“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 Smi...
The simple act of dinner took on a new dimension for the Emperors. In an place where every meal could be a performance, an Emperor used the chance to reward and impress, intimidate and strike fear, and sometimes all at once. Having dinner with the Emperor was always a great honour, but sometimes you were risking your life.
Episode CCXXXVIII (238)
Guest:
Professor Mary Beard (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
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40:28
Roman Dining
For the Romans the simple act of dinner was so much more than a meal. It was an opportunity to socialise and do business, to see and be seen, and in some cases just to show off. Like everything it is steeped in protocol and tradition, but ultimately it emphasised spending time with others - as every good meal should.
Episode CCXXXVII (237)
Guest:
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
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25:55
Episode CCXXXVI - The Madness of Commodus (Live in Melbourne)
To celebrate the 10th year of the Emperors of Rome podcast, Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith convened a screening of the epic movie Gladiator starring Russell Crowe, preceded by a live podcast recording the history and basis of the character Commodus performed by Joaquin Phoenix.
Recorded on the 19th October 2024 at the Thornbury Picture House, Melbourne.
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27:11
Episode CCXXXV - Faunalia Rustica
The Roman festival of Faunalia Rustica was celebrated in rural areas in honour of the god Faunus, a god who according to epic poetry was the King of the Latins, but to many needed appeasement for country living.
Guest:
Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)
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18:48
Episode CCXXXIV - Dyarchy Plus One (Diocletian II)
Diocletian and Maximian must be doing something right - keeping the borders of Rome safe, and ruling the Empire in harmony. They even have a catch-up in Milan, worthy of a panegyric. Things would be perfect, if it wasn’t for the revolt of Carausius in Gaul and Britain, who doesn’t want to rule Rome, he just wants to be included in the party.
Part II of Diocletian
Guest:
Associate Professor Caillan Davenport (Head of the Centre for Classical Studies at the Australian National University)
“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.
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