The Rise of Scipio Africanus and the War in Iberia
Most of Rome's generals were competent but not outstanding, which was more than enough for a power with Rome's structural advantages. Yet the Second Punic War did produce one extraordinary military le...
15 Maj 202539min
Why Didn't Cannae Win the War for Hannibal?
Cannae was a crushing victory for Hannibal, but it didn't win the war for him. Why? The answer lies in the nature of the Roman political system, which prioritized resilience, manpower, and the diffusi...
8 Maj 202539min
Experiencing the Battle of Cannae
The Battle of Cannae was the worst defeat Rome ever suffered, and one of the worst battlefield losses in history. What was it like to be there? We explore the battle from the perspective of a common R...
1 Maj 202537min
Combining Ancient DNA and History: Interview with Dr. Pontus Skoglund
Ancient DNA has completely reshaped our understanding of prehistory, but what does it offer for periods when we actually have historical texts? Dr. Pontus Skoglund, one of the world's leading aDNA res...
24 Apr 202547min
Hannibal Invades Italy
Hannibal accomplished a great deal during his long and illustrious life, but no feat has captured the imagination more than his crossing of the Alps. In the teeth of an Alpine fall, Hannibal took tens...
17 Apr 202538min
The Carthaginian Conquest of Iberia
The disastrous ending of the First Punic War could have destroyed Carthage for good, and it nearly did. But one man had a plan for how to bring Carthage back to prosperity and power: Hamilcar Barca, t...
10 Apr 202542min
Rome, Carthage, and the Punic Wars: Interview with Dr. Bret Devereaux
Dr. Bret Devereaux is one of the world's leading experts on the military history of Rome and on the Punic Wars. We discuss Rome's advantages, what made the Republic so formidable, and why it was able ...
3 Apr 20251h 7min
Rome in the Middle Republic
A century of expansion and conquest in Italy transformed Rome from a minor spot on the Tiber to the hegemonic power in the peninsula, but what did that actually mean for the Republic and the city itse...
27 Mars 202541min
