Autocrat- A Roman History Podcast

Murder! Patricide! Carriage-based violence and political coups! It's all happening on Autocrat today. Lucius Tarquinius, eldest son of king Priscus, finally decides he's had enough of living in the shadow of Servius Tullius. Joined by his wife Tullia, he will commit a crime that the Romans will be shocked by, and begin his reign with violent purges of the Senate. Also, Tullia's Ferrari.

NOTE: Mild spoiler warning between 21:07 and 21:35 for those who don't know what's coming.

Time period: 534 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Servius Tullius, 6th King of Rome
• Tanaquil, Queen of Rome
• Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, 7th King of Rome
• Tullia II, Queen of Rome
• Arruns Tarquinius, second son of Priscus and Tanaquil
• Tullia I, daughter of Servius Tullius and Tanaquil II, wife of Arruns

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.

• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.

• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus (Volume II). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.

• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.

• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.

• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translated by A. Caillot. Paris.

Servius Tullius is on the throne! We had an exciting start last time, but today it's all a bit slower-paced with tax reform, property classes and admin. Still, let's watch the first census be conducted, discuss Roman money, and examine quite why Servius hates tortoises.

Time period: 578- 534 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Servius Tullius, 6th King of Rome

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Carr, J. L., Riedle, D. J., Munscher, E., Pearson, L. S., Kessler, E. J. and Dreslik, M.J. (2025), Macrochelys temminckii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species2025: e.T232775771A507158.
• Casale, P. and Tucker, A. D. (2017), Caretta caretta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T3897A119333622.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.

• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus (Volume II). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Luiselli, L. (2024), Testudo marginata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T21653A2777760.
• Luiselli, L. (2024), Testudo hermanni (errata version published in 2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T21648A268511652.
• Luiselli, L., Capula, M., Di Vittorio, M., Marrone, F. and Vamberger, M. (2024), Emys trinacris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T158469A778721.
• Marks, A. and Tingay, G. (date unknown), Romans. London: Usborne Publishing.

• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Moldowan, P. D. and van Dijk, P. P. (2025), Chelydra serpentina. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T163424A251347989.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.

• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translated by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996), Emys orbicularis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996: e.T7717A97292665.
• Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1996), Testudo graeca. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 1996: e.T21646A9305693.
• van Dijk, P. P., Harding, J. and Hammerson, G. A. (2011), Trachemys scripta. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T22028A97429935.
• Wallace, B. P. and Broderick, A. C. (2025), Chelonia mydas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2025: e.T4615A285108125.

• Wallace, B. P., Tiwari, M. and Girondot, M. (2013), Dermochelys coriacea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T6494A43526147.
• Author unknown, British Army (date unknown), Pay, Salaries & Benefits (online) (Accessed 26/07/2026).
• Author unknown, IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (online) (Accessed 15/09/2026).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Solidus (online) (Accessed 15/09/2026).

Sound Effect by freesound_communityfrom Pixabay

We are joined by Sariel and Umberto from So You Think You Can Rule Persia to discuss Cyrus the Great. At about the time that Servius Tullius is ruling as the sixth (or perhaps seventh) king of Rome, Cyrus is busy unifying the Persians, Medians, Babylonians, Lydians and Ionians into the Achaemenid Persian empire.

Our thanks to Umberto and Sariel for joining us! You can find So You Think You Can Rule Persia wherever you find your podcasts.

Time period: 559-530 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Cyrus the Great, Persian King of Kings
• Astyages, King of Media
• Croesus, King of Lydia
• Nabonidus, King of Babylon
• Harpagus, Median and Persian commander
• Mandane, daughter of Astyages and mother of Cyrus
• Cambyses I, King of Persia

Sources for this episode:

• Cook, J. M. (1999), The Persians. London: The Folio Society.
• Flavius Josephus (2006), Jewish Antiquities. Translated by W. Whiston. Ware: Wordsworth Editions Ltd.
• Fried, L. S. (2002), Cyrus the Messiah? The Historical Background to Isaiah 45:1. Harvard Theological Review 95(4): 373-393.
• Grainger, J. D. (2019), Ancient Dynasties: The Families that Ruled the Classical World, Circa 1000 BC to AD 750. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Books Ltd.
• Herodotus (1971), The Histories. Translated by A. de Sélincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Plato (2008, reprinted 2013), Alcibaides I. Translated by B. Jowett. Online, available at Gutenberg (Accessed 23/05/2026).
• Weech, W. N. (ed.) (1944), History of the World. Watford: Odhams Press Ltd.
• Wells, H. G. (1965), A Short History of the World. London: Collins Clear-Type Press.
• Author unknown, (2010), International Children’s Bible. New Century Version. Milton Keynes: Authentic Media Ltd.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Croesus (online) (Accessed 23/05/2026).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Cyaxares II (online) (Accessed 23/05/2026).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Darius the Mede (online) (Accessed 24/05/2026).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Perses (son of Perseus) (online) (Accessed 24/05/2026).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Xerxes I (online) (Accessed 24/06/2026).

The sons of Ancus Marcius are back for revenge- a story which will end with Lucius Tarquinius Priscus getting an axe in the head. But who will succeed him? His sons are still too young! Enter Servius Tullius- a boy from Corniculum, son of Ocrisia and Spurius Tullius... or Publius Tullius... or the god Vulcan... and is he called Servius Tullius or Mastarna? Lots of questions about his identity, but you can be sure that Tanaquil has got plans for her new son-in-law- plans that end with a crown.

Time period: 578 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of Rome
• The sons of Ancus Marcius
• Tanaquil, Queen Dowager of Rome
• Lucius Tarquinius, elder son of Priscus and Tanaquil
• Arruns Tarquinius, younger son of Priscus and Tanaqui
• Servius Tullius, 6th King of Rome
• Tarquinia II, Queen of Rome

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus (Volume II). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.
• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translated by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ancus Marcius (online) (Accessed 03/11/2025).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Servius Tullius (online) (Accessed 03/11/2025).

War, war and more war today. But not just that! We will also see Priscus make some grisly reforms to the Vestal Virgins, get himself some shiny royal regalia, enmesh his royal family into Roman society, and start a whole lot of building projects. Also, which Hogwarts house was Numa Pompilius?

NOTE: A bit of a content warning at around 10 minutes and 19 minutes. We don't go overboard as per usual, but there's only so many ways you can dress up punishments for Vestal Virgins and people taking drastic steps to get out of things.

Time period: 616- 578 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of Rome
• Arruns Tarquinius Collatinus, nephew of Priscus
• Lucius Tarquinius, eldest son of Priscus and Tanaquil
• Arruns Tarquinius, second son of Priscus and Tanaquil
• Tarquinia I, wife of Marcus Junius Brutus
• Tarquinia II, wife of Servius Tullius
• Tanaquil, Queen of Rome

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Chisholm, H. (ed.), Encyclopedia Britannica (1911), Tarquinius Priscus, Lucius. Available at Wikisource.
• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus (Volume II). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.
• Pliny the Elder (1938), Natural History (Volume X, Book 36). Translated by D. E. Eichholz. Available at Wikisource.
• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translated by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (online) (Accessed 02/11/2025 and 12/07/2026).

Once Lucumo son of the Corinthian exile Demaratus, Lucius Tarquinius decides that he wants more from life than being a rich Roman Senator, commander and trusted friend of the king- and his wife Tanaquil has the same idea. When Ancus Marcius dies and his sons are still underage, I'm sure Tarquinius can be trusted to be completely honest and above board. Right?

NB: Lucius Tarquinius gets the epithet Priscus later during the reign of the seventh king of Rome, but we're going to be referring to him as Priscus throughout to make everything clearer.

Time period: 616 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Ancus Marcus, 4th King of Rome
• Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of Rome
• Tanaquil, Queen of Rome

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.
• The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2024), Cypselus (online) (Accessed 10/07/2026).
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.
• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Singal, P., Bhatnagar, D. P. and Kaur, S. (2006), Anthropometric Profile and Development of Facial Hair in Male Athletes. Journal of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy 2: 52- 58.
• Smith; W. (ed.) (1867), Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. In Three Volumes (Vol. 1-3.). Boston: Little, Brown, And Company.

We look at the reign of Ancus Marcius a second time- this time around from a civil perspective rather than all the punching. Join us for bridges, forcible deportations leading to city growth, hills being added, and a man called Lucumo who claims descent from Hercules/Heracles.

Time period: 640- 616 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Ancus Marcius, 4th King of Rome
• Lucius Tarquinius, commander of the cavalry

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.
• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Tarquinia gens (online) (Accessed 03/11/2026).

Vince here- I've written a historical fiction book set in Constantinople in 1081! Well, kind of. The first draft of the manuscript is complete at about 59,000 words across 34 chapters. I am planning to to do a reading of the prologue as it currently stands on this feed, and after that prepare the book for publication as an eBook.

So, what I am here to ask you is- is this something you would be interested in? Please let me know at the show's email address. I would love to hear your feedback.

Ancus Marcius comes to the throne- maybe after murdering his predecessor- and finds himself fighting endless wars with the Sabines, Latins, and whoever else wants to have a go. But Ancus isn't the pacifist Numa reborn; there's plenty of fighting to be getting on with. He does have some other achievements in more domestic setting- but those will have to wait until next time...

Time period: 640- 625 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Ancus Marcius, 4th King of Rome
• Lucius Tarquinius, Roman cavalry commander

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.
• Robinson's History of the Roman Republic (TBA).
• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Author unknown, Etymology Online (date unknown), Papyrus (online) (Accessed 26/07/2026).

Tullus Hostilius' time is drawing to a close. Today, we see a plague overtake Rome, and Tullus himself die alongside his wife and children in a tragic housefire caused by a lightning strike. But- hang on... what's this? Ancus Marcius, what were you doing with that lighter? And why is your sword dripping? Oh, food colouring, you say? All right, carry on...

Time period: 640 BCE

Relevant individuals:

• Tullus Hostilius, 3rd King of Rome
• Ancus Marcius, 4th King of Rome

Sources for this episode:

• Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Caseau, B. (2018), Too Young to be Accountable: Is 15 Years Old a Threshold in Byzantium? Chapter in: Ariantzi, D. (ed.), Coming of Age in Byzantium. Berlin: De Gruyter Brill.
• Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Diodorus of Sicily (1993), The Library of History Books IV.59- VIII. Translated by C. H. Oldfather. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.
• Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.
• Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.
• Harkness, A. G. (1896), Age at Marriage and Death in the Roman Empire. Transactions of the American Philological Assocation 27: 35-72.
• Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.
• Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.
• Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.
• Robinson's History of the Roman Republic (TBA).
• Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.
• Author unknown, Convert Units (date unknown), Convert stade to mile - Conversion of Measurement Units (online) (Accessed 12/07/2026).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ancus Marcius (online) (Accessed 02/11/2025).