The Great Podcast

The Tetrarchy was hanging on by a thread. The Empire was poised for war. But who would come out on top?

The abdication of Diocletian and Maximian was a monumental act. Never before had the most powerful men in the Empire voluntarily relinquished their Imperium. But what comes next? Perhaps the next generation of Tetrarchs can continue in Diocletian's great works.

Aurelian was dead due to a lie... No one wanted to take the mantle, and chaos and violence erupted yet again. But when the dust was settled, could an unknown cavalry bodyguard commander rise up and save the Empire?

The empire was as fractured as it had ever been. Gallienus had done all he could, but failed to bring it back together. But could an upstart cavalry commander do what Gallienus could not?

The Crisis of the Third Century was in full swing when Valerian was declared emperor. He raised his son, Gallienus, to the purple alongside him and the two would embark on the unenviable task of saving the Empire from utter chaos. But, will it be enough?

200 years of peace and prosperity are now at an end... With the fall of the Severan Dynasty, the Empire finds itself in the greatest crisis it has ever faced: 50 years of poor governance, invasions, and usurpers. Join as we look at the first half of the Crisis of the Third Century

Caracalla was dead. Some upstart Praetorian Prefect presumed to declare himself Emperor. But an aging widow and her two widow daughters might have just what it takes to reestablish the Severan Dynasty.

Severus had been strict and severe. His son was an all-around more vicious experience. Caracalla was told by his dying father to stick close to family, enrich the soldiers, and spite everyone else. Caracalla would follow through on these lessons... at least most of them.

Chaos reigned in Rome. The people sent pleas to the generals of the Empire to come and liberate them from the despicable Didius Julianus. Septimius Severus was one of these men, and he pounced on the opportunity for power and glory. But, who would win the Year of the Five Emperors?

Commodus was dead... But who would follow him? Surely a wise, experienced, and capable man would come forth to save the Empire from the tyranny it had so long endured.

Marcus had his apprehensions about his son becoming the next emperor; Commodus was young, spoiled, and inexperienced in the management of the Empire. Still, there was little option. Commodus succeeded his father to the throne, and the world held its breath...

Marcus never wanted to be emperor. He would have preferred the quiet life of a Stoic Philosopher. But fate is what it is. As threats to the Empire grow ever closer, can this one man hold it all together?

It is unclear if Trajan intended for Hadrian to succeed him. What is clear is that Hadrian took to the job with vigor. Let us see if he is able to stack up against the man they called Optimus!

Trajan was born and raised to lead men; but he never expected he'd become emperor. But Rome could certainly use a warrior king to lead them in these trying times. Will Trajan live up to the likes of Augustus and Caesar?

Domitian was always overlooked... His father and brother feared him gaining too much power and kept him from any meaningful position in government. But what happens when a person like that becomes the most powerful man in the greatest empire in the world?

The Julio-Claudian dynasty died with Nero... So who becomes emperor now? Join us as we look at the three men who try to claim the imperial purple and the one who comes out on top!

He is known as the most reviled Roman Emperor of all time. The man who played the fiddle (lyre??) while Rome burned to the ground. But does he deserve this dastardly reputation? Let's find out!

He was known as Little Boots... a cute name for a young boy who would go on to become the most reviled Roman Emperor of all time! Follow us as we examine the life and times of Caligula!

The first Roman Emperor! Augustus rose from the nephew of Julius Caesar to become the most powerful man in the western world. His long reign solidified the brand new role of Emperor and ushered in 1500 years of imperial rule!

We begin our hunt for the greatest leaders of all time by looking at the man who brought about the end of the Roman Republic and helped usher in the age of Imperial Rome. Join us as we look at the life of Julius Caesar, one of the greatest military and political figures of all time!