The Rest Is History

Why did Robespierre hold a vast, eccentric festival in 1794 when The Reign of Terror was at its most frenzied? What does it reveal about his psychology and belief in the divine? And, did he really believe that the French Revolution could succeed in supplanting the Christian God? 

Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the extraordinary spectacle of the Festival of the Supreme Being, its sinister reception, and the transformation of France. 

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

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This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at http://Claude.ai/restishistory.

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Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

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How did two of the French Revolution's leading figures, Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre, differ in their views on how to further the cause? Which scandalous conspiracy was Danton accused of being involved in that would lead him to the guillotine? And, was it true? Or the betrayal of a former ally?

Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the terrible destruction of one of the great titans of the Revolution, Georges Danton, and the connotations of his cataclysmic fall for the future of the Terror.  

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

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Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In what conditions was Marie Antoinette - once the most glamorous woman in Europe - imprisoned for over a year, before and after the execution of King Louis XVI? Why were the French Revolutionaries divided on her own fate? And, how did she finally face the guillotine on October 16th, 1793? 

Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss one of the most shocking moments of the French Revolution, and the death knell to the monarchy: The execution of the former Queen of France, Marie Antoinette.

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

_______

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at http://Claude.ai/restishistory.

_______

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Where did Maximilien Robespierre come from and what led him to rise from provincial obscurity to play a major role in the French Revolution? Why is he considered the central figure in the Reign of Terror? And how did a fastidious man opposed to violence become the chief proponent of bloodshed?

Join Tom and Dominic as they describe how Maximilien Robespierre became one of the most powerful figures of the French Revolution, and his role in initiating the Terror, which saw thousands beheaded in Paris, and butchered throughout France. 

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

_______

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at http://Claude.ai/restishistory.

_______

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude

Senior Producer: Callum Hill

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did the infamous murder of Jean-Paul Marat, one of the great firebrands of the French Revolution, unleash the bloody Terror? Why did the clashing political factions of the Revolution escalate the fractious atmosphere in France? And, which other apocalyptic threats saw the French masses clamouring for the blood of their brothers? 

Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most violent events in all world history: The Reign of Terror in Revolutionary France, and the murder of Marat, which served as one of its catalysts. 

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Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠

To read our new newsletter, sign up at:

⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was Lieutenant General Napier, the man set out to rescue the European hostages held by Emperor Tewodros II? How did he plan to attack the emperor’s fortress, Magdala? And, did they manage to successfully escape Abyssinia? 

Join Dominic and Tom as they conclude the story of one of the most epic expeditions in the history of the British Empire.  

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠

To read our new newsletter, sign up at:

⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was Emperor Tewodros II, the colourful and controversial Emperor of Abyssinia? Why did he brutally imprison a number of British emissaries, and how did Queen Victoria respond? And, how would this spark one of the most ambitious expeditions undertaken by the British Empire…?

Join Dominic and Tom as they launch into one of the most extraordinary military expeditions in all world history.  

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

_______

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

_______

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at http://Claude.ai/restishistory.

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Who was Gaius Marius’ son, and how did he set out to bring down his father’s rival, Sulla? Which two rising stars in Sulla’s faction, Crassus and Pompey, would go on to bring down the Republic, with Julius Caesar? And, how did a momentous battle in the East see Sulla elevated to the master of Rome?

Join Tom and Dominic as they reach the climactic conclusion to the remarkable rise of one of Rome’s greatest generals: Lucius Cornelius Sulla, a man who would destroy his rivals, win victories in the east, and ruthlessly change the destiny of the Roman Republic forever.  

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

_______

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

_______

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at http://Claude.ai/restishistory.

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What shocking, unprecedented act did Sulla commit with his legions after having his ambitions frustrated once more by his bitter rival, the tribune Marius? How did Marius escape capture and death? And, would Marius retaliate…?

Join Tom and Dominic as they unfold the mounting rivalry between two Roman generals - Marius and Sulla - as they battle for ultimate control of the empire, and Sulla takes a fateful step that will change the fate of the Republic forever….  

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

_______

Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was the ancient city of Rome actually like in the first century BC? Who was Lucius Cornelius Sulla, another great, but aristocratic, Roman general who would clash with Gaius Marius in a totemic struggle termed the Social War? And, who were the terrifying Germanic tribes amassing on the borders of the empire, potentially spelling its doom…?

Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Rome’s apocalyptic threat from the North, Marius’ wars in defence of the empire, and the rise of his greatest adversary: Sulla. 

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at the⁠⁠restishistory.com⁠⁠.

To read our new newsletter, sign up at: ⁠⁠therestishistory.com/newsletters⁠⁠

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Advertise with us: ⁠[email protected]⁠

*The Rest Is History LIVE: The Ultimate Victorian Adventure*

The maddest expedition in history and it’s NEVER been heard before on the show: join Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook LIVE at the Southbank as they tell the bonkers story of Queen Victoria ordering one of history’s most daring assignments ever. ⁠⁠⁠Tickets available for Friday 4th September⁠⁠⁠, the Saturday show is SOLD OUT.

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editors: Jack Meek, Harry Swan + Adam Thornton 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude 

Senior Producer: Callum Hill  

Executive Producer: Dom Johnson

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices