The Last Roman Emperors
The Ancients15 Mai 2025

The Last Roman Emperors

No grand battle. No final blaze of glory. In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed not with a roar, but with a quiet abdication. A boy emperor - Romulus Augustulus - handed over the regalia of power in Ravenna, signalling the end of an empire that had once ruled the known world. But how did it come to this?


In this episode, the finale of our Fall of Rome miniseries, Tristan Hughes is joined by historian and bestselling author Adrian Goldsworthy to chart the chaotic final decades of the Western Roman Empire. From puppet emperors and ruthless kingmakers like Ricimer to the meteoric rise of Odoacer, discover how political infighting, military mutiny, and foreign ambition brought the Roman West to its knees - and ushered in the age of kings.


MORE: Roman Emperors with Mary Beard: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7C7wRHjSPeif9pLD2UZJyY?si=5226c8e7f9584336


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.


All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds


The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here:

https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(594)

The Apocryphal Gospels

The Apocryphal Gospels

If you've heard of the mysterious and often controversial Apocryphal Gospels, you may have been told that they weren't important, or useful; that they 'didn't make the cut' to be included in the Canon...

29 Jun 202538min

Seahenge

Seahenge

As a 4,000-year-old timber circle uncovered on a Norfolk beach, Seahenge is one of Britain’s most remarkable prehistoric finds. Discovered in 1998, it drew quick comparison as a 'Stonehenge by the sea...

26 Jun 202545min

Rise of Nero

Rise of Nero

Before he became one of Rome’s most infamous tyrants, Nero was a golden boy - young, talented, and full of promise.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Conn ...

22 Jun 20251h 7min

Pirates of the Mediterranean

Pirates of the Mediterranean

As Rome rose to power, pirates seized the seas - wreaking havoc from Spain to Syria and challenging Roman dominance in the ancient Mediterranean.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is join...

19 Jun 20251h 3min

The Amazons

The Amazons

What makes the Amazons one of the most captivating myths in ancient Greek culture?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Braund, Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter, to explore and celebrate...

15 Jun 20251h 10min

The Kushan Empire

The Kushan Empire

Embark on an epic journey with Tristan Hughes and acclaimed author William Dalrymple as they unravel the enigma of the Kushan Empire, the ancient superpower of Central Asia. Together they tell the riv...

12 Jun 202559min

Rise of the Minoans

Rise of the Minoans

Tristan Hughes journeys into the heart of one of history's most intriguing civilisations: the Minoans. With Professor Nicoletta Momigliano, he explores the origins and rise of these Bronze Age titans ...

8 Jun 202544min

The Kingdom of Aksum

The Kingdom of Aksum

How is the unique narrative of the Ark of the Covenant deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and tradition?Embark on a journey to the Kingdom of Aksum with host Tristan Hughes and archeologist Dil Singh ...

5 Jun 202559min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
historier-som-endret-verden
rss-benadet
henrettelsespodden
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
aftenposten-historie
rss-gamle-greier
rss-frontkjemperne
sektledere
rss-historiske-romanser
historiepodden
historiepodden-ww2
rss-historiepodden-ww2
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
sannhet-eller-konspirasjon
med-egne-oyne
undersattene
taakeprat
gangsterpodden-2