PODCAST · society
The Partial Historians
by The Partial Historians
Dr Radford and Dr Greenfield are two historians on a mission to spread the word about Ancient Rome! We discuss, spar, and laugh our way through different aspects of the Roman world. We'd love for you to join us on this journey of exploration!
Episodes
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Mark Antony with Alex Gough
We sit down with author Alex Gough to learn more about his latest historical fiction series on Mark Antony which spans four volumes and takes a look at Antony’s career and follows him all the way through to his demise. The post Special Episode – Mark Antony with Alex Gough appeared first on The...
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Special Episode – A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator
We interview Harry Sidebottom about his new book on Roman gladiators, entitled Those Who Are About to Die. The post Special Episode – A Day in the Life of a Roman Gladiator appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Special Episode – You Are Odysseus with Laura Jenkinson-Brown
We interview 'Jenks', the creator of Greek Myth Comix about her latest interactive retelling of The Odyssey. The post Special Episode – You Are Odysseus with Laura Jenkinson-Brown appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Etruscan Evil Plans
What is Rome to do when they gaze out from the top of the Capitol and all they can see are the neighbours they don’t like or the neighbours that don’t like them? When the people of Nepete and Sutrium come down from the north to ask Rome for help, Rome jumps at the opportunity to be useful. After...
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Special Episode - Servus: How Slavery Built the Roman Empire with Dr Emma Southon
We interview Emma Southon about her new book, Servus: How Slavery Made the Roman Empire, discussing the emotional experiences of enslaved people. The post Special Episode – Servus: How Slavery Built the Roman Empire with Dr Emma Southon appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman...
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Episode 176 – Throwing the Standard
In 386 BCE, Rome struggles to fight enemies and former allies all at once. Fortunately, Camillus is there to lead them to victory in the most heroic way possible. The post Episode 176 – Throwing the Standard appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Special Episode - Fatal Second Helen with Josh Cannon
How does the depiction of warfare in ancient Greece stand up to the perspective of a modern veteran? We talk with Josh Cannon to learn more. The post Special Episode – Fatal Second Helen with Josh Cannon appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Of Mars and Marshes
The Gallic Sack casts a long shadow over Rome, and 387 BCE sees Rome dedicating a temple to Mars and discuss utilising the Pomptine Marshes. The post Episode 175 – Of Mars and Marshes appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Special Episode - The Lost Voices of Pompeii with Dr Jess Venner
We sit down with the creator of 'Life in the Past Lane', Dr Jess Venner, to discuss her new book, The Lost Voices of Pompeii. The post Special Episode – The Lost Voices of Pompeii with Dr Jess Venner appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Episode 174 - We Built This City on Big Hewn Stones
In 388 BCE, the Romans are trying to regain their position in Central Italy after that terribly embarrassing loss to the Gauls. This is bad news for their neighbours! The post Episode 174 – We Built This City on Big Hewn Stones appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with...
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Special Episode - The Emperor Julian with Jeremy Swist
We're thrilled to talk with Assistant Professor Jeremy Swist about his new monograph "Julian Augustus: Platonism, Myth, and the Refounding of Rome." We consider Julian's short rule and the impact he had that led to later sources describing him as the Julian the Apostate. The post The Emperor…
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Nobody Beats Camillus
We return to 389 BCE to see just how Rome recovered from the Gallic Sack. Camillus is dictator in Rome and Ahala is his trusty master of the horse. It’s time for Rome to make things right in their immediate area. There are a bunch of neighbours to deal with, including the Etruscans, the…
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Special Episode – Septimius Severus with Dr Simon Elliott
We interview Dr Simon Elliott about his bestselling biographer of the African emperor of Rome. Septimius Severus. The post Special Episode – Septimius Severus with Dr Simon Elliott appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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The Partial Recap 390s BCE
Join us for a Partial Recap of the 390s BCE where we summarise the major events - at least, according to the ancient sources. The post The Partial Recap – 390s BCE appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Episode 172 - An New Republic?
The Romans are forging a new republic after the Gallic Sack and Camillus is there to guide them through the treacherous waters. The post Episode 172 – A New Republic? appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Special Episode - Archaic Roman Religion
In this episode, we discuss aspects of archaic Roman religion, such as the role of nature, early gods, and priesthoods. The post Special Episode – Archaic Roman Religion appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Episode 171 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 6
The Romans need to decide what to do in the immediate aftermath of the Gallic Sack. Will they rebuild or relocate to Veii? The post Episode 171 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 6 appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Special Episode - Swords and Cinema with Dr Jeremiah McCall
We interview Dr McCall about the way that the Roman military and ancient warfare has been depicted in Hollywood movies. The post Special Episode – Swords and Cinema with Dr Jeremiah McCall appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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The Gallic Sack of Rome - Part 5
The sacred geese have attempted to save Rome, but the siege of the Gauls is still not over! What could possibly happen next? We continue our deep dive into the events purported to all take place In 390 BCE. The post Episode 170 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 5 appeared first on The Partial...
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The Emperor Titus with Marc Hyden
The life and times of Titus, the second Flavian emperor is an insight into how military conquest and connections can lead to imperial rule... The post Special Episode – The Emperor Titus with Marc Hyden appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Episode 169 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 4
The siege of Rome by the Gauls continues, but there is hope on the horizon! The Roman survivors at Veii and Camillus may come to their rescue - before it's too late. The post Episode 169 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 4 appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart...
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Episode 168 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 3
In Part 3 of our coverage of the Gallic sack of Rome in 390 BCE, we discuss the slaughter of the patricians and the destruction of the city. The post Episode 168 – The Gallic Sack of Rome – Part 3 appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Episode 28 – Titus
The Flavian dynasty is getting into the swing of things with a new, charismatic emperor. Welcome to the reign of Titus, a man of many talents and a knack for having a rule riddled with natural disasters. The Doctors explore the details of Titus' style of rule and the sad, quick end of this most...
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Episode 25 – The Year of the Four Emperors – Part the Second
The year 69 CE continues apace, and Doctors R and G peer through the mists of time to focus on the shifts in power and machinations postulated in the source material. Herein the short reigns of Otho and Vitellius. The post Episode 25 – The Year of the Four Emperors – Part the Second appeared…
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Episode 24 – The Year of the Four Emperors – Part the First
When the Julio-Claudian dynasty falls, what happens next? Prepare yourself for chaos, as the infamous Year of the Four Emperors is here. In this episode we turn our gaze on two of the early contenders for the rule of Rome: Galba and Otho. The post Episode 24 – The Year of the Four Emperors – Part...
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Episode 23 – Gladiator 2000
Spice up your ears with a foray into the historical and creative elements of Ridley Scott's 2000 epic Gladiator. Touted as the return of the sword-and-sandal genre, this film is an interesting mélange of historical plausibility and blatant deviation from the primary source material! The post...
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Episode 22 – Ben-Hur 1959
We're taking a step back in time to examine the classic Rome on film presented in Ben-Hur, the 1959 epic extravaganza! The film builds on the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ published by Lee Wallace in 1880. This means that there are many layers to parse from the perspective of historians!…
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Episode 21 – Spartacus 2013 Season 3
We take our last turn about the room with the enigma, the charisma, that is Spartacus. The final season of the Starz series Spartacus: War of the Damned, follows the final confrontation between the slave rebels and the might of Rome. The post Episode 21 – Spartacus 2013 Season 3 appeared first on...
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Episode 20 – Spartacus 2012 Season 2
The Doctors tackle the sources and speculation that arise from an examination of the Starz series Spartacus Vengeance. Spartacus: Vengeance follows the nascent slave rebellion in their journey from Capua and the challenges they face along the way. You may well ask what is up with Glaber and...
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Episode 19 – Spartacus 2010 Season 1
In this episode, your intrepid Doctors continue to explore Spartacus and modern incarnations of his story. In 2010 the Starz series Spartacus Blood and Sand hit our television screens. This season functions as a origin story, as our primary sources for pick up the story at the moment of Spartacus...
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Episode 18 – Spartacus 1960
Dr Radford's is a specialist in the history of Rome on film. And where better to start than with Spartacus, the 1960 epic directed (eventually) by Stanley Kubrick and starring the one, the only, Kirk Douglas. This film has a highly complicated array of relationships to explore. There's the 1951...
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Episode 17 – Cybele
Cybele, also known as the Magna Mater (the Great Goddess) is an Eastern deity brought to Rome in the wake of the Punic Wars. In this listener request episode, the Doctors delve into background of this goddess. We consider her divine areas of influence, and follow her progress from the East into...
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Episode 16 – The End of Nero
Oh Nero ... It's a long way to the top, and when you get there it's a long way to fall. We like to think of it this way, he sings "I didn't start the fire", but of course he didn't fiddle while Rome burned. No, it was far more interesting than that! The post Episode 16 – The End of Nero appeared...
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Episode 15 – Nero and Agrippina
Claudius is dead, and who should emerge as the new imperator ... none other than Nero, the son of Agrippina. While we explore the early years of Nero's rule under the guidance of his mother Agrippina the Younger, we also consider the influential roles of Seneca and Burrus. The post Episode 15 –...
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Episode 14 – Claudius and Agrippina
With Messalina dead, Claudius begins the process that any good Roman man would: choosing a new wife. As emperor, Claudius just happens to be the most eligible bachelor in town. He has a pick of the ladies and decides on Agrippina. This is an unusual match in a number of respects, not least…
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Episode 13 – Claudius and Messalina
Valeria Messalina was a cousin of Claudius and there was quite an age difference between them. He was born in 10 BCE, while she was born in c. 20 CE. This thirty year age gap may go some way to explaining the character of the marriage as it developed over time. In this episode, your intrepid...
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Episode 12 – Claudius, an imperial life with unusual twists
In this episode, we consider Claudius' less than illustrious beginnings and the progression of his career into Rome's top job. Claudius' expansionist policy, his relationship with the Praetorian guard, and the focus of the sources on his freedmen are all up for discussion! The post Episode 12 –...
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Episode 11 – Caligula …
We examine Caligula's rise to power, the changes his principate means for the developing empire of Rome, and touch on the some of the shocking tales connected with his reign. It's times like these, dear listener, that you begin to wish Tacitus' account of this period had survived - could the...
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Episode 10 – The Life of Julia Maior
We take a detour from the Julio-Claudian emperors to examine one of the women pivotal to Augustus' family and the future of his family line: Julia Maior, Augustus' biological daughter. Who was Julia exactly? And why was she important? The post Episode 10 – The Life of Julia Maior appeared first…
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Episode 9 – Tiberius’ Life Part II – Sexual and Otherwise
In this episode, we tackle the issues Tiberius faced in his career as he tried to fill the political shoes of Augustus. We consider the following questions in regard to Tiberius' leadership: What style characterised his rule? What troubles did he face and how did he address them? And what about...
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Episode 8 – The Life of Tiberius … Part I
What was Tiberius' early life like? What milestones mark his political career? And how does he journey to become the princeps of Rome? In this episode, we trace Tiberius' life from his birth in 42 BCE to the moment of his transition from citizen of Rome to the leading man of the state in 14 CE.…
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Episode 7 – Augustus, A Sexual Life
Our exploration of Augustus (63 BCE - 14 CE) takes a titillating turn as we consider some of the evidence for Augustus private life. With a reasonable degree of historian skepticism, we consider some of the challenges with the source material relating to sex in ancient Rome! The post Episode 7 –...
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Episode 6 – Augustus, an Introduction
Octavian, later Augustus, rises to become the foremost politician in Rome and establishes the Principate (a percursor to the Roman Empire). From his humble beginnings being taken under the wing of Julius Caesar, he rises to become the most powerful politician and military leader of his…
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Episode 5 – Sex Workers in Ancient Rome
Sex workers in the ancient world deserve our attention in part because they reveal the differences between our world and the world of ancient past. In this episode, we explore some of the issues on the topic of sex work in ancient Rome. CW: The language and terminology in this episode reflects in...
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Episode 4 – Sex and Matronae
Were Roman matronae (wives) having sex? Why would they even want to do it? And what were the consequences when things turned a little bit kinky? It's all here! The post Episode 4 – Sex and Matronae appeared first on The Partial Historians - Ancient Roman History with smart ladies.
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Episode 3 –Episode 3 – Entering Virgin Territory The Vestal Virgins Continued
Dr Greenfield is a specialist in the Vestal Virgins and in this episode we consider the cult in more depth. The trials and tribulations of the Vestal Virgins and their (possible) sexual escapades serve to create interest around the cult in the popular imagination - but what are some the...
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Episode 3 –Episode 3 – Entering Virgin Territory The Vestal Virgins Continued
Dr Greenfield introduces the Vestal Virgins! These priestesses are one of the stand out colleges of women participating in ritual in Ancient Rome. When we understand their place in the greater scheme of Rome we can start to appreciate their connection with the politics of the City. In this…
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Episode 1 – Launches On An Unsuspecting Public
What better subject to start an ancient Roman podcast with than sex? In this episode Dr Radford and Dr Greenfield address the most pressing issue in Ancient Roman history! We consider some infamous exploits and some of the major differences in the way the Romans thought about sex from society...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dr Radford and Dr Greenfield are two historians on a mission to spread the word about Ancient Rome! We discuss, spar, and laugh our way through different aspects of the Roman world. We'd love for you to join us on this journey of exploration!
HOSTED BY
The Partial Historians
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Partial Historians have?
The Partial Historians currently has 119 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Partial Historians about?
Dr Radford and Dr Greenfield are two historians on a mission to spread the word about Ancient Rome! We discuss, spar, and laugh our way through different aspects of the Roman world. We'd love for you to join us on this journey of exploration!
How often does The Partial Historians release new episodes?
The Partial Historians publishes regularly with 119 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Partial Historians?
You can listen to The Partial Historians 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 The Partial Historians?
The Partial Historians is created and hosted by The Partial Historians.
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