Rock, Paper, Swords! - the Historical Action and Adventure Podcast

What did it really mean to face death in the Roman arena? 🏛️

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill talk with historian and bestselling author Dr Harry Sidebottom about his new nonfiction book, Those Who Are About To Die: Gladiators and the Roman Mind.

Drawing on archaeology, ancient texts, and years of research, Harry reveals the brutal truth behind the Roman obsession with violence — and what gladiatorial combat tells us about their society, politics, and psyche.

🔥 In this episode:
⚔️ Who the gladiators really were — and what drove them to fight.
🏛️ How Rome’s arenas shaped identity, power, and the idea of civilisation.
📖 The difference between myth and reality in our understanding of gladiators.
🗡️ What modern audiences can learn from Rome’s fascination with death and spectacle.

If you’re fascinated by ancient Rome, gladiators, or the mindset of empire, this episode is essential listening.

📚 Get the book Those Who Are About To Die here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781529154009
🔗 All podcast links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

What happens when a medieval manuscripts scholar teams up with a bestselling thriller writer? You get The Tales of the Lawless Land — a gripping historical adventure series set in the chaos of the 14th century.

In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill sit down with Beth and Boyd Morrison, the brother–sister duo behind the swashbuckling adventures of Gerard Fox and Willa.

We talk about:
⚔️ Writing medieval action with thriller pacing
📜 The impact of the Black Death & the Hundred Years’ War
⛪ Excommunication, faith, and survival in the Middle Ages
🔎 Researching manuscripts, relics, and real historical locations
🗡️ Why Gerard Fox is like a “medieval Jack Reacher”

If you love historical adventure, medieval history, or the thrill of Templar secrets, this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen & subscribe everywhere: Rock, Paper, Swords Podcast Links

Support the podcast:

https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswordshttps://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

🔥 Meet Tacfarinas — the forgotten African rebel who defied Rome under Emperor Tiberius.⚔️ Archaeologist Dr Joanne Ball reveals how his guerrilla war shook the empire and rivals Arminius and Spartacus.https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwordsSupport us on Patreon:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast🍺 Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswordsWas Tacfarinas Rome’s forgotten rebel? In this episode of Rock Paper Swords, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill are joined by Dr Joanne Ball (archaeologist, historian, and author of Tacfarinas: An African Rebel Against Rome).We explore the extraordinary story of Tacfarinas, a Numidian soldier-turned-rebel who defied the Roman Empire under Emperor Tiberius. From guerrilla warfare in North Africa to comparisons with figures like Arminius and Spartacus, Tacfarinas nearly destabilised Rome’s control of the region for nearly a decade.Dr Ball reveals how archaeology, ancient sources, and modern research bring his story to life — and how Rome underestimated this desert fighter again and again.🔹 Topics covered:Tacfarinas and his revolt against RomeRoman North Africa under TiberiusComparisons with Arminius, Verus, and SpartacusGuerrilla tactics vs Roman legionsFolk memory and the legacy of Tacfarinas todayIf you love Roman history, rebellions, and the untold stories of Rome’s enemies, this episode is for you.📚 Guest: Dr Joanne Ball – archaeologist, Roman battlefield specialist, author of Tacfarinas: An African Rebel Against Rome🎙 Hosts: Matthew Harffy (Bernicia Chronicles) & Justin Hill (Shieldwall, Viking Fire)👉 Subscribe for more on Rome, Vikings, medieval warfare, and historical fiction. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes!#Tacfarinas #RomanHistory #AncientRome #JoanneBall #Arminius #Tiberius #Spartacus #RomanEmpire #NorthAfrica #RockPaperSwords

Author Simon Tolkien (grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien) joins the Rock, Paper, Swords! podcast to talk about his powerful historical novels, his research into the Spanish Civil War, and his work with Amazon’s Rings of Power.⁠

https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords

Support us on Patreon:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast

🍺 Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to ⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords

In this interview, Simon shares how he moved from courtroom thrillers to sweeping historical fiction, why the 1930s still matter today, and how his grandfather’s influence shaped his own writing journey.

Highlights:

Writing The Palace at the End of the Sea & The Room of Lost Steps

Researching the Spanish Civil War and 1930s New York

Insights on J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, and the First World War

Simon’s involvement in Amazon’s Rings of Power

Why history, memory, and storytelling still resonate today

If you love history, Tolkien, or epic storytelling, don’t miss this episode!

Buy the books from our bookshop.org store:📚The Palace at the End of the Sea - https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781662528644

📚The Room of Lost Steps - https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781662528668

#SimonTolkien #SpanishCivilWar #Tolkien #LordOfTheRings #RingsOfPower #HistoricalFiction #Podcast

Our guest today is Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw Chronicles, about a medieval gangster called Robin Hood, a 17th-century series about an unusual but rather brilliant chap called Holcroft Blood. And writing as Angus Macallan, he has also tried his hand at fantasy with the Gates of Stone.

We previously had Angus on the podcast to talk about his Fire Born series, set in 8th century Europe. His newest book, out at the end of August, is Templar Traitor, the first in a trilogy based on the true story of an Englishman who fought with the Mongols on the side of Genghis Khan.

Welcome to RPS, Angus.

https://angusdonaldbooks.com/

Buy Templar Traitor from the RPS Bookshop (affiliate link): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781835980903

Link Tree:⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords⁠⁠ 

Support us on Patreon:⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠⁠ 

Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to ⁠https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords⁠ 

Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel: How we sold over 750,000 books!

⁠https://mybook.to/RPSTipsForWriting

Today’s guest is author, J.C. Duncan. He is the author of The Last Viking Series of novels about Harald Hardrada and the The Light of the North saga, a historical fantasy series set in a world where the Vikings clash with Christian Crusaders. As well as writing, J.C. Duncan is also a bladesmith and there can’t be much cooler than forging blades!

Justin of course had a novel about Harald Hardrada, so I think this is going to be a very interesting chat!

Welcome to RPS, J.C. Duncan.

https://jcduncan.co.uk/

https://lorescape.gg/get/

Link Tree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords⁠ 

Support us on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠ 

Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords 

Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel: How we sold over 750,000 books!

https://mybook.to/RPSTipsForWriting

⁠https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords⁠ 

Support us on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠ 

Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords 

Adam Lofthouse is the author of action-packed historical fiction set in ancient Rome, such as The Path of Nemesis trilogy, and The Enemy of the Empire books. His latest series, 

The Shadow of Rome, starts with Eagle and the Flame, which is out soon.

Welcome to RPS, Adam Lofthouse!

Buy Adam's books: https://www.adamlofthouse.com/

Other books mentioned:

The Complete Roman Army by Adrian Goldsworthy:https://amzn.eu/d/6B3ABys

24 Hours in Ancient Rome: A Day in the Life of the People Who Lived There by Dr Philip Matyszak: https://amzn.eu/d/5UI6O7o

Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome by L.J. Trafford: https://amzn.eu/d/9pX9Aew

Rock, Paper, Swords is three years old!

In this episode, Matthew and Steven take a look back at some of the highlights of the last three years and then turn to the future with a very big announcement!

Don't miss this one!

Link Tree:⁠⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords⁠⁠⁠ 

Support us on Patreon:⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠⁠⁠ 

Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to⁠⁠ https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords

Patricia Bracewell's website: https://www.patriciabracewell.com/

Link Tree:⁠ ⁠https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords⁠⁠ 

Support us on Patreon:⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠⁠ 

Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to⁠ ⁠https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords

Patricia Bracewell is the author of the Emma of Normandy trilogy, which started with her first novel, Shadow on the Crown and concluded with The Steel Beneath the Silk. She served as Writer in Residence at Gladstone’s Library in Wales and has appeared at many Literary Festivals and writing conferences in the U.S. and the U.K.

We had the pleasure of meeting Patricia in Devon last year, so it is great to have a chance for a longer conversation now.

Welcome to RPS, Patricia!

Pete Brown's website: https://www.petebrown.net/

Link Tree: ⁠https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords⁠ 

Support us on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast⁠ 

Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to ⁠buymeacoffee.com/rockpaperswords

Pete Brown is a British author, journalist, broadcaster and consultant specialising in food and drink, especially the fun parts like beer and cider. He writes for newspapers and magazines around the world and is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Food Programme. He was named British Beer Writer of the Year in 2009, 2012, 2016 and 2021, and Fortnum and Mason Online Drinks Writer of the Year in 2015. In 2020 he was named an “Industry Legend” at the Imbibe Hospitality Awards.

We chatted with him about alcohol brewing and drinking by the Babylonians, Romans, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, medieval folk, and more. It's a fascinating interview, don't miss it!

Welcome to RPS, Pete Brown!