The History of Rome

It’s hard to comment on a podcast like this. What I’ll say is that whether you’re a beginner, adept, or veteran of Roman History - this is the perfect show for you. Now realise this podcast started in 2010. Before podcasts were even known outside of relatively small circles (and the iPhone 6 was cool!). I first listened to this years ago, as a beginner in all things Roman History. I’d like to think I’m an adept now. And I’ll still be listening should I ever reach the veteran level. Mike, thank you.

I am so glad I found this podcast, from start to finish it is absolutely excellent. Very well researched including insights into the authors that are cited; it’s deep, wide-ranging, perfectly paced and structured, and a delight to listen to. Not just all that though, Mike Duncan’s writing and delivery is second to none. He has been extremely diligent as well as so very modest of his undoubted skills as a supreme podcast creator and narrator - I can’t express my thanks here enough and recommend this series unreservedly - it’s definitely worth at least 6 stars.

But some distractingly weird pronunciation. For some reason the presenter frequently replaces short vowels with long vowels, particularly in Latin words/names. Eg consistently pronouncing plebs as “plebes”, Publius as “Pooblius” etc. other Latin words/names are mispronounced or at least the stress is put in the wrong place eg Tarpian instead of Tarpeian. It’s really odd and distracts me from the narrative every time. I’m only 10 eps in so maybe he gets a handle on it over time.

Ok