably should give a bit of a shout out because not only are you guys co authored this, but you also have some amazing illustrations by Sarah is it? Is it Rashad or Richard RichardJenny 3:25RichardDr Rad 3:25Richard, by Sarah Richard, which really do make the stories I think come alive.Jenny 3:31Absolutely. And Liv Albert wrote our forward canvas thatDr G 3:35I know. Oh, yeah. For people who might still

Another decade is gone and it's time for a Partial Recap! We run through what the ancient sources tell us about this decade. There are some real highs and lows!The Partial Recap 420s BCEIf you are keen to for some more detail, you can jump into our narrative episodes at 134 – A Dry Period. A view to the East over the Roman Forum with the Temple of Saturn on the left and the Palatine Hill on the right, showing the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Arch of Titus, Santa Francesca Romana, and the Colosseum. Detail from the photograph by Nicholas Hartmann, June 1976. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under license.Sound CreditsOur music was composed by the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzman. Automated Transcript Dr Rad:Welcome to the Partial Recap for the 420s BCE!Dr G: I’m Dr G Dr Rad: and I’m Dr RadDr G: and this is our highlights edition of the 420s in Rome. We’ll take you through from 429 to 420 in an epitome of our normal episodes. Dr Rad: Perfect for those mornings when you don’t want some lengthy rhetoric with your coffee – but please be warned – the Roman world is a violent one.  Dr G: Get ready for a recappuccino. 429 BCEIn 429 BCE, the consuls were Hostius Lucretius Tricipitinus and Lucius Sergius Fidenas Who could forget this year? Well, apparently a lot of people could – nothing was recorded in some of our sourcesFor others, it might be an issue of confused dates  and actually LOTS of things happened that sound very similar to the events of 428428 BCEIn 428 BCE, the consuls were Aulus Cornelius Cossus and Titus Quinctius Poenus Cincinnatus Or maybe Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus and Aulus Sempronius Atratinus Come on Romans, get your consuls straight!Veii started muscling in on Roman turf, perhaps with some help from the Fidenates The Romans assembled an elite task force to look into their involvement and some men from FIdenae found themselves banished to Ostia for being decidedly shiftyFor a bit of extra security, more settlers were sent to the colony of Fidenae Rome was then hit by a severe drought, which led to the spread of disease amongst cattle and the citizens In desperation, some superstitions started to spread amongst the populace and had to be reined in 427 BCEIn 427 BCE, the consuls were Caius Servilius Structus Ahala and Lucius Papirius Mugillanus Putting the tough times behind them, the ROmans felt well enough to seek revenge against Veii But there’s a procedure to this people! Someone call the fetiales so they can call on Jupiter and get this ball rolling 426 BCEIn 426 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Titus Quinctius Poenus Cincinnatus, Caius Furius Pacilus Fusus, Marcus Postumius Albinus, and Aulus Cornelius Cossus – whew!The military tribunes with consular power set about this war with Veii – but they didn’t play well together, leading to some humiliating results on the battlefield Crushed and angry, the Romans turned to their favourite solution – a dictator!Mamercus Aemilius was chosen by Cossus, and he chose Cossus to be his Master of the Horse – making them the cutest couple in Rome Meanwhile, Veii was bragging about their recent success to anyone who would listen, and Fidenae agreed to join forces with them once again.  Lucky the Romans had Mamercus to whip them all into shape. He and his band of trusty helpers worked together like a well-oiled machine to grind their enemies into the dust!Once more, Cossus was a standout in the battle and Mamercus received a triumphIf this all seems very familiar, it is. Suspiciously so! Compare the events yourself by revisiting our episode on 437 BCE425 BCEIn 425 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Aulus Sempronius Atratinus, L. Quinctius Cincinnatus, Lucius Furius Medullinus and Lucius Horatius Barbatus. Nothing much happened!The Veientes and the Aequians were each granted truces 424 BCEIn 424 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Appius Claudius Crassus, Spurius Nautius Rutilus, Lucius Sergius Fidenas, and Sextus Iulius Iullus. Games were held and the Romans were exceedingly polite hosts. The tribunes of the plebs found the whole scene in the city far too peaceful and started haranguing the populaceWhy weren’t there any military tribunes with consular power who were plebeians? WHY? They were really sick of patrician domination, especially because it didn’t have to be that way.Their words finally had some effect, with some brave plebeians stepping forward to run for office. Will we finally get a plebeian magistrate? 423 BCEIn 423 BCE, the consuls were Gaius Sempronius Atratinus and Quintus Fabius Vibulanus.The year began with the unfortunate capture of the Etruscan city of Volturnum by the SamnitesThe Etruscans, seemingly exhausted by the endless conflict of this time, allowed the Samnites to enter their city and settle

The Partial Historians are back in the 420s BCE and we are wrapping up the decade with some first-class DRAMA! At the centre of it all are the trials of Sempronius and Postumia. The only question is, can you handle it?Episode 139 – The Trials of Sempronius and PostumiaFake ElectionsThe year began with some classic conflict between the patricians and the plebeians. The tribunes of the plebs were FURIOUS when their relatives did not get elected as quaestors. There was only one possible explanation – election fraud!There was clearly one man to blame: Aulus Sempronius Atratinus. He had been in charge of overseeing the elections and he had rigged the results. Unfortunately, he was also a military tribune and therefore immune from prosecution. But that didn’t mean that his relatives were…The Trial of SemproniusThe tribunes set their sights on Atratinus’ cousin, Gaius Sempronius. Sempronius was the perfect target. He had been in charge of a DISASTROUS military campaign in 423 BCE. Time for vengeance!Jean Lemaire c. 1645-1655. Roman Senators and Legates. The picture shows senators walking though a square attended by lictors. Maybe they're on their way to a trial!Poor PostumiaSempronius was not the only person to find themselves on trial in 420 BCE. A Vestal Virgin named Postumia was accused of incestum. Apparently, her clothing was a bit too sexy, and she had a sense of humour. What a horrible combination! Think of the children!However, incestum was a very serious charge as it put the Romans’ relationship with the gods in jeopardy. It was no joke for Postumia either. Charges like this could lead to live burial for a Vestal.Tune in to find out whether Sempronius and Postumia manage to emerge victorious from their respective trials.A modern imagining of Vestal Virgin by sculptor Joseph-Charles Marin 1791-95. Courtesy of Mary Harrsch on Flickr. Things to Look Out For: Clear signs of our PartialityLengthy digressions on work apparelRed lipstick and mini skirtsPatrician morality par excellence  Family rivalryImmense excitement to find a woman in our story – at last!Dr G’s immense expertise on Vestal VirginsNeed a recap on Sempronius? Check out our previous episodes on 423 BCE and 422-21 BCE. Our Players 420 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerL. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 438, 425T. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Poenus Cincinnatus (Pat) Cos. 431, 428a, Mil. Tr. c. p. 426L. Furius Sp. f. -n. Medullinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 432, 425M. Manlius – f. – n. Vulso (Pat)A. Sempronius L. f. A. n. Atratinus (Pat) Cos. 428b, Mil. Tr. c. p. 428, 416  Tribunes of the PlebsA. AntistiusSex. PompiliusM. CanuleiusInterrexL. Papirius Mugillanus (Pat) Cos. 427, Mil. Tr. c. p. 422PontificesSp. MinuciusVestal VirginPostumiaOur SourcesDr G reads Plutarch, de Capienda 89f.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.44.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Greenfield, P. 2011. Virgin Territory: The Vestals and the Transition from Republic to Principate [Doctoral Thesis, The University of Sydney]Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN 978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID 239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Sound Credits Our music was composed by Bettina Joy de GuzmanSound effects thanks to Pixabay, Fesliyan Studios and BBC Sounds.A statue of a Vestal Virgin in the atrium Vestae (house of the Vestals) in Rome. Courtesy of Carole Raddato via Wikimedia Commons.Automated TranscriptAn automated transcript of this episode has been provided thank to Otter AI.Dr Rad  00:16Welcome to the partial historians,Dr G  00:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad  00:23Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G  00:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman Sword by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad  00:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G  01:06Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historians. I am Dr. G.Dr Rad  01:16And I am Dr. Red and I'm in a very special t shirt today. Dr. G. My All, roads lead to Rome t shirt.Dr G  01:26Are you hoping to sneak into my suitcase to come on a certain trip?Dr Rad  01:30I'm just dropping subtle hints.Dr G  01:34If I can fit you, I'll take you.Dr R

This episode we return to the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ with a classic sword and sandal epic, Quo Vadis (1951). This film is available through many streaming platforms and we highly recommend revisiting it.In Part Two of two episodes on Quo Vadis, we delve into our analysis of the film. If you have not listened to Part One, you might want to check it out for the context. Special Episode – Quo Vadis (1951) – Part TwoThe Wars That Shaped the MovieHollywood loves a sure bet and MGM started working on their own adaption after WWII. The legacy of that war can be seen in the depiction of Nero and the Roman people. Nero seems to be a mixture of Mussolini and Hitler, and the use of eagles, fasces and the ‘Roman salute’ must have also dredged up unpleasant memories.The newly emerging Cold War also had an impact on this movie, with the plot dealing largely with the clash of freedom (Christians) vs tyranny (Romans). The immoral, irreligious Romans could easily be seen as the ‘godless Communists’, whereas the Christians and converts stand for the American way of life. The film was made during the hunt for Communists in Hollywood itself. The first round of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) had started in 1947 and round two was destined to begin in 1951. These were dark days for many in the industry.Black and white portrait photo of Peter Ustinov as Nero in Quo Vadis. He sits in a thoughtful pose and appears unhappy about something. Source: Pinterest.HUAC arrives in HollywoodThe head of MGM (Louis B. Mayer) and the male lead of Quo Vadis (Robert Taylor) were intimately connected with the HUAC hearings. Mayer had testified in 1947. Robert Taylor may not be a familiar name, but he was a massive star for MGM in the 30s and 40s. He was also known for his conservative politics and would be the only prominent Hollywood star to name names in front of the Committee. This might all seem to add up, but his testimony had just as much to do with his loyalty to Mayer, a fellow conservative, and MGM as his anti-communism.Taylor had been forced by MGM and the Office of War Information to star in Song of Russia (1944), a pro-Russian film designed to promote friendly feelings about wartime alliance. Taylor had been dead against starring in the film in the first place, but he eventually went through with it so that he could be released by the studio to fulfil his military service.Taylor's TestimonyTaylor was asked to testify in closed door sessions in front of HUAC early in 1947. He was quite frank regarding his political views, and Song of Russia might have come up. Taylor did not hold back as he thought this testimony would be kept private. When it was used to bolster the presence of HUAC, Taylor was less than pleased. Taylor and his wife Barbara Stanwyck were conservatives, but they did want to abuse their position as celebrities. They never wished to discuss politics in public again.Black and white portrait photo of Robert Taylor as Marcus Vinicius in Quo Vadis. He wears a Roman style military brestplate and gazes into the middle distance thoughtfully.Source: PinterestTaylor would have to make one more notable exception on that front. Louis B. Mayer, like so many other studio heads, wanted to protect the movie industry. This was business, and with television on the rise and the 1948 ruling against studio-owned theatres, the ‘biz’ was facing enough obstacles in the late 1940s and early 1950s. They did not need the public thinking that Hollywood was spreading Communist ideology. More significantly, there is a distinctly antisemitic tone to the HUAC hearings, which must have made the largely Jewish heads of studios nervous, no matter how politically conservative they were.Specifically, Mayer needed Taylor to testify a second time so he could back up MGM’s official line regarding Song of Russia. It was just a romance! Certainly not wartime propaganda…. HUAC also really wanted Taylor to appear again, purely for the publicity. They were correct: the press (and a lot of female fans) flocked to see Taylor’s testimony.Taylor seemed to be uncomfortable when asked to name any suspected Communists in the industry. He was hesitant, but he did it. In the atmosphere of Hollywood at the time, Robert Taylor was celebrated by most for his patriotism. Whilst the best days of his career would soon be behind him after Quo Vadis and his testimony, this had nothing to do with his appearance before HUAC. However, these days, Robert Taylor is largely forgotten or remembered as a ‘friendly witness’.Join us for our take on this rollicking ride through Neronian Rome and 20th century politics!Sound CreditThanks to the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Our SourcesBabington, B.; Evans, P. W., Biblical Epics: Sacred Narrative in the Hollywood Cinema (Manchester University Press, New York: 1993).Cyrino, M., Big Screen Rome (Blackwell Publishing, Oxford: 2005).Elley, D., The Epic Film: Myth and History (Routledge and Kegan

This episode, we are dealing with 422 and 421 BCE. The previous year had been a very dramatic for Rome. They seem to have come perilously close to a disastrous military defeat. Luckily, they had the four horsemen on their side…“The Four Horsemen” is our affectionate name for the group of cavalry commanders who dismounted and led the Roman army on foot when everything turned against them during the battle against the Volsci in 423 BCE. The most notable amongst them was a plebeian hero Sextus Tempanius.In 422 BCE, these men were elected to serve as plebeian tribunes. But will they continue to be exalted by the Roman people? Or will they demand change from the patricians and become just as troublesome as many of their predecessors?Join us as we explore the fallout from the Volscian conflict.Episode 138 – The Four HorsemenThings to Listen Out For: Bad Italian accentsAequians coming out of nowhereAngry patricians acting like your parentsToo many interreges to count (or name apparently)Moderatio everywhereNeed a more detailed recap of Sempronius' misdeeds? Check out our previous episode on 423 BCE. Our Players 422 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular Power L. Manlius – f. – n. Capitolinus (Pat)Q. Antonius (T.f. – n.) MerendaL. Papirius (L.?f. – n.) Mugillanus (Pat) Cos. 427Tribunes of the Plebs(Ti.) Antintius(M.) Asellius (Ti.) Spurillius Sex. Tempanius L. Hortensius Ex-Consul C. Sempronius – f. – n. Atratinus (Pat)Our Players 421 BCEConsulsCn. (or N.) Fabius Q.f.M.n. Vibulanus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 415, 407T. Quinctius T.f.L.n. Capitolinus Barbatus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 405InterrexLucius Papirius MugillanusThe “Horses of Saint Mark”, also known as the “Triumphal Quadriga” or “Horses of the Hippodrome of Constantinople”. The bronze sculptures are thought to date to the second or third centuries CE and modelled on much earlier statues from classical Greece c. fourth century BCE. The precise date is uncertain. Photo credit to Tteske via Wikimedia Commons.Our SourcesDr G reads Fasti Capitolini for 422 and 421 BCE; Festus 174L; Tacitus Annals 11.22; Val. Max. 6.5.2.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.42-43.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Drogula, Fred K (2015). Commanders & command in the Roman republic and early empire. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-1-4696-2314-6. OCLC 905949529.Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Holloway, R. Ross (2008). “Who Were the Tribuni Militum Consulari Potestate?”. L'Antiquité Classique. 77: 107–125. doi:10.3406/antiq.2008.3716. ISSN 0770-2817. JSTOR 41812945. Archived from the original on 2022-03-17.Lomas, Kathryn (2018). The rise of Rome. History of the Ancient World. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. doi:10.4159/9780674919938. ISBN 978-0-674-65965-0. S2CID 239349186.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Richardson, J. H. (2017). “The Roman Nobility, the Early Consular Fasti, and the Consular Tribunate”. Antichthon. 51: 77–100. doi:10.1017/ann.2017.7. ISSN 0066-4774. S2CID 148605873.Sound CreditsOur music was composed by Bettina Joy de Guzman. Sound effects are courtesy of Pixabay and Orange Free Sounds. Automated TranscriptDr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G 0:19we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the levels as the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:33And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the Partial Historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:12And I am Dr. G. And we are following the history of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr Rad 1:19Boy, are we and you know what? We're getting so close to 100 years of the Republic.Dr G 1:25Maybe we should do a special episode 100 year reap recap on the early republic.Dr Rad 1:29Totally doable. It's only taken us what seven years to get here. That's gonna be fine. Yeah, stay tuned. Watch this space. Yeah. So Dr G, in our grand narrative of Rome's history. Last episode, we were up to 423 BCE, and it was actually kind of a memorable year.Dr G 1:47Yeah, some things happened, particularly with Sempronius Atratinus, who was one of the consuls for that year.Dr Rad 1:55He was groped into waging a military cam

This episode we return to the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ with a classic sword and sandal epic, Quo Vadis (1951). This film is available through many streaming platforms and we highly recommend revisiting it.In Part One of two episodes on Quo Vadis, we examine the context for the film and the plot. Quo Vadis (1951) helped to ignite Hollywood’s passion for ancient epics in this decade. It was a smash hit with some of the legendary stars of the era, including Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr and Peter Ustinov. This film is not only epic in terms of length, but in terms of all the aspects that you could discuss in connection with it.Special Episode – Quo Vadis (1951) – Part OneResistanceThe tale itself has a lengthy backstory which takes us all the way back to 19th century Poland. Henryk Sienkiewicz wrote the book in a serialised format between 1894-1896. Poland had been going a through a tough time over the course of the preceding century, in the sense that it did not exist independently between 1795 and 1918. During this period, the Catholic Church was crucial in preserving Polish culture. Sienkiewicz often wrote historical novels that would lift the spirits of his fellow poles, and Quo Vadis was no exception. For Sienkiewicz, the triumph of Christian characters such as Lygia and Ursus (meant to be from Lugii, i.e. Poland) represent the ultimate triumph of Poland over its cruel oppressors, with Nero representing nations such as Russia, Austro-Hungary and Prussia.  Sienkiewicz’s novel was well-received, and was therefore adapted into toga plays, operas, and several films. The earlier film versions were made in Europe, including the notable 1912 silent classic.Join us for the fascinating background of the 1951 film and stay tuned for Part Two!Quo Vadis – Roll Call!There are a LOT of characters to keep track of in a film of this length, so if you need a handy reference, check out the cast list on IMDB.The main people that you need to know for our episode include:LygiaFictional main lady love interest. Christian, hostage-turned-adoptive daughter of Roman general Aulus Plautus, and his wife, Pomponia Graecina.Marcus ViniciusFictional main manly love interest. Roman, not Christian (yet). Militaristic, aggressive to start, turns all moral as the film progresses.Lygia (Deborah Kerr) and Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor) in the courtyard of her adoptive parents' home in Rome.Source: FilmAffinity.Emperor NeroHistorical figure. Really was Roman emperor from 54-68 CE. Known as the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Really was terrible, although maybe not quite as unrelentingly awful as many suggest – including this film. Probably not as amusing as Peter Ustinov!A gold coin showing the obverse portrait of Nero.Bust of the historical NeroPeter Ustinov as Nero in Quo Vadis (1951)Poppaea SabinaHistorical figure. Elite Roman lady. Complicated love life. Winds up as Nero’s second wife. Called beautiful but awful in the surviving sources. We say – the jury is out on that one. Typical fun, adulteress type character used to contrast to the ‘good girl’, Lygia. Historically, she is murdered by Nero while pregnant with their child. In Quo Vadis, Nero strangles her. An awful demise in reality and in film.Statue of the historical Poppaea Sabina found in Olympia, GreecePatricia Laffan as Poppaea Sabina in Quo Vadis (1951)Petronius (Gaius Petronius Arbiter)Historical figure. Served as governor of Bithynia and was consul in either 62 or 63 CE. Did a decent job, but in his personal life seems to have made pleasure his main goal. Dubbed the ‘Arbiter of Elegance’ by Nero. Accused of being part of a conspiracy against Nero and suicided whilst chatting casually to friends. Thought to be the author of the novel, The Satyricon, which is a very unusual piece because it does NOT focus on the elite and is pretty … eye-opening. Possibly makes fun of Nero through the gross figure of Trimalchio, a freedmen who has become a wealthy show-off with no taste. Close associate of Nero. In the movie, Petronius is Vinicius’ uncle and an elegant, witty, intelligent member of Emperor Nero’s inner-circle. He also has a weird obsession with the enslaved Eunice…From left: Petronius (Leo Genn) attempting to advise Nero (Peter Ustinov) in a scene from Quo Vadis (1951). Image source: FilmFanaticUrsusFictional character. Bodyguard of Lygia, Christian convert. Super strong.PeterThat’s St Peter to you! Follower of Jesus Christ. Christian (to state the obvious). Supposedly was crucified upside down, making him a martyr, which Sienkiewicz worked into his novel. Has a very famous domed building named after him. Pomponia GraecinaHistorical figure. Elite Roman lady who was related to the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Mentioned by Tacitus for her ballsy behaviour. She wore mourning for DECADES after Julia was bumped off by Messalina, which could have led to her own downfall, but Claudius did not punish her. (Julia Livia, granddaughter of Tiberius, daug

Welcome to 423 BCE and your introduction to the one and only Sextus Tempanius! You may not know his name just yet, but we're pretty sure you'll be as impressed with him as we are. Suffice it to say, 423 BCE is one of the more interesting and dramatic years of the decade. After a confusing tangent about the Samnites and Capua brought to us courtesy of Livy, we return to Rome and war with the Volscians. The Roman forces are led by the patrician, Gaius Sempronius Atratinus. However, Sempronius might be placing too much faith in the gods when it comes to war…With fortune seemingly turning against the Romans, a plebeian hero steps into the spotlight. Sextus Tempanius brings the cavalry to the rescue of their forces. Join us to find out how the Tenacious Tempanius made the Romans swoon.Episode 137 – The Tenacious TempaniusA re-enactor dressed as a Roman cavalryman. The gear is not necessarily historically accurate for this period, but it gives the vibe!Image courtesy of Jacqueline Ross via Flickr.My Kingdom for a Decurio!Sextus Tempanius is described in some of our sources as a decurio. In this context, a decurio is a commander of a decuria of cavalry. A decuria is the Latin term for a division of ten. So a decurio is a low level commander in charge of the ten riders that make up his decuria. Although we can't be precise about the exact scope of the Roman cavalry in this period of the early Republic, there is later thought to have been 30 lots of ten riders to a cavalry legion (300 riders). So for three hundred horsemen there were thirty internal leaders. The other important division was the grouping of 3 decuriones (3×10) horsemen together into a formation known as a turma. Depending on the battle situation, the Romans had the capacity to divide a legion down to collectives of 30 or 10 horsemen with their own command structure. Things to Listen Out ForSeveral theories about how Capua received its’ nameConfusion over places starting with VThe laziest Etruscan resistance EVERStandards left lying aroundRoman cheerleading practiceFriends turning on each other like real douchebagsWeird parallels to the Second Punic War  Patrician trials – about time!Want to refresh your knowledge of 424 BCE? Check out our previous episode.Our Players 423 BCEConsulsC. Sempronius – f. – n. Atratinus (Pat)Q. Fabius Q. f. M. n. Vibulanus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 416, 414Tribune of the PlebsC. IuniusDecurioSextus TempaniusOur SourcesDr G reads Dionysius of Halicarnass Roman Antiquities 12.6.5; Val. Max. 3.2.8.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.37-41.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Brill New Pauly entries for “Decurio” and “Verrugo”Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Oakley, S. P. 2016. ‘Didactic Livy: Review of Livy’s Political Philosophy. Power and Personality in Early Rome by A. Vasaly’. The Classical Review 66:2, 431-433.Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Smith, W. 1854. Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography “Verrugo”Sound EffectsThanks to the wonderful Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music. Sound effects courtesy of Fesliyan Studios and Orange Free Sounds and BBC Sound Effects.North face of the Mausoleum of Glanum, southern France, showing a cavalry battle, c. 40 BCE. This relief shows cavalry in action well after the period under discussion in this episode, but it does give you a sense of the movement and how Romans in the late Republic conceived of the cavalry.Source: Wikimedia Commons. Photographer: CancreAutomated TranscriptLightly edited for clarity!Dr Rad 0:27Hello, dear listeners, and welcome to another episode of The Partial Historians. I am one of your host, Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:36And I am Dr. G. And we have been tracing Rome's history from the founding of the city for years now. And we're many years into Rome's history as well. So that's exciting news. We're keeping pace with the events as they happen.Dr Rad 0:52We are I mean, the 420s are just like streaming by me. I can't I feel like I can't keep up with moving so quickly they are flying by I think this is a real indication of what happens when we lose some of our source material.Dr G 1:05Particularly Dionysius, who is, shall we say, more of a reverse somewhat of a gas bag? Indeed, I hope he does come back though. I'm looking forward to hearing from him again.Dr Rad 1:16It's been too long.Dr G 1:17Look, I suspect we've only got fragments from here on down.Dr Rad 1:22I know but whenever he pops in to say hello, you know, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.Dr G 1:28Prepare to be excited because he might be popping in with a fragment in t

In this episode we dig into the details (or lack thereof!) of 425 and 425 BCE. Good news for the plebeians is that when there's not much going on in Rome, they get a chance to just live life a little!Episode 136 – How the Plebeians Got Their Groove BackWhat's in a tribune?What’s the deal with military tribunes with consular power? We consider the etymology of tribune (the Latin tribunus) to better understand this facet of the political structure. This also means tackling the big question of: who were the magistrates in this period of history and how much can we take from our later writers like Livy and Dionsysius of Halicarnassus?Games, glorious games!The time is ripe for Rome to hold games in honour of the gods. There's no battle to be had and diplomacy in the local region seems to be taking a turn for peace. What better time to invite everyone over for some sport and festivities?Jean-Léon Gérôme 1876. Chariot Race. This is an imagined scene of a Roman chariot race at the Circus Maximus at the height of Rome's power (we're not up to that point in Rome's history in this episode!). The Circus itself is thought to be significantly old – dating back potentially as early as the kings.Things to listen out forThe horrifying lack of detail from the sources Dr G has to studyLivy writing a history of peace rather than warShocking revelations about Igor's (our resident eagle) paycheckThe return of the Claudii.Our Players 425 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerAulus Sempronius L. f. A. n. Atratinus (Pat) – Cos 428bLucius Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat) (Broughton Cin. *3) – Cos 428b, military tribune with consular power 438Lucius Furius Sp. f. – n. Medullinus (Pat), Military tribune with consular power in 432Lucius Horatius M. f. M. n. Barbatus (Pat)Our Players 424 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerAppius Claudius Ap. f. Ap. n. Crassus (Pat)Spurius Nautius Sp. f. – n. Rutilus (Pat)Lucius Sergius C. f. C. n. Fidenas (Pat) – previously cos. 437, 429; military tribune with consular power 433Sextus Julius – f. – n. Iullus (Pat)Our SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus 12.81.1, 12.82.1Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.35.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Drogula, F. K. 2017. ‘Plebeian Tribune and the Government of Early Rome‘ Antichthon 51: 101-123Sound EffectsThanks to the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music. Additional sound effects from BBC Beta.Greek black figure vase of a charioteer with four horses. This Athenian vase is obviously not a Roman artefact, but it's thought to date to c. 410-400 BCE which is very close to the period we explore in this episode. Gathering together for games and chariot racing was common across the Mediterranean. The Roman were likely inspired or influenced by ideas for games and races from the Greeks and the Etruscans.Automated TranscriptDr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:20We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. I'm Dr. Rad and this intelligent, ravishing creature next to me isDr G 1:06Dr. G. Yay, I feel very complimented. Is it my sequined dinosaur t shirt?Dr Rad 1:12I mean, if that doesn't scream, intelligent and ravishing, I don't know whatDr G 1:16Ah, you're so kind!Dr Rad 1:19So I'm thrilled to be back that back again, in the studio, talking about Ancient Rome with you.Dr G 1:26Yeah we've been exploring Ancient Rome from the foundation of the city. And we are well into what is the early republic at this point, it's a roundabout 425Dr Rad 1:38It isDr G 1:38BCEDr Rad 1:39I feel like we've really raced ahead suddenly, like for a while, it was just like moving through slow setting cement. So I didn't feel like we could get out of the middle of the fifth century BCE. And here we are, we are getting so close to a new century.Dr G 1:55Things are speeding up. And I think we have to thank our missing source material,Dr Rad 2:00I was gonna say, probably not a good thing. It's the fact that everything seems to be a little bit blancker.Dr G 2:07There are a lot of fragments. But before we get into 425, and maybe what we could possibly know about it, let's do a little bit of a recap of where we're up to. And just think a little bit about 426. And where the land lay at that point.Dr Rad 2:23Well, i

The Robe (1953) is a cinematic classic of Golden Age Hollywood. With its mix of ancient Rome and early Christianity, it was a winner with audiences around the globe. In this special episode, we tap into Dr Rad's expertise in reception in film and come to grips with the power of The Robe!Special Episode – The RobeA Challenging ContextIt was tricky to deal with modern political issues in this era of Hollywood under the influence of HUAC (the House Un-American Activities Committee). For the makers of The Robe, which explicitly dealt with the life of Jesus under the Romans, there were additional challenges due to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. Returning to the Old Testament was often a safer bet for Hollywood films.The rights to The Robe were initially purchased by RKO, before finally being canceled in 1948. It found a new home at 20th Century Fox. The fact that The Robe was in production for a long time has raised some interesting questions about the impact of historical context.The script was initially written by Albert Maltz, one of the infamous Hollywood Ten. The original script does seem to touch on blacklist themes. In Caligula’s original speech at the end of the film he refers to the “sedition” of the Christians and Marcellus has to deny that he is involved in a conspiracy to overthrow the state. This sounds eerily close to the experience of Hollywood Communists, who were generally not radicals trying to seize control of the government. There were also more references to the naming of names in Maltz’s version of The Robe…People protesting in favour of the Hollywood Ten. Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica.HUAC and The RobeBut HUAC lay in his future, as Maltz only worked on this project from 1942-1946. As Smith (2005) has highlighted, while Maltz could not have worked HUAC references into the script before his HUAC experiences, it is possible that the tension over Communism still shaped his draft. There were moves against Communism before the Second Red Scare that swept America in the late 1940s and 1950s, such as the actions of the Tenney Committee in the early 1940s, or the foundation of the right-wing Motion Picture Alliance for American Ideals.Or perhaps Maltz was more focused on providing a critique of Italian fascism, given the backdrop of World War II? Maltz wrote Cloak and Dagger (1947) immediately after The Robe, which definitely took aim at Italian fascism, whilst exalting the resistance from the Communists. He would also write Crossfire (1947), a film that tackled issues of anti-Semitism within the USA.Film poster for Cloak and Dagger (1947)Is it possible that the next screenwriter to work on The Robe worked in some sick burns? Phillip Dunne followed Maltz and would eventually receive sole credit for the film, thanks to the blacklist. He was known to be a liberal and helped to establish the Committee for the First Amendment. This group formed in reaction to the HUAC hearings in 1947. Fellow members included other Hollywood luminaries such as William Wyler, Lucille Ball, Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis and Dorothy Daindridge.However, Dunne was not a Communist; quite the opposite. He may have intended The Robe to be a veiled criticism of HUAC, but he may also have seen the repression of the Romans as being akin to Stalin and the Communist regime.ReferencesReinhartz, A. (2013). Bible and Cinema: Fifty Key Films. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203083260Richards, J. (2008). Hollywood’s Ancient Worlds. Continuum.Smith, J. (2005). ‘Are You Now or Have You Ever Been a Christian?: The Strange History of The Robe As Political Allegory‘, Film Studies, Winter: 7, 1-15.A lobby card for The RobeAutomated TranscriptProvided by Otter AIDr Rad 0:16Welcome to the Partial Historians, we explore all the details of ancient Rome. Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories. Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr Rad 1:03Welcome to a special episode of The Partial Historians, I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:10And I am a somewhat healthy, Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:15I know this is true dedication, Patreons, Dr G has been suffering from the vid.Dr G 1:22I've been on my deathbed. But I've bounced back. Thank goodness.Dr Rad 1:27It was Rome that calls you for and said live live another day.Dr G 1:33And one must always follow the commands of Rome. And here I am. as ever.Dr Rad 1:39Well, I suppose luckily, or unluckily. I'm not sure. We're not doing our normal narrative today. But instead, we're taking a journey into Hollywood land, which could be good for a sick person, or maybe not.Dr G 1:54I look, I think it's gonna be it's gonna be good. I'm excited for this golden era. Hollywood is one of my favorite times in Hollywood.Dr Rad 2:03We

What do you get when Mamercus Aemilius Mamercinus and Aulus Cornelius Cossus return in our source material? The continuation of a beautiful bromance.After an unfortunate amount of disease and destruction in our last episode, we return to Rome for some classic political and military action.The Romans are ready to put a year of horrible drought behind them and seek revenge on Veii and the ongoing thorn in their side. Fidenae. It also turns out that war is the perfect backdrop for some male bonding. Episode 135 – Building the BromanceJupiter as my Witness!Before the Romans can get involved in any conflicts with Veii, there are rules of warfare that need to be observed. It is time for the fetiales! With Jupiter as their witness, they will make sure that Rome only goes to war in the right circumstances.Fresco of Jupiter, National Archaeological Museum of Naples (inv. nr.9551).From Pompeii, House of the Dioscuri, dating to the 1st century CE, so much later than the 420s BCE! Jupiter was invoked by thefetiales during their rituals.Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.Building the BromanceThe Romans elect military tribunes with consular power as they embark on their war with Veii. Unfortunately, the tribunes don’t have a talent for teamwork. It’s time for a dictator!Our old friend Cossus nominates Mamercus Aemilius as dictator. In return, Aemilius makes Cossus his Master of the Horse. The bromance between these two is so strong that Veii doesn’t stand a chance. They are the Roman equivalent of Batman and Robin.Watch out Etruscans! The caped crusaders are out to get you.The classic duo: is that Mamercus and Cossus or Batman and Robin? When we squint, we can't even tell, that's how strong the bromance is here.Things to Look Out For:More confusion over consuls  Murder most foulBirds in the sky (they might be trying to tell you something)Smugness from MamercusFiery combatDid we write a book? Oh boy, yes we did! If you enjoy the podcast, this might be just the ticket. You can purchase our popular history Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome HEREInterested in the first instalment of the bromance between Cossus and Mamercus? We've got you covered – that'd be Episode 129 – Lars Tolumnius and the Fate of FidenaeOur Players 427 BCEConsulsC. Servilius – f. – n. Structus Ahala (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 419, 418, 417L. Papirius (L. f. – n.) Mugillanus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 422Our Players 426 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerT. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Poenus Cincinnatus (Pat) Cos 431, 428a, Mil. Tr. c. p. 420?C. Furius – f. – n. Pacilus Fusus (Pat) Cos. 441M. Postumius A. ? f. A.? n. Albinus Regillensis? (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 403?A. Cornelius M. f. L. n. Cossus (Pat) Cos. 428DictatorMam. Aemilius M. f. – n. Mamercinus (Pat)Master of the HorseA. Cornelius M. f. L. n. Cossus (Pat) Cos. 428a, Mil. Tr. c. p. 426LegatesT. Quinctius Poenus Cincinattus (Pat) Cos. 431, Mil. tr. c. p. 426, 420?Our SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus 12.78.1, 12.80.1; Dionysius of Halicarnassus Roman Antiquities 12.6; Valerius Maximus 3.2.4; Frontinus Stratagems 2.4.18-19, 2.8.9; Florus 1.6.7; Aurelius Victor De Viris Illustribus urbis Romae 25; Orosius 2.13.8-11Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.31-34.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy: Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press). Santangelo, F. 2008. ‘The Fetials and Their Ius’. Bulletin: Institute of Classical Studies 51:1, 63-93.Sound EffectsFesliyan Studios, Orange Free Sounds and Pixabay. Thanks to the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.The Apollo of Veii, dated to around 550-520 BCE. This is a terracotta artefact that is now held in the National Etruscan Museum in Rome.Source: Obelisk Art History Project.Automated TranscriptTranscript generated by Otter AI. Edited by Dr G for those tricky Latin names!Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G 0:19we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:22Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:33And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us, as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:54Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. G. And sitting with me in the realm of cyberspace.Dr Rad 1:09Is Dr. Rad. That's cyberspace.Dr G 1:17I feel ya, I feel ya. And we are tracing the history of Rome from the f

We recap the confusing details of the 430s BCE. Be careful – there's a lot of dictators about!This is a short, sharp, scripted overview of all the big events that defined the 430s BCE. If you’re inspired to delve into more details, all the episodes from this decade can be found in our Foundation of Rome series starting with Episode 127: The Assassination of Spurius Maelius.The Partial Recap – 430s BCEA view to the East over the Roman Forum with the Temple of Saturn on the left and the Palatine Hill on the right, showing the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Arch of Titus, Santa Francesca Romana, and the Colosseum. Detail from the photograph by Nicholas Hartmann, June 1976. Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under license.Sound CreditsOur music was composed by the incomparable Bettina Joy de Guzman. Automated Transcript Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G 0:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. RadDr G 0:34and I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to the Partial Recap for the 430s BCE.Dr G 1:12I'm Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:14And I'm Dr. RadDr G 1:15And this is our highlights addition of the 430s in Rome will take you through from 439 to 430. In an epitome of our normal episodesDr Rad 1:27Perfect for those mornings when you don't want some lengthy rhetoric with your coffee. But Please be warned. The Roman world is a violent oneDr G 1:34Get ready for a re-cappuccino.Dr Rad 2:02439 BCE. In 439 BCE, the consuls were Agrippa Menenius Lanatus and Titus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbatus, Rome was still having issues with their green supply and 439 BCE. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they were having issues with the man who had tried to solve the green crisis and to be honest, the dates are blurry here. This is more 439 and 438. An equestrian named Spurius Maelius had used his private fortune to secure desperately needed corn, something that the officially appointed prefect of corn supply Lucius Minucius had failed to do. Spurius Maelius had allegedly been using his success with the grain to curry favour and after carefully building support amongst the plebs instal himself as monarch. Funnily enough Minucius was the one to uncover this dastardly plot. Jealous much? This may somehow connect to another version of events we have in which the people overthrew Minucius and put Maelius in his place. In this time of crisis, the Romans turned to Cincinnatus, that old war horse or did they? Officially Cincinnatus was made dictator and chose Gaius Servilius Ahala, whose name means Gaius Servilius ‘Armpit', as the master of the horse, depending who you believe Ahala was either just a random elite man who was given a senatorial approval to kill Maelius, or he was sent by Cincinnatus to arrest the scheming Spurius. When Spurius decided not to go quietly, and when he screamed for help from the nearby plebs, Ahala decided to murder him on the spot. Naturally. Ahala and a band of young patricians reported the crime to Cincinnatus, who was thoroughly pleased that Maelius was dead. The populace were less thrilled and Cincinnatus summoned an assembly to explain exactly how Maelius' murder went down. With Rome safe again, Maelius' house was torn down. Too much evil plotting had gone down in there to leave it standing. It became a memorial named the Aquaemaelium to commemorate whatever he was supposedly doing. The rest of his property was donated to the public treasury. Again, according which account you believe some other traitors flesh rabbits may have found their heads detached for their bodies and displayed in the Forum. In the aftermath of the Spurius Maelius debacle, Lucius Minucius was given an ox and a gilded statue outside the Porta Trigamenia, he may also have been made a plebeian and an 11th tribune of the plebs just to keep an eye on them after this attempted coup business, but even Livy is unsure about this one. The tribunes certainly weren't pleased that Minucius was being honoured, so they pushed to have military tribunes with consular power and 438 BCE. Come on pleb power! Ahala did not fare as well as Minucius going into “self imposed exile”. Wink. Looking to delve deeper into the details of 439 BCE, check out our Episode 127 The Assassination of Spurius Maelius.Dr G 5:49438 BCE in 438 BCE, the military tribunes with consular power were Mamercus Aemilius, Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus and Lucius Julius Iullus. If the idea to have military tributes with consular power is to allow non elite Romans into the politics then we can call this year a fail. These guys are all patricians. It's a tough time in Rome because the Roman colony of Fidenae decided to revolt an

On the 1st March 2013, something momentous happened. We published our first episode of the Partial Historians podcast! Clearly, this is an event akin to Hannibal crossing the Alps or the expulsion of the kings. Well, perhaps not quite. But it certainly changed our lives forever in ways that we could not imagine. Therefore, we decided to mark the occasion by getting together and discussing our Top Ten Moments from the Roman Republic thus far. We hope you enjoy our chat about the Republic as much as we have enjoyed making this show for the past ten years. Special Episode – Our Top Ten at TenThings to Look Out For: The Conspiracy to Restore the Tarquins (Episode 45 – The Last Gasp of the Regal Period)The Downfall of Spurius Cassius (Episode 71-73)The Career of Lars Porsenna (Episode 46-47)The First Secession of the Plebs (Episodes 58-59)The Rise of Volero (Episode 85-86)The Sneak Attack of Appius Herdonius (Episodes 96-97)The Death of Verginia (Episodes 114-115)The Life and Times of Dentatus (Episodes 105-106, 113)The Rise and Fall of Spurius Maelius (Episode 127 – The Assassination of Spurius Maelius)Aulus Cornelius Cossus vs Lars Tolumnius (Episodes 129-130)Sound EffectsThanks to the talented Bettina Joy de Guzman for our music. Just a few photos of us together over the years. Are we partial to a dress up for the sake of Roman history? You betcha!Automated TranscriptDr Rad 0:00That's right isn't just any bonus episode. Dr. G. It's our anniversary episode. I know I can't believe it. But we have been recording this podcast for 10 years as of today, the first of March.Welcome to a special bonus episode of the Partial Historians. And this might just be the most special bonus episode that you will hear of this show for a long time. Not that you should stop listening or anything. But just because this is our 10 year anniversary show. That's right. 10 years ago to this day, we released our very first episode. And so to mark that occasion, Dr. G, and I did what we did 10 years ago, which is we sat down, and we had a chat in our living room about Roman history. We hope that you enjoy the show.Dr G 0:54Hello and welcome to a fabulous bonus edition of the Partial Historians. I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:04And I am a 10 year old Dr. RadDr G 1:0810 years old.Dr Rad 1:09That's right isn't just any bonus episode. Dr. G.Dr G 1:13It's our anniversary episode. IDr Rad 1:15know I can't believe it. But we haveDr G 1:1810 years old??Dr Rad 1:23the first of March.Dr G 1:26Look, there are marriages that do not last as long as this podcast.Dr Rad 1:31I know. And I felt we could not let this occasion pass without marking upon it. Because being independent podcasters as we are and have been for 10 years. I think that really the fact that we're still here now actually has a lot to do with the fact that we are just determined in clueless.Dr G 1:54We shall persist regardless the circumstance. Well, I mean, that may be so but I think it is also the case genuinely that over time, we have found our audience, our beautiful listeners, they're out there,Dr Rad 2:08I know. And we're so incredibly grateful because we look back to 10 years ago, and it really doesn't feel like 10 years ago because we even though we don't release episodes as often as other podcasts because we are dependent, and we have to balance full time jobs and all that kind of stuff. At the same time. We actually haven't taken a break. There hasn't been a month where we haven't released a podcast in 10 years, we have never stopped making the show.Dr G 2:35That is pretty consistent. I'm gonna give us a large pat on the back for that. Congratulations. For a while we were doing them every two weeks. I think that was a that was a period of early insanity, where we thought we had more time. And podcasting was not so strenuous.Dr Rad 2:52Yeah, because I mean that this is the thing. I was thinking back to our early days. And initially you and I had mooted the idea of starting a YouTube channel. But back in 2012, when we were initially having these discussions, that was a little out of our budget.Dr G 3:08It was it was and to be honest, who knows what would happen if we attempted to start a YouTube in 2012? It's like the dark ages of YouTube.Dr Rad 3:18Exactly. But instead, we decided that we would start a podcast because it required a little bit less investment. And back in those days also a little bit less know how.Dr G 3:27Yeah, I look, I don't know that it requires heaps of know how now, but we certainly do know more now.Dr Rad 3:35Yeah, definitely. But yeah, so we basically for an hour, if there's a word that I say all the time? Of course, I have to say it on our turn. Yeah, I say basically a lot on the show. But we initially take that basically, just we're recording our conversations, and we proudly did not edit our shows at all until I think about maybe three years ago.Dr G 3:59This is true. We did spend a long time not editing anything. Yeah. And and that my friends

Prepare yourself, dear listener, for a drought or two! After spending several episodes on individual years, we are speeding ahead in our latest episode. We are covering not one, not two, but THREE years in a single instalment. Join us as we tackle 430, 429 and 428 BCE.Financial AffairsThe Romans enjoy a remarkably peaceful year in 430 BCE. This means that they can turn their attention to financial matters. At least the new law that is introduced seems to benefit the people.A Year About NothingThe citizens must be confused as the peace continued into 429 BCE. No war? No internal conflict? Are we trapped in an episode of Seinfeld?The Return of CossusThe ridiculously handsome Aulus Cornelius Cossus returns for a consulship in 428 BCE. Thank goodness! We need some eye candy around here. The drama returns to Rome with raiders from Veii and Fidenae. However, the Romans cannot stay mad for long. A severe drought devastates the people. We’ve hit a dry period in this very dry period.All the Romans could think about was how to improve their relationship with the gods. Will their luck turn around?Looking to catch up on why Cossus is so famed? We’ve got your back:Episode 129 – Lars Tolumnius and the Fate of FidenaeEpisode 130 – The Cossus ControversyThings to Look Out ForConfusion over consuls (Who really was in charge in 428 BCE, Livy?)Colony buildingIrritating skin diseasesAediles taking care of businessA special commissionConfusion over bovine equationsBook promotions. Gotcha! You can buy our book HERE!Catch all out shownotes + full transcript over on our website: https://partialhistorians.com/2023/02/16/episode-134-a-dry-period/ For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s around 431 BCE and Rome is busy contending with her neighbours in pretty much every direction. Turns out that it’s not easy trying to establish yourself as an independent state! It might just be time for a dictator. Enter: Aulus Postumius Tubertus.Episode 133 – Postumius Tubertus, DictatorRome is taking the need to put troops on the field seriously with a levy of the citizens held under the conditions of the lex sacrata, which is considered to be the most strict conditions requiring compliance in line with the gods. Who are they scared of? Only the most enduring thorns in their sides, their southern neighbours the Volsicians and the Aequians! It isn’t long before Rome is convinced that they need a dictator to sort out this mess.Getting to the point of having a dictator in place though is quite another story. In this episode we explore some intriguing details relating to the consuls, the tribunes of the plebs, and the interference of a certain patrician. Beyond them is the actual battle itself, which takes on grand overtones with comparisons made to Homer’s Iliad. This year is also tinged with a sense of tragedy with a story involving the dictator Aulus Postumius Tubertus and his son.Hold on to your hats, dear listener, this is going to be epic!Things to tune in for:Familiar locations like Mount AlgidusSome beef between the consuls!Intense leviesBattle plans!The heroism of Vettius MessiusOur Book on the Roman KingsWe've gone back to where it all began (or so the Romans would say…)We delve into the history, myth, and complexities of the ancient Roman kings. You can support our work and get a very cool ancient Roman history book in return by pre-ordering a copy of Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome from the Highlands Press. Due for release in late January 2023.Highlands Press is an independent publisher supporting historians and we’re excited to be pairing up with an indie producer for our debut book together.What did early Roman soldiers wear on the field? It's a good question, while we might assume leather was important protective gear, some elites likely had more sophisticated armour. Above is a bronze helmet of the Montefortino type. Considered to be the oldest type of metal Roman helmet. This example dates from the third century BCE and is now in the British Museum. Our PlayersConsulsTitus Quinctius L. f. L. n. Poenus Cincinnatus (Pat)Gaius/Gnaeus Iulius – f. – n. Mento (Pat)DictatorAulus Postumius – f. – n. Tubertus (Pat)Master of the HorseLucius Iulius (Vopisci f. C. ?n) Iullus (Pat)Military LegatesMarcus Fabius (Vibulanus) (Pat)Marcus? Geganius (Macerinus) (Pat)Spurius Postumius Albus (Regillensis) (Pat)Quintus Sulpicius (Camerinus Praetextatus) (Pat)Other PatriciansQuintus Servilius PriscusPontifex MaximusAulus Cornelius CossusVolsciansVettius MessiusOur SourcesDr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.26-29.Dr G reads Diodorus Siculus 12.64-65.1; Ovid Fasti 6.723f; Valerius Maximus 2.7.6; Plutarch Cam. 2; Gellius 17.21.17Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association) Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis) Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press)Ogilvie, R. M. 1965. A Commentary on Livy, Books 1-5 (Clarendon Press) Wilson, M. 2021. The Evolution of the Roman Dictatorship (University of Michigan Press)Sound EffectsSounds effects in this episode are sourced from BBC, Pixabay, and Pond5. Thanks to the highly talented Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Roman soldiers and their general by vukkostic. This painting imagines a Roman army much more organised and sophisticated than that of the early Republic. Nevertheless, it evokes the spirit of Roman warfare which is very much at play in this episode. Automated TranscriptWe've tried to edit this one to help with all the Roman names!Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians.Dr G 0:20We explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:58Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. G. And sitting with me, across the vast distance of cyberspaceDr Rad 1:13Is Doctor Rad. Hello, everyone. Hello,Dr G 1:17hello. We're in for a thrilling time, I think in this episode. So we're going to be looking at 431 BCE. And you might think to yourself, that doesn't sound very exciting, just another number. But just us joinDr Rad 1:33us for this episode as

We were thrilled to sit down and talk with Assistant Professor Katharine Huemoeller about her research into the representation of enslaved women during slave revolts in ancient Rome. This conversation reveals plenty of food for thought about the representation of women in the ancient world as well as exploring the way women go on to be represented in later eras.Special Episode – Enslaved Women during Slave Revolts with Assistant Professor Katharine HuemoellerThe Slaves are RevoltingAnd rightly so. Conditions for enslaved people in ancient Rome could vary widely from difficult manual roles such as mining and agriculture to the challenges of proximity to enslavers in the domestic sphere. Human trafficking also has a significant role to play in understanding gladiators. Assistant Professor Huemoeller takes us through some of the main ways to consider slavery in Rome before turning our attention to three key slave revolts:Revolt of Volsinii (265 BCE)First Sicilian Slave War (135-132 BCE)Third Slave War/ Spartacus Slave War (73-71 BCE)These examples offer the opportunity to consider enslaved women a little more closely and it's here that the conversation gets really interesting.A coloured mosaic depicting two lovers together surrounded by attendants (likely slaves). One pour liquid from a vessel; one attends beside the bed. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Taken in the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Vienna, Austria)Things to Listen Out forThe role of menstruation during Spartacus' war against Rome!The agricultural uprising in Sicily and the ways in which slaves treated free womenThe challenges of reading with and against the evidence when it comes to the Volsinii And no conversation about Spartacus would be complete without a deep dive into the representation of women in Kirk Douglas' Spartacus (1960) and the more recent Starz series Spartacus: Blood and SandA painting called ‘The Slave Market' by Gustave Boulanger (1886) which shows a range of enslaved people waiting to be sold. Most wear discs around their neck indicating their enslaved status.MusicThanks to the glorious Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.ReadingsHuemoeller, Katharine P. D. 2021. ‘Sexual Violence in Republican Slave Revolts‘ in Kamen, D., Marshall, C. W. (eds.) Slavery and Sexuality in Classical Antiquity (University of Wisconsin Press), 159-173.Huemoeller, Katharine P. D. 2020. ‘Freedom in Marriage? Manumission for Marriage in the Roman World‘ The Journal of Roman Studies 110: 123-139.Huemoeller, Katharine P. D. 2021. ‘Captivity for All? Slave Status and Prisoners of War in the Roman Republic‘ TAPA 151.1: 101-125.Automated TranscriptGenerated by Otter AI. Hopes and prayers for the AI learning our Australian accents, Latin terms, and other very niche phrases!Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G 0:19we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, the battles waged and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. RadDr G 0:34and I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to a special episode of The Partial Historians, I am one of your hosts Dr. RadDr G 1:07and I'm Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:09We are joined by a very exciting guest who shares some of our interests today, we are joined by Professor Huemoeller. Assistant Professor Huemoeller worked for a nonprofit, the National Women's Law Centre in Washington, DC for several years before returning to the academic world. She has taught at Princeton University, Middlebury College, and at US correctional facilities through the prison teaching initiatives. She is currently the Assistant Professor of Roman History at the University of British Columbia. And we are very excited to talk to her today, because her special areas of interest include things like slavery and sexual violence, and we're going to be another word excited about sexual violence. But we're excited that we're going to be talking about issues of slavery and gender. That's probably what I should say. So welcome to the show.Katharine Huemoeller 1:59Thank you so much. That always happens to me. I can't wait to teach this class on slavery. It'll be interesting that Yeah.Dr Rad 2:08All right. So let's kick off with one of our introductory questions. So you've obviously written a lot about incidents of slave results in the Roman Republic, but just to set the scene for our listeners, can you tell us a little bit about the status of slaves in Rome?Katharine Huemoeller 2:24Yeah, absolutely. So I'll talk specifically about slaves in the Republican era, because slavery is quite distinct in different periods of Roman history. And it really sort of takes off in terms of numbers in the Italian peninsula, in the third and second centuries BCE, as Rome

We leave behind the outraged censors of 434 BCE and move forward into some troubled domestic times for Rome. The solution? Fashion, darling. White togas are out, so we suggest you find something appropriate to wear for this one. Episode 132 – The White AlbumProblems Plague the Romans433 BCE begins like many other years: irate tribunes, obstinate patricians. However, political disputes come to a screeching halt when an epidemic breaks out. How will Rome handle this crisis? The past decade has not been easy, and now a plague? Perhaps a temple will solve everything. Image of the remains of the Temple of Apollo Medicus Sosianus. Courtesy of Anthony Majanlahti via Flickr.The White AlbumIn 432 BCE, the tribunes of the plebs are feeling well enough to start complaining. Why have no plebeians been elected to office? They pushed for the creation of military tribunes with consular power so that plebeians could hold the most elite positions in the state, but no one is electing them into power.The tribunes decide to put forward a law that would ban the wearing of the toga candida. This garment was an especially white toga, worn by those seeking political office. This is an odd move so early in the Republic, but Livy assures us that the law was passed.Is the banning of white togas enough to get a plebeian into power? Join us to find out!Things to Listen Our For:The FlaccinatorApollo MedicusBooks of prophecySecret meetingsWhite togasLooking to catch up the decade of the 430s and where this chaos all began? Jump back in time to the drama of 439 BCE with Episode 127: The Assassination of Spurius Maelius.Our Players 433 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerM. Fabius (Q. f. M. n.) Vibulanus (Pat) Cos. 442M. Folius – f. – n. Flaccinator (Pat)L. Sergius C. f. C. n. Fidenas (Pat) Cos. 437, 429, Mil. Tr. c. p. 424, 418Our Players 432 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular Power L. Pinarius – f. – n. Mamercinus (Pat)L. Furius Sp. f. – n. Medullinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 425, 420Sp. Postumius (Sp.?f. A.? n.) Albus (Regillensis) (Pat)Our SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus 12.58.1, 12.60.1Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.25.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Chase, G. D. 1897. ‘The Origin of Roman Praenomina’ Harvard Studies in Classical Philology 8: 103-184.Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Sound EffectsFesliyan Studios, Orange Free Sounds and BBC Sound Effects. Thanks to the highly talented Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Where can you buy our book?We're thrilled to announce that we have a written a book together!We delve into the history, myth, and complexities of the ancient Roman kings. You can support our work and get a very cool ancient Roman history book in return by pre-ordering a copy of Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome from the Highlands Press. Due for release in late January 2023. Highlands Press is an independent publisher supporting historians and we're excited to be pairing up with an indie producer for our debut book together.This is the artefact unedited from the top of this post. Marble statue of a togatus (man wearing a toga), 1st century CE. While this sculpture is from a little later than the action of this episode, the draping of the toga gives us an insight into what the early republicans may have worn as well.Image courtesy of the Met Museum.Automated TranscriptGenerated by Otter AISUMMARY KEYWORDSpatrician, plebeians, power, plague, vote, romans, rome, military, people, consoles, tributes, year, bit, magistrates, temple, episode, candidates, reference, etruscans, flagsSPEAKERSDr Rad, Dr GDr Rad  00:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G  00:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad  00:23Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G  00:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman Sword by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad  00:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city. Welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historians. I am one of your host, Dr. AD and joining me in cyberspace. Ooh, woohoo.Dr G  01:14It's me. It's ducted Gee, yeah,Dr Rad  01:17uncharacteristically not recording together together.Dr G  01:21It does feel weird. Hopefully that doesn't influence the way that anybody feels about our charisma together.Dr Rad  01:27Never. We are full of charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent. So Dr. G, the last time that we met, we had possibly one of the most confusing years to

In this episode, we delve into the craziness of the mid-430s BCE. The Romans are feeling the pressure, so they order dictators by the dozen.Episode 131 – Dictators by the DozenFreaking FidenaeIn 435 BCE the Romans are once more battling the Etruscans over the issue of Fidenae. Fidenae had once been a Roman colony, until they treacherously switched their allegiances to the city of Veii. They must have felt bold, because in 435 BCE they started pillaging Roman territory.To add insult to serious injury, the people of Fidenae and Veii crossed the River Anio and set up camp near the Colline Gate. The Romans could not ignore such provocative behaviour, even if they were suffering through a pestilence. This was scary stuff! Time for dictator number one.Quintius Servilius was appointed dictator and he wasted no time rallying forces. The Romans found themselves besieging the people of Fidenae. Hopefully, the dictator has some clever strategies up his sleeve…A Total Train-wreck + Dictators434 BCE is a year so confusing that even our sources can’t work it out. We have two sets of consuls, military tribunes with consular power, dictators, AND censors. What on earth is going on?While it is difficult to be sure of the power dynamics in the city this year, there are definitely some interesting struggles going on in Rome.Things to Listen Out For Dictators… dictators everywhere!Cunning plans to capture citiesSpiteful censorsScary tax hikesA lovely cross-promo from indie podcast The Delicious Legacy!Looking to catch up the decade of the 430s and where this chaos all began? Jump back in time to the drama of 439 BCE with Episode 127: The Assassination of Spurius Maelius.Image courtesy of the University of Michigan PressOur Players 435 BCEConsulsC. Iulius (-f. – n. Iullus?) (Pat) Cos. 447, 434?L. (or Proc.) Verginius – f. – n. Tricostus (Pat)DictatorQ. Servilius P. f. Sp. n. Priscus Fidenas (Pat)Master of the HorsePostumus Aebutius – f. – n. Helva Cornicen (Pat) Cos 442CensorsC. Furius – f. – n. Paculus Fusus (Pat) Cos 441, Mil. Tr. c.p. 426M. Geganius M. f. – n. Macerinus (Pat) Cos. 447, 443, 437Our Players 434 BCEConsuls434 BCE is a a busy year and there's two sets of consuls!C. Iulius – f. – n. Iullus (Pat) Cos. 447, 435L. (or Proc.) Verginius – f. – n. Tricostus (Pat) Cos. 435M. Manlius – f. – n. Capitolinus (Vulso?) (Pat)Q. Sulpicius Ser.?f. – n. Camerinus Praetextatus (Pat)Military Tribunes with Consular PowerSer. Cornelius – f. – n. Cossus (Pat)M. Manlius P. f. – n. Capitolinus (Vulso?) (Pat)Q. Sulpicius Ser.?f. – n. Camerinus Praetextatus (Pat)DictatorMam. Aemilius M. f. – n. Mamercinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 438Master of the HorseA.Postumius – f. – n. Tubertus (Pat)Our SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus 12.36; Cicero Cato Maior De Senectute 16.56; Cicero Mil. 3.8; Dionysius of Halicarnassus Roman Antiquities 12.1-4; Valerius Maximus 5.3.2g.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.21-24.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Wilson, M. 2021. Dictator: The Evolution of the Roman Dictatorship (University of Michigan Press).Sound EffectsThanks to BBC Sounds, Orange Free Sounds and Sound Bible for sound effects, and the glorious Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.While not strictly speaking a painting of a dictator, this painting certainly carries the mood of a single man in command of the Roman populace. William Holmes Sullivan Julius Caesar', Act III, Scene 2, Marc Antony's Oration, Royal Shakespeare Company Collection.Automated TranscriptGenerated by Otter AI SUMMARY KEYWORDSdictator, consoles, people, patrician, rome, power, etruscans, censorship, detail, happening, military, livy, apparently, bit, year, city, point, historian, skins, sonThe Delicious Legacy Podcast 00:01Hello, my name is Thom Dinos and I'm the creator of The Delicious Legacy podcast. Join me to time travel together through food to explore archaea, astronomical mysteries, unknown herbs and long lost recipes that will take you to the lavish feasts of ancient Greece all the way through to Ancient China and in the kitchens of kings in mediaeval Europe. Who made the first cheese and why how beer was made. What is Garo? silphium? And can I find these now, through the accounts of ancient writers and talking to experts have a dinner we find out. So subscribe or follow now wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple podcasts, Google and Spotify, and listen for free, to The Delicious Legacy Podcast.Dr Rad  01:02Welcome to the partial historians,Dr G  01:05we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad  01:09Everything

Understanding ancient monuments requires a careful eye as well as detective work to delve into the representations and their layers of meaning. In this interview we are joined by Dr Victoria Austen to consider the representation of foliage on the Ara Pacis Augustae and the Garden Room of Livia’s villa. Both these structures hold a special place for scholars interested in the Augustan period and studying them together reveals fruitful connections for considering the messages Augustus sought to convey about his rule.Special Episode – The Ara Pacis and Livia's Villa with Dr Victoria AustenDr Victoria Austen holds a MA and PhD from King’s College London. She has lectured in the Classics at the University of Winnipeg and is currently the Robert A. Oden, Jr. Postdoctoral Fellow for Innovation in the Humanities and Classics at Carleton College, Minnesota. Her research interests span the Latin literature of the Late Republic and Early Empire; ancient Roman gardens and landscapes; race and ethnicity in the ancient world; the reception of classical myth; and the integration of digital humanities into the classroom. Austen’s monograph Analysing the Boundaries of the Roman Garden: (Re)Framing the Hortus is forthcoming in 2023 as part of the Bloomsbury Ancient Environments Series.The Ara Pacis AugustaeThe Altar of Augustan Peace is considered one of the outstanding monuments from the reign of Augustus. It’s packed with images and is most famous for its processional friezes and the friezes that depict various deities. But when you encounter the Ara Pacis, you're at eye level with the acanthus friezes – highly stylised displays of foliage and small animals. It is these acanthus friezes that we consider with Dr Austen.The acanthus friezes of the Ara Pacis dominate the lower register of the exterior. They were originally highly saturated and striking in colour. One of the acanthus friezes up close. The foliage grows out from an acanthus base and as the tendrils progress they seem to change into different plants. At the top of the frieze you might even spot two swans on either side of the main stem. Thanks to Dr Victoria Austen for this photo.The Garden Room of Livia’s VillaA more private setting than the Ara Pacis, Livia’s villa is nonetheless an important example for considering the ways in which garden imagery was utilised during the Augustan regime. Dr Austen takes us on a tour of the Garden Room delving into the imagery and how understanding this room can help us better appreciate the Ara Pacis as well.The Garden Room of Livia's Villa can still be visited today – we highly recommend the experience! The fresco is housed by the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. Photo credit to Miguel Hermoso Cuesta, Wikimedia Commons.Detail from the Garden frieze showing the low fences that suggest a demarcated garden area with a wilderness in the background. Notice the continued sense of cultivation throughout. Photo courtesy of Dr Victoria Austen.Different trees are a focal point in the Garden frescoes and here we see an oak surrounded by birdlife. Photo courtesy of Dr Victoria Austen.Looking to learn more about Livia after this episode? We have just the thing for you – a whole episode dedicated to exploring her life and representation.Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds, Fesliyan Studios, Orange Free Sounds and Sound Bible for sound effects, and the gifted Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Automated TranscriptGenerated by Otter AI. Let’s see how the AI copes with the Latin and tricky Australian accent this time round!Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G 0:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:09Hello, and welcome to a brand new special episode of The Partial Historians. I am Dr. G. And with me is Dr. Rad. And also very excitingly, we have Dr. Vicky Austen as well. Hello,Dr Victoria Austen 1:28Hello.Dr G 1:29Hello. How are you?Dr Victoria Austen 1:31Good. Good. Very happy to be here. Excellent.Dr G 1:35Excellent. Well, we'll see if that continues throughout the course of the interview. We are very thrilled to have Dr. Austen with us to have a chat about things to do with the our pockets are gusty, and also the villa Olivia. So these are two really key sort of architectural works that come out of the Augustine period. So I'm a bit of an Augustine fanboy, which is problematic as a historian, one knows. And so I'm thrilled to be here. Dr. Read specialises more in Tiberius, and may have some criticisms to add into the conversation.Dr Rad 2:13Look, you know given the focus that where we're taking I don't know if I'm go

We return to the year 437 BCE and the exploits of Aulus Cornelius Cossus. Cossus came to our attention in the aftermath of the colony of Fidenae’s decision to switch their allegiances from Rome to the Etruscans. In this stressful time, the Romans had appointed Mamercus Aemilius as dictator. He led the Roman forces into battle, and it was here that the military tribune of the hour, Cossus, distinguished himself.Episode 130 – The Cossus ControversyControversial CossusIn the course of the conflict, Cossus single-handedly defeated the commander of the Etruscan forces, King Lars Tolumnius. Cossus stripped his corpse and was allowed to dedicate the spolia opima in the temple of Jupiter Feretrius. Last episode, we discussed the possible confusion over when this duel took place. Welcome to the Cossus Controversy!Helmet of the Italo-Chalcidian Type, Anatomical Cuirass, and Left Greavelate 5th–4th century BCE Etruscan, possible Vulci. Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.It turns out that Livy was aware of the problems with this story. Uncharacteristically, he provides some insight into these issues in a controversial passage:“Following all previous historians, I have stated that Aulus Cornelius Cossus was a military tribune when he brought the second spoils of honour to the temple of Jupiter Feretrius. But besides that only those are properly held to be “spoils of honour” which one commander has taken from another commander, and that we know no “commander” but him under whose auspices the war is waged, the very words inscribed upon the spoils disprove their account and mine, and show that it was as consul that Cossus captured them. Having heard from the lips of Augustus Caesar, the founder or renewer of all the temples, that he had entered the shrine of Jupiter Feretrius, which he repaired when it had crumbled with age, and had himself read the inscription on the linen breast-plate, I have thought it would be almost sacrilege to rob Cossus of such a witness to his spoils as Caesar, the restorer of that very temple. Where the error in regard to this matter lies, in consequence of which such ancient annals and also the books of the magistrates, written on linen and deposited in the temple of Moneta, which Licinius Macer cites from time to time as his authority, only give Aulus Cornelius Cossus as consul (with Titus Quinctius Poenus) seven years later, is a matter on which everybody is entitled to his opinion. For there is this further reason why so famous a battle could not be transferred to the later year, that the consulship of Cossus fell within a period of about three years when there were no wars, owing to a pestilence and a dearth of crops, so that certain annals, as though death-registers, offer nothing but the names of the consuls. The third year after Cossus's consulship saw him military tribune with consular powers, and in the same year he was master of the horse, in which office he fought another famous cavalry-engagement. Here is freedom for conjecture, but in my opinion it is idle; for one may brush aside all theories when the man who fought the battle, after placing the newly-won spoils in their sacred resting-place, testified in the presence of Jupiter himself, to whom he had vowed them, and of Romulus —witnesses not to be held lightly by a forger —that he was Aulus Cornelius Cossus, consul.” Livy, 4.20 – translation courtesy of Perseus Digital Library.What should we make of all this? Augustus himself being cited as a source? Dr G is beside herself with excitement.Quaking with FearThe Romans try to continue their campaign against the Etruscans, but a plague interferes with their plans. The gods must be furious because the outbreak is accompanied by terrifying prodigies like earthquakes. What state will the Romans be in after so many trials and tribulations?Things to Look Out ForSpurius Maelius possibly coming back from the deadConsultation of the famous Sibylline booksAugustus possibly trying to control Livy’s historical narrativeRaiding galoreWant to hear more about the original Spurius Maelius? Check out our previous episode on his assassination.Our Players 437 BCEConsulsM. Geganius M. f. – n. Macerinus (Pat) Cos 447, 443L. Sergius C. f. C. n. Fidenas (Pat)Consul SuffectusM. Valerius M. f. M’. n. Lactuca (M’ = Manius) (or Lanctucinus) Maximus (Pat)DictatorMam. Aemilius M. f. – n. Mamercinus (Pat)Master of the HorseL. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat) – son of the famous CincinnatusLegatesM. Fabius Vibulanus (Pat) Cos 442(T.) Quinctius Capitolinus (Barbartus) (Pat)Tribune of the SoldiersA. Cornelius Cossus (Pat)Our Players 436 BCEConsulsL. Papirius – f. – n. Crassus (Pat) Cos 430?M. Cornelius (M. f. L. n) Maluginensis (Pat)Tribune of the PlebsSp. MaeliusOur SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus, 12.46; Cicero, de Re Publica, 1.6; Cicero, de Doma Sua, 86; Valerius Maximus, 5.3.2f-g.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.17-21.Broughton, T. R. S., P

Medea is one of the most memorable characters in Greek mythology. She is powerful, has associations with magic, and capable of taking drastic action. Most people are familiar with the version of Medea crafted by the Athenian playwright Euripides, but today we turn to a lesser known interpretation.Special Episode – Seneca's Medea with MythTakeSeneca's MedeaA quick synopsis may be handy before diving into the episode!Prior to the playMedea is a semi-divine princess of Colchis (a land on the shores of the Black Sea). As a young woman, Medea fell in love with Jason while he is on his quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea used her gifts to aid Jason in completing the impossible tasks set by her father, King Aeëtes. Medea helped Jason to yoke the fiery bulls, win a competition with the giants, and slay the dragon that guarded the Fleece. In her love for Jason, she defied her father and decides to run away with him to Greece. To escape unnoticed from Cholcis, Medea kills her brother to distract her father. From there Jason and Medea travelled together to meet Pelias, king of Iolcus, who had agreed to give Jason his throne if he returned with the Fleece. But when Pelias saw the Fleece he refused to fulfil the agreement. Jason and Medea then worked together to bring about the downfall of Pelias, but needed to flee Iolcus after suspicion falls upon them. They finally settled in Corinth and have two sons.So Jason and Medea are bound together, not only by their children and their marriage, but by acts of violence which were often planned together but executed by Medea with her semi-divine skills and pharmaka (knowledge of herbs and drugs). A healthy relationship, this is not!Medea in Seneca's playJump ahead a few years and, in order to climb the political ladder, Jason decides to leave his marriage with Medea to marry Creusa the daughter of King Kreon of Thebes. The play opens with Medea cursing both Creusa and Kreon and seeking time to prepare for her exile. Kreon grants Medea one day before she is exiled which she immediately uses to plan her revenge on Jason for leaving her after everything they've been through together. She laces a stunning robe with poison and sends it to Creusa as a gift for her wedding with Jason. The Chorus describe Medea's rage and frustration in great detail and pray to the gods that Jason is spared from her vengeance. But Medea's pharmaka is extensive and the robe kills Creusa by catching on fire when she puts it on. Kreon tries to save his daughter but he catches on fire too when he touches the robe. But in the wake of their deaths, Medea does not feel any better; her need for vengeance remains. Medea resolves to sacrifice their children in a final act to help Jason understand the depth of pain he has caused by leaving her. This blood sacrifice seems to transform her and to reveal her divine form, as Medea escapes in a dragon chariot while she throws the bodies of the boys down to Jason. Jason observes that there are no gods because otherwise such acts would be impossible.Seneca the YoungerSeneca the Younger was a Stoic philosopher who witnessed a lot of the ups and downs of the Julio-Claudian emperors during his lifetime. After a couple of trips into exile, Seneca ended up rising to a position of immense influence. He was appointed tutor of Nero, the son of Agrippina the Younger and adopted heir of her husband, the emperor Claudius. When Nero succeeded Claudius, Seneca experienced a career high in the early years of his reign. However, stability was not a feature of Nero’s rule, and Seneca was eventually forced to commit suicide by his former pupil. As we consider Seneca's Medea, it's worth considering how his context influenced his work. Certainly he has plenty of strong women to draw upon from his own experience and the recent politics of ancient Rome! If there's two things that we love, it's women in the ancient world and the Julio-Claudian period in Rome. So understandably, we jumped at the chance to talk to Alison Innes and Darrin Sunstrum from the MythTake podcast about Seneca the Younger's interpretation of Medea. What did this man make of Medea’s story? Tune in to find out!Thanks as always to our Patreon and Ko-fi supporters.Sound CreditsThanks to the lovely Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Frederick Sandys between 1866 and 1868. MedeaMedea has a connection with pharmaka and this idea sets up her early interaction with Jason and has numerous consequences.John Downman 1750-1824 An Episode from the Story of Jason and Medea.Medea ascends to a higher plane after her suffering and Jason is left to bear the consequences of his choices.John William Waterhouse 1907. Jason and MedeaJason watches on as Medea utilises her skills in pharmaka in order to aide his quest to obtain the golden fleece.Automated TranscriptGenerated by Otter AI with some light editing! We know the Greek and Latin can be tough for automated transcripts, so apologies in advance for inadvertent

Vengeance for RomeIt's 437 BCE and Rome finds itself challenged by the king of the Etruscans Lars Tolumnius. But how did Rome get into this situation? In our previous episode, Rome took a break from domestic woes to deal with the execution of four ambassadors. These men had been sent to the colony of Fidenae, which had recently defected to the Etruscan city of Veii.The Romans are quick to engage in battle with the Etruscans and their allies. They secure a victory under the consuls, but it comes at a heavy price. They determine that this whole situation merits a dictator. Is there a problem that a dictator cannot solve? Apparently not, for the Romans start to enjoy a lot more success once they have Mamercus Aemilius in place.Episode 129 – Lars Tolumnius and the Fate of FidenaeA Map of the City of Veii. The time period of the city is not clear from the map. Source: Wikimedia CommonsTo the Victor Go the SpoilsMamercus has assembled a crack team to battle the Etruscan King Lars Tolumnius. This was the right move, as Lars Tolumnius is hell on horseback. Once the conflict has commenced, the king makes it mission to cause as much chaos for the Roman forces as possible. Fortunately for Mamercus, there is an aspiring hero amongst the Roman cavalry. Aulus Cornelius Cossus is a patrician hottie on a mission to make a name for himself or die trying. His exploits will become the stuff of legend. SPOILA ALERT – There may be spoila opima involved. Aulus Cornelius Cossus with the head of Lars Tolumnius. See this gruesome depiction in more detail here.Things to Look Out ForConfusion over the dating of events Handsome patrician soldiers Decapitations Rude military songsGolden crowns Triumphs Our Players 437 BCE Consuls M. Geganius M. f. – n. Macerinus – Pat. (Cos. 447, 443)L. Sergius C. F. C. n. Fidenas – Pat. – (Cos. 424, Mil. Tr. c. p. 433, 429, 418)Consul SuffectusM. Valerius M. f. M. n. Lactutua (or Lactucinus) Maximus – Pat.DictatorMam. Aemilius M.f. – n. Mamercinus – Pat. – Mil. Tr. c.p. 438Master of the HorseL. Quinctius L.f.L.n. Cincinnatus – Pat. – Cos. 428b, Mil. Tr. c.p. 438, 425, 420.Legates, Lieutenants M. Fabius Vibulanus – Pat. – Cos. 442, Mil. Tr. c.p. 433(T.) Quinctius Capitolinus (Barbatus) – Pat.Tribune of the SoldiersA Cornelius Cossus – Pat. – Cos. 428, Mil. Tr. c. p. 426Etruscan KingLars TolumniusOur SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus, 12.43.1; Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities, 12.5; Valerius Maximus, 3.2.4; Florus, 1.6.9; Plutarch, Life of Romulus, 16.7-8; Plutarch, Life of Marcellus, 7-8; Propertius, 4.10; Sextus Aurelius Victor, Lives of Illustrious Romans – ‘Aulus Cornelius Cossus'; Frontinus, Strategems, 2.8.9; Eutropius, 1.19.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.17-20.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War (University of California Press) Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds, Fesliyan Studios, Orange Free Sounds and Sound Bible for sound effects, and the gifted Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.“Mars of Todi” a life-size Etruscan bronze sculpture of a soldier making a votive offering c. 5th Century BCE. Those Etruscan were pretty niffy when it came to the arts! Source: Wikimedia CommonsAutomated TranscriptGenerated by Otter AI. Let's see how the AI copes with the Latin and tricky Australian accent this time round!Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to the Partial Historians,Dr G 0:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love affairs, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome to another episode of the Partial Historians, I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 1:12And I'm Dr. G. And it's the history of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr Rad 1:19So let's recap where we were up to last time, Dr. G. So last episode, we talked about a teensy bit of 439, as far as I'm concerned, but it was mostly 438. And apart from the Maelius, shamoozle that we were clearing up on murder most foul, it would seem of an equestrian who's just trying to make it rain grain.Dr G 1:41And ended up in the pool of treachery!Dr Rad 1:44That's right. We had instead a switch from domestic problems to foreign problems.Dr G 1:51Yeah, there's nothing like in a Etruscan King to get under your skin.Dr Rad 1:54Indeed. So we had the introduction of Lars Tolumnius, an Etruscan KingDr G 2:00Of VeiiDr Rad 2:01Yes apparently

This is our short scripted summary of what the ancient sources tell us about the events of the 440s BCE. If you would like more detail and analysis, be sure to check out our regular episodes from the Foundation of Rome series. The Partial Recap for the 440s BCETo pick up our detailed episodes for this period, we recommend starting with Episode 109 – The First Decemvirate. Although the decemvirs come to power in c. 451 BCE, their story has so much influence on the decade of the 440s that you simply wouldn't want to miss it!Image of the Forum courtesy of Benson Kua via Flickr.Transcript for the 440s BCEIntroduction FR – Welcome to the Partial Recap for the 440s BCE!PG – I’m Dr G FR – and I’m Dr RadPG – and this is our highlights edition of the 440s in Rome. We’ll take you through from 449 to 440 in an epitome of our normal episodes. FR – Perfect for those mornings when you don’t want some lengthy rhetoric with your coffee – but please be warned – this episode contains references to murder, violence and sexual assault. PG – Get ready for a recappuccino. 449 BCEIt’s hard to believe, but when the 440s dawned, Rome was still in the grip of the second decemvirate. Quelle horreur!449 BCE was simply jam-packed with developments – it’s almost too much to believe… so we have no time to waste!The days of the decemvirate were numbered. On top of the threat of external enemies, these guys really know how to get their fellow Romans offside. The decemvirs arrange the murder of the highly popular plebeian, Lucius Siccius Dentatus. He’s been speaking out against them far too much, but he’s too highly regarded to kill outright. His death is staged carefully, so that it does not arouse suspicion. Pretty awful stuff, but that’s nothing compared to their next act. One of the most prominent decemvirs, the uber-patrician Appius Claudius, is seized with a desire for a plebeian maiden, Verginia. He tries all sorts of legal tricks to get his paws on her, and it seems like he might succeed, in spite of strenuous opposition from her family. In desperation to protect his daughter’s virginity, and by extension his family’s honour, her father ends up seizing a nearby knife and stabbing her to death in the Forum.Verginia’s body is displayed to the crowd, a horrible symbol of the excesses of the Second Decemvirate The plebeians are outraged – and this time, they are not alone. Some of the patricians aren’t that impressed with this tyrannical regime either. Patricians Valerius and Horatius start standing up to Appius Claudius and his gang of decemvirs. Meanwhile, Verginius has fled Rome after murdering his daughter. He makes contact with some of Rome’s armed forces and convinces them to revolt against the decemvirs. A secession of the plebs quickly follows. The plebeians gave the senate an ultimatum – it’s the decemvirs or us! Thanks to some skilful negotiation between Valerius and Horatius, the plebs return to the state and the decemvirs resign. The consulship is restored and given to Varlius and Horatius. This dynamic duo pass the Valerio-Horatian Laws, which restored the sacrosanctity of the tribune of the plebs, restored the right of citizens to appeal, and made the decisions of plebeians binding on all Romans. And there’s some vengeance to be sought against the decemvirs now that they are back on the same level as everyone else. The biggest fish to fry? Well, that would be Appius Claudius, who is pursued by the new tribune of the plebs, Verginius. But before he is officially condemned, he dies in custody under extremely shady circumstances. It seems like some of the tribunes might be getting big ideas 448 BCEFrom the incredible detail of 449 BCE, we turn to the blankness of 448 BCE In 448 BCE the consuls were Lars (or Sp.) Herminius Cortinesanus and Titus Verginius Tricostus Caeliomontanus Weirdly, some of the plebeian tribunes were patrician ex-consuls. Understandably, not everyone is thrilled by this development, and so a fellow tribune, Lucius Trebonius, fights to preserve the integrity of tribune elections. 447 BCEIn 447 BCE the consuls were Marcus Geganius Macerinus and Caius Iulius They appeased the plebs by suspending a levy for a war against the Volscians and Aequians Unfortunately, the young patricians start acting out again and committing acts of violence against the plebs, and even the tribunes themselves. No one seemed to be able to keep them in check… or to at least, no one with power was that invested in keeping them in check.  446 BCEIn 446 BCE the consuls were Titus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbatus and Agrippa Furius The Romans were facing a combined force of Aequians and the Volscians who could smell their internal issues from just a few miles away… because they were pretty close. Riding high o

The Aftermath of a Murder Rome has just experienced a scandal like no other. A terrible famine had hit in the years 440-439 BCE, and this had caused political chaos. The patrician appointed to secure grain, Lucius Minucius, had not experienced much success. Into the void stepped a wealthy equestrian named Spurius Maelius.Maelius either allowed his newfound popularity as the bringer of grain to go to his head and started plotting to seize control of Rome, or he was foisted into power by the people. Either way, his journey ended in a bloody stabbing, thanks to Master of the Horse, Servilius Ahala. Did Maelius incite the violence, or was Ahala a secret assassin? It is no wonder that we have some mopping up to do. Things are very messy.Episode 128 – Mopping Up MaeliusSome classical reception in action with this Statue of Cincinnatus at his plough in Cincinnati, Ohio, Courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsGet the Mop, and the Bulldozer Cincinnatus, our possible dictator for 439 BCE, gave instructions for the house of Maelius to be destroyed and turned into a memorial to his crazy plans. The site became known as the Aequimaelium, and it was located on the Vicus Iugarius. The man who revealed Maelius' treachery, Lucius Minucius, received his own ox and a gilded statue outside the Porta Trigemina. Less pleasantly, the severed heads of the traitors were placed on display by a pool in the Forum (the Lacus Servilius). What better place to reflect on poor choices. There are strange parallels in this history and other periods in Roman history which can make one dubious of this whole affair. However, mopping up Maelius seems to have produced a number of physical reminders that were still a feature of Rome many centuries later. Snitches Get Stitches?On top of the statue, Lucius Minucius was transferred to the plebeian class and made a tribune of the plebs. Record scratch! Are snitches supposed to get lots of honours? They do if it benefits the powers-that-be in Rome! This might be a sign that the patricians were still wary after Maelius and wanted one of their men on the inside. One who was known to be a tattle-tale.That's One Way to Say NoThe political scene might have settled down in the city, but Rome was about to be dealt a brutal blow from a colony. Fidenae decided to throw their lot in with Veii, an Etruscan city under the control of King Lars Tolumnius. Rome could hardly ignore such a betrayal and despatched four envoys. The people of Fidenae were not familiar with the saying, ‘Don't shoot the messenger' and executed these men. There is some confusion over their extreme actions. Lars Tolumnius was suspected of having orchestrated the deaths in an attempt to bind Fidenae closer to Veii. How will Rome respond to such an insult? Tune in to find out!Our Players 439 BCEConsulsAgrippa Menenius T. f. Agripp. n. Lanatus (Pat.)T. Quinctius L.f. L.n. Capitolinus Barbatus (Pat.) – Cos. 471, 468, 465, 446, 443.DictatorL. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 460Master of the HorseC. Servilius – f. – n. Ahala (Pat.)Praefectus AnnonaeL. Minucius (Esquilinus Augurinus) (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 458Wealthy EquestrianSpurius MaeliusOur Players 438 BCEMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerMam. Aemilius (M.f. – n. Mamercinus?) (Pat.)L. Quinctius L.f.L.n. Cincinnatus (Pat.) – Cos. 428b, Mil. Tr. c.p. 425, 420.L. (or C.) Iulius – f. – n. Iullus (Pat.) – Cos. 430.Legates, AmbassadorsC. FulciniusCloelius Tullus (Pat.)Sp. AntiusL. RosciusTribune of the PlebsQ. CaeciliusQ. IuniusSex. TitiniusEtruscan KingLars TolumniusOur SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus, 12.38Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.16-17.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds, Orange Free Sounds and Sound Bible for sound effects, and the lovely Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Domenico Beccafumi 1535. Gaius Servilius Ahala presenting the body of Spurius Maelius to CincinnatusAutomated Transcript Provided by Otter AI. Apologies as always – AI readers do struggle not only with Latin but also Australian accents!Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to the partial historians,Dr G 0:19we explore all the details of ancient Rome. Everything fromDr Rad 0:23the political scandals, the levels as the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:02Hello, and welcome to a brand new episo

Famine StrikesAfter a peaceful year in 441 BCE, the Romans are in for nasty shock over the course of 440 and 439 BCE. It all begins with a crippling famine, and there seems to have been signs of problems ahead before the food shortage really set in. In Pliny the Elder, there is a reference to an aedile of the plebs (Marcus Marcius) selling grain to the poor at a very low price.Episode 127 – The Assassination of Spurius MaeliusThere are some startling differences in our source material this episode. What we can agree on is that the crisis was so severe, Lucius Minucius was appointed as Prefect of the Grain, aka The Nacho King of Rome. His job was to track down some corn and get it the Romans ASAP.Image of a random assortment of grains courtesy of www.themindfulword.org Emergency Relief Unfortunately, Minucius seems to have been incompetent and the famine dragged on. To try and help out his fellow Romans, a wealthy equestrian named Spurius Maelius made use of his extensive connections to secure the needed grain. He succeeds where Minucius had failed, and even worse, he distributes the corn for FREE to the populace. Nothing makes you so popular as distributing free food, especially if it’s amid a famine.There's Only So Much Room at the Top Maelius’ actions highlight the enormous power that the aristocrats of Rome still wielded thanks to their wealth and the practice of patronage. However, Maelius does not seem to have been one of the ‘club’. He does not seem to have been one of the patricians. Exactly what impact this had is difficult to determine.Did his popularity go to his head and lead to schemes of restoring the monarchy? Was Cincinnatus dusted off and brought out of retirement to deal with this threat? Did the people seize control and replace Minucius with Maelius? Was there a senatorial conspiracy to kill those who spoke out against the government… including Maelius? Are we dealing with a state-sanctioned assassination? Or is this an elaborate cover-up?  (Hello, JFK conspirators? We've got another one to add to the list….)We will leave that to you to decide. All we can say for certain is that this episode is full of intrigue. Never has Ancient Rome seemed more like a gangster film. Get ready for the assassination of Spurius Maelius!Things to Look Out ForThe young patriciansRoman units of measurementThe return of the butcher’s stand in the Forum  Cincinnatus possibly pulling a Lethal WeaponWhen Dr Rad accidentally says that Minucius was rescued by Coriolanus instead of Cincinnatus back in 458 BCEA Master of the Horse with a name that we just can’t leave alone!Our Players 440 BCEConsulsProculus Geganius – f. – n. Macerinus (Pat.)T. Menenius Agripp. F. Agripp. n. Lanatus (Pat.) – Cos. 452ORL. Menenius T. f. Agripp. n. Lanatus (Pat.)Aedile of the PlebsM. MarciusPraefectus AnnonaeL. Minucius (Esquilinus Augurinus) (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 458Wealthy Equestrian – Giddyup!Spurius MaeliusOur Players 439 BCEConsulsAgrippa Menenius T. f. Agripp. n. Lanatus (Pat.)T. Quinctius L.f. L.n. Capitolinus Barbatus (Pat.) – Cos. 471, 468, 465, 446, 443.DictatorL. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Cincinnatus (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 460Master of the HorseC. Servilius – f. – n. Ahala (Pat.)Praefectus AnnonaeL. Minucius (Esquilinus Augurinus) (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 458Wealthy EquestrianSpurius MaeliusOur SourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus, 12.36; Cicero, Cato Maior De Senectute, 16.56; Cicero, Mil. 3.8; Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities, 12.1-4; Valerius Maximus, 5.3.2g.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.12-15.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Wilson, M. 2021. Dictator: The Evolution of the Roman Dictatorship (University of Michigan Press).Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds, Orange Free Sounds and Fesliyan Studios for sound effects, and the very talented Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Automated Transcript Provided by Otter AIP H0:16Welcome to the Partial Historians, we explore all the details of ancient Rome. Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad. And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman Sword by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories. Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr Rad1:00Welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historias. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad, and I am Dr. G. And we are super excited to be here today because we're about to talk about 440 BCE. The speed of ourDr G1:20chain, getting getting from

We sat down recently with Associate Professor Rebecca Futo Kennedy to talk all about Ancient Greek women, specifically in relation to Athens.Futo Kennedy teaches in Classical Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, and Environmental Studies at Denison University. Kennedy holds a BA in Classical Studies, an MA in Greek and Latin, and completed her PhD on the representation of Athena in the tragedies of Aeschylus and Sophocles at Ohio State University. Kennedy’s most recent monograph is entitled Immigrant Women in Athens: Gender, Ethnicity, and Citizenship in the Classical City.Special Episode – Ancient Greek Women with Rebecca Futo KennedyIn this conversation we explore the terminology and semantic fields of meaning connected with women in Ancient Greece including some of the persistent misconceptions and assumptions that come along with language. For example, the word hetaira is quite well-known, but what did the ancient Greeks really mean when they used the term?How did women fit into the social structures and hierarchies of the ancient Greek city of Athens? What were women's lives like and what does the remaining evidence suggest about how they lived and the meaning they saw in their own experiences?We also delve into the complexities attendant upon understanding metics – foreigners in Athens and what this category meant when you were also a woman. And the conversation rounds out with a consideration of poverty in ancient Athens and the challenges in studying this subject.Some SourcesA number of sources and scholars are mentioned in this episode. Here's a few that come up: Jean-Leon Gerome Greek Interior 1848Brown, Peter 1989. The World of Late Antiquity: AD 150-750 Cecchet, Lucia 2015. Poverty in Athenian Public Discourse: From the Eve of the Peloponnesian War to the Rise of MacedoniaMeyer, Elizabeth A. 2010. Metics and the Athenian Phialai-inscriptions: A Study in Athenian Epigraphy and Law Osborne, Robin 1997. ‘Law, the Democratic Citizen and the Representation of Women in Classical Athens' Past and Present 155, pp 3-33Pomeroy, Sarah B. 1995. Goddesses, Whores, Wives, and Slaves: Women in Classical Antiquity  – pretty readable, we recommend it if you're looking for a way to dip further into this subject.Taylor, Claire 2017. Poverty, Wealth, and Well-Being: Experiencing Penia in Democratic Athens Woman playing kottabos. Painting attributed to the Bryn Mawr Painter, c. 480 BCESound CreditsThanks to the thrilling Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.TranscriptWe're playing around with auto-generated transcripts. This one was generated by Otter AI.Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to the Partial Historians,Dr G 0:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, that battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman Sword by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 0:57Thank you so much for joining us. Dr. Rad and I are super thrilled to welcome Associate Professor Rebecca Futo Kennedy to the show. Professor Rebecca Futo Kennedy teaches in Classical Studies, women and gender studies and environmental studies at Denison University. Kennedy holds a BA in Classical Studies, and MA in Greek and Latin and completed her PhD on the representation of Athena in the trailer tragedies of Aeschylus and Sophocles at Ohio State University. Kennedy's most recent monograph is entitled immigrant women in Athens, gender, ethnicity, and citizenship in the classical city. And it's the subject of Athenian women and non Athenian women, that will be the subject of the conversation that we have today. So thank you so much for joining us, Rebecca.Professor Futo Kennedy 1:52Thank you for having me on. I really appreciate it. And I appreciate the the logistics of scheduling with such vast timezone differences. Yeah, I was looking at it today, it's like a 14 hour time difference. So it's somewhat of a miracle that we mathematically were able to work it out at all, to be honest. I know, I know, when we should have scheduled – when I was in Greece.Dr G 2:18To get started on this subject of Athenian women, and also non Athenian women, I want to talk to you about language as a first step, because it's a really important window on to how we understand society. And this is true as much today as it was in ancient Greece, words carry certain connotations, and they start to reveal certain values to us and sense of community start to emerge from that usage as well. So as a first step, I wanted to ask you about what are some of the terms that are used for women in ancient Greece? How are women socially coded?Professor Futo Kennedy 2:56Yeah, it's actually a really interesting thing. One of the things I discovered back when I was a graduate

In around 443 BCE Rome is navigating its relationships with its neighbours. Last time we caught up with Rome they became involved in the affairs of the nearby city of Ardea. The conflict seems to have centred around a very attractive plebeian woman whose name has not been recorded in the annals of history. It’s this meddling in Ardea which sets the scene for 442 BCE…Episode 126 – How to Win Land and Influence ArdeaThe challenges of 442 BCEThe consuls of 443 had such a great year that the incoming consuls for 442 BCE knew they had a lot to live up to. There’s a sense that the successes over Ardea were substantial but there are mixed feelings about how this all come about….The complexity lies in the nature of the history of conflict with Ardea. The Romans sense that they have actually made some mistakes in how they have dealt with Ardea and the Rutilian people. The Rutilians are the people of this region and Ardea is their capital.In order to determine how best to proceed they opt to form the triumviri coloniae deducendae “the group of three men for the commission of the settlement”. Their task to solve the problem of land allotment in relation to Ardea. A colony might just solve their concerns, but what should that colony look like? We explore the details!Ardea, the central settlement of the Rutilians was south of Rome.Rome and 441 BCEIt’s a brand new year and it’s time for some games, apparently. There are rumours that the decemvirs had promised the people a set of games, and it now seems to have fallen to the tribune of the plebs, Poetilius to get this event off the ground. Beyond the issue of games at Rome, there’s some interesting rumblings far to the south of Italy in Magna Graecia that might also become important later on.Polychromatic terracotta head of a woman with brown hair and pale skin. From Taranto (Magna Graecia) end of 4th century BCE. Antikenmuseum Basel und Sammlung Ludwig, Inv. Kuhn 35. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.Our PlayersThe Consuls 442 BCEMarcus Fabius Q. f. M. n. VibulanusPostumus Aebutius – f. – n. Helva Cornicen441 BCEGaius Furius – f. – n. Pacilus FususManius (or Marcus) Papirius – f. – n. Crassus The triumviri coloniae deducendaeAgrippa Menenius (Lanatus)Titus Cloelius SiculusMarcus Aebutius HelvaTribune of the PlebsPoetiliusSourcesDr G reads Diodorus Siculus 12.34-5Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.11-12.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds (Beta) for sound effects and the fabulous Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Love our work? You can support us on PatreonWall painting – mistress and three maids – Herculaneum (insula orientalis II – palaestra – room III) – Napoli MAN 9022. While a much later artefact than the period this episode covers, this depiction of women helps reflect the world explored when it comes to women.Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Automated TranscriptProvided by Otter AIDr Rad 0:01Welcome to a brand new episode of The Partial Historians where we are tracing the journey of Rome and from the founding of this city. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:13And I am Dr. G. And boy, what a time we're in Roman history. It's the early republic. People are everywhere. Armies are in places, and the Romans they're a little bit all over the shop as well.Dr Rad 0:28They are, we are in around 443 BCE at the moment. And to give you a bit of a recap of what happened last episode, well, quite frankly, would not have been out of place on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Dr. G.Dr G 0:42Well, you know, when you're a patrician, and you really like a girl, she has to be hot, doesn't she?Dr Rad 0:48Oh if she's a plebeian, hell yes. She has to be hot. I mean, what else does she bring into the relationship?Dr G 0:53Ouch.Dr Rad 0:56So we had this whole situation where Rome got involved in a civil conflict that had broken out in the nearby area of DIA. And it was between a patrician group and a probation group. And it is really interesting that even though our day out is seen as being culturally quite different to the Romans. There's apparently still patricians and plebeians running around…Dr G 1:20Look, I'm not going to lie. I don't believe Livy I don't, I don't think there's social –Dr Rad 1:25Now you mentioned it. God!Dr G 1:27I don't think their social structure is necessarily going to resemble that of the Romans at this point in time. We know that they come from a different language group.Dr Rad 1:34Yes.Dr G

We were absolutely delighted to sit down recently with Professor Liv Yarrow to talk all about ancient Roman coinage from the republican period. Special Episode – Roman Republican Coinage with Professor Liv YarrowLiv Yarrow is a professor at the City University of New York (CUNY). She holds a BA from the George Washington University and an MPhil and DPhil from the University of Oxford. Her scholarship spans the areas of ancient historiography and numismatics. In 2006 she published Historiography at the End of the Republic: Provincial Perspectives on Roman Rule (Oxford 2006) and in 2020 her book The Republic to 49 BCE: Using Coins as Sources came out with Cambridge University Press. She is also a co-director of the Roman Republican Die Project with the American Numismatic Society.What's Coming up with Roman Coins!In this conversation we explore a range of topics, including:how to approach the study of coins (numismatics) – it is a very specialised field!how the questions we ask of evidence changes affects our inferences and ideaswhat makes a coin particularly beautifulhow coins can help us understand society, architecture, politics, and iconographysome of the amazing fashion you might spot on coins!Coins to Keep in Mind!Yarrow weaves a number of coin issues into the conversation, here's some examples that we discuss: Denarius of Sulla. ANS 1944.100.1502. Obverse: L·MANLI [PRO]·Q – Helmeted head of Roma right. Border of dots. Reverse: L·SVLLA·IM – Triumphator, crowned by flying Victory, in quadriga right, holding reins in left hand and caduceus in right hand. Border of dots. Silver tetradrachm of Mithradates VI, Pontus, 120 BC – 63 BCE. 1944.100.41480. Obverse: head of Mithradates VI. Reverse: stag feeding Silver Coin, Rome, 55 BCE 1944.100.2636 ANS 1944.100.2636. RRC 428/3. Obverse: Head of Genius Populi Romani right, with sceptre over shoulder. Border of dots. Reverse: Q·CASSIVS – Eagle on thunderbolt right; on left, lituus; on right, jug . Border of dots. Just one example of a wild haired deity on Roman coinage, echoing Mithridates’ aesthetic! Silver Coin, Rome, 97 BCE 1937.158.59. Obverse: L·POMPON·MOLO – Laureate head of Apollo right; around, inscription. Border of dots. Reverse: NVMA·POMPIL – Lighted altar; to left, Numa Pompilius holding lituus; to right, youth (victimarius) leading goat. Border of dots. Numa sacrificing with his head unveiled in the Greek fashion.  Silver Coin, Rome, 64 B.C. 1944.100.2352. Obverse: L·ROSCI – Head of Juno Sospita right; behind, control mark . Border of dots. Reverse: FABATI – Girl and snake facing each other; on left, control mark. Border of dots. Bibliothèque nationale de France, REP-17578. RRC 379/1. Juno Sospita on reverse – note the pointy shoes!Sound CreditsThanks to the thrilling Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.TranscriptWe're exploring automated transcripts for our episodes. This one was produced by Otter AI:Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to the Partial Historians,we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, that battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Radand I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Romans saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Welcome, everybody to a very special episode of the Partial Historians. We are fabulously excited today to be sitting down with Professor Liv Yarrow from CUNY, the City University of New York, who has classics background at Brooklyn College and classics in history at the graduate centre. She holds a BA from George Washington University and an MPhil and D. Phil from the University of Oxford. So her scholarship spans the areas of ancient historiography and numismatics. In 2006, she published historiography at the end of the Republic, provincial perspectives on Roman rule with Oxford, and in 2020, her book, The Republic 249 BCE, using coins as sources came out with the Cambridge University Press. She is also the co director of the Roman republican dye project with the American numismatic society. So this is a huge honour, we're super excited, because this means that we're going to be learning more about Roman coins and coinage and concepts to do with numismatics in the ancient Roman world. And I'm just really thrilled to have you here. Thank you so much for joining us.Professor Yarrow 2:17Thanks a lot. I'm really excited about this. I hope it inspires everyone to go look at some actual coins, not just listen to our fun words.Dr Rad 2:28I think it will for sure because I mean, as much as we will talk about specific coins, I'm sure in the process of this conversation, we'll definitely need to have that visual with us in order to like really appreciate what's going on with coinage. There's such a fascinating type of evidence,Professor Ya

Do you get excited by a trip to the office supply store? Is The Home Edit your favourite show on Netflix? Then this is the episode for you! The Romans are in an organisation frenzy. Grab your red tape, post-its, a sword, and we’re off to 443 BCE. Expect some bureaucracy and civil war in Ardea.Episode 125 – Big Trouble in Little ArdeaStruggle of the Orders? Or Struggle to find some Order?Last episode, there was a major shift with the introduction of military tribunes with consular authority. Our major narrative sources, Livy and Dionysius, would have us believe that this was all part of the so called ‘Struggle of the Orders’, a way for plebeians to have access to consular power with tarnishing the office of consul with their gross cooties. However, it seems that Rome might have been restructuring the state to better address their needs. They were living in a 440s world and needed a state structure to match.The Censor is BornIn 443 BCE, the focus was on the census. The census had first been carried out by King Servius Tullius. Since then, a few have been carried out during the early republic.  But 443 BCE was a turning point. Everyone could see the need for a census. Gotta have that data! The consuls were not keen to take on this additional task. Acquiring enormous amounts of personal details takes time and effort. Just ask Google! It was also not exactly illustrious work. The consuls would much rather be charging off into battle or parading around the Forum in a fancy toga than crunching numbers.As a result, it was proposed that a new magistracy should be established. The censor and his band of assistants were officially in charge of regulating the census. Hopefully, there would not be any more large gaps in between censuses.  A map the region with Ardea and Rome highlighted.Source: Omnis Rereum RomanitatumArdea Brings the DramaArdea has been a theme over the last few episodes. Ever since the Roman people decided to seize some of their territory, Ardea has been a sore point. The Romans don’t usually feel this much guilt! They are very keen to help out when a civil war starts raging in the city.The domestic tension in Ardea began with a smoking hot plebeian girl. Isn’t it always the way? This nameless woman attracted the attention of a plebeian and patrician man. Her family disagreed about which man she should marry. The escalated quickly beyond a family dispute into total civil war in Ardea. Yep, that tracks. It's Big Trouble in Little Ardea. Will the Romans be able to prevent Ardea from total destruction? Tune in to find out!Our PlayersConsulsM. Geganius M. f. – n. Macerinus (Pat.) – Cos. 447, 437T. Quinctius L. f. L. n. Capitolinus Barbatus (Pat.) – Cos. 471, 468, 465, 446, 449CensorsL. Papirius – f. – n. Mugillanus (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 444L. Sempronius A. f. – n. Atratinus (Pat.) – Cos. Suff. 444SourcesDr G reads Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities, 11.63.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.8-10.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds (Beta), Pixabay, Fesliyan Studios, and Orange Free Sounds for sound effects and the thrilling Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.NoteWhen Dr G mentions the patricians getting close to having imperium at approximately the 37 minute mark, she meant to say plebeians. Love our work? You can support us on PatreonSacrifice scene during a census from the Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus known as the “Census frieze”. This piece dates to the late 2nd century BCE. Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.Automatically Generated TranscriptAutomatically Generated Transcript courtesy of Otter AI. We are exploring options with transcripts but hopefully the software has managed to understand the Latin and our Australian accents. Dr Rad 0:16Welcome to The Partial Historians,Dr G 0:20we explore all the details of ancient Rome.Dr Rad 0:23Everything from the political scandals, the love of ours, the battles waged, and when citizens turn against each other. I'm Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:34And I'm Dr. G. We consider Rome as the Roman saw it by reading different authors from the ancient past and comparing their stories.Dr Rad 0:43Join us as we trace the journey of Rome from the founding of the city.Dr G 1:10Hello, and welcome to a brand new episode of the Partial Historians. I am Dr. G.Dr Rad 1:18And I am Dr. Rad Welcome.Dr G 1:21Welcome, welcome. Welcome to this episode where we are on the tail end of 444 BCE. And in this episode, we're going to start by looking at 443 BC.Dr Rad 1:36That's right as we trace the journey for hi

There is much less scholarly work on the early Roman Republic than there is on periods like the late Republic or early Empire. This is understandable as there are fewer primary sources, and what we have does not always seem quite as reliable. There are still people who have chosen to focus on this era, and one of our major scholarly sources has been the work of Emeritus Professor Tim Cornell. Special Episode – Early Rome with Emeritus Professor Tim CornellProfessor Cornell has held many prestigious academic posts in his long career, working at Christ’s College, Cambridge, the British School at Rome, University College London, the University of Birmingham, the Institute of Classical Studies, and he is currently the President of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies. His book The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (1995) is an incredible resource. Another of his major contributions to scholarship was overseeing the multi-volume Fragments of the Roman Historians (2013) which brings all the fragments of scholars for whose works are not extant together in one collection. In short, Cornell's work has had a huge influence on the field of early Roman history!We were blown away that Professor Cornell agreed to sit down and chat to us about all the most confusing parts of early Rome. He helped us to address issues such as:What were battles really like?What was the structure of the government in this period?What on earth was going on with the Conflict of the Orders?And most importantly, who really is the better historian, Dionysius or Livy?We hope that you enjoy this episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. It certainly helps to draw together a lot of the themes in our episodes so far and paint a more complete picture of this first phase of the Roman Republic.If you are interested in reading more of Professor Cornell's work, please check out his profile on Academia.Edu. Cornell's work on early Rome is pretty amazing and we recommend you check it out!View of the Roman Forum from Via di Monte Tarpeo (2017) by Marcel Roblin and courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsFor our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The role of the Military Tribune with Consular Power (tribuni militum consulari potestate) is very particular. It seems to have been created out of the need for a new way forward from the role of the consuls. In our previous episode we encountered them for the first time as part of a patrician plan to placate plebeian discontent in 445 BCE, but our ability to understand this period is complicated by a number of issues: How much did annalist historians like Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus understand about the early republic? What sources were they able to consult to verify their research into this unusual feature of Rome’s politics? And how might their view by further influenced by the ideas they retroject back into the early republic from the Augustan era they are writing under?Both Livy and Dionysius of Halicarnassus talk a little bit about their sources around this subject. Livy makes specific reference to the writer Licinius Macer while Dionysius makes note of the discrepancies in the various annalist records.Episode 124 – The Military Tribunes with Consular PowerAs Rome transitions into 444 BCE we find out about our first elected Military Tribunes with Consular Power, but it's not long before ambassadors from Ardea arrive to discuss their ongoing conflict involving Rome…Things to listen out for:A misplaced assertion of proconsular powerA very special eagle sound effectSome unfortunate problems with the auspices!Our PlayersMilitary Tribunes with Consular Power 444 BCEAulus Sempronius A. f. – n. AtratinusLucius Atilius -f. -n. LuscusTitus Cloelius – f. -n. SiculusSuffect consuls of 444 BCELucius Papirius – f. – n. MugillanusLucius Sempronius  A. f. – n. AtratinusInterrex 444 BCETitus Quinctius Capitolinus Barbartus (consul many times)SourcesDr G reads Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Roman Antiquities, 11.61-62.Dr Rad reads Livy ab Urbe Condita 4.7.Broughton, T. R. S., Patterson, M. L. 1951. The Magistrates of the Roman Republic Volume 1: 509 B.C. – 100 B.C. (The American Philological Association)Cornell, T. J. 1995. The Beginnings of Rome: Italy and Rome from the Bronze Age to the Punic Wars (c. 1000-264 BC) (Taylor & Francis)Forsythe, G. 2006. A Critical History of Early Rome: From Prehistory to the First Punic War(University of California Press) Sound CreditsThanks to BBC Sounds (Beta) for sound effects and the wonderful Bettina Joy de Guzman for our theme music.Imperial Roman Veterans, an illustration by Peter Dennis as part of the Warlord Games ‘Hail Caesar' miniatures.Automatically Generated TranscriptWe’re exploring transcription options! The transcript below was automatically generated by otter.ai. Hopefully those Latin names and places can still be understood!Dr Rad 0:00All right. Welcome to a brand new episode of the partial historians. I am one of your hosts, Dr. Rad.Dr G 0:09And I am Dr. G. And what a thrill it is to be here for this episode.Dr Rad 0:15I know. So we have been tracing the history of Rome from the founding of the city. And last episode was kind of a turning point. So let's do a bit of a recap, shall we? Dr. G?Dr G 0:26Oh, yes. So we've had this really sort of quite dramatic moment for the Romans in terms of how they think about their politics. Yes. And for Livy, and Dionysus of helican S's this issue has been framed around class struggle, patricians versus plebeians. And we've had this play for power from the plebeians being like we would like actually to be part of the consulship. That might be nice.Dr Rad 0:51And while you're at it, we'd also like to be able to marry patricians because it seems a bit like segregation, otherwise,Dr G 0:59it is awkward. Yeah. To be ruled by people, and for there to be no class mobility. Yes, exactly. And this has led to what appears to be a very dastardly plan on the half of the patrician side, where they're like, look, it would be absolutely a sacred travesty to allow the plebeians to be consoles, because it's not just a Magister see of law. It has a ritual component, there are relationships with the gods to be maintained.Dr Rad 1:33Get your goofy little bean paws off the consulship.Dr G 1:36You're tainted, you can't be part of this.Dr Rad 1:39This is an us thing, not a wee thing. Yeah.Dr G 1:43And so the patricians are a bit like that. And on the other hand, they've decided that the crisis is so overwhelming, because Rome is basically facing war on every side true, surrounded by potential enemies, and they really need to raise an army. And they're like, We need the plebeians involved, because we've got to have fodder on the field.Dr Rad 2:01Yeah. And they are also much larger group than.Dr G 2:06And in order to do that, they need to feel more than two armies, because usually consoles will lead an army each, but two armies is not going to be enough. So they've got a numbers issue, both at the command level, and at the rank and fil

The most famous assassination in Roman history took place during the Ides of March. Julius Caesar, dictator of Rome, was stabbed to death in Pompey's Senate House by a group of conspirators. What exactly were these men hoping to accomplish? Caesar had been taking up too much air-time and was changing the nature of the Republic into something suspiciously close to monarchy. Well, you can't have that! What are the other elite Roman men supposed to do if one man rules all? Since 44 BCE, this assassination has inspired and perhaps plagued many political theorists, filmmakers, playwrights, artists, politicians, and historians. Dr G and Dr Rad sat down to talk about a twenty-first century example of the reverberations of Caesar's final moments across the centuries. The murder of Jon Snow in the season five finale of Game of Thrones was clearly modelled on the death of the Roman dictator. Enjoy this mini bonus episode!Mini Episode – Beware the Ides of Jon Snow…If this episode tickles your fancy for a little more classical reception, we have explored lots of depictions of ancient Rome on film, which you might enjoy as well 🙂Jon Snow and GhostImage courtesy of https://gartic.com.br/deanwinchester_/desenho-livre/jon-snowMusic by Bettina Joy de Guzman.The Renaissance bust of Julius Caesar by Andrea di Pietro di Marco Ferrucci c. 1512-14 and a still of Kit Harrington as Jon SnowFor our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.