Episodes

  • 001- In the Beginning

    001- In the Beginning
    Jul 28 2007

    Welcome to The History of Rome, a weekly series tracing the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. Today we will hear the mythical origin story of Rome and compare it with modern historical and archaeological evidence. How much truth is wrapped up in the legend? We end this week with the death of Remus and the founding of Rome.
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    12 mins
  • 002- Youthful Indiscretions

    002- Youthful Indiscretions
    Feb 25 2010
    Last time we discussed the events that lead to the birth of Rome, covering the arrival of Aeneas in Italy and the story of the twins Romulus and Remus. Today we will cover the remainder of Romulus's life, his questionable morality and ultimate disappearance from the world of men.
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    12 mins
  • 003a- The Seven Kings of Rome

    003a- The Seven Kings of Rome
    Feb 25 2010
    This week we cover the first three of Romulus's successors to the throne: Numa Pompulius, Tullus Hostilius and Ancus Marcius, who they were and what affect they had on the evolution Roman law and culture.
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    16 mins
  • 003b- The Seven Kings of Rome

    003b- The Seven Kings of Rome
    Feb 25 2010
    The last days of the Roman Kingdom were ruled over by the three members of the so-called Tarquin Dynasty: Tarquinius Priscus, Servius Tullius and Tarquinius Superbus. The last proved to be such a tyrant that he was overthrown and monarchy was forever outlawed by the Romans.
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    18 mins
  • 004- The Public Thing

    004- The Public Thing
    Feb 25 2010
    The monarchy had been overthrown and the Roman Republic was now established. Despite the appearance of a free democratic republic, the Romans were beset with economic and political divisions that threatened the unity of the young State.
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    15 mins
  • 005- Trials and Tribunlations

    005- Trials and Tribunlations
    Feb 25 2010
    The infant Roman Republic faced many challenges as it grew into adolescence, both internally and externally. Most significantly class divisions led to a confrontation between patricians and plebs that resulted in the creation of the office of Tribune.
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    16 mins
  • 006- The Twelve Tables

    006- The Twelve Tables
    Feb 25 2010
    In 451 BC a committee was ordered to compile and then condense Roman law into a single text called the Twelve Tables of Law. Despite tyrannical machinations by the committee, the Twelve Tables secured an objective rule of law for all Roman citizens regardless of wealth or class.
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    16 mins
  • 007- The Roman Washington

    007- The Roman Washington
    Feb 25 2010
    Cincinnatus was famously appointed dictator of Rome in 458 BC and then resigned soon after, securing his place in history as a paradigm of republican virtue.
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    12 mins