Ancient Rome Refocused

Episode 18 (S3) Rob Cain reviews the book The Egyptologist and has on the show the 5-times published novelist Arthur Phillips. The Egyptologist is structured as journals, letters, telegrams, and drawings, from several different points of view. The main story is set in 1922 and follows a hopeful explorer who, working near Howard Carter (the man who discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamun), risks more and more of his life and savings on an apparently Quixotic effort to find the tomb of an apocryphal Egyptian king.If you like to go on a dig, the book is for you. If you're a part time detective, this book will fill that need as well.Phillips takes us on an adventure. I needed one. So do you.

Episode 17 (S3) What's it like to be daughter of a Queen?Rob Cain interviews author and educator Vicky Alvear Shecter. She wrote the book Cleopatra's Moon, a tale of Selene, daughter of Cleopatra and Marc Antony.Dramatic narration from Ms. Shecter's book. Nancy provides the voice of Selene who witnessed the Donations of Alexandria, where Antony distributed Roman lands to his children and Queen Cleopatra. As you can guess this did not go over well in Rome, and led to the battle of Actium.Check out Vicky Alvear Shecter's website at:https://www.vickyalvearshecter.com/

Episode 16 (S3) Author and BBC Channel 4 host Natalie Haynes is interviewed by Rob Cain. Her book The Furies tells the story of a teacher that teaches Greek Tragedy to a class of hard-luck students. As you may guess, tragedy follows. Ms Haynes talks to us about ancient tragedies, her life, and the writing process. Check out the interview with Ms. Haynes. The show has two musical pieces. Jim Malcolm's The Flowers of Edinburgh is performed in a tavern, and is particularly toe tapping. Also on the show is the music of Michael Travlos (composer) and Iwona Travlos (flutist) mixed with Rob Cain's beat poetry about the ancient gods in the ancient world

Episode 15 (S3)This placeholder gives you sneak peeks into three upcoming episodes.Natalie Haynes, will speak on Greek Tragedy, and her book The Furies. Vickey Alvear Schecter on her book Cleopatra's Moon, on Selene the daughter of the Egyptian Queen. And Arthur Phillips on his book, The Egyptologist, a truly mysterious protagonist that looks into the ancient world of the Egyptians.ANCIENT ROME REFOCUSED IS BACK IN PRODUCTION.

Zenobia, an original musical written by Bolingbrook’s Lorrisa Julianus and composed by Angela Salvaggione of Joliet. Rob interviews Lorrisa who played the lead and Craig Engel, the director.

This production premiered at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center.

The show, which starred Julianus as the title character, is based on the real life of the warrior Queen of Palmyra (a metropolitan oasis in ancient Syria). In the story, a slave girl, torn between her vigilante master and the prince of Syria, is catapulted to royalty and threatens Rome’s terrifying emperor—her unknowing father.

Episode 14 (S3) An exploration of Queen Zenobia in popular culture and song. Actors and musicians based in the American mid-west write, compose and perform a musical based on this 3rd century queen that defied Rome.Rob Cain interviews Lorrisa Julianus and Craig Engel.Zenobia, is an original musical written by Lorrisa and composed by Angela Salvaggione. It premiered at the Bolingbrook Performing ArtsCenter, and was directed by Craig. The title role was played by Lorrisa Julianus, a Chicago actor and performer. The subject is the 3rd century queen that tried to carve out an empire.Want to know more?

Zenobia, an original musical written by Bolingbrook’s Lorrisa Julianus and composed by Angela Salvaggione of Joliet. Rob interviews Lorrisa who played the lead and Craig Engel, the director.

This production premiered at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center.

The show, which starred Julianus as the title character, is based on the real life of the warrior Queen of Palmyra (a metropolitan oasis in ancient Syria). In the story, a slave girl, torn between her vigilante master and the prince of Syria, is catapulted to royalty and threatens Rome’s terrifying emperor—her unknowing father.

Rob Cain interviews James Erwin the author of a story on REDIT that was purchased by a movie company. He also brings in Gunny Sergeant (Retired) "Red" Millis [a real Marine, of course...) as a subject matter expert (SME). Both men address the burning question, "Can a MEU bring down the Roman Empire?"

"Red" tells us about the CLASH OF IRON experience. This is an immersion history into the life of a Roman soldier or Celt. Want to know what is it like? LIVE IT!

Also featured are the voice talents of Roy Kelly who provides voice over talent to Erwin's ROME SWEET ROME.

He can be reached at facebook.com/KellyCommaRoy

Episode 13 (S3) Could an MEU bring down the Roman Empire?Marine expeditionary units are the smallest air-ground task forces in the United States Fleet Marine Force. Each MEU is an expeditionary quick reaction force, deployed and ready for immediate response to any crisis, whether it be natural disaster or combat missions. Rob Cain Interviews the screenwriter James Erwin who wrote a story on the popular website REDIT. It gained such popularity that it was purchased by a movie company. This is an odd and fanciful story where a guy lets his imagination fly on a social media site and gets called by Hollywood. The interview includes an interview with Gunny Sergeant "Red" Millis who provides insight into the capabilities of a Marine Expeditionary Unit.Both screen writer and Marine answer the question, "Can a MEU beat the Rome Empire?"

An exploration into imagination and archaeologyIn this episode Venus (the statue of the goddess) takes us on a journey across time.Jordan Harbour of the popular podcast Twilight Histories is interviewed (providing us insights into alternate histories of Ancient Rome)..https://www.twilighthistories.com/There is a book review of "A Guide to Archaeological Field Methods" with commentary by the late William Glover, archaeologist and historian.