Emperors of Rome

1,377
History #161

“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.

Recent Episodes
  • Episode CLXXVIII - Witches in Roman Literature
    Dec 7, 2021 – 43:45
  • Episode CLXXXIII - Philippics
    Feb 26, 2022 – 42:30
  • Episode CXCIV - Sea Monsters in Roman Mythology
    Jul 27, 2022 – 31:49
  • Episode CXCIII - The Humiliation of Caesar (Valerian III)
    Jul 14, 2022 – 23:07
  • Crassus vs Spartacus
    Apr 24, 2025 – 33:12
  • Excavating Pompeii
    Mar 17, 2025 – 39:26
  • Crassus and the Social Wars
    Apr 2, 2025 – 30:55
  • Imperial Dining (with Mary Beard)
    Feb 24, 2025 – 40:28
  • Episode CXCII - The Persecution of Christians (Valerian II)
    Jul 1, 2022 – 29:44
  • Roman Dining
    Feb 18, 2025 – 25:55
  • Episode CXCI - Empire Under Siege (Valerian)
    Jun 13, 2022 – 46:20
  • Episode CCXXXVI - The Madness of Commodus (Live in Melbourne)
    Jan 10, 2025 – 27:11
  • Episode CXC - I, Augustus (with Brian Blessed)
    May 26, 2022 – 28:12
  • Episode CCXXXV - Faunalia Rustica
    Dec 17, 2024 – 18:48
  • Episode CLXXXIX - Nero and the Great Fire of Rome (Live in Canberra)
    May 20, 2022 – 58:43
  • Episode CCXXXIV - Dyarchy Plus One (Diocletian II)
    Dec 6, 2024 – 30:31
  • Episode CLXXXVIII - How to Win a Consular Election
    May 11, 2022 – 48:50
  • Episode CCXXXIII - The Rise of Diocles (Diocletian I)
    Nov 20, 2024 – 31:52
  • Episode CLXXXVII - The Battle of Philippi
    Apr 30, 2022 – 48:12
  • Episode CCXXXII - Carus and Sons
    Nov 8, 2024 – 25:53
  • Episode CLXXXVI - Proscriptions
    Apr 21, 2022 – 43:12
  • Episode CCXXXI - Probus
    Oct 23, 2024 – 30:19
  • Episode CLXXXV - The Second Triumvirate
    Mar 29, 2022 – 44:12
  • Episode CCXXX - Emperor Tacitus
    Sep 25, 2024 – 27:49
  • Episode CLXXXIV - The Siege of Mutina
    Mar 21, 2022 – 48:01
  • Episode CCXXIX - Clodius Pulcher and the Bona Dea
    Sep 11, 2024 – 27:59
  • Episode CLXXXII - The Empty Throne
    Feb 9, 2022 – 28:24
  • Episode CCXXVIII - Caesar vs Vercingetorix (Live in Albury)
    Aug 16, 2024 – 35:15
  • Episode CLXXXI - Crucifixion
    Jan 28, 2022 – 44:20
  • Episode CCXXVII - The Catiline Comparison (The Catiline Conspiracy VIII)
    Jul 31, 2024 – 46:03
  • Episode CLXXX - The Fort
    Jan 12, 2022 – 28:50
  • Episode CCXXVI - The Reputation of Catiline (The Catiline Conspiracy VII)
    Jul 6, 2024 – 39:58
  • Episode CCX - A Lesson in Latin III
    Jun 8, 2023 – 30:00
  • Episode CCXXV - The Exile of Cicero (The Catiline Conspiracy VI)
    Jun 6, 2024 – 36:15
  • Episode CCXIV - Aurelian, Restorer of the Age
    Aug 25, 2023 – 22:59
  • Episode CCXXIV - Indomitable Spirit (The Catiline Conspiracy V)
    May 10, 2024 – 35:50
  • Episode CCXXIII - The Championship of the Oppressed (The Catiline Conspiracy IV)
    Apr 26, 2024 – 36:43
  • Episode CCXXII - A Stolen Election (The Catiline Conspiracy III)
    Apr 11, 2024 – 34:31
  • Episode CCXXI - An Entire Farrago (The Catiline Conspiracy II)
    Mar 28, 2024 – 32:28
  • Episode CCXX - A Disordered Mind (The Catiline Conspiracy I)
    Mar 15, 2024 – 42:55
  • Episode CCXIX - Hispala Faecena and the Bacchanalia Conspiracy
    Feb 21, 2024 – 28:36
  • Episode CCXVIII - Martial on the Emperors
    Feb 8, 2024 – 35:52
  • Episode CCXVII - Angeronalia
    Dec 15, 2023 – 22:04
  • Episode CCXVI - A Roman Haunting in Three Parts
    Oct 27, 2023 – 27:48
  • Episode CCXV - The Unconquered Sun
    Sep 27, 2023 – 22:57
  • Episode CCXIII - Zenobia
    Aug 4, 2023 – 34:50
  • Episode CCXII - Aurelian, the Restorer of the World
    Jul 14, 2023 – 25:50
  • Episode CCXI - Claudius Gothicus
    Jun 23, 2023 – 31:58
  • Episode CCIX - A Diminished Rome
    May 12, 2023 – 24:07
  • Episode CCVIII - Odaenathus, King of Kings
    Apr 28, 2023 – 30:56
Recent Reviews
  • Brhino 206
    Great topic
    This pods awesome but it’s way to chopped up . Make them 60 minutes
  • Gabe.the.Dad
    Fun & informative
    I'm so happy to have found this podcast. I previously had only a passing interest in Roman emperors. This podcast has been a great find. Much fun and great insights. I find myself reading more abt the emperors, as well other ppl & related topics.
  • Crowbar4
    Outstanding
    Dr. Evans is my new favorite Classicist, accessible and contemporary, move over Beard and Golsworthy, there’s a new talent in town! My only request is that the host stop telling listeners that they’ve been “fantastic “ at the end of the podcast…this is an inane statement
  • Olenda
    Almost 5*
    Content is definitely 5*, only thing that irritates me a bit, at the end of each episode, the host is adding his own “opinion” like - “find us what is left from Tweeter”. Not really understand that comment, also don’t understand mentioning that podcast was recorded on some tribe land, hundreds years ago. I mean, if he would be recording that podcast in Europe, would he mention all the nations that lived in that location in last 5000 years? Let’s don’t mix great Roman history and political trends nowadays.
  • KTtheone
    Incorrect info or misspoke?
    Dr. Evans talks about Caesar being obsessed “with corn” at the end of episode III but this cannot be correct. Corn is a product of the New World and this time is hundreds of years before Columbus (or anyone) from Europe landing in the Americas.
  • Amazing History
    So Good!
    After listening to The Rest Is History and also reading I, Claudius, I became more interested in learning about Rome. These presenters do such a great job educating by giving us context and story. I never knew that Augustus and Octavian were the same person! The whole line of Emperors makes so much more sense now! Thank you!
  • Mightytoast
    Superb Podcast!
    Everyone who is associated with producing this podcast does a tremendous job. Thank you ALL for your hard work in bringing this information to the public. Bravo!
  • Yter1234
    Stay in your lane
    Podcast has run out of materials.
  • Us nmrk
    Incredible incredible
    I’m so happy you guys started doing longer segments after your first few chapters. Thank you so much. I’m learning so much and it’s so engaging. You’re amazing thank you.
  • LaFragua
    CONGRATULATIONS 🎉 10 years of excellence
    March 28, 2014 is the date of your first episode. So, CONGRATULATIONS on my most favorite podcast! 10 amazing years!
  • Mikey Likes Podcasts
    Still Excellent
    Well done always. Informative. Great production.A university education in classic history and the Roman emperorships
  • CelticRuss
    Great content beyond mainstream Roman history.
    As someone who has been a Roman history hobbyist for over three decades, this is a great podcast to move beyond the better known “greatest hits” of Rome (first century) and get into more “deep tracks” beyond the best known material. Exploring the fast paced action of the third and fourth centuries during the famed “fall” is full of fascinating facts and stories that lead to an ever increased understanding of what came next. Thank you for the great work.
  • VHLLC
    Phenomenal
    Love this a lot.
  • kjhgeirystowiyg
    Annoying use of “Common Era”
    Content very good overall, it has a lot of energy and the content craters care about the show. However, the use of the idiotic “CE” “BCE” to designate when Christ split time is tedious and weak. There is simply nothing “Common” the era after Christ.
  • dalignarly
    This podcast is the best
    I’ve finally finished binge-listening to this entire podcast and I’m all caught up, so I had to update my review. I love this podcast - the hosts are all great and I like the the in-depth discussion of the source material for different periods. It’s scholarly, it’s engaging, and the hosts obviously enjoy discussing the subject matter. I also love that they explore so many different subject areas - there’s the episodes about the emperors, but also other prominent figures, the fall of Rome, the various empresses, lessons in Latin, etc. All-around fantastic and I can’t wait to see what Matt, Rhiannon and Caillan do in the future.
  • Naughtiest Maximus
    Excellent!
    I’m enjoying this so much! Rhiannon does a fantastic job of telling the story with Matt asking interesting questions along the way. My favorite Podcast!
  • Jinchuriki_
    Confusing in later emperor’s
    Frequently after the death of a later emperor you will jump back to random facts or events about the late republic or early empire that just don’t fit when you’re several hundred years past this and you don’t clarify the best that you are going to do this. After that complaint I just don’t understand why you do this at all the podcast is about the emperors but you keep randomly going back to livia or cleopatra
  • Hermes808
    Love this history
    We went to Rome last summer and I love listening to this podcast. When they talk about things we saw it makes the history even more real. They make me want to visit Rome again.
  • Dan sattre
    Great podcast
    I’m very thankful I recently discovered this podcast. I’ve listened to Mike Duncan’s The History of Rome several times and this is an excellent complement to it. Having two hosts in question/answer form helps uncover additional answers and detail that shed further light on one of the most fascinating periods of Western Civilization. It’s a very pleasant listen, and there is no manufactured need to push macho narratives in order to keep things interesting (looking at you, Dan Carlin). I will certainly be listening to this more than once and recommending to anyone I know with a legitimate interest in history or politics.
  • Jonesy8888
    Wow, how nice!
    Such good content! Interesting takes on things, scholarly, no filler, just normal people talking Rome.
  • whimziequiltz
    Every Episode Is a Winner
    I came out to write this review and found there’s unplayed Emperors of Rome podcasts in my feed! What? I would have sworn I’d listened to every single episode because I enjoy this show so much, but turns out I’ve got some back eps to catch up on and I can’t wait! Highly recommend starting at the beginning and bingeing until you catch up
  • alsjfktkebjgbt
    Absolutely fantastic
    You get the impression that Dr. Evans is the real Ancient Rome savant of the duo, but Matt Smith is no slouch either and has great energy and humor. This is an addictive podcast that is neither too dense nor dumbed down.
  • Jan in Ohio
    Emperors of Rome
    Just discovered this gem. Dr. Evans is an engaging speaker/teacher. Great interplay between host and guests. podcasts as excellent as this enrich my life.
  • BruinBlood
    Emporers of Rome
    This is the Best Podcacst I have listened to, Very informative, Very Interesting and Very Funny as well. I actually have gone through the early podcasts twice because it really helps, Have you guys seen the TV Series called DOMINA, here in the States it is on Epix, this is a fantastic show about Livia Drusilla, it has just been renewed for a Second Season. Do you have any plans to review this, I have listened to your shows on her, I believe she is brought up in 2 of them, I would LOVE to get more on this very Powerful and Influential Empress of Rome. Thank-You and see you on your Next Podcast
  • shipwreckblues
    Addicted
    I just discovered this pod and I could listen to it forever and ever. I hope it never ends haha🤩
  • GEFtheMongoose
    Simply the best!!!
    I learn something new each episode.
  • Sime000043
    Truly a fantastic podcast!
    This podcast is smart yet accessible, witty, and really well laid out. Overall a fantastic primer to Ancient Rome!
  • FastCopywriter
    Love it
    It’s educational, sometimes funny, never boring. If you loved HBO Rome, Starz Spartacus, Roma Sub Rosa {Gordianus the Finder}, etc, you’re going to love this.
  • Hernan El Maestro
    This is a Really Good Podcast!
    This podcast is so easy to listen to. The interview format keeps the show light and free-flowing. The sometimes difficult Roman familial relationships are simplified. This podcast is scholarly yet a fun listen. I enjoy this podcast immensely! Great job!
  • AG 4827
    Love It!!!!!
    Kudos to the host and “experts”. Takes me back to by university days. Feels like being in one of my favorite classrooms whenever I get into my car……..Thank You!!!
  • Dolphin_jesus
    The best!
    I’ve been interested in looking about the ancient history for a while and this is the best podcast just for that!It takes the history but makes it fun.You can tell they enjoy what they’re speaking about and not just reading straight from a book but giving insight on their opinions and feelings toward it too.I genuinely get excited listening to this
  • that DC life
    Rhiannon or die
    Love this podcast. It’s educational and entertaining, but sorry, can’t listen to any guest other than Dr. Rhiannon Evans. She’s by far the best.
  • Taunting Flamingo
    Love this podcast
    This is one of the smartest, most engaging podcasts I've ever listened to. Matt Smith & Rhiannon Evans are terrific, and Caillan Davenport has been a delightful addition.
  • Christopher Burrows
    Terrible waste of time.
    Terrible podcast
  • @AtlWizTech
    🤔Why does her voice warm my oven 😋
    A lady with a tantalizing accent who’s well learned in ancient history is my Achilles heel 💪🏾❤️😍 @AtlWizTech
  • sjgrgv
    Horace!!
    Love this podcast. Can we please get an episode on Horace??
  • Pnmurphy
    Addicted
    This podcast is addictive! I would love to be in Dr Rhiannon’s classes! Matt adds so much to the podcast. I really enjoy listening to these conversations!
  • Owlbarn66
    Quick studies of Roman emperors
    Vignettes of the emperors and other notable figures of the Roman Empire. Although each episode runs about 15-20 minutes the hosts do manage cite sources and offer criticism and problems with accepting the sources at face value..
  • OG Shishito
    Fascinating Podcast !
    I was too cool for school and didn’t pay much attention in history class. I recently found this podcast wanting to learn about the history of the Roman Empires and have very much enjoyed it. Matt does a great job and Dr Rhiannon Evans in-depth knowledge is impressive and need I say sexy… ;) Thanks for putting this together. Love the series.
  • azamora13
    Amazing!
    Favorite Ancient Roman podcast. I have enjoyed this podcast from episode one until today. This is not a dry history podcast and some out there. The hosts are engaging, funny, knowledgeable and interesting. Please never let it be over.
  • Ryan Arnstein
    5 stars
    An excellent in depth podcast. I hope they continue getting back to focusing on their bread and butter topics- the story of individual emperors.
  • Scountbear 43
    One of the best podcasts around
    Erudite, yet down to earth. Can be really funny and always informative. Matt Smith and Rhiannon Evans are charming and this podcast is a must listen.
  • xxDarkhorse06xx
    Truly Amazing
    Read up on creator/host Steve West. The guy’s as remarkable as his show. Consistently amazed at his ability to distill haaard haaaaard philosophical constructs/concepts into easily understood bite size chunks. A must listen for the casual learner and serious student alike.
  • Ereddy44
    Great podcast
    This is a great podcast, and I am enjoying it a lot. I recommend it to anyone new to the Roman Empire. However, it is very oversimplified, and some major details are glossed over. One of the biggest things not included was the Battle of Pharsalus, the great showdown between Caesar and Pompey in 48BC, which is what let Pompey to run away to Egypt where he was eventually killed. Other than that, I love this podcast, and for anyone that wants to dig deeper into the Roman Empire, I recommend Mike Duncan’s The History of Rome podcast
  • Cardcm
    Love it
    I think I’ve listened to every episode and some multiple times! I can’t get enough!
  • David G Mc
    Highly engaging, accessible & informative
    Really great podcast - despite the fact that it’s Australian !! 😋. The humor, the interplay between the hosts, and the rigor of the material can’t be beat. I listen while I run or work out & I’m often sad that my workout ends!
  • ablankpostcard
    Amazing!
    This is my favorite podcast, hands down. It’s been a great way to supplement what I’m learning in my history courses and get more detail than we sometimes have time for in class. I appreciate the occasional humor and the fantastic insights. Thank you for making it!
  • ML100171
    Amazing
    Love listening to this podcast - very informative and entertaining!
  • JBNJ007
    Recommend
    Brief episodes but interesting.
  • pails n blimps
    Quality show
    Pairing of host and subject matter experts works well.
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