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Rhiannon Evans, Caillan Davenport, Matt Smith and special guest William Dalrymple share items of Roman interest! You will hear: - A phoenix in the forum - The unknown Queens of Rome - The Roman perception of elephants - Trade between India and Rome - The low bar of Roman insults - The false female centurion - What Emperors called themselves - An accurate population of Pompeii - The false Theodosius - Sallust and ethnic etymology in North Africa Episode CCL (250) Guests: Associate Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University) Professor Caillan Davenport (Centre for Classical Studies, Australian National University)) William Dalrymple (Esteemed author and host of Empire podcast)

Viriathus was a Lusitanian leader who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Rome’s most formidable enemies. A skilled tactician and master of guerrilla warfare, he led his people in resistance against Roman expansion in Hispania during the second century BCE. Celebrated for his honour and leadership — even by the Romans who fought him — Viriathus’s story is one of resilience, betrayal, and the enduring struggle for freedom against empire. Episode CCXLIX (249) Guest: Dr Christopher Gribbin (Adjunct Lecturer, Classics and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

Arria, and her daughter of the same name, were celebrated in Roman literature for their virtues, piety, and devotion to family. Remembered above all for their willingness to embrace self-sacrifice, their lives and deaths became exemplars of courage and duty, cited by writers like Pliny and Martial as models of Roman virtue. Episode CCXLVIII (248) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

Being the daughter of Cato and wife of Brutus came with certain expectations from the ancient world. Embody her father’s principles, be a fine, upstanding Roman lady, and put Rome first above all other things. Porcia did this, and was admired for her disposition. Episode CCXLVII (247) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

In times of antiquity, alongside the Via Appia, stood the Laudatio Turiae, a funerary inscription praising the life of an exceptional Roman woman. While we aren’t sure of her actual identity her husband was clearly fond to her, and wanted everyone approaching Rome to know it. Episode CCXLVI (246) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

When Nero took his own life in 68CE it was the end of an era for Rome. The Julio-Claudians had ruled for close to 100 years, and with the end of the dynasty there was confusion, civil war, and an outpouring of grief. Some would exploit this confusion and claim to be the still alive Emperor Nero, with the intention of retaking his empire. Episode CCXLV (245) Guest: Assistant Professor Zachary Herz (Legal Historian, Department of Classics, University of Colorado Boulder).

Plague getting your people down? Suffering from a mysterious ailment? Perhaps a festival of Apollo is what you need. A simple festival with games, plays and feastings could be enough to sway Apollo in your favour. Or at least, distract your city for a while. Episode CCXLIV (244) Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

After the death of Crassus his powerful name, his fortune, and his family’s honour survived. In this episode we’ll trace the life of the Crassi yet to come, and how the family comes together with an old rival. Episode CCXLIII (243) Part V of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)

After the death of Crassus his powerful name, his fortune, and his family’s honour survived. In this episode we’ll trace the life of the Crassi yet to come, and how the family comes together with an old rival. Episode CCXLIII (243) Part V of Crassus Guest: Assoc. Professor Rhiannon Evans (Classic and Ancient History, La Trobe University)