PODCAST · history
Foundations of Rome
by Darius von Guttner
From myths to modernity, a journey through the Eternal City This series explores the history of Rome from its legendary beginnings to its place in the modern imagination. Each short, focused episode traces a key moment, theme, or transformation in the city’s long life: from Romulus and Remus and the struggles of the early Republic, through Hannibal’s shock and Caesar’s rise, to Augustus’s new order, Nero’s burning Rome, and the grandeur of papal and Baroque splendour. Later episodes follow Rome into the age of the Grand Tour, the upheavals of revolution and unification, and Mussolini’s attempt to remake the city in fascist marble. The series closes by reflecting on Rome as a palimpsest of memory, faith, and power—a city that continues to ask questions rather than provide simple answers. Narrated by Darius von Güttner.
Episodes
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Episode 19: Why Rome? A City That Asks, Not Answers
Why Rome? What is it about the Eternal City that continues to captivate, challenge, and inspire us? In the final episode, let us reflect on the enduring significance of a city shaped by centuries of empire, faith, art, and contradiction. Drawing on the insights of Robert Hughes, Mary Beard, and...
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Episode 18: Rome as Palimpsest – Layers of Memory
Rome is not a city with a single past. It is a city where many pasts exist at once. In this episode of Foundations of Rome, we explore Rome as a palimpsest—a living landscape where ancient ruins, Christian churches, Renaissance palaces, Fascist monuments, and modern life occupy the same streets....
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Episode 17: Mussolini’s Rome – Fascism and the Legacy of Empire
Rome has always been a city built upon its past. But under Benito Mussolini, that past became something to be reshaped, weaponised, and placed at the service of a modern dictatorship. In this episode, we explore how Mussolini transformed the Eternal City into a stage for Fascist ideology—from the...
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Episode 16: Revolution and Reaction – Rome Between Republics
What happens when a city shaped by centuries of papal power suddenly finds itself caught in the currents of revolution? In this episode, we follow Rome through the upheavals of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries—from Napoleon’s invasion and the short-lived Roman Republic of 1798 to...
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Episode 15: Enlightenment to Empire – The Grand Tour and Rome’s Ruins
Why did Europe’s elite travel to Rome—not to witness power, but to contemplate its remains? In this episode, we enter the eighteenth century, where ruins replaced relics and reflection replaced reverence. From the Grand Tour’s young aristocrats to Piranesi’s haunting visions of decay, and from…
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Episode 14: Baroque Rome – Art, Ecstasy, and Absolutism
In this episode, I will guide you into the heart of Baroque Rome—a city transformed into a theatre of faith. From Bernini’s sweeping embrace at St Peter’s Square to the ecstatic vision of Saint Teresa and the illusionistic wonders of Jesuit churches, this episode unpacks how art, architecture…
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Episode 13: Renaissance Rebirth – From Ruins to Raphael
How does a city rise again—not from fire or conquest, but from memory? In this episode of Foundations of Rome, we trace the Renaissance transformation of Rome from a city of ruins and relics into a capital of art, architecture, and humanist ambition. From Pope Nicholas V’s grand vision to...
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Episode 12 - The Popes, the Borgo, and the Building of Papal Rome
In this episode, we trace the rise of the Vatican from a modest medieval suburb to the spiritual and political heart of Catholicism. Journey through the Borgo—home to Saint Peter’s tomb, fortified by popes, and transformed by pilgrims, relics, and Jubilee years. Discover how centuries of…
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Episode 11: From Pagan Statues to Papal Thrones – Sacred Space Reclaimed
How does a pagan capital become the spiritual centre of Christendom—without tearing itself apart? In this episode, we explore the Christianisation of Rome through its buildings, images, and sacred spaces. From Constantine’s conversion and the Edict of Milan to the transformation of temples into...
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Episode 10: Fire, Frenzy, and the Domus Aurea – Nero’s Rome
Rome burned—and an emperor’s legend was forged in the flames. In this episode, we step into the reign of Nero: artist, autocrat, and Rome’s most infamous ruler. From the Great Fire of 64 CE to the golden excess of the Domus Aurea, we explore how spectacle became a tool of power, cruelty became...
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Episode 9: The Eternal City in Marble and Mud
Ancient Rome wasn’t just a city of gleaming marble—it was also a city of mud, noise, and crowded tenements. In this episode, we explore the stark contrasts of urban life: grand monuments alongside slums, ingenious aqueducts and sewers battling poor sanitation, and the chaos of traffic and...
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Episode 8: Augustus – The First Emperor and the Art of Power
How did a sickly teenager become Rome’s first emperor and redefine power for centuries? In this episode of Foundations of Rome, we explore the rise of Augustus—from his calculated moves after Caesar’s assassination to his mastery of propaganda, marble, and myth. Discover how he transformed a...
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Episode 7: Caesar, the Republic, and the March to Empire
In this episode, we trace the rise and fall of the Roman Republic through the life of Julius Caesar—from his early ambitions and conquest of Gaul to his fateful crossing of the Rubicon and assassination on the Ides of March. Discover how one man’s power reshaped Rome and paved the way for an…
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Episode 6: The Hannibal Shock – Crisis, War, and Religious Upheaval
When Hannibal crossed the Alps, he didn’t just bring war—he brought existential crisis. This episode dives into the Second Punic War and the catastrophic Roman defeat at Cannae, exploring how military disaster triggered religious panic, cultural transformation, and the rise of new gods and...
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Episode 5: Law, Order, and Roman Virtue
In this episode of Foundations of Rome, we explore one of the most enduring legacies of the Roman world: Law. From the brutal clarity of the Twelve Tables to the refined principles of Roman jurisprudence, this is the story of how Rome turned justice into a civic virtue—and a system that would…
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Episode 4: The Etruscan Legacy – Architecture, Religion, and Identity
Before Rome rose to power, Etruria laid the groundwork. In this episode, we explore the Etruscan legacy—from their city planning and temple architecture to their religious rituals and cultural influence. Discover how this mysterious civilization shaped Rome’s identity, and why their shadow still...
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Episode 3: From Kings to Consuls – Early Republic and Class Struggle
What happens when a city banishes its kings and bets everything on a new political experiment? In this episode, we trace the birth of the Roman Republic—where power was split between consuls, contested by patricians and plebeians, and written into law with the Twelve Tables. From class conflict…
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Episode 2: Founding of a People – Asylum, Sabines, and the First Kings
Rome had walls—but no people. In this episode, uncover how Romulus filled his city with outcasts, how the abduction of the Sabine women turned conflict into unity, and how a line of legendary kings shaped Rome’s destiny—until monarchy collapsed and the Republic was born. Along the way, discover…
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Episode 1: Myths and Mud – Rome’s Legendary Beginnings
Rome wasn’t born in a day—it was born in myth. From twins raised by a wolf to a brother’s fatal strike, discover how Rome’s legendary beginnings shaped the identity of the Eternal City.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
From myths to modernity, a journey through the Eternal City
This series explores the history of Rome from its legendary beginnings to its place in the modern imagination. Each short, focused episode traces a key moment, theme, or transformation in the city’s long life: from Romulus and Remus and the struggles of the early Republic, through Hannibal’s shock and Caesar’s rise, to Augustus’s new order, Nero’s burning Rome, and the grandeur of papal and Baroque splendour. Later episodes follow Rome into the age of the Grand Tour, the upheavals of revolution and unification, and Mussolini’s attempt to remake the city in fascist marble. The series closes by reflecting on Rome as a palimpsest of memory, faith, and power—a city that continues to ask questions rather than provide simple answers.
Narrated by Darius von Güttner.
HOSTED BY
Darius von Guttner
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Foundations of Rome have?
Foundations of Rome currently has 19 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Foundations of Rome about?
From myths to modernity, a journey through the Eternal City This series explores the history of Rome from its legendary beginnings to its place in the modern imagination. Each short, focused episode traces a key moment, theme, or transformation in the city’s long life: from Romulus and Remus and...
How often does Foundations of Rome release new episodes?
Foundations of Rome has 19 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Foundations of Rome?
You can listen to Foundations of Rome on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Foundations of Rome?
Foundations of Rome is created and hosted by Darius von Guttner.
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