Emperors of Rome

Nightlight Productions

4.8 (410)
History
Updated Bimonthly

“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.

Jun 9

Octavian Before Octavian

Before Augustus reached his great heights as Emperor, before he was even Octavian, he was Giaus Octavius, born to a relatively humble family and giving no indication of the greatness he would achieve. While his father had a reasonably successful political and military career, it’s almost certain that he wouldn’t have become princeps at all without the important connections provided by his mother, Atia. We are crowdfunding a podcast miniseries on Tacitus' Germania! It is exclusive to supporters only, and available now on kickstarter. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLVII (257) Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans

43 min
May 27

Germania

Tacitus's Germania is one of the most fascinating, strange, and surprisingly modern texts to survive from the ancient world. Part ethnographic survey, part moral provocation, part geopolitical warning, it describes the tribes living along Rome's northern frontier: their customs, their gods, their warriors, their women, and their stubborn refusal to become Roman. This is the first episode of a new podcast miniseries from Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith. It is exclusive to supporters only, and available now on kickstarter. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLVI (256) Guest: Dr Rhiannon Evans

35 min
Apr 24

Augusti Retirement

In 305 CE, a carefully staged transition took place: the emperors Diocletian and Maximian retired, handing power to a new generation of rulers. Exactly how it happened is still debated, but the act itself was unprecedented in the long history of the Roman Empire. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLV (255) Part VII of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)

31 min
Mar 31

The Tetrarchic Persecution of Christians

In the early fourth century the emperors of the Tetrarchy initiated what later Christians would call the “Great Persecution.” Under Diocletian and his colleagues, churches were demolished, sacred texts seized, and believers forced to choose between sacrificing to the Roman gods or facing punishment by the state. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Caillan Davenport, looking at the Christian martyr, Saint Sebastian.. Episode CCLIV (254) Part VI of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)

43 min
Mar 21

How the Tetrarchy Won the East

With the tetrarch system still taking shape, Diocletian and his Caesar Galerius come under growing pressure in the East, facing rebellion from Egypt and invasion from the Persian King Naresh. A series of hard campaigns, careful political choices and eventual victory will determine whether this new imperial order can truly secure Rome's frontiers. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Rhiannon Evans, looking at panegyrics.. Episode CCLIII (253) Part V of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)

35 min
Feb 28

Reclaiming Britannia

Constantius was elevated to Caesar with one primary mission - retake Britannia for the Roman empire. In the later half of the fourth century the province and parts of western Gaul had retained a stubborn sort of independence, flying in the face of a unified Rome. If the tetrarchy were to prove they were a stable system, this had to come to an end. Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast This month's bonus episode on Patreon is with Peter Guest, looking at the coins of Carausius. Episode CCLII (252) Part IV of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)

28 min
Feb 6

Tetrarchy

Diocletian and Maximian have established themselves as co-Emperors, working together to amicably administrate a sprawling Roman Empire. But with Persians to the east, Britons to the west, and discontent all around… maybe it’s time for more laurel wreaths? Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon: patreon.com/romepodcast Episode CCLI (251) Part III of Diocletian Guest: Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)

40 min
2025-12-09

Support Emperors of Rome on Patreon!

Emperors of Rome is now on Patreon! To find out about perks and give your support head to patreon.com/romepodcast

9 min

See All (272)

Matt Smith

Host
Rhiannon Evans

Host
Dr. Caillan Davenport

Guest
William Dalrymple

Guest

4.8

out of 5

410 Ratings

University quality for the masses

May 4

frondofplants

If you wish you’d never left university, or think it would be fun to audit a classics course, then the show is for you.
Love this

2024-11-24

Carlrasputin

Always interesting and thought provoking.
Enjoying

2023-04-28

OGVicar

If you find yourself Roman Curious… this is definitely a great place to get your fix
Well presented and Narrated

2022-09-15

persis iranica

Thank you for your passion in presenting this podcast. Very educational and entertaining.

“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.