Autocrat- A Roman History Podcast

Vince and Cassie
  • 4.0 (7)
  • History
  • Updated Weekly

A relaxed journey through Roman history and mythology, hopefully with plenty of tangents, sidebars and interesting distractions along the way. Our goal- even if it ends up being unrealised- is to journey from the Theogony all the way to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and beyond. This show is just for fun, and we hope you have fun with it too!

  1. 3d ago

    114- The Golden Age of Priscus

    War, war and more war today. But not just that! We will also see Priscus make some grisly reforms to the Vestal Virgins, get himself some shiny royal regalia, enmesh his royal family into Roman society, and start a whole lot of building projects. Also, which Hogwarts house was Numa Pompilius? NOTE: A bit of a content warning at around 10 minutes and 19 minutes. We don't go overboard as per usual, but there's only so many ways you can dress up punishments for Vestal Virgins and people taking drastic steps to get out of things. Time period: 616- 578 BCE Relevant individuals: Lucius Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of RomeArruns Tarquinius Collatinus, nephew of PriscusLucius Tarquinius, eldest son of Priscus and TanaquilArruns Tarquinius, second son of Priscus and TanaquilTarquinia I, wife of Marcus Junius BrutusTarquinia II, wife of Servius TulliusTanaquil, Queen of Rome Sources for this episode: Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Chisholm, H. (ed.), Encyclopedia Britannica (1911), Tarquinius Priscus, Lucius. Available at Wikisource.Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus (Volume II). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.Pliny the Elder (1938), Natural History (Volume X, Book 36). Translated by D. E. Eichholz. Available at Wikisource.Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translated by A. Caillot. Paris.Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Lucius Tarquinius Priscus (online) (Accessed 02/11/2025 and 12/07/2026).

    114- The Golden Age of Priscus

  2. Aug 8

    113- Priscus Riggs an Election

    Once Lucumo son of the Corinthian exile Demaratus, Lucius Tarquinius decides that he wants more from life than being a rich Roman Senator, commander and trusted friend of the king- and his wife Tanaquil has the same idea. When Ancus Marcius dies and his sons are still underage, I'm sure Tarquinius can be trusted to be completely honest and above board. Right? NB: Lucius Tarquinius gets the epithet Priscus later during the reign of the seventh king of Rome, but we're going to be referring to him as Priscus throughout to make everything clearer. Time period: 616 BCE Relevant individuals: Ancus Marcus, 4th King of RomeLucius Tarquinius Priscus, 5th King of RomeTanaquil, Queen of Rome Sources for this episode: Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.The Editors, Encyclopedia Britannica (2024), Cypselus (online) (Accessed 10/07/2026).Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.Singal, P., Bhatnagar, D. P. and Kaur, S. (2006), Anthropometric Profile and Development of Facial Hair in Male Athletes. Journal of Exercise Science and Physiotherapy 2: 52- 58.Smith; W. (ed.) (1867), Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. In Three Volumes (Vol. 1-3.). Boston: Little, Brown, And Company.

    113- Priscus Riggs an Election

  3. Aug 2

    112- Bridgebuilder

    We look at the reign of Ancus Marcius a second time- this time around from a civil perspective rather than all the punching. Join us for bridges, forcible deportations leading to city growth, hills being added, and a man called Lucumo who claims descent from Hercules/Heracles. Time period: 640- 616 BCE Relevant individuals: Ancus Marcius, 4th King of RomeLucius Tarquinius, commander of the cavalry Sources for this episode: Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Tarquinia gens (online) (Accessed 03/11/2026).

    112- Bridgebuilder

  4. Jul 31 ·  Bonus

    Vince has written a book!

    Vince here- I've written a historical fiction book set in Constantinople in 1081! Well, kind of. The first draft of the manuscript is complete at about 59,000 words across 34 chapters. I am planning to to do a reading of the prologue as it currently stands on this feed, and after that prepare the book for publication as an eBook. So, what I am here to ask you is- is this something you would be interested in? Please let me know at the show's email address. I would love to hear your feedback.

    Vince has written a book!

  5. Jul 26

    111- Like Grandfather, Like Grandson?

    Ancus Marcius comes to the throne- maybe after murdering his predecessor- and finds himself fighting endless wars with the Sabines, Latins, and whoever else wants to have a go. But Ancus isn't the pacifist Numa reborn; there's plenty of fighting to be getting on with. He does have some other achievements in more domestic setting- but those will have to wait until next time... Time period: 640- 625 BCE Relevant individuals: Ancus Marcius, 4th King of RomeLucius Tarquinius, Roman cavalry commander Sources for this episode: Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press. Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press. Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al. Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus. Robinson's History of the Roman Republic (TBA).Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.Author unknown, Etymology Online (date unknown), Papyrus (online) (Accessed 26/07/2026).

    111- Like Grandfather, Like Grandson?

  6. Jul 19

    110- Thunderbolts and Lighting Part II: House Fire or Murder?

    Tullus Hostilius' time is drawing to a close. Today, we see a plague overtake Rome, and Tullus himself die alongside his wife and children in a tragic housefire caused by a lightning strike. But- hang on... what's this? Ancus Marcius, what were you doing with that lighter? And why is your sword dripping? Oh, food colouring, you say? All right, carry on... Time period: 640 BCE Relevant individuals: Tullus Hostilius, 3rd King of Rome; Ancus Marcius, 4th King of Rome Sources for this episode: Appian (1972), Appian's Roman History in Four Volumes (Volume I). London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Caseau, B. (2018), Too Young to be Accountable: Is 15 Years Old a Threshold in Byzantium? Chapter in: Ariantzi, D. (ed.), Coming of Age in Byzantium. Berlin: De Gruyter Brill.Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press.Diodorus of Sicily (1993), The Library of History Books IV.59- VIII. Translated by C. H. Oldfather. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press. Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al.Harkness, A. G. (1896), Age at Marriage and Death in the Roman Empire. Transactions of the American Philological Assocation 27: 35-72. Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus. Robinson's History of the Roman Republic (TBA).Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.Author unknown, Convert Units (date unknown), Convert stade to mile - Conversion of Measurement Units (online) (Accessed 12/07/2026). Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Ancus Marcius (online) (Accessed 02/11/2025).

    110- Thunderbolts and Lighting Part II: House Fire or Murder?

  7. Jul 12

    109- Sneaky, Sneaky Mettius

    Alba Longa goes out with a bang today. Mettius Fufetius, having been beaten by Tullus Hostilius in the duel between triplets, rises up once again- and this time doesn't get off with a warning. Alba Longa itself will be razed to the ground before this episode is over... Content warning: if you are sensitive to gore, even if there's not a lot of description, you might want to skip between 13:40 and 14:40. Time period: Between 672 and 640 BCE Relevant individuals: Tullus Hostilius, 3rd King of Rome; Mettius Fufetius, Dictator of Alba Longa Sources for this episode: Cassius Dio (1961), Dio's Roman History (Volume I). Translated by E. Cary. London and Cambridge, Massachusetts: William Heinemann Ltd. and Harvard University Press. Dionysus of Halicarnassus (1960), The Roman Antiquities of Dionysus of Halicarnassus. Translated by E. Cary. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Harvard University Press and William Heinemann Ltd.Eutropius (1760), Eutropius: Epitome of the Roman History. London: Printed for W. Johnston et al. Livy (1971), The Early History of Rome. Translated by A. de Selincourt. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books Ltd.Matyszak, P. (2008), Chronicle of the Roman Republic: The Rulers of Ancient Rome from Romulus to Augustus. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd.Noonan, J. D. (2006), Mettius Fufetius in Livy. Classical Antiquity 25(2): 327-349.Orosius (1936), History Against the Pagans. Translated by I. W. Raymond. Available at Attalus.Sextus Aurelius Victor (1825), Galerie Romaine, ou les Hommes Illustres de Rome et les Cesars. Translate by A. Caillot. Paris.Author unknown, Convert Units (date unknown), Convert stade to mile - Conversion of Measurement Units (online) (Accessed 04/06/2026).

    109- Sneaky, Sneaky Mettius

  8. Jun 24 ·  Bonus

    Bonus XXI- In Other News: The First Emperor of Japan

    The reign of Tullus Hostilius includes the year 660 BCE- the same year that, half a world away in Japan, a certain individual named Iwarehiko no mikoto, descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu, invaded the Japanese islands and created an imperial line that is still with us until today. Time period: 660- 585 BCE Relevant individuals: Jimmu, 1st Emperor of Japan; Suizei, 2nd Emperor of Japan Sources for this episode: TBA

    Bonus XXI- In Other News: The First Emperor of Japan
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A relaxed journey through Roman history and mythology, hopefully with plenty of tangents, sidebars and interesting distractions along the way. Our goal- even if it ends up being unrealised- is to journey from the Theogony all the way to the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and beyond. This show is just for fun, and we hope you have fun with it too!

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