When Valerian became emperor in 253CE Rome was fighting on all fronts. With Shapur and the Syrians taking territory in the east, and Germanic tribes to the west and the north, the empire was going to get messy for Valerian and his newly established dynasty.

Episode I of ‘Valerian’.

Guest: Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University).

Episode CXCI - Empire Under Siege (Valerian)

“Great empires are not maintained by timidity.” - Tacitus. A podcast series looking at the rulers of the ancient Roman empire, by Dr Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith.

History

Society & Culture

Catiline attempted to become consul of Rome more than once, and its a position he believes he deserves. When he fails in his efforts and Cicero is elected he attempts to force the issue, conspiring with all those who have a grudge against the state.

Part III of The Catiline Conspiracy 

Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Episode CCXXII - A Stolen Election (The Catiline Conspiracy III)

Catiline doesn’t have the best reputation in Rome, and in the years after his failed conspiracy he has been implicated in every failed plot of that time. Was he involved in them? Possibly.

Part II of The Catiline Conspiracy 

Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Episode CCXXI - An Entire Farrago (The Catiline Conspiracy II)

Catiline is a notorious figure of the Roman republic, a longtime rival of Cicero who, after repeated attempts at the consulship decided to push the matter by force. In this episode we look at his character, his role in the social wars of Rome and his early attempts at office.

Part I of The Catiline Conspiracy 

Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Episode CCXX - A Disordered Mind (The Catiline Conspiracy I)

Hispala Faecena was instrumental in bringing the cult of Bacchus to the attention of Roman authorities, ending a conspiracy that was threatening lives and the rule of law.


Guest: 
Dr Emma Southon (Author of ‘A History of the Roman Empire in 21 Women’) 
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Episode CCXIX - Hispala Faecena and the Bacchanalia Conspiracy

Martial was a Roman poet primarily writing during the reign of Domitian, and while primarily known for his commentary on Roman life, his takedowns, his insults and vulgarity, in this episode we look at how he toes the careful line of praising the Emperor. 

Guest: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University).

Episode CXCI - Empire Under Siege (Valerian)

Download our free app to listen on your phone