LOST ROMAN HEROES https://www.lostromanheroes.com en Copyright 2024 All rights reserved. The Last Roman LLC. Exploring the lives and times of lost Roman heroes, from Aeneas to Constantine the XI, the Marble Emperor, and ranking them for their cool hero-ness…. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/9fa274c0-4542-11f0-abc4-139eb515df32/image/307d6bf145c3d3571a70a82fbf6449ba.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress LOST ROMAN HEROES https://www.lostromanheroes.com no episodic Matteo & Matthew Storm Exploring the lives and times of lost Roman heroes, from Aeneas to Constantine the XI, the Marble Emperor, and ranking them for their cool hero-ness…. Matteo & Matthew Storm Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 93: Mauricius (Part 1 - The Rise) The young man from Arabissus catches the eye of Tiberius, rises through the Excubitors, and is sent to command the Roman eastern legions in the middle of a major Roman-Persian war with no experience under his belt! And what does the paper pusher do? He wins! And wins again, pushing Roman arms deeper into Persian territory than they have been for many decades. When Emperor Tiberius dies, the rising star Mauricius becomes the new Augustus and gets to work, making radical changes to prepare Rome for a new world, creating the Exarchates, penning the Strategikon, and cutting fat in the legions, while making many, many new enemies in the process... Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:30:00 -0000 full 3 93 Matteo & Matthew Storm The young man from Arabissus catches the eye of Tiberius, rises through the Excubitors, and is sent to command the Roman eastern legions in the middle of a major Roman-Persian war with no experience under his belt! And what does the paper pusher do? He wins! And wins again, pushing Roman arms deeper into Persian territory than they have been for many decades. When Emperor Tiberius dies, the rising star Mauricius becomes the new Augustus and gets to work, making radical changes to prepare Rome for a new world, creating the Exarchates, penning the Strategikon, and cutting fat in the legions, while making many, many new enemies in the process... The young man from Arabissus catches the eye of Tiberius, rises through the Excubitors, and is sent to command the Roman eastern legions in the middle of a major Roman-Persian war with no experience under his belt! And what does the paper pusher do? He wins! And wins again, pushing Roman arms deeper into Persian territory than they have been for many decades. When Emperor Tiberius dies, the rising star Mauricius becomes the new Augustus and gets to work, making radical changes to prepare Rome for a new world, creating the Exarchates, penning the Strategikon, and cutting fat in the legions, while making many, many new enemies in the process...

]]> 2875 no Lost Roman Heroes - Introducing the History of Egypt Podcast (Bonus Episode!) Lost Roman Heroes is proud to share something very special this week from our friends at the History of Egypt Podcast, which uses ancient texts, art, and archaeology to bring the world of the Nile Valley to life. Written by a trained Egyptologist, the show explores 3000+ years of history, going behind the scenes, far deeper than any documentary or book, to bring you tales of the ancient Egyptians in-their-own-words. You’ll meet characters like Narmer the unifier; Imhotep, the wise governor worshipped as a god of medicine; Hatshepsut the bold, who ruled as a female King; Akhenaten the heretic, who upset the established order, overturning centuries of tradition; Ramesses II, ultimate symbol of pharaonic splendor; Alexander the Great, the first Macedonian pharaoh; and Cleopatra VII, the doomed heir to three millennia of power. Whether you’re interested in pharaohs or gods, monuments or home life, or simply want to journey through some of humanity’s oldest tales, the History of Egypt Podcast has a story to share. You can find the show on all podcasting apps, and on YouTube. Sun, 12 Apr 2026 10:35:00 -0000 bonus Matteo & Matthew Storm Lost Roman Heroes is proud to share something very special this week from our friends at the History of Egypt Podcast, which uses ancient texts, art, and archaeology to bring the world of the Nile Valley to life. Written by a trained Egyptologist, the show explores 3000+ years of history, going behind the scenes, far deeper than any documentary or book, to bring you tales of the ancient Egyptians in-their-own-words. You’ll meet characters like Narmer the unifier; Imhotep, the wise governor worshipped as a god of medicine; Hatshepsut the bold, who ruled as a female King; Akhenaten the heretic, who upset the established order, overturning centuries of tradition; Ramesses II, ultimate symbol of pharaonic splendor; Alexander the Great, the first Macedonian pharaoh; and Cleopatra VII, the doomed heir to three millennia of power. Whether you’re interested in pharaohs or gods, monuments or home life, or simply want to journey through some of humanity’s oldest tales, the History of Egypt Podcast has a story to share. You can find the show on all podcasting apps, and on YouTube. Lost Roman Heroes is proud to share something very special this week from our friends at the History of Egypt Podcast, which uses ancient texts, art, and archaeology to bring the world of the Nile Valley to life.

Written by a trained Egyptologist, the show explores 3000+ years of history, going behind the scenes, far deeper than any documentary or book, to bring you tales of the ancient Egyptians in-their-own-words.

You’ll meet characters like Narmer the unifier; Imhotep, the wise governor worshipped as a god of medicine; Hatshepsut the bold, who ruled as a female King; Akhenaten the heretic, who upset the established order, overturning centuries of tradition; Ramesses II, ultimate symbol of pharaonic splendor; Alexander the Great, the first Macedonian pharaoh; and Cleopatra VII, the doomed heir to three millennia of power.

Whether you’re interested in pharaohs or gods, monuments or home life, or simply want to journey through some of humanity’s oldest tales, the History of Egypt Podcast has a story to share. You can find the show on all podcasting apps, and on YouTube.



]]> 2655 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 93: Gregory of Tours Gallo-Roman aristocrat, Bishop and Saint, Gregory kept a small flame alive in what had been Roman Gaul as the darkness fell in the 6th century with the arrival of Clovis and the Merovingian dynasty that would give birth to France. If it were not for Gregory's histories, this period after the Western Empire had collapsed would be lost to time. But Gregory preserves a remarkable age for us, and paints technicolor portraits of a violent age in which threads of Rome can still be discerned in the lengthening shadows. Sun, 29 Mar 2026 10:25:00 -0000 full 3 93 Matteo & Matthew Storm Gallo-Roman aristocrat, Bishop and Saint, Gregory kept a small flame alive in what had been Roman Gaul as the darkness fell in the 6th century with the arrival of Clovis and the Merovingian dynasty that would give birth to France. If it were not for Gregory's histories, this period after the Western Empire had collapsed would be lost to time. But Gregory preserves a remarkable age for us, and paints technicolor portraits of a violent age in which threads of Rome can still be discerned in the lengthening shadows. Gallo-Roman aristocrat, Bishop and Saint, Gregory kept a small flame alive in what had been Roman Gaul as the darkness fell in the 6th century with the arrival of Clovis and the Merovingian dynasty that would give birth to France. If it were not for Gregory's histories, this period after the Western Empire had collapsed would be lost to time. But Gregory preserves a remarkable age for us, and paints technicolor portraits of a violent age in which threads of Rome can still be discerned in the lengthening shadows.

]]> 3614 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 91: Tiberius II Tiberius was a handsome young man, born into a humble Thracian family in post-plague Rome. He enters the civil service as a notarius, and quickly rises to the very top of the Roman world, from Count of the Excubitors, to Magister Militum Praesentalis, to Caesar, and finally to Emperor where he takes over from crazed Justin II. In his reign he reminds Rome that there is hope, distributing imperial largesse, forgiving debts, and struggling to stabilize the impossible frontiers Justinian had created. Just when Rome started to feel like Rome again, he dies young, the victim of poisoning, accidental, or deliberate? With his death, the death of the ancient world feels that much closer... Sun, 15 Mar 2026 10:34:00 -0000 full Matteo & Matthew Storm Tiberius was a handsome young man, born into a humble Thracian family in post-plague Rome. He enters the civil service as a notarius, and quickly rises to the very top of the Roman world, from Count of the Excubitors, to Magister Militum Praesentalis, to Caesar, and finally to Emperor where he takes over from crazed Justin II. In his reign he reminds Rome that there is hope, distributing imperial largesse, forgiving debts, and struggling to stabilize the impossible frontiers Justinian had created. Just when Rome started to feel like Rome again, he dies young, the victim of poisoning, accidental, or deliberate? With his death, the death of the ancient world feels that much closer... Tiberius was a handsome young man, born into a humble Thracian family in post-plague Rome. He enters the civil service as a notarius, and quickly rises to the very top of the Roman world, from Count of the Excubitors, to Magister Militum Praesentalis, to Caesar, and finally to Emperor where he takes over from crazed Justin II. In his reign he reminds Rome that there is hope, distributing imperial largesse, forgiving debts, and struggling to stabilize the impossible frontiers Justinian had created. Just when Rome started to feel like Rome again, he dies young, the victim of poisoning, accidental, or deliberate? With his death, the death of the ancient world feels that much closer...

]]> 4663 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 90: Belisarius, Man Behind the Myth with Dr. David Parnell Belisarius. Who was the man behind the myth? Are we right to feel uncharitably towards Antonina and Narses? Why did Justinian treat his best general and friend so poorly? And why exactly did Procopius place Belisarius on a richly deserved pedestal in the "Wars" and then tear him down in the "Secret History"? Join us with professor and historian Dr. David Parnell, author of "Belisarius and Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian", as we try to answer these vexing questions about the man that did more than any other since Aurelian to restore the Empire to greatness. Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:30:00 -0000 full 3 90 Matteo & Matthew Storm Belisarius. Who was the man behind the myth? Are we right to feel uncharitably towards Antonina and Narses? Why did Justinian treat his best general and friend so poorly? And why exactly did Procopius place Belisarius on a richly deserved pedestal in the "Wars" and then tear him down in the "Secret History"? Join us with professor and historian Dr. David Parnell, author of "Belisarius and Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian", as we try to answer these vexing questions about the man that did more than any other since Aurelian to restore the Empire to greatness. Belisarius. Who was the man behind the myth? Are we right to feel uncharitably towards Antonina and Narses? Why did Justinian treat his best general and friend so poorly? And why exactly did Procopius place Belisarius on a richly deserved pedestal in the "Wars" and then tear him down in the "Secret History"? Join us with professor and historian Dr. David Parnell, author of "Belisarius and Antonina: Love and War in the Age of Justinian", as we try to answer these vexing questions about the man that did more than any other since Aurelian to restore the Empire to greatness.

]]> 3759 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 89: Procopius Procopius was raised in Caesarea, the capital of Rome's Palaestina province, and was likely educated in Gaza and Beirut. A lawyer by training, he was plucked from obscurity by Justinian, and assigned to the staff of the brilliant young general Belisarius. Procopius would accompany Belisarius across land and sea to every major military command that Belisarius would hold, sharing his privations, organizing his correspondence and administration, and recording the history of the Age of Justinian. Without Procopius, we would know little indeed about Justinian and Belisarius' great deeds, but what can we say about the mysterious historian himself? And why would he attack the man that meant everything to him, the embodiment of a Roman hero? Sun, 15 Feb 2026 11:04:00 -0000 full 3 89 Matteo & Matthew Storm Procopius was raised in Caesarea, the capital of Rome's Palaestina province, and was likely educated in Gaza and Beirut. A lawyer by training, he was plucked from obscurity by Justinian, and assigned to the staff of the brilliant young general Belisarius. Procopius would accompany Belisarius across land and sea to every major military command that Belisarius would hold, sharing his privations, organizing his correspondence and administration, and recording the history of the Age of Justinian. Without Procopius, we would know little indeed about Justinian and Belisarius' great deeds, but what can we say about the mysterious historian himself? And why would he attack the man that meant everything to him, the embodiment of a Roman hero? Procopius was raised in Caesarea, the capital of Rome's Palaestina province, and was likely educated in Gaza and Beirut. A lawyer by training, he was plucked from obscurity by Justinian, and assigned to the staff of the brilliant young general Belisarius. Procopius would accompany Belisarius across land and sea to every major military command that Belisarius would hold, sharing his privations, organizing his correspondence and administration, and recording the history of the Age of Justinian. Without Procopius, we would know little indeed about Justinian and Belisarius' great deeds, but what can we say about the mysterious historian himself? And why would he attack the man that meant everything to him, the embodiment of a Roman hero?

]]> 3527 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 88: Justinian (Part 3 - Judgement Day) The year is 542AD and Rome has just gone through its Thanos-moment - one out of every two Romans disappeared over the course of one fateful summer, and Justinian was almost one of them! Having personally survived the plague, he must now chart a course for a Roman empire that has half the soldiers, half the tax payers, half the farmers and fisherman with the same landmass to administer and defend, facing enemies that were unscathed by the two greatest scourged Mother Nature has every thrown at her children: ICE AGE & PLAGUE. Join us for Justinian's grand finale, to see how he picked up the pieces, and how he prepared Rome for the new world that awaited it! Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:52:00 -0000 full 3 88 Matteo & Matthew Storm The year is 542AD and Rome has just gone through its Thanos-moment - one out of every two Romans disappeared over the course of one fateful summer, and Justinian was almost one of them! Having personally survived the plague, he must now chart a course for a Roman empire that has half the soldiers, half the tax payers, half the farmers and fisherman with the same landmass to administer and defend, facing enemies that were unscathed by the two greatest scourged Mother Nature has every thrown at her children: ICE AGE & PLAGUE. Join us for Justinian's grand finale, to see how he picked up the pieces, and how he prepared Rome for the new world that awaited it! The year is 542AD and Rome has just gone through its Thanos-moment - one out of every two Romans disappeared over the course of one fateful summer, and Justinian was almost one of them! Having personally survived the plague, he must now chart a course for a Roman empire that has half the soldiers, half the tax payers, half the farmers and fisherman with the same landmass to administer and defend, facing enemies that were unscathed by the two greatest scourged Mother Nature has every thrown at her children: ICE AGE & PLAGUE. Join us for Justinian's grand finale, to see how he picked up the pieces, and how he prepared Rome for the new world that awaited it!

]]> 3050 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 87: Justinian (Part 2 - the Apogee) We leave behind Belisarius, Justinian's avenging angel, and return to the Emperor's story. The year is 532AD and Constantinople still smolders in the wake of the Nika Riots. Having narrowly survived a coup thanks to Theodora's spine and Belisarius' steel, Justinian sets about remaking the Roman world. No more tentative rule, no more deference to the Senate or ancient mores, he sets about to show the world that Rome was back, just in time to meet the most fearsome enemies the Empire had ever faced: Ice Age and Plague! Sun, 18 Jan 2026 11:00:00 -0000 full 3 87 Matteo & Matthew Storm We leave behind Belisarius, Justinian's avenging angel, and return to the Emperor's story. The year is 532AD and Constantinople still smolders in the wake of the Nika Riots. Having narrowly survived a coup thanks to Theodora's spine and Belisarius' steel, Justinian sets about remaking the Roman world. No more tentative rule, no more deference to the Senate or ancient mores, he sets about to show the world that Rome was back, just in time to meet the most fearsome enemies the Empire had ever faced: Ice Age and Plague! We leave behind Belisarius, Justinian's avenging angel, and return to the Emperor's story. The year is 532AD and Constantinople still smolders in the wake of the Nika Riots. Having narrowly survived a coup thanks to Theodora's spine and Belisarius' steel, Justinian sets about remaking the Roman world. No more tentative rule, no more deference to the Senate or ancient mores, he sets about to show the world that Rome was back, just in time to meet the most fearsome enemies the Empire had ever faced: Ice Age and Plague!

]]> 3050 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 86: Belisarius (Part 5) Recalled to Constantinople to lead Rome's response to Persian aggression, Belisarius arrives just in time for Mother Nature to unleash the most vicious one-two punch in the history of humankind, ICE AGE + PLAGUE! Belisarius can navigate these twin disasters, but alas, the politics would prove to be his undoing. Join the last chapter in Belisarius' life, where we work through our complicated emotions and finale have an opportunity to rank the man who many call, THE LAST ROMAN. Sun, 04 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000 full 3 86 Matteo & Matthew Storm Recalled to Constantinople to lead Rome's response to Persian aggression, Belisarius arrives just in time for Mother Nature to unleash the most vicious one-two punch in the history of humankind, ICE AGE + PLAGUE! Belisarius can navigate these twin disasters, but alas, the politics would prove to be his undoing. Join the last chapter in Belisarius' life, where we work through our complicated emotions and finale have an opportunity to rank the man who many call, THE LAST ROMAN. Recalled to Constantinople to lead Rome's response to Persian aggression, Belisarius arrives just in time for Mother Nature to unleash the most vicious one-two punch in the history of humankind, ICE AGE + PLAGUE! Belisarius can navigate these twin disasters, but alas, the politics would prove to be his undoing. Join the last chapter in Belisarius' life, where we work through our complicated emotions and finale have an opportunity to rank the man who many call, THE LAST ROMAN.

]]> 4049 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 85: Belisarius (Part 4) The day is March 12th of 538AD, and General Belisarius has just accomplished the impossible. Not only did he survive a year long siege behind Rome’s Aurelian Walls, hopelessly outnumbered 20-1 by a Goth horde, but he sent that Goth horde scurrying north, shamed and afraid. Now Belisarius runs the table, sweep north with his small, elite cavalry, reestablishing Roman control of Italy, landing at the gates of Ravenna! This is the stuff that legends are made of, and as pleased as Justinian was, dark rumors swirl in the capital. What is Belisarius’ true intent? Sun, 21 Dec 2025 12:51:00 -0000 full 3 85 Matteo & Matthew Storm The day is March 12th of 538AD, and General Belisarius has just accomplished the impossible. Not only did he survive a year long siege behind Rome’s Aurelian Walls, hopelessly outnumbered 20-1 by a Goth horde, but he sent that Goth horde scurrying north, shamed and afraid. Now Belisarius runs the table, sweep north with his small, elite cavalry, reestablishing Roman control of Italy, landing at the gates of Ravenna! This is the stuff that legends are made of, and as pleased as Justinian was, dark rumors swirl in the capital. What is Belisarius’ true intent? The day is March 12th of 538AD, and General Belisarius has just accomplished the impossible. Not only did he survive a year long siege behind Rome’s Aurelian Walls, hopelessly outnumbered 20-1 by a Goth horde, but he sent that Goth horde scurrying north, shamed and afraid. Now Belisarius runs the table, sweep north with his small, elite cavalry, reestablishing Roman control of Italy, landing at the gates of Ravenna! This is the stuff that legends are made of, and as pleased as Justinian was, dark rumors swirl in the capital. What is Belisarius’ true intent?

]]> 3261 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 84: Belisarius (Part 3) Rome is under siege! With a force of some five thousand Roman soldiers, Belisarius is put under siege by a >100k man Goth force under King Vitiges. But despite overwhelming odds, Belisarius finds opportunities to keep his enemy uncomfortable. And as the winter sets in, with the audacious sallies from the Aurelian Walls that he leads in person, Belisarius begins to turn the tide. Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 3 84 Matteo & Matthew Storm Rome is under siege! With a force of some five thousand Roman soldiers, Belisarius is put under siege by a >100k man Goth force under King Vitiges. But despite overwhelming odds, Belisarius finds opportunities to keep his enemy uncomfortable. And as the winter sets in, with the audacious sallies from the Aurelian Walls that he leads in person, Belisarius begins to turn the tide. Rome is under siege! With a force of some five thousand Roman soldiers, Belisarius is put under siege by a >100k man Goth force under King Vitiges. But despite overwhelming odds, Belisarius finds opportunities to keep his enemy uncomfortable. And as the winter sets in, with the audacious sallies from the Aurelian Walls that he leads in person, Belisarius begins to turn the tide.

]]> 2695 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 83: Belsarius (Part 2) Belisarius has accomplished the heretofore impossible, with a small force of his handpicked and trained elite troops he has defeated the Vandals and returned Africa to the Romans after a hundred years. After receiving the greatest honor in the ancient Roman world, a proper triumph, the first in five hundred years, the Emperor Justinian sends his favorite general back to the West with the most audacious objective of all, bringing Italy itself back into the Empire. But instead of endless legions, Belisarius hits the road with 7,000 troops - what could possibly go wrong? Sun, 23 Nov 2025 11:29:00 -0000 full 3 83 Matteo & Matthew Storm Belisarius has accomplished the heretofore impossible, with a small force of his handpicked and trained elite troops he has defeated the Vandals and returned Africa to the Romans after a hundred years. After receiving the greatest honor in the ancient Roman world, a proper triumph, the first in five hundred years, the Emperor Justinian sends his favorite general back to the West with the most audacious objective of all, bringing Italy itself back into the Empire. But instead of endless legions, Belisarius hits the road with 7,000 troops - what could possibly go wrong? Belisarius has accomplished the heretofore impossible, with a small force of his handpicked and trained elite troops he has defeated the Vandals and returned Africa to the Romans after a hundred years. After receiving the greatest honor in the ancient Roman world, a proper triumph, the first in five hundred years, the Emperor Justinian sends his favorite general back to the West with the most audacious objective of all, bringing Italy itself back into the Empire. But instead of endless legions, Belisarius hits the road with 7,000 troops - what could possibly go wrong?

]]> 3793 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 82: Belisarius (Part 1) Belisarius. Just one name required, in the realm of other one-named immortals, like 'Jordan', 'Ali', 'Caesar', and so on. But this guy is a one-named mystery, worshipped in the ancient world, forgotten today. When we meet him in this episode, he is not let legend, simply a Thracian boy that makes his way to Constantinople, enters Justinian's bodyguard and in a heartbeat is a 28 year old Magister Militum Per Orientem, leading an invasion fleet to Carthage, to punish the Vandals for their mortal insult to Roman honor. Sun, 09 Nov 2025 11:55:00 -0000 full 3 82 Matteo & Matthew Storm Belisarius. Just one name required, in the realm of other one-named immortals, like 'Jordan', 'Ali', 'Caesar', and so on. But this guy is a one-named mystery, worshipped in the ancient world, forgotten today. When we meet him in this episode, he is not let legend, simply a Thracian boy that makes his way to Constantinople, enters Justinian's bodyguard and in a heartbeat is a 28 year old Magister Militum Per Orientem, leading an invasion fleet to Carthage, to punish the Vandals for their mortal insult to Roman honor. Belisarius. Just one name required, in the realm of other one-named immortals, like 'Jordan', 'Ali', 'Caesar', and so on. But this guy is a one-named mystery, worshipped in the ancient world, forgotten today. When we meet him in this episode, he is not let legend, simply a Thracian boy that makes his way to Constantinople, enters Justinian's bodyguard and in a heartbeat is a 28 year old Magister Militum Per Orientem, leading an invasion fleet to Carthage, to punish the Vandals for their mortal insult to Roman honor.

]]> 4129 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 81: The Cabinet The Emperor Justinian had the grandest of grand dreams, but he could not achieve them alone. The resurrection of the Western Empire was such an exceptionally ambitious objective, it would not just take a great emperor, it would take the most extraordinary team that Rome had ever assembled to pull it off. It just so happens that Justinian had built such a team, filled with some of Rome's all time greats, including: John the Cappadocian, Peter the Patrician, Anthemius of Tralles, Procopius of Caesaria, Narses, Theodora the Augusta, and Belisarius! With peace on the Persia front concluded at the end of 531, Justinian called his team of superheroes to the capital to plan the next step of his grand vision, just in time for the horrific Nika Riot that would tear Rome asunder in five ferocious, bloody days... Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 3 81 Matteo & Matthew Storm The Emperor Justinian had the grandest of grand dreams, but he could not achieve them alone. The resurrection of the Western Empire was such an exceptionally ambitious objective, it would not just take a great emperor, it would take the most extraordinary team that Rome had ever assembled to pull it off. It just so happens that Justinian had built such a team, filled with some of Rome's all time greats, including: John the Cappadocian, Peter the Patrician, Anthemius of Tralles, Procopius of Caesaria, Narses, Theodora the Augusta, and Belisarius! With peace on the Persia front concluded at the end of 531, Justinian called his team of superheroes to the capital to plan the next step of his grand vision, just in time for the horrific Nika Riot that would tear Rome asunder in five ferocious, bloody days... The Emperor Justinian had the grandest of grand dreams, but he could not achieve them alone. The resurrection of the Western Empire was such an exceptionally ambitious objective, it would not just take a great emperor, it would take the most extraordinary team that Rome had ever assembled to pull it off. It just so happens that Justinian had built such a team, filled with some of Rome's all time greats, including: John the Cappadocian, Peter the Patrician, Anthemius of Tralles, Procopius of Caesaria, Narses, Theodora the Augusta, and Belisarius! With peace on the Persia front concluded at the end of 531, Justinian called his team of superheroes to the capital to plan the next step of his grand vision, just in time for the horrific Nika Riot that would tear Rome asunder in five ferocious, bloody days...

]]> 3960 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 80: Justinian I (Part 1 - The Rise) A fresh faced boy from war torn Tauresium finds himself in Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire, adopted son of a swineherd, making his way in the world, powered by what might just be the most audacious of all dreams. RESTORATION! Sun, 12 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 3 80 Matteo & Matthew Storm A fresh faced boy from war torn Tauresium finds himself in Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire, adopted son of a swineherd, making his way in the world, powered by what might just be the most audacious of all dreams. RESTORATION! A fresh faced boy from war torn Tauresium finds himself in Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire, adopted son of a swineherd, making his way in the world, powered by what might just be the most audacious of all dreams. RESTORATION!

]]> 4536 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 79: Anicia Juliana How can you begin to describe one of the most remarkable women in history, let alone one of the most remarkable Roman women? Raised by two empresses, mom and grandma, descended from multiple emperors, last in line of one of republican Rome's greatest families, you could take away all of these things and still Juliana would have been a force of nature worthy of remembrance, a woman who stood toe to toe with Popes and Emperors and spoke to them as an equal. Sun, 28 Sep 2025 10:00:00 -0000 full 3 79 Matteo & Matthew Storm How can you begin to describe one of the most remarkable women in history, let alone one of the most remarkable Roman women? Raised by two empresses, mom and grandma, descended from multiple emperors, last in line of one of republican Rome's greatest families, you could take away all of these things and still Juliana would have been a force of nature worthy of remembrance, a woman who stood toe to toe with Popes and Emperors and spoke to them as an equal. How can you begin to describe one of the most remarkable women in history, let alone one of the most remarkable Roman women? Raised by two empresses, mom and grandma, descended from multiple emperors, last in line of one of republican Rome's greatest families, you could take away all of these things and still Juliana would have been a force of nature worthy of remembrance, a woman who stood toe to toe with Popes and Emperors and spoke to them as an equal.

]]> 5343 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 78: Boethius Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a polymath philosopher and scion of one of Rome's most ancient families. Along with his father in law Symmachus, he was one of the Senate's last lions, and one of the last keepers of the flame that was Rome in the West! Seeking higher purpose, he served in Theodoric's court, and would finish his life a prisoner in a lonely tower, in which he wrote a gift to the world, the Consolation of Philosophy. Sun, 14 Sep 2025 09:31:00 -0000 full 3 78 Matteo & Matthew Storm Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a polymath philosopher and scion of one of Rome's most ancient families. Along with his father in law Symmachus, he was one of the Senate's last lions, and one of the last keepers of the flame that was Rome in the West! Seeking higher purpose, he served in Theodoric's court, and would finish his life a prisoner in a lonely tower, in which he wrote a gift to the world, the Consolation of Philosophy. Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a polymath philosopher and scion of one of Rome's most ancient families. Along with his father in law Symmachus, he was one of the Senate's last lions, and one of the last keepers of the flame that was Rome in the West! Seeking higher purpose, he served in Theodoric's court, and would finish his life a prisoner in a lonely tower, in which he wrote a gift to the world, the Consolation of Philosophy.

]]> 3810 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 77: Theodoric the Great A Goth prince raised in the Imperial Palace in Constantinople, Theodoric the Amal consolidated control of the Ostrogoths, and then journeyed west at the behest of the Emperor Zeno to punish Odoacer, and to rule Italy in the Emperor's name. Ruling from the palace in Ravenna, he would rule well, and audaciously, attempting to resurrect the Empire of the West. Sun, 31 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000 full 3 77 Matteo & Matthew Storm A Goth prince raised in the Imperial Palace in Constantinople, Theodoric the Amal consolidated control of the Ostrogoths, and then journeyed west at the behest of the Emperor Zeno to punish Odoacer, and to rule Italy in the Emperor's name. Ruling from the palace in Ravenna, he would rule well, and audaciously, attempting to resurrect the Empire of the West. A Goth prince raised in the Imperial Palace in Constantinople, Theodoric the Amal consolidated control of the Ostrogoths, and then journeyed west at the behest of the Emperor Zeno to punish Odoacer, and to rule Italy in the Emperor's name. Ruling from the palace in Ravenna, he would rule well, and audaciously, attempting to resurrect the Empire of the West.

]]> 5253 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 76: Thessalonica [Lost Roman Cities] A LOST ROMAN CITIES special episode on Roman Thessalonica. Founded by Cassander, named after the younger sister of Alexander the Great, this city would go on to become the second city of the Roman Empire, and just perhaps, after the city of Rome herself, the longest held of Rome's possessions. What we can say for certain, is that without Roman Thessalonica (Greek Thessaloniki), Rome's history would look very different indeed. Sun, 17 Aug 2025 10:30:00 -0000 bonus 3 76 Matteo & Matthew Storm A LOST ROMAN CITIES special episode on Roman Thessalonica. Founded by Cassander, named after the younger sister of Alexander the Great, this city would go on to become the second city of the Roman Empire, and just perhaps, after the city of Rome herself, the longest held of Rome's possessions. What we can say for certain, is that without Roman Thessalonica (Greek Thessaloniki), Rome's history would look very different indeed. A LOST ROMAN CITIES special episode on Roman Thessalonica. Founded by Cassander, named after the younger sister of Alexander the Great, this city would go on to become the second city of the Roman Empire, and just perhaps, after the city of Rome herself, the longest held of Rome's possessions. What we can say for certain, is that without Roman Thessalonica (Greek Thessaloniki), Rome's history would look very different indeed.

]]> 5464 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 75: Anastasius Anastasius Dicorus - a finance dude - saw a wildly complex world very clearly through one blue eye and one black, steering the empire through perilous years after the Fall of the West. When the finance dude died an ancient man he had earned Rome's thanks, leaving behind a stable government and full coffers. Sun, 03 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000 full 3 75 Matteo & Matthew Storm Anastasius Dicorus - a finance dude - saw a wildly complex world very clearly through one blue eye and one black, steering the empire through perilous years after the Fall of the West. When the finance dude died an ancient man he had earned Rome's thanks, leaving behind a stable government and full coffers. Anastasius Dicorus - a finance dude - saw a wildly complex world very clearly through one blue eye and one black, steering the empire through perilous years after the Fall of the West. When the finance dude died an ancient man he had earned Rome's thanks, leaving behind a stable government and full coffers.

]]> 5702 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 74: Zeno Called down from the mountainous badlands of Isauria to Constantinople by the Emperor Leo, Tarasis son of Kodissa, later known as Zeno, would have to preserve the independence of the emperors of the East. Later he would serve as one of those emperors, and as the West fell, he would be challenged to chart a path for the East, so it would not share the same fate. Sun, 20 Jul 2025 11:25:00 -0000 full 3 74 Matteo & Matthew Storm Called down from the mountainous badlands of Isauria to Constantinople by the Emperor Leo, Tarasis son of Kodissa, later known as Zeno, would have to preserve the independence of the emperors of the East. Later he would serve as one of those emperors, and as the West fell, he would be challenged to chart a path for the East, so it would not share the same fate. Called down from the mountainous badlands of Isauria to Constantinople by the Emperor Leo, Tarasis son of Kodissa, later known as Zeno, would have to preserve the independence of the emperors of the East. Later he would serve as one of those emperors, and as the West fell, he would be challenged to chart a path for the East, so it would not share the same fate.

]]> 4397 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 73: Ambrosius Aurelianus Emperor Honorius told Britannia to see to its own defenses and the darkness fell on the island. With the Picts and Saxons overrunning Rome's forgotten province, one man, whose name would become inextricably linked with Arthurian lore, stood against the barbarian tide to protect what was left of Roman Britannia: Ambrosius Aurelianus. Sun, 06 Jul 2025 04:03:00 -0000 full 3 73 Matteo & Matthew Storm Emperor Honorius told Britannia to see to its own defenses and the darkness fell on the island. With the Picts and Saxons overrunning Rome's forgotten province, one man, whose name would become inextricably linked with Arthurian lore, stood against the barbarian tide to protect what was left of Roman Britannia: Ambrosius Aurelianus. Emperor Honorius told Britannia to see to its own defenses and the darkness fell on the island. With the Picts and Saxons overrunning Rome's forgotten province, one man, whose name would become inextricably linked with Arthurian lore, stood against the barbarian tide to protect what was left of Roman Britannia: Ambrosius Aurelianus.

]]> 3755 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 72 : Leo the Butcher Born of humble stock, elevated to the purple to be a puppet of Aspar, the barbarian power behind the Eastern Empire's throne, Leo had other thoughts in mind. He had watched as other barbarian strongmen had brought the Western Empire to the brink of extinction, and he was determined that the East would not suffer the same fate. But how could you counter the men who controlled the army and the purse strings to save the Roman state? Sun, 22 Jun 2025 14:08:00 -0000 full 3 72 Matteo & Matthew Storm Born of humble stock, elevated to the purple to be a puppet of Aspar, the barbarian power behind the Eastern Empire's throne, Leo had other thoughts in mind. He had watched as other barbarian strongmen had brought the Western Empire to the brink of extinction, and he was determined that the East would not suffer the same fate. But how could you counter the men who controlled the army and the purse strings to save the Roman state? Born of humble stock, elevated to the purple to be a puppet of Aspar, the barbarian power behind the Eastern Empire's throne, Leo had other thoughts in mind. He had watched as other barbarian strongmen had brought the Western Empire to the brink of extinction, and he was determined that the East would not suffer the same fate. But how could you counter the men who controlled the army and the purse strings to save the Roman state?

]]> 4391 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 71: Aegidius & Syagrius https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-71-aegidius-syagrius/ Aegidius and Syagrius, father and son warriors, born of an ancient Roman-Gaul senatorial lineage, would keep the dream of Rome alive in Gaul long after the Western Empire fell.  In the baddest of bad neighborhoods, for three decades they reminded the world what Rome stood for, with no help from an emperor in Ravenna or Constantinople.  It wasn't about fame for these two, it was about principle!  Prepare to be blown away.... Sun, 08 Jun 2025 09:37:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 71: Aegidius & Syagrius full 3 71 Matteo & Matthew Storm Aegidius and Syagrius, father and son warriors, born of an ancient Roman-Gaul senatorial lineage, would keep the dream of Rome alive in Gaul long after the Western Empire fell.  In the baddest of bad neighborhoods, for three decades they reminded the world what Rome stood for, with no help from an emperor in Ravenna or Constantinople.  It wasn't about fame for these two, it was about principle!  Prepare to be blown away.... Aegidius and Syagrius, father and son warriors, born of an ancient Roman-Gaul senatorial lineage, would keep the dream of Rome alive in Gaul long after the Western Empire fell.  In the baddest of bad neighborhoods, for three decades they reminded the world what Rome stood for, with no help from an emperor in Ravenna or Constantinople.  It wasn't about fame for these two, it was about principle!  Prepare to be blown away.... Aegidius and Syagrius, father and son warriors, born of an ancient Roman-Gaul senatorial lineage, would keep the dream of Rome alive in Gaul long after the Western Empire fell.  In the baddest of bad neighborhoods, for three decades they reminded the world what Rome stood for, with no help from an emperor in Ravenna or Constantinople.  It wasn't about fame for these two, it was about principle!  Prepare to be blown away....

]]> 6085 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 70: Honorable Mentions (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-70-honorable-mentions-part-2/ Join Lost Roman Heroes for Part 2 of our Honorable Mentions series, and meet some of the most remarkable Romans you never heard of: Pope Leo I (stood up to Attila), Anthemius the Prefect (built the Theodosian Walls), Constantine III (Britannia's last hope), Flavius Constantius (one of the West's last magister militums), and our favorite, Marcellinus (THE LAST JEDI)!   Sun, 25 May 2025 21:37:13 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 70: Honorable Mentions (Part 2) full 2 70 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join Lost Roman Heroes for Part 2 of our Honorable Mentions series, and meet some of the most remarkable Romans you never heard of: Pope Leo I (stood up to Attila), Anthemius the Prefect (built the Theodosian Walls), Constantine III (Britannia's last hope), Flavius Constantius (one of the West's last magister militums), and our favorite, Marcellinus (THE LAST JEDI)!   Join Lost Roman Heroes for Part 2 of our Honorable Mentions series, and meet some of the most remarkable Romans you never heard of: Pope Leo I (stood up to Attila), Anthemius the Prefect (built the Theodosian Walls), Constantine III (Britannia's last hope), Flavius Constantius (one of the West's last magister militums), and our favorite, Marcellinus (THE LAST JEDI)!   Join Lost Roman Heroes for Part 2 of our Honorable Mentions series, and meet some of the most remarkable Romans you never heard of: Pope Leo I (stood up to Attila), Anthemius the Prefect (built the Theodosian Walls), Constantine III (Britannia's last hope), Flavius Constantius (one of the West's last magister militums), and our favorite, Marcellinus (THE LAST JEDI)!  

]]> 4643 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 69: Honorable Mentions (Part I) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-69-honorable-mentions-part-i/ Lost Roman Heroes get their own episode, true, but as Season 2 draws to close we admit that we made some mistakes.  We missed some guys, sad but true, and some genuinely heroic characters had the great misfortune  of not appearing in the historical record.  It's OK, these are our misfits, the extra-lost, Lost Roman Heroes, that we believe deserve an HONORABLE MENTION (PART 1).  Tune in and meet Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (Nero's nemesis), Avidius Cassius (Marcus Aurelius almost-successor), Gratian (Valentinian's super capable son, boy-emperor), Quintus Aurelius Symmachus (the last gentleman-pagan), and Timasius (Timmy-tim-tim, Theodosius' general and friend). Sun, 11 May 2025 09:01:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 69: Honorable Mentions (Part I) full 2 69 Matteo & Matthew Storm Lost Roman Heroes get their own episode, true, but as Season 2 draws to close we admit that we made some mistakes.  We missed some guys, sad but true, and some genuinely heroic characters had the great misfortune  of not appearing in the historical record.  It's OK, these are our misfits, the extra-lost, Lost Roman Heroes, that we believe deserve an HONORABLE MENTION (PART 1).  Tune in and meet Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (Nero's nemesis), Avidius Cassius (Marcus Aurelius almost-successor), Gratian (Valentinian's super capable son, boy-emperor), Quintus Aurelius Symmachus (the last gentleman-pagan), and Timasius (Timmy-tim-tim, Theodosius' general and friend). Lost Roman Heroes get their own episode, true, but as Season 2 draws to close we admit that we made some mistakes.  We missed some guys, sad but true, and some genuinely heroic characters had the great misfortune  of not appearing in the historical record.  It's OK, these are our misfits, the extra-lost, Lost Roman Heroes, that we believe deserve an HONORABLE MENTION (PART 1).  Tune in and meet Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (Nero's nemesis), Avidius Cassius (Marcus Aurelius almost-successor), Gratian (Valentinian's super capable son, boy-emperor), Quintus Aurelius Symmachus (the last gentleman-pagan), and Timasius (Timmy-tim-tim, Theodosius' general and friend). Lost Roman Heroes get their own episode, true, but as Season 2 draws to close we admit that we made some mistakes.  We missed some guys, sad but true, and some genuinely heroic characters had the great misfortune  of not appearing in the historical record.  It's OK, these are our misfits, the extra-lost, Lost Roman Heroes, that we believe deserve an HONORABLE MENTION (PART 1).  Tune in and meet Gnaeus Domitius Corbulo (Nero's nemesis), Avidius Cassius (Marcus Aurelius almost-successor), Gratian (Valentinian's super capable son, boy-emperor), Quintus Aurelius Symmachus (the last gentleman-pagan), and Timasius (Timmy-tim-tim, Theodosius' general and friend).

]]> 4434 no Lost Roman Heroes: Episode 68 - Why The West Fell https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-68-why-the-western-empire-fall/ A special episode in which we @lostromanheroes get to the heart of the question that has vexed proper, professional historians for centuries - 'why exactly did the Empire of the West fall'?  Search no further, here we reveal the truth! Sun, 27 Apr 2025 09:55:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes: Episode 68 - Why The West Fell full 2 68 Matteo & Matthew Storm A special episode in which we @lostromanheroes get to the heart of the question that has vexed proper, professional historians for centuries - 'why exactly did the Empire of the West fall'?  Search no further, here we reveal the truth! A special episode in which we @lostromanheroes get to the heart of the question that has vexed proper, professional historians for centuries - 'why exactly did the Empire of the West fall'?  Search no further, here we reveal the truth! A special episode in which we @lostromanheroes get to the heart of the question that has vexed proper, professional historians for centuries - 'why exactly did the Empire of the West fall'?  Search no further, here we reveal the truth!

]]> 4605 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 67: Majorian (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-67-majorian-part-2/ Having inherited a bankrupt Western Empire, with no treasury, no army, no popular support, and no civitas, Majorian sets about achieving the impossible, knitting the West back together again.  Never before has a Western Emperor started in such dire straits, with such ambitious objectives, and with such exceptional talents.  We cannot help but wish him the very best (as we shed a tear for him, and Rome)... Sun, 13 Apr 2025 09:35:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 67: Majorian (Part 2) full 2 67 Matteo & Matthew Storm Having inherited a bankrupt Western Empire, with no treasury, no army, no popular support, and no civitas, Majorian sets about achieving the impossible, knitting the West back together again.  Never before has a Western Emperor started in such dire straits, with such ambitious objectives, and with such exceptional talents.  We cannot help but wish him the very best (as we shed a tear for him, and Rome)... Having inherited a bankrupt Western Empire, with no treasury, no army, no popular support, and no civitas, Majorian sets about achieving the impossible, knitting the West back together again.  Never before has a Western Emperor started in such dire straits, with such ambitious objectives, and with such exceptional talents.  We cannot help but wish him the very best (as we shed a tear for him, and Rome)... Having inherited a bankrupt Western Empire, with no treasury, no army, no popular support, and no civitas, Majorian sets about achieving the impossible, knitting the West back together again.  Never before has a Western Emperor started in such dire straits, with such ambitious objectives, and with such exceptional talents.  We cannot help but wish him the very best (as we shed a tear for him, and Rome)...

]]> 5272 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 66: Majorian (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-66-majorian-part-1/ Majorian was a young Italian commander who served with distinction under Aetius as the great general tried to piece the West back together again.  When Aetius is assassinated, Majorian survives the bloodbath, and the murder of three emperors in rapid succession, leaving him on the cusp of the worst job in the world. Sun, 30 Mar 2025 09:27:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 66: Majorian (Part 1) full 2 66 Matteo & Matthew Storm Majorian was a young Italian commander who served with distinction under Aetius as the great general tried to piece the West back together again.  When Aetius is assassinated, Majorian survives the bloodbath, and the murder of three emperors in rapid succession, leaving him on the cusp of the worst job in the world. Majorian was a young Italian commander who served with distinction under Aetius as the great general tried to piece the West back together again.  When Aetius is assassinated, Majorian survives the bloodbath, and the murder of three emperors in rapid succession, leaving him on the cusp of the worst job in the world. Majorian was a young Italian commander who served with distinction under Aetius as the great general tried to piece the West back together again.  When Aetius is assassinated, Majorian survives the bloodbath, and the murder of three emperors in rapid succession, leaving him on the cusp of the worst job in the world.

]]> 3469 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 65: Aetius (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-65-aetius-part-2/ Aetius maneuvers himself to the top of the power structure in the West, only to be brought low by Galla Placidia and loyal Bonfatius.  After suffering his first and only real defeat, there is no one left to oppose him, but rather than seeking the throne for himself, he dedicates himself to piecing Rome back together, taking on his greatest nemesis, Attila himself!   Sun, 16 Mar 2025 09:08:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 65: Aetius (Part 2) full 2 65 Matteo & Matthew Storm Aetius maneuvers himself to the top of the power structure in the West, only to be brought low by Galla Placidia and loyal Bonfatius.  After suffering his first and only real defeat, there is no one left to oppose him, but rather than seeking the throne for himself, he dedicates himself to piecing Rome back together, taking on his greatest nemesis, Attila himself!   Aetius maneuvers himself to the top of the power structure in the West, only to be brought low by Galla Placidia and loyal Bonfatius.  After suffering his first and only real defeat, there is no one left to oppose him, but rather than seeking the throne for himself, he dedicates himself to piecing Rome back together, taking on his greatest nemesis, Attila himself!   Aetius maneuvers himself to the top of the power structure in the West, only to be brought low by Galla Placidia and loyal Bonfatius.  After suffering his first and only real defeat, there is no one left to oppose him, but rather than seeking the throne for himself, he dedicates himself to piecing Rome back together, taking on his greatest nemesis, Attila himself!  

]]> 6818 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 64: Aetius (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-64-aetius-part-1/ This is the man that even contemporaries referred to as THE LAST ROMAN.  Only son of General Gaudentius, born in Durostorum, a frontier fortress on the Danube, Aetius, he wound up in the West after his father fought under Emperor Theodosius at the Frigidus.  From there he found himself on a fast track that would send him as a hostage to Alaric and the Goths, and from there to Uldin and the Huns where he would grow up amongst Rome's most fearsome enemies.  When he was released by the Huns in his early 30's and returned to Ravenna, there was no man that had the knowledge of those enemies like Aetius, something that the Empress, Galla Placidia, knew all too well, as did his enemies at court... Sun, 02 Mar 2025 10:44:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 64: Aetius (Part 1) full 2 64 Matteo & Matthew Storm This is the man that even contemporaries referred to as THE LAST ROMAN.  Only son of General Gaudentius, born in Durostorum, a frontier fortress on the Danube, Aetius, he wound up in the West after his father fought under Emperor Theodosius at the Frigidus.  From there he found himself on a fast track that would send him as a hostage to Alaric and the Goths, and from there to Uldin and the Huns where he would grow up amongst Rome's most fearsome enemies.  When he was released by the Huns in his early 30's and returned to Ravenna, there was no man that had the knowledge of those enemies like Aetius, something that the Empress, Galla Placidia, knew all too well, as did his enemies at court... This is the man that even contemporaries referred to as THE LAST ROMAN.  Only son of General Gaudentius, born in Durostorum, a frontier fortress on the Danube, Aetius, he wound up in the West after his father fought under Emperor Theodosius at the Frigidus.  From there he found himself on a fast track that would send him as a hostage to Alaric and the Goths, and from there to Uldin and the Huns where he would grow up amongst Rome's most fearsome enemies.  When he was released by the Huns in his early 30's and returned to Ravenna, there was no man that had the knowledge of those enemies like Aetius, something that the Empress, Galla Placidia, knew all too well, as did his enemies at court... This is the man that even contemporaries referred to as THE LAST ROMAN.  Only son of General Gaudentius, born in Durostorum, a frontier fortress on the Danube, Aetius, he wound up in the West after his father fought under Emperor Theodosius at the Frigidus.  From there he found himself on a fast track that would send him as a hostage to Alaric and the Goths, and from there to Uldin and the Huns where he would grow up amongst Rome's most fearsome enemies.  When he was released by the Huns in his early 30's and returned to Ravenna, there was no man that had the knowledge of those enemies like Aetius, something that the Empress, Galla Placidia, knew all too well, as did his enemies at court...

]]> 4755 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 63: Galla Placidia https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-63-galla-placidia/ Granddaughter of bear-loving Emperor Valentinian I, granddaughter of last-of-the-mohicans Count Theodosius, and daughter of Emperor Theodosius who salvaged the Empire after Adrianople, Galla Placidia had the bluest blue running through her veins.  One might be tempted to think, that after having been born in this most privileged of positions, she had an easy life?  Yet that could not be farther from the truth.  Orphaned at the age of 3, besieged in Rome at 16, and kidnapped by the Goths at 17, life threw every conceivable challenge at Galla Placidia and she survived them all, surfing the tumultuous waves of chaos that buffeted the Western Roman Empire in its final days.  Our first female heroine candidate earned every last little ounce of the legend surrounding her life.   Sun, 16 Feb 2025 11:10:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 63: Galla Placidia full 2 63 Matteo & Matthew Storm Granddaughter of bear-loving Emperor Valentinian I, granddaughter of last-of-the-mohicans Count Theodosius, and daughter of Emperor Theodosius who salvaged the Empire after Adrianople, Galla Placidia had the bluest blue running through her veins.  One might be tempted to think, that after having been born in this most privileged of positions, she had an easy life?  Yet that could not be farther from the truth.  Orphaned at the age of 3, besieged in Rome at 16, and kidnapped by the Goths at 17, life threw every conceivable challenge at Galla Placidia and she survived them all, surfing the tumultuous waves of chaos that buffeted the Western Roman Empire in its final days.  Our first female heroine candidate earned every last little ounce of the legend surrounding her life.   Granddaughter of bear-loving Emperor Valentinian I, granddaughter of last-of-the-mohicans Count Theodosius, and daughter of Emperor Theodosius who salvaged the Empire after Adrianople, Galla Placidia had the bluest blue running through her veins.  One might be tempted to think, that after having been born in this most privileged of positions, she had an easy life?  Yet that could not be farther from the truth.  Orphaned at the age of 3, besieged in Rome at 16, and kidnapped by the Goths at 17, life threw every conceivable challenge at Galla Placidia and she survived them all, surfing the tumultuous waves of chaos that buffeted the Western Roman Empire in its final days.  Our first female heroine candidate earned every last little ounce of the legend surrounding her life.   Granddaughter of bear-loving Emperor Valentinian I, granddaughter of last-of-the-mohicans Count Theodosius, and daughter of Emperor Theodosius who salvaged the Empire after Adrianople, Galla Placidia had the bluest blue running through her veins.  One might be tempted to think, that after having been born in this most privileged of positions, she had an easy life?  Yet that could not be farther from the truth.  Orphaned at the age of 3, besieged in Rome at 16, and kidnapped by the Goths at 17, life threw every conceivable challenge at Galla Placidia and she survived them all, surfing the tumultuous waves of chaos that buffeted the Western Roman Empire in its final days.  Our first female heroine candidate earned every last little ounce of the legend surrounding her life.  

]]> 6234 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 62: Stilicho & Alaric (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-62-stilicho-alaric-part-ii/ Just one year after the Emperor Theodosius died in 395AD, Stilicho, his son in law and the man he trusted to carry the Empire forward, is struggling with an impossible situation.  The frontiers are overrun by an unholy coaltion of barbarian tribes, pushed inexorably towards Rome by the approaching Hun menace.  Meanwhile, Alaric and his Goths, the most powerful military force in the Empire, rampage through the Roman homeland, demanding military honors and a place to settle his people.  Over the course of the next decade, Stilicho would accomplish miracles with paltry resources, protecting Italy, while meeting, and defeating a host of enemies that breached the Roman frontier, but none more fearsome than Alaric, who Stilicho defeated in battle time and again.  Yet after each defeat, Alaric always seemed to slip away, seeding the rumors that would plague Stilicho the rest of his life.  Anti-barbarian sentiment builds.  And though half-Vandal Stilicho was born Roman, and devoted his life to serving and protecting the Empire, a plot is hatched to murder the defender of the Western Empire.  Once Stilicho is eliminated, there is nothing capable of holding Alaric, King of the Goths in check, and no one capable of protecting the City of Rome, birthplace of empire.    Sun, 02 Feb 2025 11:34:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 62: Stilicho & Alaric (Part 2) full 2 62 Matteo & Matthew Storm Just one year after the Emperor Theodosius died in 395AD, Stilicho, his son in law and the man he trusted to carry the Empire forward, is struggling with an impossible situation.  The frontiers are overrun by an unholy coaltion of barbarian tribes, pushed inexorably towards Rome by the approaching Hun menace.  Meanwhile, Alaric and his Goths, the most powerful military force in the Empire, rampage through the Roman homeland, demanding military honors and a place to settle his people.  Over the course of the next decade, Stilicho would accomplish miracles with paltry resources, protecting Italy, while meeting, and defeating a host of enemies that breached the Roman frontier, but none more fearsome than Alaric, who Stilicho defeated in battle time and again.  Yet after each defeat, Alaric always seemed to slip away, seeding the rumors that would plague Stilicho the rest of his life.  Anti-barbarian sentiment builds.  And though half-Vandal Stilicho was born Roman, and devoted his life to serving and protecting the Empire, a plot is hatched to murder the defender of the Western Empire.  Once Stilicho is eliminated, there is nothing capable of holding Alaric, King of the Goths in check, and no one capable of protecting the City of Rome, birthplace of empire.    Just one year after the Emperor Theodosius died in 395AD, Stilicho, his son in law and the man he trusted to carry the Empire forward, is struggling with an impossible situation.  The frontiers are overrun by an unholy coaltion of barbarian tribes, pushed inexorably towards Rome by the approaching Hun menace.  Meanwhile, Alaric and his Goths, the most powerful military force in the Empire, rampage through the Roman homeland, demanding military honors and a place to settle his people.  Over the course of the next decade, Stilicho would accomplish miracles with paltry resources, protecting Italy, while meeting, and defeating a host of enemies that breached the Roman frontier, but none more fearsome than Alaric, who Stilicho defeated in battle time and again.  Yet after each defeat, Alaric always seemed to slip away, seeding the rumors that would plague Stilicho the rest of his life.  Anti-barbarian sentiment builds.  And though half-Vandal Stilicho was born Roman, and devoted his life to serving and protecting the Empire, a plot is hatched to murder the defender of the Western Empire.  Once Stilicho is eliminated, there is nothing capable of holding Alaric, King of the Goths in check, and no one capable of protecting the City of Rome, birthplace of empire.    Just one year after the Emperor Theodosius died in 395AD, Stilicho, his son in law and the man he trusted to carry the Empire forward, is struggling with an impossible situation.  The frontiers are overrun by an unholy coaltion of barbarian tribes, pushed inexorably towards Rome by the approaching Hun menace.  Meanwhile, Alaric and his Goths, the most powerful military force in the Empire, rampage through the Roman homeland, demanding military honors and a place to settle his people.  Over the course of the next decade, Stilicho would accomplish miracles with paltry resources, protecting Italy, while meeting, and defeating a host of enemies that breached the Roman frontier, but none more fearsome than Alaric, who Stilicho defeated in battle time and again.  Yet after each defeat, Alaric always seemed to slip away, seeding the rumors that would plague Stilicho the rest of his life.  Anti-barbarian sentiment builds.  And though half-Vandal Stilicho was born Roman, and devoted his life to serving and protecting the Empire, a plot is hatched to murder the defender of the Western Empire.  Once Stilicho is eliminated, there is nothing capable of holding Alaric, King of the Goths in check, and no one capable of protecting the City of Rome, birthplace of empire.   

]]> 7611 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 61: Stilicho & Alaric (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-61-stilicho-alaric-part-1/ Meet Stilicho, the half Vandal, half Roman soldier who joins Emperor Theodosius' bodyguard in his late teens, catches the eye of the emperor's niece, marries into the imperial family, and rises to the highest military ranks in the Empire!  A devoutly loyal and honest man, Stilicho makes a plethora of enemies along the way, but never loses sight of his loyalties, to Emperor and nation.  Amongst those enemies are Rufinus the Prefect, Eutropius the Eunuch, and a young Goth warlord who would be king someday, Alaric.  This is the origin story of two of the most consequential, and mysterious men in the final chapters of the West. Sun, 19 Jan 2025 11:10:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 61: Stilicho & Alaric (Part 1) full 2 61 Matteo & Matthew Storm Meet Stilicho, the half Vandal, half Roman soldier who joins Emperor Theodosius' bodyguard in his late teens, catches the eye of the emperor's niece, marries into the imperial family, and rises to the highest military ranks in the Empire!  A devoutly loyal and honest man, Stilicho makes a plethora of enemies along the way, but never loses sight of his loyalties, to Emperor and nation.  Amongst those enemies are Rufinus the Prefect, Eutropius the Eunuch, and a young Goth warlord who would be king someday, Alaric.  This is the origin story of two of the most consequential, and mysterious men in the final chapters of the West. Meet Stilicho, the half Vandal, half Roman soldier who joins Emperor Theodosius' bodyguard in his late teens, catches the eye of the emperor's niece, marries into the imperial family, and rises to the highest military ranks in the Empire!  A devoutly loyal and honest man, Stilicho makes a plethora of enemies along the way, but never loses sight of his loyalties, to Emperor and nation.  Amongst those enemies are Rufinus the Prefect, Eutropius the Eunuch, and a young Goth warlord who would be king someday, Alaric.  This is the origin story of two of the most consequential, and mysterious men in the final chapters of the West. Meet Stilicho, the half Vandal, half Roman soldier who joins Emperor Theodosius' bodyguard in his late teens, catches the eye of the emperor's niece, marries into the imperial family, and rises to the highest military ranks in the Empire!  A devoutly loyal and honest man, Stilicho makes a plethora of enemies along the way, but never loses sight of his loyalties, to Emperor and nation.  Amongst those enemies are Rufinus the Prefect, Eutropius the Eunuch, and a young Goth warlord who would be king someday, Alaric.  This is the origin story of two of the most consequential, and mysterious men in the final chapters of the West.

]]> 6522 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 60: Ambrose of Milan https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-60-ambrose-of-milan/ Born in Trier in 339AD, Ambrose was the privileged son of the praetorian prefect of Gaul.  As a young man, he entered the Roman civil service and rose quickly to the role of governor in north Italy during the reign of Emperor Valentinian.  Though he was not a Christian and did not seek the honor, Ambrose was elected Bishop of Mediolanum in 374AD, making him one of the most important leaders of the church at a time that the Christian church was infiltrating every facet of the imperial government.  He would go on to become the friend, and nemesis, of multiple Roman emperors and usurpers, leaving an indelible stamp on the Church and the State.   Sun, 05 Jan 2025 11:30:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 60: Ambrose of Milan full 2 60 Matteo & Matthew Storm Born in Trier in 339AD, Ambrose was the privileged son of the praetorian prefect of Gaul.  As a young man, he entered the Roman civil service and rose quickly to the role of governor in north Italy during the reign of Emperor Valentinian.  Though he was not a Christian and did not seek the honor, Ambrose was elected Bishop of Mediolanum in 374AD, making him one of the most important leaders of the church at a time that the Christian church was infiltrating every facet of the imperial government.  He would go on to become the friend, and nemesis, of multiple Roman emperors and usurpers, leaving an indelible stamp on the Church and the State.   Born in Trier in 339AD, Ambrose was the privileged son of the praetorian prefect of Gaul.  As a young man, he entered the Roman civil service and rose quickly to the role of governor in north Italy during the reign of Emperor Valentinian.  Though he was not a Christian and did not seek the honor, Ambrose was elected Bishop of Mediolanum in 374AD, making him one of the most important leaders of the church at a time that the Christian church was infiltrating every facet of the imperial government.  He would go on to become the friend, and nemesis, of multiple Roman emperors and usurpers, leaving an indelible stamp on the Church and the State.   Born in Trier in 339AD, Ambrose was the privileged son of the praetorian prefect of Gaul.  As a young man, he entered the Roman civil service and rose quickly to the role of governor in north Italy during the reign of Emperor Valentinian.  Though he was not a Christian and did not seek the honor, Ambrose was elected Bishop of Mediolanum in 374AD, making him one of the most important leaders of the church at a time that the Christian church was infiltrating every facet of the imperial government.  He would go on to become the friend, and nemesis, of multiple Roman emperors and usurpers, leaving an indelible stamp on the Church and the State.  

]]> 6089 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 59: Theodosius I https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-59-theodosius-i/ Theodosius, son of the legendary Count Theodosius, was thrust into one of the most desperate situations in Rome's history, in the wake of the utter bloodbath at Adrianople in 378AD.  Inheriting the mantle of the East, with no army to call upon, and with the Goths rampaging in the Roman heartland, for some reason, Theodosius answered the call, in somehow, he would find a way to put the pieces together again. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 11:37:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 59: Theodosius I full 2 59 Matteo & Matthew Storm Theodosius, son of the legendary Count Theodosius, was thrust into one of the most desperate situations in Rome's history, in the wake of the utter bloodbath at Adrianople in 378AD.  Inheriting the mantle of the East, with no army to call upon, and with the Goths rampaging in the Roman heartland, for some reason, Theodosius answered the call, in somehow, he would find a way to put the pieces together again. Theodosius, son of the legendary Count Theodosius, was thrust into one of the most desperate situations in Rome's history, in the wake of the utter bloodbath at Adrianople in 378AD.  Inheriting the mantle of the East, with no army to call upon, and with the Goths rampaging in the Roman heartland, for some reason, Theodosius answered the call, in somehow, he would find a way to put the pieces together again. Theodosius, son of the legendary Count Theodosius, was thrust into one of the most desperate situations in Rome's history, in the wake of the utter bloodbath at Adrianople in 378AD.  Inheriting the mantle of the East, with no army to call upon, and with the Goths rampaging in the Roman heartland, for some reason, Theodosius answered the call, in somehow, he would find a way to put the pieces together again.

]]> 6754 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 58: Count Theodosius https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-58-count-theodosius/ Count Theodosius, born in Hispania to a military family, he rose through the ranks and accomplished remarkable things lost in the mists of time.  When he emerges into the spotlight he is the Emperor Valentinian's fixer, who recovers Britannia, settles the Rhine, and recovers Africa for the Empire without breaking a sweat, with humility and grace.  But no good deed ever goes unpunished, and so it is with Theodosius, but that cannot prevent him from founding one of Rome's great dynasties. Sun, 08 Dec 2024 11:22:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 58: Count Theodosius full 2 58 Matteo & Matthew Storm Count Theodosius, born in Hispania to a military family, he rose through the ranks and accomplished remarkable things lost in the mists of time.  When he emerges into the spotlight he is the Emperor Valentinian's fixer, who recovers Britannia, settles the Rhine, and recovers Africa for the Empire without breaking a sweat, with humility and grace.  But no good deed ever goes unpunished, and so it is with Theodosius, but that cannot prevent him from founding one of Rome's great dynasties. Count Theodosius, born in Hispania to a military family, he rose through the ranks and accomplished remarkable things lost in the mists of time.  When he emerges into the spotlight he is the Emperor Valentinian's fixer, who recovers Britannia, settles the Rhine, and recovers Africa for the Empire without breaking a sweat, with humility and grace.  But no good deed ever goes unpunished, and so it is with Theodosius, but that cannot prevent him from founding one of Rome's great dynasties. Count Theodosius, born in Hispania to a military family, he rose through the ranks and accomplished remarkable things lost in the mists of time.  When he emerges into the spotlight he is the Emperor Valentinian's fixer, who recovers Britannia, settles the Rhine, and recovers Africa for the Empire without breaking a sweat, with humility and grace.  But no good deed ever goes unpunished, and so it is with Theodosius, but that cannot prevent him from founding one of Rome's great dynasties.

]]> 5959 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 57: Valentinian https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-57-valentinian/ Valentinian, son of the Rope Man, emerged from dad's shadow, paid his dues in the army, and was in the right place at the right time when Julian's short-lived successor Jovian died somewhere outside Ancyra.  Rising to the purple with his brother Valens (Adrianople anyone?) by his side, Valentinian would go on to rule from the west, holding the Rhine, recovering Britannia, and quashing rebelling in Africaa.  He would be the last truly dominant Roman Emperor to rule the West, with the help of two savage she-bears, but was he a hero?   Sun, 24 Nov 2024 10:15:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 57: Valentinian full 2 57 Matteo & Matthew Storm Valentinian, son of the Rope Man, emerged from dad's shadow, paid his dues in the army, and was in the right place at the right time when Julian's short-lived successor Jovian died somewhere outside Ancyra.  Rising to the purple with his brother Valens (Adrianople anyone?) by his side, Valentinian would go on to rule from the west, holding the Rhine, recovering Britannia, and quashing rebelling in Africaa.  He would be the last truly dominant Roman Emperor to rule the West, with the help of two savage she-bears, but was he a hero?   Valentinian, son of the Rope Man, emerged from dad's shadow, paid his dues in the army, and was in the right place at the right time when Julian's short-lived successor Jovian died somewhere outside Ancyra.  Rising to the purple with his brother Valens (Adrianople anyone?) by his side, Valentinian would go on to rule from the west, holding the Rhine, recovering Britannia, and quashing rebelling in Africaa.  He would be the last truly dominant Roman Emperor to rule the West, with the help of two savage she-bears, but was he a hero?   Valentinian, son of the Rope Man, emerged from dad's shadow, paid his dues in the army, and was in the right place at the right time when Julian's short-lived successor Jovian died somewhere outside Ancyra.  Rising to the purple with his brother Valens (Adrianople anyone?) by his side, Valentinian would go on to rule from the west, holding the Rhine, recovering Britannia, and quashing rebelling in Africaa.  He would be the last truly dominant Roman Emperor to rule the West, with the help of two savage she-bears, but was he a hero?  

]]> 5937 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 56: Julian https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-56-julian/ Julian, nephew of Constantine the Great, cousin of Constantius the Murderous, aspiring philosopher, Emperor almost against his will, unfortunate soul!  He would be the last pagan emperor of Rome, though the Empire would last for another 1100 years, trying in vain to turn back to the clock to a simpler world that no longer existed. Sun, 10 Nov 2024 11:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 56: Julian full 2 56 Matteo & Matthew Storm Julian, nephew of Constantine the Great, cousin of Constantius the Murderous, aspiring philosopher, Emperor almost against his will, unfortunate soul!  He would be the last pagan emperor of Rome, though the Empire would last for another 1100 years, trying in vain to turn back to the clock to a simpler world that no longer existed. Julian, nephew of Constantine the Great, cousin of Constantius the Murderous, aspiring philosopher, Emperor almost against his will, unfortunate soul!  He would be the last pagan emperor of Rome, though the Empire would last for another 1100 years, trying in vain to turn back to the clock to a simpler world that no longer existed. Julian, nephew of Constantine the Great, cousin of Constantius the Murderous, aspiring philosopher, Emperor almost against his will, unfortunate soul!  He would be the last pagan emperor of Rome, though the Empire would last for another 1100 years, trying in vain to turn back to the clock to a simpler world that no longer existed.

]]> 6821 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 55: Q&A https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-55-qa/ Join us for our long awaited first Q&A episode, where we take on listener questions and do our level best to answer!  From "why did Marc Antony fall in love with Cleopatra" to "did Livia kill Augustus" and "which Roman Emperor would you want to have a beer with"?  This was the most fun we've had on an episode for some time, thanks to all of you!  (We just republished this one with some minor fixes). Sun, 27 Oct 2024 09:56:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 55: Q&A full 2 55 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join us for our long awaited first Q&A episode, where we take on listener questions and do our level best to answer!  From "why did Marc Antony fall in love with Cleopatra" to "did Livia kill Augustus" and "which Roman Emperor would you want to have a beer with"?  This was the most fun we've had on an episode for some time, thanks to all of you!  (We just republished this one with some minor fixes). Join us for our long awaited first Q&A episode, where we take on listener questions and do our level best to answer!  From "why did Marc Antony fall in love with Cleopatra" to "did Livia kill Augustus" and "which Roman Emperor would you want to have a beer with"?  This was the most fun we've had on an episode for some time, thanks to all of you!  (We just republished this one with some minor fixes). Join us for our long awaited first Q&A episode, where we take on listener questions and do our level best to answer!  From "why did Marc Antony fall in love with Cleopatra" to "did Livia kill Augustus" and "which Roman Emperor would you want to have a beer with"?  This was the most fun we've had on an episode for some time, thanks to all of you!  (We just republished this one with some minor fixes).

]]> 5910 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 54: Constantine (Part 4) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-54-constantine-part-4/ Finally in possession of the supreme power, after having eliminated all rivals and fully dismantling Diocletian's Tetrarchy, what will Constantine do?  Will he use his power for good?  What will he do with the Christians now that he has elevated their faith above all others?  And what really happened to Crispus?     Sun, 13 Oct 2024 10:28:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 54: Constantine (Part 4) full 2 54 Matteo & Matthew Storm Finally in possession of the supreme power, after having eliminated all rivals and fully dismantling Diocletian's Tetrarchy, what will Constantine do?  Will he use his power for good?  What will he do with the Christians now that he has elevated their faith above all others?  And what really happened to Crispus?     Finally in possession of the supreme power, after having eliminated all rivals and fully dismantling Diocletian's Tetrarchy, what will Constantine do?  Will he use his power for good?  What will he do with the Christians now that he has elevated their faith above all others?  And what really happened to Crispus?     Finally in possession of the supreme power, after having eliminated all rivals and fully dismantling Diocletian's Tetrarchy, what will Constantine do?  Will he use his power for good?  What will he do with the Christians now that he has elevated their faith above all others?  And what really happened to Crispus?    

]]> 5642 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 53: Constantine (Part 3) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-43-constantine-part-3/ Join Constantine as he crossed the Alps and marches on Rome, to meet his rival Augustus, Maxentius (son of Maximian the Mischievous) at the fabled Milvian Bridge.  Constantine is intent on unwinding Diocletian's project, the Frankenstein-ish Tetrarchy, and consolidating power in his hands.  He will use his considerable wiles, and the surging Christian sect, to accomplish his audacious objectives.   Sun, 29 Sep 2024 10:33:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 53: Constantine (Part 3) full 2 53 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join Constantine as he crossed the Alps and marches on Rome, to meet his rival Augustus, Maxentius (son of Maximian the Mischievous) at the fabled Milvian Bridge.  Constantine is intent on unwinding Diocletian's project, the Frankenstein-ish Tetrarchy, and consolidating power in his hands.  He will use his considerable wiles, and the surging Christian sect, to accomplish his audacious objectives.   Join Constantine as he crossed the Alps and marches on Rome, to meet his rival Augustus, Maxentius (son of Maximian the Mischievous) at the fabled Milvian Bridge.  Constantine is intent on unwinding Diocletian's project, the Frankenstein-ish Tetrarchy, and consolidating power in his hands.  He will use his considerable wiles, and the surging Christian sect, to accomplish his audacious objectives.   Join Constantine as he crossed the Alps and marches on Rome, to meet his rival Augustus, Maxentius (son of Maximian the Mischievous) at the fabled Milvian Bridge.  Constantine is intent on unwinding Diocletian's project, the Frankenstein-ish Tetrarchy, and consolidating power in his hands.  He will use his considerable wiles, and the surging Christian sect, to accomplish his audacious objectives.  

]]> 4676 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 52: Constantine (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-52-constantine-part-2/ Constantine assumes his father's mantle in Eboracum when know one authorized him to do so.  But with the support of the troops and an unyielding sense of destiny and belief in his own abilities, he begins to gather power, and legitimacy in Britannia, Gaul and Hispania as the various rulers of the Italy and the East squabble among themselves.  We said goodbye to the Old Guard, Diocletian, Maximian and Galerius now, as the Roman Empire primes itself for the most explosive Roman Civil War in centuries between Constantine, Maxentius, Licinius and Maximinus.  Who will come out on top? Sun, 15 Sep 2024 10:41:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 52: Constantine (Part 2) full 2 52 Matteo & Matthew Storm Constantine assumes his father's mantle in Eboracum when know one authorized him to do so.  But with the support of the troops and an unyielding sense of destiny and belief in his own abilities, he begins to gather power, and legitimacy in Britannia, Gaul and Hispania as the various rulers of the Italy and the East squabble among themselves.  We said goodbye to the Old Guard, Diocletian, Maximian and Galerius now, as the Roman Empire primes itself for the most explosive Roman Civil War in centuries between Constantine, Maxentius, Licinius and Maximinus.  Who will come out on top? Constantine assumes his father's mantle in Eboracum when know one authorized him to do so.  But with the support of the troops and an unyielding sense of destiny and belief in his own abilities, he begins to gather power, and legitimacy in Britannia, Gaul and Hispania as the various rulers of the Italy and the East squabble among themselves.  We said goodbye to the Old Guard, Diocletian, Maximian and Galerius now, as the Roman Empire primes itself for the most explosive Roman Civil War in centuries between Constantine, Maxentius, Licinius and Maximinus.  Who will come out on top? Constantine assumes his father's mantle in Eboracum when know one authorized him to do so.  But with the support of the troops and an unyielding sense of destiny and belief in his own abilities, he begins to gather power, and legitimacy in Britannia, Gaul and Hispania as the various rulers of the Italy and the East squabble among themselves.  We said goodbye to the Old Guard, Diocletian, Maximian and Galerius now, as the Roman Empire primes itself for the most explosive Roman Civil War in centuries between Constantine, Maxentius, Licinius and Maximinus.  Who will come out on top?

]]> 4470 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 51: Constantine (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-50-constantine-part-1/ YAY - WE ARE BACK FROM OUR SUMMER BREAK, just in time to meet a young boy named Constantine, yet another of Illyrian stock, born to Helena the barmaid and Constantius, member of the Imperial bodyguard, steps into the light.  Dad is making all of the right moves and finds himself rising fast in Diocletian's administration, from Praetorian Prefect, to Caesar, and finally to Augustus. But some people - especially the Emperor Galerius - are threatened by Constantius' success, and worry (rightly) that the son Constantine will follow in dad's footsteps, and upset their well laid plans for domination.  Can Constantine survive the intrigue against him? Sun, 01 Sep 2024 10:07:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 51: Constantine (Part 1) full 2 51 Matteo & Matthew Storm YAY - WE ARE BACK FROM OUR SUMMER BREAK, just in time to meet a young boy named Constantine, yet another of Illyrian stock, born to Helena the barmaid and Constantius, member of the Imperial bodyguard, steps into the light.  Dad is making all of the right moves and finds himself rising fast in Diocletian's administration, from Praetorian Prefect, to Caesar, and finally to Augustus. But some people - especially the Emperor Galerius - are threatened by Constantius' success, and worry (rightly) that the son Constantine will follow in dad's footsteps, and upset their well laid plans for domination.  Can Constantine survive the intrigue against him? YAY - WE ARE BACK FROM OUR SUMMER BREAK, just in time to meet a young boy named Constantine, yet another of Illyrian stock, born to Helena the barmaid and Constantius, member of the Imperial bodyguard, steps into the light.  Dad is making all of the right moves and finds himself rising fast in Diocletian's administration, from Praetorian Prefect, to Caesar, and finally to Augustus. But some people - especially the Emperor Galerius - are threatened by Constantius' success, and worry (rightly) that the son Constantine will follow in dad's footsteps, and upset their well laid plans for domination.  Can Constantine survive the intrigue against him? YAY - WE ARE BACK FROM OUR SUMMER BREAK, just in time to meet a young boy named Constantine, yet another of Illyrian stock, born to Helena the barmaid and Constantius, member of the Imperial bodyguard, steps into the light.  Dad is making all of the right moves and finds himself rising fast in Diocletian's administration, from Praetorian Prefect, to Caesar, and finally to Augustus. But some people - especially the Emperor Galerius - are threatened by Constantius' success, and worry (rightly) that the son Constantine will follow in dad's footsteps, and upset their well laid plans for domination.  Can Constantine survive the intrigue against him?

]]> 3062 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 50: Summer Vacation https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-50-summer-vacation/ To our amazing listeners!  After one full year of research, writing, recording and releasing one episode a week, we are going to take a little vacation for the month of August 2024 (we hope you guys are too!) and we will be back on September 1st, with batteries recharged, ready to dive into Constantine the Great!  Happy summer everyone.... Sun, 21 Jul 2024 12:10:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 50: Summer Vacation full 2 50 Matteo & Matthew Storm To our amazing listeners!  After one full year of research, writing, recording and releasing one episode a week, we are going to take a little vacation for the month of August 2024 (we hope you guys are too!) and we will be back on September 1st, with batteries recharged, ready to dive into Constantine the Great!  Happy summer everyone.... To our amazing listeners!  After one full year of research, writing, recording and releasing one episode a week, we are going to take a little vacation for the month of August 2024 (we hope you guys are too!) and we will be back on September 1st, with batteries recharged, ready to dive into Constantine the Great!  Happy summer everyone.... To our amazing listeners!  After one full year of research, writing, recording and releasing one episode a week, we are going to take a little vacation for the month of August 2024 (we hope you guys are too!) and we will be back on September 1st, with batteries recharged, ready to dive into Constantine the Great!  Happy summer everyone....

]]> 197 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 49: Diocletian (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-49-diocletian-part-2/ Join Diocletian as he ups the ante, and continues his bold experimentation to reform the Imperial system to deal with the new world of threats that have overwhelmed Rome for the last one hundred years.  But will this new system, that we know as the Tetrarchy, survive the biggest threat of all, human ambition? Sun, 14 Jul 2024 10:08:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 49: Diocletian (Part 2) full 2 49 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join Diocletian as he ups the ante, and continues his bold experimentation to reform the Imperial system to deal with the new world of threats that have overwhelmed Rome for the last one hundred years.  But will this new system, that we know as the Tetrarchy, survive the biggest threat of all, human ambition? Join Diocletian as he ups the ante, and continues his bold experimentation to reform the Imperial system to deal with the new world of threats that have overwhelmed Rome for the last one hundred years.  But will this new system, that we know as the Tetrarchy, survive the biggest threat of all, human ambition? Join Diocletian as he ups the ante, and continues his bold experimentation to reform the Imperial system to deal with the new world of threats that have overwhelmed Rome for the last one hundred years.  But will this new system, that we know as the Tetrarchy, survive the biggest threat of all, human ambition?

]]> 5647 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 48 - Diocletian (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-48-diocletian-part-1/ Diocles, son of a slave.  WHAT?? Say that again.  Diocles, who assumed the regnal name of Diocletian, was the first Roman Emperor to be born the son of a former slave.  He would rise from dirt to the pinnacle of Roman power, yet another of the Illyrian cabal, hellbent on restoring Rome to her former glory.  But rather than focusing simply on military brilliance to accomplish that objective, like his immediate (really all) predecessors had, Diocletian decides to experiment with the hallowed structure of the Roman imperial system to see if he can build a better, more sustainable, mousetrap. Sun, 07 Jul 2024 10:31:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 48 - Diocletian (Part 1) full 2 48 Matteo & Matthew Storm Diocles, son of a slave.  WHAT?? Say that again.  Diocles, who assumed the regnal name of Diocletian, was the first Roman Emperor to be born the son of a former slave.  He would rise from dirt to the pinnacle of Roman power, yet another of the Illyrian cabal, hellbent on restoring Rome to her former glory.  But rather than focusing simply on military brilliance to accomplish that objective, like his immediate (really all) predecessors had, Diocletian decides to experiment with the hallowed structure of the Roman imperial system to see if he can build a better, more sustainable, mousetrap. Diocles, son of a slave.  WHAT?? Say that again.  Diocles, who assumed the regnal name of Diocletian, was the first Roman Emperor to be born the son of a former slave.  He would rise from dirt to the pinnacle of Roman power, yet another of the Illyrian cabal, hellbent on restoring Rome to her former glory.  But rather than focusing simply on military brilliance to accomplish that objective, like his immediate (really all) predecessors had, Diocletian decides to experiment with the hallowed structure of the Roman imperial system to see if he can build a better, more sustainable, mousetrap. Diocles, son of a slave.  WHAT?? Say that again.  Diocles, who assumed the regnal name of Diocletian, was the first Roman Emperor to be born the son of a former slave.  He would rise from dirt to the pinnacle of Roman power, yet another of the Illyrian cabal, hellbent on restoring Rome to her former glory.  But rather than focusing simply on military brilliance to accomplish that objective, like his immediate (really all) predecessors had, Diocletian decides to experiment with the hallowed structure of the Roman imperial system to see if he can build a better, more sustainable, mousetrap.

]]> 3352 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 47 - Probus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-47-probus/ Probus, Aurelian's prodigy and friend, rose to the purple shortly after Aurelian's murder just like his mentor had, through sheer grit and merit.  In five short years he pursued Aurelian's policies brilliantly, with a deftness of touch perhaps that Aurelian lacked.  He was everywhere at once, East and West, North and South, campaigning north of the Rhine like Germanicus and Drusus, showing the Persians that Rome was no longer afraid, in short, helping to reinforce Aurelian's miracle.  To friend and foe alike, lest there be any doubt, thanks to Probus all knew - ROME WAS BACK. Sun, 30 Jun 2024 10:33:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 47 - Probus full 2 47 Matteo & Matthew Storm Probus, Aurelian's prodigy and friend, rose to the purple shortly after Aurelian's murder just like his mentor had, through sheer grit and merit.  In five short years he pursued Aurelian's policies brilliantly, with a deftness of touch perhaps that Aurelian lacked.  He was everywhere at once, East and West, North and South, campaigning north of the Rhine like Germanicus and Drusus, showing the Persians that Rome was no longer afraid, in short, helping to reinforce Aurelian's miracle.  To friend and foe alike, lest there be any doubt, thanks to Probus all knew - ROME WAS BACK. Probus, Aurelian's prodigy and friend, rose to the purple shortly after Aurelian's murder just like his mentor had, through sheer grit and merit.  In five short years he pursued Aurelian's policies brilliantly, with a deftness of touch perhaps that Aurelian lacked.  He was everywhere at once, East and West, North and South, campaigning north of the Rhine like Germanicus and Drusus, showing the Persians that Rome was no longer afraid, in short, helping to reinforce Aurelian's miracle.  To friend and foe alike, lest there be any doubt, thanks to Probus all knew - ROME WAS BACK. Probus, Aurelian's prodigy and friend, rose to the purple shortly after Aurelian's murder just like his mentor had, through sheer grit and merit.  In five short years he pursued Aurelian's policies brilliantly, with a deftness of touch perhaps that Aurelian lacked.  He was everywhere at once, East and West, North and South, campaigning north of the Rhine like Germanicus and Drusus, showing the Persians that Rome was no longer afraid, in short, helping to reinforce Aurelian's miracle.  To friend and foe alike, lest there be any doubt, thanks to Probus all knew - ROME WAS BACK.

]]> 5395 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 46: Aurelian (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-46-aurelian-part-2/ Emperor Claudius Gothicus is dead.  Aurelian is dashing around Thrace, chasing a Goth horde, while Claudius' weakling brother Quintillus is elevated to the purple.  Rome is still broken in three, with the Gallic Empire going strong in Gaul, Britannia and Germania.  While the East is increasingly independent, and anti-Roman, under Odaenathus' widow Zenobia.  What Aurelian accomplishes next is difficult to fathom, and will bestow upon him the most extraordinary and well deserved of honorary title: RESTITUTOR ORBIS. Sun, 23 Jun 2024 09:50:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 46: Aurelian (Part 2) full 2 46 Matteo & Matthew Storm Emperor Claudius Gothicus is dead.  Aurelian is dashing around Thrace, chasing a Goth horde, while Claudius' weakling brother Quintillus is elevated to the purple.  Rome is still broken in three, with the Gallic Empire going strong in Gaul, Britannia and Germania.  While the East is increasingly independent, and anti-Roman, under Odaenathus' widow Zenobia.  What Aurelian accomplishes next is difficult to fathom, and will bestow upon him the most extraordinary and well deserved of honorary title: RESTITUTOR ORBIS. Emperor Claudius Gothicus is dead.  Aurelian is dashing around Thrace, chasing a Goth horde, while Claudius' weakling brother Quintillus is elevated to the purple.  Rome is still broken in three, with the Gallic Empire going strong in Gaul, Britannia and Germania.  While the East is increasingly independent, and anti-Roman, under Odaenathus' widow Zenobia.  What Aurelian accomplishes next is difficult to fathom, and will bestow upon him the most extraordinary and well deserved of honorary title: RESTITUTOR ORBIS. Emperor Claudius Gothicus is dead.  Aurelian is dashing around Thrace, chasing a Goth horde, while Claudius' weakling brother Quintillus is elevated to the purple.  Rome is still broken in three, with the Gallic Empire going strong in Gaul, Britannia and Germania.  While the East is increasingly independent, and anti-Roman, under Odaenathus' widow Zenobia.  What Aurelian accomplishes next is difficult to fathom, and will bestow upon him the most extraordinary and well deserved of honorary title: RESTITUTOR ORBIS.

]]> 5956 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 45: Aurelian (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-45-aurelian-part-1/ Aurelian.  Farm boy.  Born in the dirt somewhere near Sirmium, son of a soldier, and a priestess of Sol Invictus.  He entered the army at the very bottom and fought his way to the top of the military hierarchy, the old fashioned way - he earned every bit of it.  By the time Claudius Gothicus died, he was the number two to the emperor, the general in charge of the entire army.  But this was a reduced Empire, split in three, overrun by barbarian enemies on the frontiers, and devastated by the Plague.  What is Rome in 270AD?  And who is Aurelian?  Does any of it matter when the world as we know it no longer exists? Sun, 16 Jun 2024 09:38:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 45: Aurelian (Part 1) full 2 45 Matteo & Matthew Storm Aurelian.  Farm boy.  Born in the dirt somewhere near Sirmium, son of a soldier, and a priestess of Sol Invictus.  He entered the army at the very bottom and fought his way to the top of the military hierarchy, the old fashioned way - he earned every bit of it.  By the time Claudius Gothicus died, he was the number two to the emperor, the general in charge of the entire army.  But this was a reduced Empire, split in three, overrun by barbarian enemies on the frontiers, and devastated by the Plague.  What is Rome in 270AD?  And who is Aurelian?  Does any of it matter when the world as we know it no longer exists? Aurelian.  Farm boy.  Born in the dirt somewhere near Sirmium, son of a soldier, and a priestess of Sol Invictus.  He entered the army at the very bottom and fought his way to the top of the military hierarchy, the old fashioned way - he earned every bit of it.  By the time Claudius Gothicus died, he was the number two to the emperor, the general in charge of the entire army.  But this was a reduced Empire, split in three, overrun by barbarian enemies on the frontiers, and devastated by the Plague.  What is Rome in 270AD?  And who is Aurelian?  Does any of it matter when the world as we know it no longer exists? Aurelian.  Farm boy.  Born in the dirt somewhere near Sirmium, son of a soldier, and a priestess of Sol Invictus.  He entered the army at the very bottom and fought his way to the top of the military hierarchy, the old fashioned way - he earned every bit of it.  By the time Claudius Gothicus died, he was the number two to the emperor, the general in charge of the entire army.  But this was a reduced Empire, split in three, overrun by barbarian enemies on the frontiers, and devastated by the Plague.  What is Rome in 270AD?  And who is Aurelian?  Does any of it matter when the world as we know it no longer exists?

]]> 4175 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 44: Postumus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-44-postumus/ In the heart of darkness that was the Crisis of the Third Century, Postumus was one of those super talented generals cherry picked by the supreme talent scout that was the Emperor Gallienus.  A Roman through and through, as Juthungi and Frank warriors poured across the Rhine, Postumus rode a wave of discontent, was declared emperor of a new world that would be known as the Gallic Empire, killed Gallienus' son, and would build a new regime dedicated to holding the line on the Rhine frontier.  Villain or hero?  Emperor or usurper?  Tune in to Episode 44 to find out.... Sun, 09 Jun 2024 09:46:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 44: Postumus full 2 44 Matteo & Matthew Storm In the heart of darkness that was the Crisis of the Third Century, Postumus was one of those super talented generals cherry picked by the supreme talent scout that was the Emperor Gallienus.  A Roman through and through, as Juthungi and Frank warriors poured across the Rhine, Postumus rode a wave of discontent, was declared emperor of a new world that would be known as the Gallic Empire, killed Gallienus' son, and would build a new regime dedicated to holding the line on the Rhine frontier.  Villain or hero?  Emperor or usurper?  Tune in to Episode 44 to find out.... In the heart of darkness that was the Crisis of the Third Century, Postumus was one of those super talented generals cherry picked by the supreme talent scout that was the Emperor Gallienus.  A Roman through and through, as Juthungi and Frank warriors poured across the Rhine, Postumus rode a wave of discontent, was declared emperor of a new world that would be known as the Gallic Empire, killed Gallienus' son, and would build a new regime dedicated to holding the line on the Rhine frontier.  Villain or hero?  Emperor or usurper?  Tune in to Episode 44 to find out.... In the heart of darkness that was the Crisis of the Third Century, Postumus was one of those super talented generals cherry picked by the supreme talent scout that was the Emperor Gallienus.  A Roman through and through, as Juthungi and Frank warriors poured across the Rhine, Postumus rode a wave of discontent, was declared emperor of a new world that would be known as the Gallic Empire, killed Gallienus' son, and would build a new regime dedicated to holding the line on the Rhine frontier.  Villain or hero?  Emperor or usurper?  Tune in to Episode 44 to find out....

]]> 4223 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 43: Odaenathus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-43-odaenathus/ Who could have possibly imagined, that when Rome's fortunes hit their nadir, when the West had fallen away (to be ruled by the new Gallic Emperor Postumus) and the East crumbled under Shapur's relentless onslaught, it would not be a Roman Emperor, or a Roman General that saved Rome's eastern provinces from annihilation, but it would be a young guy born in the desert oasis town known as Palmyra that would rescue Rome.  Odaenathus rose from obscurity in an obscure place - Palmyra - last stop on the Silk Road, a watering hole in the Syrian desert.  And through sheer force of will and brilliant military and political tactics, he would become Rome's indispensable man in the heart of the storm known as the Crisis of the Third Century. Sun, 02 Jun 2024 10:46:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 43: Odaenathus full 2 43 Matteo & Matthew Storm Who could have possibly imagined, that when Rome's fortunes hit their nadir, when the West had fallen away (to be ruled by the new Gallic Emperor Postumus) and the East crumbled under Shapur's relentless onslaught, it would not be a Roman Emperor, or a Roman General that saved Rome's eastern provinces from annihilation, but it would be a young guy born in the desert oasis town known as Palmyra that would rescue Rome.  Odaenathus rose from obscurity in an obscure place - Palmyra - last stop on the Silk Road, a watering hole in the Syrian desert.  And through sheer force of will and brilliant military and political tactics, he would become Rome's indispensable man in the heart of the storm known as the Crisis of the Third Century. Who could have possibly imagined, that when Rome's fortunes hit their nadir, when the West had fallen away (to be ruled by the new Gallic Emperor Postumus) and the East crumbled under Shapur's relentless onslaught, it would not be a Roman Emperor, or a Roman General that saved Rome's eastern provinces from annihilation, but it would be a young guy born in the desert oasis town known as Palmyra that would rescue Rome.  Odaenathus rose from obscurity in an obscure place - Palmyra - last stop on the Silk Road, a watering hole in the Syrian desert.  And through sheer force of will and brilliant military and political tactics, he would become Rome's indispensable man in the heart of the storm known as the Crisis of the Third Century. Who could have possibly imagined, that when Rome's fortunes hit their nadir, when the West had fallen away (to be ruled by the new Gallic Emperor Postumus) and the East crumbled under Shapur's relentless onslaught, it would not be a Roman Emperor, or a Roman General that saved Rome's eastern provinces from annihilation, but it would be a young guy born in the desert oasis town known as Palmyra that would rescue Rome.  Odaenathus rose from obscurity in an obscure place - Palmyra - last stop on the Silk Road, a watering hole in the Syrian desert.  And through sheer force of will and brilliant military and political tactics, he would become Rome's indispensable man in the heart of the storm known as the Crisis of the Third Century.

]]> 4479 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 42: Gallienus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-42-gallienus/ Poor Gallienus, son of poor Emperor Valerian, if you had existed in an earlier era, who knows what might have come of you?  As it was, you had the bad luck of being born in the heart of the disastrous 3rd century, when the machine that was Rome careened down the tracks, no one at the helm, brakes shot, with the wheels coming off.  With the Rhine and Danube frontiers overwhelmed by a relentless barbarian tide, the new Sassanid Empire in the East under vigorous Shapur I clawing back ancient Persian lands, and an endless line of internal usurpers aiming for the throne, one can't help but feel sympathy for Gallienus - but does he belong in the hall of heroes if the world nearly ended on his watch?   Sun, 26 May 2024 10:25:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 42: Gallienus full 2 42 Matteo & Matthew Storm Poor Gallienus, son of poor Emperor Valerian, if you had existed in an earlier era, who knows what might have come of you?  As it was, you had the bad luck of being born in the heart of the disastrous 3rd century, when the machine that was Rome careened down the tracks, no one at the helm, brakes shot, with the wheels coming off.  With the Rhine and Danube frontiers overwhelmed by a relentless barbarian tide, the new Sassanid Empire in the East under vigorous Shapur I clawing back ancient Persian lands, and an endless line of internal usurpers aiming for the throne, one can't help but feel sympathy for Gallienus - but does he belong in the hall of heroes if the world nearly ended on his watch?   Poor Gallienus, son of poor Emperor Valerian, if you had existed in an earlier era, who knows what might have come of you?  As it was, you had the bad luck of being born in the heart of the disastrous 3rd century, when the machine that was Rome careened down the tracks, no one at the helm, brakes shot, with the wheels coming off.  With the Rhine and Danube frontiers overwhelmed by a relentless barbarian tide, the new Sassanid Empire in the East under vigorous Shapur I clawing back ancient Persian lands, and an endless line of internal usurpers aiming for the throne, one can't help but feel sympathy for Gallienus - but does he belong in the hall of heroes if the world nearly ended on his watch?   Poor Gallienus, son of poor Emperor Valerian, if you had existed in an earlier era, who knows what might have come of you?  As it was, you had the bad luck of being born in the heart of the disastrous 3rd century, when the machine that was Rome careened down the tracks, no one at the helm, brakes shot, with the wheels coming off.  With the Rhine and Danube frontiers overwhelmed by a relentless barbarian tide, the new Sassanid Empire in the East under vigorous Shapur I clawing back ancient Persian lands, and an endless line of internal usurpers aiming for the throne, one can't help but feel sympathy for Gallienus - but does he belong in the hall of heroes if the world nearly ended on his watch?  

]]> 4987 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 41: Septimius Severus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-41-septimius-severus/ Septimius Severus, Rome's first African emperor.  Born in Leptis Magna, he ended the civil war that erupted following Commodus' death during the Year of the Five Emperors, restoring order to the Empire, cowing the Senate, strengthening the borders, and ushering in a new era of warrior-emperors just in time for the Crisis of the Third Century that would shortly bring Rome to her knees.  Rome wouldn't look this good again for A LONG TIME.  Pretty impressive resume, except for the whole dying-and-leaving-the-Empire-to-Caracalla bit. Sun, 19 May 2024 10:23:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 41: Septimius Severus full 2 41 Matteo & Matthew Storm Septimius Severus, Rome's first African emperor.  Born in Leptis Magna, he ended the civil war that erupted following Commodus' death during the Year of the Five Emperors, restoring order to the Empire, cowing the Senate, strengthening the borders, and ushering in a new era of warrior-emperors just in time for the Crisis of the Third Century that would shortly bring Rome to her knees.  Rome wouldn't look this good again for A LONG TIME.  Pretty impressive resume, except for the whole dying-and-leaving-the-Empire-to-Caracalla bit. Septimius Severus, Rome's first African emperor.  Born in Leptis Magna, he ended the civil war that erupted following Commodus' death during the Year of the Five Emperors, restoring order to the Empire, cowing the Senate, strengthening the borders, and ushering in a new era of warrior-emperors just in time for the Crisis of the Third Century that would shortly bring Rome to her knees.  Rome wouldn't look this good again for A LONG TIME.  Pretty impressive resume, except for the whole dying-and-leaving-the-Empire-to-Caracalla bit. Septimius Severus, Rome's first African emperor.  Born in Leptis Magna, he ended the civil war that erupted following Commodus' death during the Year of the Five Emperors, restoring order to the Empire, cowing the Senate, strengthening the borders, and ushering in a new era of warrior-emperors just in time for the Crisis of the Third Century that would shortly bring Rome to her knees.  Rome wouldn't look this good again for A LONG TIME.  Pretty impressive resume, except for the whole dying-and-leaving-the-Empire-to-Caracalla bit.

]]> 5651 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 40: Lucius Artorius Castus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-40-lucius-artorius-castus/ Lucius Artorius Castus, centurion of the Roman legions, Primus Pilus under Rome's Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself in the Legio V Macedonica.  This man went wherever the Empire needed him - from the scorching deserts of Syria to the frigid Danube at Belgrade and Carnuntum he served with distinction.  But his true star turn came when he was sent with the Sarmatian knights to serve on the Wall in Britannia, where his valor, bravery and remarkable deeds planted the seeds (we believe) of the legend that we know as KING ARTHUR! Sun, 12 May 2024 10:07:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 40: Lucius Artorius Castus full 2 40 Matteo & Matthew Storm Lucius Artorius Castus, centurion of the Roman legions, Primus Pilus under Rome's Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself in the Legio V Macedonica.  This man went wherever the Empire needed him - from the scorching deserts of Syria to the frigid Danube at Belgrade and Carnuntum he served with distinction.  But his true star turn came when he was sent with the Sarmatian knights to serve on the Wall in Britannia, where his valor, bravery and remarkable deeds planted the seeds (we believe) of the legend that we know as KING ARTHUR! Lucius Artorius Castus, centurion of the Roman legions, Primus Pilus under Rome's Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself in the Legio V Macedonica.  This man went wherever the Empire needed him - from the scorching deserts of Syria to the frigid Danube at Belgrade and Carnuntum he served with distinction.  But his true star turn came when he was sent with the Sarmatian knights to serve on the Wall in Britannia, where his valor, bravery and remarkable deeds planted the seeds (we believe) of the legend that we know as KING ARTHUR! Lucius Artorius Castus, centurion of the Roman legions, Primus Pilus under Rome's Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius himself in the Legio V Macedonica.  This man went wherever the Empire needed him - from the scorching deserts of Syria to the frigid Danube at Belgrade and Carnuntum he served with distinction.  But his true star turn came when he was sent with the Sarmatian knights to serve on the Wall in Britannia, where his valor, bravery and remarkable deeds planted the seeds (we believe) of the legend that we know as KING ARTHUR!

]]> 5155 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 39: Marcus Aurelius https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-39-marcus-aurelius/ Marcus Aurelius, the gentle philosopher who lived through the inconceivable, heart-wrenching loss of ten children.  Heir to Antoninus Pius against his will, he became emperor of 1/3 of the known world just as the Pax Romana began to fracture.  True to his stoic core, Marcus set aside personal wants and rose to the occasion, transforming himself from the first philosopher-emperor into the first warrior-emperor who spend his final 10 years camped on the Danube, fighting the barbarian wave that would eventually overwhelm the West. Sun, 05 May 2024 10:02:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 39: Marcus Aurelius full 2 39 Matteo & Matthew Storm Marcus Aurelius, the gentle philosopher who lived through the inconceivable, heart-wrenching loss of ten children.  Heir to Antoninus Pius against his will, he became emperor of 1/3 of the known world just as the Pax Romana began to fracture.  True to his stoic core, Marcus set aside personal wants and rose to the occasion, transforming himself from the first philosopher-emperor into the first warrior-emperor who spend his final 10 years camped on the Danube, fighting the barbarian wave that would eventually overwhelm the West. Marcus Aurelius, the gentle philosopher who lived through the inconceivable, heart-wrenching loss of ten children.  Heir to Antoninus Pius against his will, he became emperor of 1/3 of the known world just as the Pax Romana began to fracture.  True to his stoic core, Marcus set aside personal wants and rose to the occasion, transforming himself from the first philosopher-emperor into the first warrior-emperor who spend his final 10 years camped on the Danube, fighting the barbarian wave that would eventually overwhelm the West. Marcus Aurelius, the gentle philosopher who lived through the inconceivable, heart-wrenching loss of ten children.  Heir to Antoninus Pius against his will, he became emperor of 1/3 of the known world just as the Pax Romana began to fracture.  True to his stoic core, Marcus set aside personal wants and rose to the occasion, transforming himself from the first philosopher-emperor into the first warrior-emperor who spend his final 10 years camped on the Danube, fighting the barbarian wave that would eventually overwhelm the West.

]]> 4192 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 38: Hadrian https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-38-hadrian/ Hadrian the Builder!  Third of the Five Good Emperors, and as unknowable as the sphinx.  He took over control of the Roman Empire from Trajan at its greatest territorial extent, inheriting a crazy Frankenstein of a territory that no one since Augustus had really focused on managing well, his predecessors had wanted to milk it or expand it, but Hadrian wanted to optimize it.  A remarkable ambition, a mysterious man, and a legacy worthy of remembrance, and debate.  But does he qualify as a Roman hero?   Sun, 28 Apr 2024 10:52:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 38: Hadrian full 2 38 Matteo & Matthew Storm Hadrian the Builder!  Third of the Five Good Emperors, and as unknowable as the sphinx.  He took over control of the Roman Empire from Trajan at its greatest territorial extent, inheriting a crazy Frankenstein of a territory that no one since Augustus had really focused on managing well, his predecessors had wanted to milk it or expand it, but Hadrian wanted to optimize it.  A remarkable ambition, a mysterious man, and a legacy worthy of remembrance, and debate.  But does he qualify as a Roman hero?   Hadrian the Builder!  Third of the Five Good Emperors, and as unknowable as the sphinx.  He took over control of the Roman Empire from Trajan at its greatest territorial extent, inheriting a crazy Frankenstein of a territory that no one since Augustus had really focused on managing well, his predecessors had wanted to milk it or expand it, but Hadrian wanted to optimize it.  A remarkable ambition, a mysterious man, and a legacy worthy of remembrance, and debate.  But does he qualify as a Roman hero?   Hadrian the Builder!  Third of the Five Good Emperors, and as unknowable as the sphinx.  He took over control of the Roman Empire from Trajan at its greatest territorial extent, inheriting a crazy Frankenstein of a territory that no one since Augustus had really focused on managing well, his predecessors had wanted to milk it or expand it, but Hadrian wanted to optimize it.  A remarkable ambition, a mysterious man, and a legacy worthy of remembrance, and debate.  But does he qualify as a Roman hero?  

]]> 5184 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 37: Trajan https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-37-trajan/ Trajan.  Why do we feel so conflicted when we think about you?  Well, Trajan was one of the Five Good Emperors, rising to power at a moment when Rome was the bully in the schoolyard and he knew how to wield that power brilliantly, Octavian-like, in a manner that did not threaten the Senate.  Golden boy, Pompey-ish.  Forever more, new emperors would be blessed in his name upon their ascension.  The Roman Empire would reach its greatest territorial extent thanks to his efforts.  But is he a hero???  Can we say no??? Sun, 21 Apr 2024 09:49:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 37: Trajan full 2 37 Matteo & Matthew Storm Trajan.  Why do we feel so conflicted when we think about you?  Well, Trajan was one of the Five Good Emperors, rising to power at a moment when Rome was the bully in the schoolyard and he knew how to wield that power brilliantly, Octavian-like, in a manner that did not threaten the Senate.  Golden boy, Pompey-ish.  Forever more, new emperors would be blessed in his name upon their ascension.  The Roman Empire would reach its greatest territorial extent thanks to his efforts.  But is he a hero???  Can we say no??? Trajan.  Why do we feel so conflicted when we think about you?  Well, Trajan was one of the Five Good Emperors, rising to power at a moment when Rome was the bully in the schoolyard and he knew how to wield that power brilliantly, Octavian-like, in a manner that did not threaten the Senate.  Golden boy, Pompey-ish.  Forever more, new emperors would be blessed in his name upon their ascension.  The Roman Empire would reach its greatest territorial extent thanks to his efforts.  But is he a hero???  Can we say no??? Trajan.  Why do we feel so conflicted when we think about you?  Well, Trajan was one of the Five Good Emperors, rising to power at a moment when Rome was the bully in the schoolyard and he knew how to wield that power brilliantly, Octavian-like, in a manner that did not threaten the Senate.  Golden boy, Pompey-ish.  Forever more, new emperors would be blessed in his name upon their ascension.  The Roman Empire would reach its greatest territorial extent thanks to his efforts.  But is he a hero???  Can we say no???

]]> 4997 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 36: Agricola https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-36-agricola/ Agricola was a child of Rome's provinces whose father was murdered by Caligula shortly after his birth.  Raised by a remarkable mom, he entered the Roman army and distinguished himself in every way possible, eventually winning the confidence of the Emperor Vespasian who sent him to Britannia to accomplish the impossible - subdue the island.  Agricola reminded us of Agrippa in so many ways, and we had the benefit of hearing about his exploits from his son in law, the famous Roman historian, Tacitus.  This is a story that you cannot miss! Sun, 14 Apr 2024 11:14:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 36: Agricola full 2 36 Matteo & Matthew Storm Agricola was a child of Rome's provinces whose father was murdered by Caligula shortly after his birth.  Raised by a remarkable mom, he entered the Roman army and distinguished himself in every way possible, eventually winning the confidence of the Emperor Vespasian who sent him to Britannia to accomplish the impossible - subdue the island.  Agricola reminded us of Agrippa in so many ways, and we had the benefit of hearing about his exploits from his son in law, the famous Roman historian, Tacitus.  This is a story that you cannot miss! Agricola was a child of Rome's provinces whose father was murdered by Caligula shortly after his birth.  Raised by a remarkable mom, he entered the Roman army and distinguished himself in every way possible, eventually winning the confidence of the Emperor Vespasian who sent him to Britannia to accomplish the impossible - subdue the island.  Agricola reminded us of Agrippa in so many ways, and we had the benefit of hearing about his exploits from his son in law, the famous Roman historian, Tacitus.  This is a story that you cannot miss! Agricola was a child of Rome's provinces whose father was murdered by Caligula shortly after his birth.  Raised by a remarkable mom, he entered the Roman army and distinguished himself in every way possible, eventually winning the confidence of the Emperor Vespasian who sent him to Britannia to accomplish the impossible - subdue the island.  Agricola reminded us of Agrippa in so many ways, and we had the benefit of hearing about his exploits from his son in law, the famous Roman historian, Tacitus.  This is a story that you cannot miss!

]]> 3799 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 35: Pliny the Elder https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-35-pliny-the-elder/ Equal parts cerebral and brawny, here comes Pliny, the original disaster flick action hero!  Join one of the most fascinating guys you've never heard of outside dusty academic circles. Pliny did it all, fought in Germania, was best buds with multiple emperors, and rode directly into the heart of darkness on August 24th of 29CE to save innocent lives as Vesuvius erupted, killing all in its wake. Sun, 07 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 35: Pliny the Elder full 2 35 Matteo & Matthew Storm Equal parts cerebral and brawny, here comes Pliny, the original disaster flick action hero!  Join one of the most fascinating guys you've never heard of outside dusty academic circles. Pliny did it all, fought in Germania, was best buds with multiple emperors, and rode directly into the heart of darkness on August 24th of 29CE to save innocent lives as Vesuvius erupted, killing all in its wake. Equal parts cerebral and brawny, here comes Pliny, the original disaster flick action hero!  Join one of the most fascinating guys you've never heard of outside dusty academic circles. Pliny did it all, fought in Germania, was best buds with multiple emperors, and rode directly into the heart of darkness on August 24th of 29CE to save innocent lives as Vesuvius erupted, killing all in its wake. Equal parts cerebral and brawny, here comes Pliny, the original disaster flick action hero!  Join one of the most fascinating guys you've never heard of outside dusty academic circles. Pliny did it all, fought in Germania, was best buds with multiple emperors, and rode directly into the heart of darkness on August 24th of 29CE to save innocent lives as Vesuvius erupted, killing all in its wake.

]]> 3759 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 34: Germanicus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-34-germanicus/ Germanicus, son of Drusus, the golden boy!  As remarkable as his father in so many ways, he made his name campaigning across the Rhine just like dad, and managed to recover lost Eagles, to give a proper burial to the Roman dead at Teutoburg, and to teach Arminimus a lesson.  Perhaps he did too much in fact, inspiring jealousy in his adopted father, the Emperor Tiberius, and a suspicion that would bring about his early, tragic demise.  Sun, 31 Mar 2024 11:04:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 34: Germanicus full 2 34 Matteo & Matthew Storm Germanicus, son of Drusus, the golden boy!  As remarkable as his father in so many ways, he made his name campaigning across the Rhine just like dad, and managed to recover lost Eagles, to give a proper burial to the Roman dead at Teutoburg, and to teach Arminimus a lesson.  Perhaps he did too much in fact, inspiring jealousy in his adopted father, the Emperor Tiberius, and a suspicion that would bring about his early, tragic demise.  Germanicus, son of Drusus, the golden boy!  As remarkable as his father in so many ways, he made his name campaigning across the Rhine just like dad, and managed to recover lost Eagles, to give a proper burial to the Roman dead at Teutoburg, and to teach Arminimus a lesson.  Perhaps he did too much in fact, inspiring jealousy in his adopted father, the Emperor Tiberius, and a suspicion that would bring about his early, tragic demise.  Germanicus, son of Drusus, the golden boy!  As remarkable as his father in so many ways, he made his name campaigning across the Rhine just like dad, and managed to recover lost Eagles, to give a proper burial to the Roman dead at Teutoburg, and to teach Arminimus a lesson.  Perhaps he did too much in fact, inspiring jealousy in his adopted father, the Emperor Tiberius, and a suspicion that would bring about his early, tragic demise. 

]]> 3863 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 33: Drusus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-33-drusus/ We enter the world beyond the Republic with the first Roman to have earned the cognomen "Germanicus", through blood sweat and tears.  Grandson of Marc Antony, son of Livia, step-son to Octavian, you might think that he was tempted to live in the lap of luxury but instead, Drusus was cut from an older cloth.  Determined to win military glory, and to live an exemplary life, he did so in spades before that life was cut short, but not before he planted some extraordinary seeds.   Sun, 24 Mar 2024 11:58:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 33: Drusus full 2 33 Matteo & Matthew Storm We enter the world beyond the Republic with the first Roman to have earned the cognomen "Germanicus", through blood sweat and tears.  Grandson of Marc Antony, son of Livia, step-son to Octavian, you might think that he was tempted to live in the lap of luxury but instead, Drusus was cut from an older cloth.  Determined to win military glory, and to live an exemplary life, he did so in spades before that life was cut short, but not before he planted some extraordinary seeds.   We enter the world beyond the Republic with the first Roman to have earned the cognomen "Germanicus", through blood sweat and tears.  Grandson of Marc Antony, son of Livia, step-son to Octavian, you might think that he was tempted to live in the lap of luxury but instead, Drusus was cut from an older cloth.  Determined to win military glory, and to live an exemplary life, he did so in spades before that life was cut short, but not before he planted some extraordinary seeds.   We enter the world beyond the Republic with the first Roman to have earned the cognomen "Germanicus", through blood sweat and tears.  Grandson of Marc Antony, son of Livia, step-son to Octavian, you might think that he was tempted to live in the lap of luxury but instead, Drusus was cut from an older cloth.  Determined to win military glory, and to live an exemplary life, he did so in spades before that life was cut short, but not before he planted some extraordinary seeds.  

]]> 4146 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 32: Heroes of the Republic (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-32-heroes-of-the-republic-part-2/ Join us for the last of two special episodes recapping the Heroes of the Republic, from Scipio Amelianus, the killer of Carthage, to Octavian, the midwife to Empire.  We give a little summary of each, revisit their scoring, bring a little fun, and then we will officially say goodbye to the Roman Republic, what a journey!  Next stop, the Principate!!   Sun, 17 Mar 2024 10:12:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 32: Heroes of the Republic (Part 2) full 1 32 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join us for the last of two special episodes recapping the Heroes of the Republic, from Scipio Amelianus, the killer of Carthage, to Octavian, the midwife to Empire.  We give a little summary of each, revisit their scoring, bring a little fun, and then we will officially say goodbye to the Roman Republic, what a journey!  Next stop, the Principate!!   Join us for the last of two special episodes recapping the Heroes of the Republic, from Scipio Amelianus, the killer of Carthage, to Octavian, the midwife to Empire.  We give a little summary of each, revisit their scoring, bring a little fun, and then we will officially say goodbye to the Roman Republic, what a journey!  Next stop, the Principate!!   Join us for the last of two special episodes recapping the Heroes of the Republic, from Scipio Amelianus, the killer of Carthage, to Octavian, the midwife to Empire.  We give a little summary of each, revisit their scoring, bring a little fun, and then we will officially say goodbye to the Roman Republic, what a journey!  Next stop, the Principate!!  

]]> 5513 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 31: Heroes of the Republic (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-31-heroes-of-the-republic-part-1/ Join us for the first of two special episodes recapping the Lost Roman Heroes of the Republic, a great way for new listeners to receive an introduction to the podcast, and for longtime listeners to have one last look at Rome's republican glory days before we jump into the Age of Emperors.  In this first special episode, catch up with every Lost Roman Hero between Aeneas and Scipio Africanus. Sun, 10 Mar 2024 12:37:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 31: Heroes of the Republic (Part 1) full 1 31 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join us for the first of two special episodes recapping the Lost Roman Heroes of the Republic, a great way for new listeners to receive an introduction to the podcast, and for longtime listeners to have one last look at Rome's republican glory days before we jump into the Age of Emperors.  In this first special episode, catch up with every Lost Roman Hero between Aeneas and Scipio Africanus. Join us for the first of two special episodes recapping the Lost Roman Heroes of the Republic, a great way for new listeners to receive an introduction to the podcast, and for longtime listeners to have one last look at Rome's republican glory days before we jump into the Age of Emperors.  In this first special episode, catch up with every Lost Roman Hero between Aeneas and Scipio Africanus. Join us for the first of two special episodes recapping the Lost Roman Heroes of the Republic, a great way for new listeners to receive an introduction to the podcast, and for longtime listeners to have one last look at Rome's republican glory days before we jump into the Age of Emperors.  In this first special episode, catch up with every Lost Roman Hero between Aeneas and Scipio Africanus.

]]> 5828 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 30: Octavian (Part 4) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-30-octavian-part-4/ Octavian transforms himself into Augustus, and transforms the broken hulk of the Republic that was, into the Principate that would preserve Rome for fifteen centuries, and lays the framework for the world that we live in today.  Need we say more? Sun, 03 Mar 2024 14:08:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 30: Octavian (Part 4) full 1 30 Matteo & Matthew Storm Octavian transforms himself into Augustus, and transforms the broken hulk of the Republic that was, into the Principate that would preserve Rome for fifteen centuries, and lays the framework for the world that we live in today.  Need we say more? Octavian transforms himself into Augustus, and transforms the broken hulk of the Republic that was, into the Principate that would preserve Rome for fifteen centuries, and lays the framework for the world that we live in today.  Need we say more? Octavian transforms himself into Augustus, and transforms the broken hulk of the Republic that was, into the Principate that would preserve Rome for fifteen centuries, and lays the framework for the world that we live in today.  Need we say more?

]]> 4290 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 29: Octavian (Part 3) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-29-octavian-part-3/ Tis the season of warlords - there is no Republic anymore, nor is there Empire, there is only a land of warlords, picking over the carcass of what the great had once created.  This is it, this is where the fate of Rome is decided, does it fragment forever into the grubby hands of Antony, Sextus, Brutus and Cassius, or can the two twenty-somethings, Octavian and Agrippa, somehow find a way to thread the needle, and survive?  Sun, 25 Feb 2024 15:01:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 29: Octavian (Part 3) full 2 29 Matteo & Matthew Storm Tis the season of warlords - there is no Republic anymore, nor is there Empire, there is only a land of warlords, picking over the carcass of what the great had once created.  This is it, this is where the fate of Rome is decided, does it fragment forever into the grubby hands of Antony, Sextus, Brutus and Cassius, or can the two twenty-somethings, Octavian and Agrippa, somehow find a way to thread the needle, and survive?  Tis the season of warlords - there is no Republic anymore, nor is there Empire, there is only a land of warlords, picking over the carcass of what the great had once created.  This is it, this is where the fate of Rome is decided, does it fragment forever into the grubby hands of Antony, Sextus, Brutus and Cassius, or can the two twenty-somethings, Octavian and Agrippa, somehow find a way to thread the needle, and survive?  Tis the season of warlords - there is no Republic anymore, nor is there Empire, there is only a land of warlords, picking over the carcass of what the great had once created.  This is it, this is where the fate of Rome is decided, does it fragment forever into the grubby hands of Antony, Sextus, Brutus and Cassius, or can the two twenty-somethings, Octavian and Agrippa, somehow find a way to thread the needle, and survive? 

]]> 5308 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 28: Octavian (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-28-octavian-part-2/ Octavian, ready for prime time!  Marc Antony disparaged him, the Senate disregarded him, and the Conspirators ignored him, all at their peril!  Join us as the 19 year old Octavian arrives in Rome with his BFF Agrippa and in 24 short months completes his meteoric ascent. Sun, 18 Feb 2024 16:08:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 28: Octavian (Part 2) full 1 28 Matteo & Matthew Storm Octavian, ready for prime time!  Marc Antony disparaged him, the Senate disregarded him, and the Conspirators ignored him, all at their peril!  Join us as the 19 year old Octavian arrives in Rome with his BFF Agrippa and in 24 short months completes his meteoric ascent. Octavian, ready for prime time!  Marc Antony disparaged him, the Senate disregarded him, and the Conspirators ignored him, all at their peril!  Join us as the 19 year old Octavian arrives in Rome with his BFF Agrippa and in 24 short months completes his meteoric ascent. Octavian, ready for prime time!  Marc Antony disparaged him, the Senate disregarded him, and the Conspirators ignored him, all at their peril!  Join us as the 19 year old Octavian arrives in Rome with his BFF Agrippa and in 24 short months completes his meteoric ascent.

]]> 4364 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 27: Octavian (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-27-octavian-part-1/ Silly, skinny little pleb Octavian, what were you thinking?  Or more importantly, what was Caesar thinking, what did he see, when the two of you shared a carriage from Hispania to Gaul in the autumn of 45BC, that made him change his will to name you the 17-year-old Gaius Octavius his sole heir and adopted son?  Join us in Episode 27 on the first steps of Octavian's journey, from awkward teen to colossus that bestrode the world (with the invaluable aid of Agrippa, the best, best friend that any human could ever hope for).  Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 27: Octavian (Part 1) full 1 27 Matteo & Matthew Storm Silly, skinny little pleb Octavian, what were you thinking?  Or more importantly, what was Caesar thinking, what did he see, when the two of you shared a carriage from Hispania to Gaul in the autumn of 45BC, that made him change his will to name you the 17-year-old Gaius Octavius his sole heir and adopted son?  Join us in Episode 27 on the first steps of Octavian's journey, from awkward teen to colossus that bestrode the world (with the invaluable aid of Agrippa, the best, best friend that any human could ever hope for).  Silly, skinny little pleb Octavian, what were you thinking?  Or more importantly, what was Caesar thinking, what did he see, when the two of you shared a carriage from Hispania to Gaul in the autumn of 45BC, that made him change his will to name you the 17-year-old Gaius Octavius his sole heir and adopted son?  Join us in Episode 27 on the first steps of Octavian's journey, from awkward teen to colossus that bestrode the world (with the invaluable aid of Agrippa, the best, best friend that any human could ever hope for).  Silly, skinny little pleb Octavian, what were you thinking?  Or more importantly, what was Caesar thinking, what did he see, when the two of you shared a carriage from Hispania to Gaul in the autumn of 45BC, that made him change his will to name you the 17-year-old Gaius Octavius his sole heir and adopted son?  Join us in Episode 27 on the first steps of Octavian's journey, from awkward teen to colossus that bestrode the world (with the invaluable aid of Agrippa, the best, best friend that any human could ever hope for). 

]]> 4562 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 26: Agrippa https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-26-agrippa/ The younger son of a no-name family from a no-name provincial town, this young man would do more than anyone else (even more than Julius Caesar himself) to establish Octavian at the pinnacle of the Roman power structure, doing everything that needed to be done with supreme competency, and humility.   He vanquished Marc Antony, singlehandedly rebuilt Roman infrastructure, left buildings of indelible beauty, and always had Octavian/Augustus' back, from the day they met in school as teenagers to the day he died.  Sun, 04 Feb 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 26: Agrippa full 1 26 Matteo & Matthew Storm The younger son of a no-name family from a no-name provincial town, this young man would do more than anyone else (even more than Julius Caesar himself) to establish Octavian at the pinnacle of the Roman power structure, doing everything that needed to be done with supreme competency, and humility.   He vanquished Marc Antony, singlehandedly rebuilt Roman infrastructure, left buildings of indelible beauty, and always had Octavian/Augustus' back, from the day they met in school as teenagers to the day he died.  The younger son of a no-name family from a no-name provincial town, this young man would do more than anyone else (even more than Julius Caesar himself) to establish Octavian at the pinnacle of the Roman power structure, doing everything that needed to be done with supreme competency, and humility.   He vanquished Marc Antony, singlehandedly rebuilt Roman infrastructure, left buildings of indelible beauty, and always had Octavian/Augustus' back, from the day they met in school as teenagers to the day he died.  The younger son of a no-name family from a no-name provincial town, this young man would do more than anyone else (even more than Julius Caesar himself) to establish Octavian at the pinnacle of the Roman power structure, doing everything that needed to be done with supreme competency, and humility.   He vanquished Marc Antony, singlehandedly rebuilt Roman infrastructure, left buildings of indelible beauty, and always had Octavian/Augustus' back, from the day they met in school as teenagers to the day he died. 

]]> 5367 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 25: The Conspirators https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-25-the-conspirators/ Join @LostRomanHeroes for a special episode on the men who conspired to murder Julius Caesar, with a special focus on Cassius, Brutus, and Decimus.  Were these men patriots, heroes of the Republic who brought down a tyrant, or, is the story more complex?   Sun, 28 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 25: The Conspirators full 1 25 Matteo & Matthew Storm Join @LostRomanHeroes for a special episode on the men who conspired to murder Julius Caesar, with a special focus on Cassius, Brutus, and Decimus.  Were these men patriots, heroes of the Republic who brought down a tyrant, or, is the story more complex?   Join @LostRomanHeroes for a special episode on the men who conspired to murder Julius Caesar, with a special focus on Cassius, Brutus, and Decimus.  Were these men patriots, heroes of the Republic who brought down a tyrant, or, is the story more complex?   Join @LostRomanHeroes for a special episode on the men who conspired to murder Julius Caesar, with a special focus on Cassius, Brutus, and Decimus.  Were these men patriots, heroes of the Republic who brought down a tyrant, or, is the story more complex?  

]]> 3889 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 24: Julius Caesar (Part 3) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-24-julius-caesar-part-3/ ALIA IACTA EST!  He crossed a little stream just north of Ravenna, and drove a stake through the heart of the Republic.  Join JC for the ride of a lifetime, as he sweeps through Italy, chased Pompey to Greece and Egypt, has an affair, has a love child with Cleopatra, and returns to Rome just in time for the Ides of March.  Ah Caesar, you were so close to your dreams.  But in the end, are you a hero?  Or just another aspiring tyrant? Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 24: Julius Caesar (Part 3) full 1 24 Matteo & Matthew Storm ALIA IACTA EST!  He crossed a little stream just north of Ravenna, and drove a stake through the heart of the Republic.  Join JC for the ride of a lifetime, as he sweeps through Italy, chased Pompey to Greece and Egypt, has an affair, has a love child with Cleopatra, and returns to Rome just in time for the Ides of March.  Ah Caesar, you were so close to your dreams.  But in the end, are you a hero?  Or just another aspiring tyrant? ALIA IACTA EST!  He crossed a little stream just north of Ravenna, and drove a stake through the heart of the Republic.  Join JC for the ride of a lifetime, as he sweeps through Italy, chased Pompey to Greece and Egypt, has an affair, has a love child with Cleopatra, and returns to Rome just in time for the Ides of March.  Ah Caesar, you were so close to your dreams.  But in the end, are you a hero?  Or just another aspiring tyrant? ALIA IACTA EST!  He crossed a little stream just north of Ravenna, and drove a stake through the heart of the Republic.  Join JC for the ride of a lifetime, as he sweeps through Italy, chased Pompey to Greece and Egypt, has an affair, has a love child with Cleopatra, and returns to Rome just in time for the Ides of March.  Ah Caesar, you were so close to your dreams.  But in the end, are you a hero?  Or just another aspiring tyrant?

]]> 5247 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 23: Julius Caesar (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-23-julius-caesar-part-2/ Consul!  Gaul! Triumvirate!  Julius Caesar starts picking up steam, the situation on Rome's streets deteriorates, and the Senate, led by Cato the Younger, starts to get very anxious about Caesar, who is starting to smell vaguely Marian... Sun, 14 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 23: Julius Caesar (Part 2) full 1 23 Matteo & Matthew Storm Consul!  Gaul! Triumvirate!  Julius Caesar starts picking up steam, the situation on Rome's streets deteriorates, and the Senate, led by Cato the Younger, starts to get very anxious about Caesar, who is starting to smell vaguely Marian... Consul!  Gaul! Triumvirate!  Julius Caesar starts picking up steam, the situation on Rome's streets deteriorates, and the Senate, led by Cato the Younger, starts to get very anxious about Caesar, who is starting to smell vaguely Marian... Consul!  Gaul! Triumvirate!  Julius Caesar starts picking up steam, the situation on Rome's streets deteriorates, and the Senate, led by Cato the Younger, starts to get very anxious about Caesar, who is starting to smell vaguely Marian...

]]> 4028 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 22: Julius Caesar (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-22-julius-caesar-part-1/ One of the most complex fellows that we will cover, Gaius Julius Caesar, the first of three episodes devoted to the man, the mystery, the legend.  What is a figure that is universally know doing in a podcast on Lost Roman Heroes?  What can possibly be lost about Caesar?  And what is heroic about Caesar, the man who drove a stake through the heart of the Republic?  Join us here for Part 1, Caesar's early years. Sun, 07 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 22: Julius Caesar (Part 1) full 1 22 Matteo & Matthew Storm One of the most complex fellows that we will cover, Gaius Julius Caesar, the first of three episodes devoted to the man, the mystery, the legend.  What is a figure that is universally know doing in a podcast on Lost Roman Heroes?  What can possibly be lost about Caesar?  And what is heroic about Caesar, the man who drove a stake through the heart of the Republic?  Join us here for Part 1, Caesar's early years. One of the most complex fellows that we will cover, Gaius Julius Caesar, the first of three episodes devoted to the man, the mystery, the legend.  What is a figure that is universally know doing in a podcast on Lost Roman Heroes?  What can possibly be lost about Caesar?  And what is heroic about Caesar, the man who drove a stake through the heart of the Republic?  Join us here for Part 1, Caesar's early years. One of the most complex fellows that we will cover, Gaius Julius Caesar, the first of three episodes devoted to the man, the mystery, the legend.  What is a figure that is universally know doing in a podcast on Lost Roman Heroes?  What can possibly be lost about Caesar?  And what is heroic about Caesar, the man who drove a stake through the heart of the Republic?  Join us here for Part 1, Caesar's early years.

]]> 4076 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 21: Titus Labienus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-21-titus-labienus/ Julius Caesar's legate in Gaul, Titus Labienus was the original Marc Antony, a friend to Caesar in his early days and a critical piece to Caesar's victories in Gaul.  But when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, Labienus sided with the Republic, fighting under Pompey to preserve the government, until one day at Munda he found himself face to face with his old friend Caesar in a fight for his life.   Sun, 31 Dec 2023 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 21: Titus Labienus full 1 21 Matteo & Matthew Storm Julius Caesar's legate in Gaul, Titus Labienus was the original Marc Antony, a friend to Caesar in his early days and a critical piece to Caesar's victories in Gaul.  But when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, Labienus sided with the Republic, fighting under Pompey to preserve the government, until one day at Munda he found himself face to face with his old friend Caesar in a fight for his life.   Julius Caesar's legate in Gaul, Titus Labienus was the original Marc Antony, a friend to Caesar in his early days and a critical piece to Caesar's victories in Gaul.  But when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, Labienus sided with the Republic, fighting under Pompey to preserve the government, until one day at Munda he found himself face to face with his old friend Caesar in a fight for his life.   Julius Caesar's legate in Gaul, Titus Labienus was the original Marc Antony, a friend to Caesar in his early days and a critical piece to Caesar's victories in Gaul.  But when Caesar crossed the Rubicon, Labienus sided with the Republic, fighting under Pompey to preserve the government, until one day at Munda he found himself face to face with his old friend Caesar in a fight for his life.  

]]> 4709 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 20: Pompey https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-20-pompey/ Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, triumvir, the golden boy, the high school QB and most popular kid in school, always in the right place at the right time with the right friends.  Was he more than that?  What is the substance behind the legend? Who was Caesar's friend and mortal enemy, and does he merit a place in the Hall of Heroes? Sun, 24 Dec 2023 16:00:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 20: Pompey full 1 20 Matteo & Matthew Storm Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, triumvir, the golden boy, the high school QB and most popular kid in school, always in the right place at the right time with the right friends.  Was he more than that?  What is the substance behind the legend? Who was Caesar's friend and mortal enemy, and does he merit a place in the Hall of Heroes? Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, triumvir, the golden boy, the high school QB and most popular kid in school, always in the right place at the right time with the right friends.  Was he more than that?  What is the substance behind the legend? Who was Caesar's friend and mortal enemy, and does he merit a place in the Hall of Heroes? Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, triumvir, the golden boy, the high school QB and most popular kid in school, always in the right place at the right time with the right friends.  Was he more than that?  What is the substance behind the legend? Who was Caesar's friend and mortal enemy, and does he merit a place in the Hall of Heroes?

]]> 3866 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 19: Spartacus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-19-spartacus/ Perhaps one of the most well recognized names from Roman history but what do we really know of Spartacus the man?  Born in Thrace, he may have fought in the Roman army before being enslaved and trained as a gladiator.  He would bring Rome to her knees, but was that really his objective, or was he simply a tragic hero who simply wanted to go home?  Can an enemy of Rome make it into the Hall of Heroes? Sun, 17 Dec 2023 17:39:55 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 19: Spartacus full 1 19 Matteo & Matthew Storm Perhaps one of the most well recognized names from Roman history but what do we really know of Spartacus the man?  Born in Thrace, he may have fought in the Roman army before being enslaved and trained as a gladiator.  He would bring Rome to her knees, but was that really his objective, or was he simply a tragic hero who simply wanted to go home?  Can an enemy of Rome make it into the Hall of Heroes? Perhaps one of the most well recognized names from Roman history but what do we really know of Spartacus the man?  Born in Thrace, he may have fought in the Roman army before being enslaved and trained as a gladiator.  He would bring Rome to her knees, but was that really his objective, or was he simply a tragic hero who simply wanted to go home?  Can an enemy of Rome make it into the Hall of Heroes? Perhaps one of the most well recognized names from Roman history but what do we really know of Spartacus the man?  Born in Thrace, he may have fought in the Roman army before being enslaved and trained as a gladiator.  He would bring Rome to her knees, but was that really his objective, or was he simply a tragic hero who simply wanted to go home?  Can an enemy of Rome make it into the Hall of Heroes?

]]> 3876 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 18: Crassus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-18-crassus/ Crassus, Rome's richest man and one of the richest humans in history.  He was the elder statesman of the Triumvirate, ally of Caesar and Pompey and Sulla, yet he went through life with a chip on his shoulder, endless searching for glory.  For all that he was, and all that he accomplished, does he deserve to be in the Hall of Heroes? Sun, 10 Dec 2023 20:23:37 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 18: Crassus full 1 18 Matteo & Matthew Storm Crassus, Rome's richest man and one of the richest humans in history.  He was the elder statesman of the Triumvirate, ally of Caesar and Pompey and Sulla, yet he went through life with a chip on his shoulder, endless searching for glory.  For all that he was, and all that he accomplished, does he deserve to be in the Hall of Heroes? Crassus, Rome's richest man and one of the richest humans in history.  He was the elder statesman of the Triumvirate, ally of Caesar and Pompey and Sulla, yet he went through life with a chip on his shoulder, endless searching for glory.  For all that he was, and all that he accomplished, does he deserve to be in the Hall of Heroes? Crassus, Rome's richest man and one of the richest humans in history.  He was the elder statesman of the Triumvirate, ally of Caesar and Pompey and Sulla, yet he went through life with a chip on his shoulder, endless searching for glory.  For all that he was, and all that he accomplished, does he deserve to be in the Hall of Heroes?

]]> 4906 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 17: Sertorius https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-17-sertorius/ Quintus Sertorius, perhaps one of the most remarkable Lost Roman Heroes that are truly lost, someone we had never heard of before we started researching this episode.  A contemporary of Marius, Sulla and Cinna, distinguished in battle, respected by friend and foe, proud of his one-eye earned in battle, who through no fault of his own it would seem found himself an exile, pitted against the entire Roman military.  And through it all, he handled himself with dignity.   Sun, 03 Dec 2023 19:29:02 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 17: Sertorius full 1 17 Matteo & Matthew Storm Quintus Sertorius, perhaps one of the most remarkable Lost Roman Heroes that are truly lost, someone we had never heard of before we started researching this episode.  A contemporary of Marius, Sulla and Cinna, distinguished in battle, respected by friend and foe, proud of his one-eye earned in battle, who through no fault of his own it would seem found himself an exile, pitted against the entire Roman military.  And through it all, he handled himself with dignity.   Quintus Sertorius, perhaps one of the most remarkable Lost Roman Heroes that are truly lost, someone we had never heard of before we started researching this episode.  A contemporary of Marius, Sulla and Cinna, distinguished in battle, respected by friend and foe, proud of his one-eye earned in battle, who through no fault of his own it would seem found himself an exile, pitted against the entire Roman military.  And through it all, he handled himself with dignity.   Quintus Sertorius, perhaps one of the most remarkable Lost Roman Heroes that are truly lost, someone we had never heard of before we started researching this episode.  A contemporary of Marius, Sulla and Cinna, distinguished in battle, respected by friend and foe, proud of his one-eye earned in battle, who through no fault of his own it would seem found himself an exile, pitted against the entire Roman military.  And through it all, he handled himself with dignity.  

]]> 4358 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 16: Sulla (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-16-sulla-part-2/ Sulla, you are not at all what we expected!  The Roman Civil War, the first civil war, kicks off in earnest in this episode, and Sulla navigates the minefield left by his old mentor and adversary, Marius.  Is Sulla the savior of the Republic as he thought himself, or did he leave breadcrumbs on the path to tyranny that Caesar would follow? Sun, 26 Nov 2023 19:49:36 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 16: Sulla (Part 2) full 1 16 Matteo & Matthew Storm Sulla, you are not at all what we expected!  The Roman Civil War, the first civil war, kicks off in earnest in this episode, and Sulla navigates the minefield left by his old mentor and adversary, Marius.  Is Sulla the savior of the Republic as he thought himself, or did he leave breadcrumbs on the path to tyranny that Caesar would follow? Sulla, you are not at all what we expected!  The Roman Civil War, the first civil war, kicks off in earnest in this episode, and Sulla navigates the minefield left by his old mentor and adversary, Marius.  Is Sulla the savior of the Republic as he thought himself, or did he leave breadcrumbs on the path to tyranny that Caesar would follow? Sulla, you are not at all what we expected!  The Roman Civil War, the first civil war, kicks off in earnest in this episode, and Sulla navigates the minefield left by his old mentor and adversary, Marius.  Is Sulla the savior of the Republic as he thought himself, or did he leave breadcrumbs on the path to tyranny that Caesar would follow?

]]> 4546 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 15: Sulla (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-15-sulla-part-1/ Part 1 of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, Marius' lieutenant and fallen patrician devoted to the old order and the primacy of the Senate.  Was he an opportunist as well?  Did he ultimately do more harm than good?  For whom does the bell toll?   Tue, 21 Nov 2023 04:10:21 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 15: Sulla (Part 1) full 1 15 Matteo & Matthew Storm Part 1 of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, Marius' lieutenant and fallen patrician devoted to the old order and the primacy of the Senate.  Was he an opportunist as well?  Did he ultimately do more harm than good?  For whom does the bell toll?   Part 1 of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, Marius' lieutenant and fallen patrician devoted to the old order and the primacy of the Senate.  Was he an opportunist as well?  Did he ultimately do more harm than good?  For whom does the bell toll?   Part 1 of Lucius Cornelius Sulla Felix, Marius' lieutenant and fallen patrician devoted to the old order and the primacy of the Senate.  Was he an opportunist as well?  Did he ultimately do more harm than good?  For whom does the bell toll?  

]]> 4208 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 14: Marius https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-14-marius/ Novus Homo!  Marius, you were one complicated dude and your story complex.  Innovative on the battlefield, savior of the Republic, lauded as the Third Founder of Rome yet you, perhaps more than the Gracchi, but the Republic on a fast path for extinction.  Hero or Villain, or victim of your own inferiority complex.  You made us work hard on this one... Sun, 12 Nov 2023 19:12:04 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 14: Marius full 1 14 Matteo & Matthew Storm Novus Homo!  Marius, you were one complicated dude and your story complex.  Innovative on the battlefield, savior of the Republic, lauded as the Third Founder of Rome yet you, perhaps more than the Gracchi, but the Republic on a fast path for extinction.  Hero or Villain, or victim of your own inferiority complex.  You made us work hard on this one... Novus Homo!  Marius, you were one complicated dude and your story complex.  Innovative on the battlefield, savior of the Republic, lauded as the Third Founder of Rome yet you, perhaps more than the Gracchi, but the Republic on a fast path for extinction.  Hero or Villain, or victim of your own inferiority complex.  You made us work hard on this one... Novus Homo!  Marius, you were one complicated dude and your story complex.  Innovative on the battlefield, savior of the Republic, lauded as the Third Founder of Rome yet you, perhaps more than the Gracchi, but the Republic on a fast path for extinction.  Hero or Villain, or victim of your own inferiority complex.  You made us work hard on this one...

]]> 5061 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 13:Tiberius Gracchus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-13tiberius-gracchus/ Tiberius Gracchus!  Hero of the people trying to cure the rot at the heart of the Republic, or populist demagogue determined to destroy the old order and make himself king? Sun, 05 Nov 2023 20:32:38 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 13:Tiberius Gracchus full 1 13 Matteo & Matthew Storm Tiberius Gracchus!  Hero of the people trying to cure the rot at the heart of the Republic, or populist demagogue determined to destroy the old order and make himself king? Tiberius Gracchus!  Hero of the people trying to cure the rot at the heart of the Republic, or populist demagogue determined to destroy the old order and make himself king? Tiberius Gracchus!  Hero of the people trying to cure the rot at the heart of the Republic, or populist demagogue determined to destroy the old order and make himself king?

]]> 3707 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 12: Aemilianus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-12-aemilianus/ Adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus, and grandson of Consul Paulus (of Cannae fame) - setup well at birth.  Loved by the Senate, sent to Africa for the third installment of the Punic Wars.  Successful in war and peace, Carthage didn't stand a chance.  What is that music we hear building in the background, is that the Imperial March??? Sun, 29 Oct 2023 18:42:12 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 12: Aemilianus full 1 12 Matteo & Matthew Storm Adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus, and grandson of Consul Paulus (of Cannae fame) - setup well at birth.  Loved by the Senate, sent to Africa for the third installment of the Punic Wars.  Successful in war and peace, Carthage didn't stand a chance.  What is that music we hear building in the background, is that the Imperial March??? Adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus, and grandson of Consul Paulus (of Cannae fame) - setup well at birth.  Loved by the Senate, sent to Africa for the third installment of the Punic Wars.  Successful in war and peace, Carthage didn't stand a chance.  What is that music we hear building in the background, is that the Imperial March??? Adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus, and grandson of Consul Paulus (of Cannae fame) - setup well at birth.  Loved by the Senate, sent to Africa for the third installment of the Punic Wars.  Successful in war and peace, Carthage didn't stand a chance.  What is that music we hear building in the background, is that the Imperial March???

]]> 3982 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 11: Scipio Africanus (Part 2) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-11-scipio-africanus-part-2/ The grand clash of Titans between Scipio and Hannibal, Roman and Carthage, that would determine supremacy of the Mediterranean.  Scipio shows his quality on and off the battlefield, and perhaps the old generals find peace after war. Sun, 22 Oct 2023 21:30:02 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 11: Scipio Africanus (Part 2) full 1 11 Matteo & Matthew Storm The grand clash of Titans between Scipio and Hannibal, Roman and Carthage, that would determine supremacy of the Mediterranean.  Scipio shows his quality on and off the battlefield, and perhaps the old generals find peace after war. The grand clash of Titans between Scipio and Hannibal, Roman and Carthage, that would determine supremacy of the Mediterranean.  Scipio shows his quality on and off the battlefield, and perhaps the old generals find peace after war. The grand clash of Titans between Scipio and Hannibal, Roman and Carthage, that would determine supremacy of the Mediterranean.  Scipio shows his quality on and off the battlefield, and perhaps the old generals find peace after war.

]]> 4458 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episod 10: Scipio Africanus (Part 1) https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episod-10-scipio-africanus-part-1/ SCIPIO AFRICANUS!  History remembers his nemesis, Hannibal, as the GOAT.  Why do they not remember this humble young man who watched his father fall in battle, and after learning from his mortal enemies, while most of Rome cowered behind the walls, took the fight to Carthage?  In Part 1 of this special 2 part series on Scipio, he steps onto the stage and ejects Carthage from Spain, setting up the final showdown with Hannibal (coming in Part 2). Sun, 15 Oct 2023 19:52:37 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episod 10: Scipio Africanus (Part 1) full 1 10 Matteo & Matthew Storm SCIPIO AFRICANUS!  History remembers his nemesis, Hannibal, as the GOAT.  Why do they not remember this humble young man who watched his father fall in battle, and after learning from his mortal enemies, while most of Rome cowered behind the walls, took the fight to Carthage?  In Part 1 of this special 2 part series on Scipio, he steps onto the stage and ejects Carthage from Spain, setting up the final showdown with Hannibal (coming in Part 2). SCIPIO AFRICANUS!  History remembers his nemesis, Hannibal, as the GOAT.  Why do they not remember this humble young man who watched his father fall in battle, and after learning from his mortal enemies, while most of Rome cowered behind the walls, took the fight to Carthage?  In Part 1 of this special 2 part series on Scipio, he steps onto the stage and ejects Carthage from Spain, setting up the final showdown with Hannibal (coming in Part 2). SCIPIO AFRICANUS!  History remembers his nemesis, Hannibal, as the GOAT.  Why do they not remember this humble young man who watched his father fall in battle, and after learning from his mortal enemies, while most of Rome cowered behind the walls, took the fight to Carthage?  In Part 1 of this special 2 part series on Scipio, he steps onto the stage and ejects Carthage from Spain, setting up the final showdown with Hannibal (coming in Part 2).

]]> 4444 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 9: Fabius https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-9-fabius/ Cunctator, 'the Delayer', was a tricky character.  Hannibal's original Roman nemesis, with a big wart on his upper lip, he did the Republic a grand service, before turning cranky in the end and opposing Scipio.  This might be our biggest challenge yet. Sun, 08 Oct 2023 23:51:30 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 9: Fabius full 1 9 Matteo & Matthew Storm Cunctator, 'the Delayer', was a tricky character.  Hannibal's original Roman nemesis, with a big wart on his upper lip, he did the Republic a grand service, before turning cranky in the end and opposing Scipio.  This might be our biggest challenge yet. Cunctator, 'the Delayer', was a tricky character.  Hannibal's original Roman nemesis, with a big wart on his upper lip, he did the Republic a grand service, before turning cranky in the end and opposing Scipio.  This might be our biggest challenge yet. Cunctator, 'the Delayer', was a tricky character.  Hannibal's original Roman nemesis, with a big wart on his upper lip, he did the Republic a grand service, before turning cranky in the end and opposing Scipio.  This might be our biggest challenge yet.

]]> 4472 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 8: Regulus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-8-regulus/ A plebeian Consul, led the new Roman navy in the largest navy battle of history against Carthage in the First Punic War.  But more important to his story was what he did off the battlefield.  Perhaps the most remarkable story of self-sacrifice in history.  Regulus, we salute you! Sun, 01 Oct 2023 18:20:35 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 8: Regulus full 1 8 Matteo & Matthew Storm A plebeian Consul, led the new Roman navy in the largest navy battle of history against Carthage in the First Punic War.  But more important to his story was what he did off the battlefield.  Perhaps the most remarkable story of self-sacrifice in history.  Regulus, we salute you! A plebeian Consul, led the new Roman navy in the largest navy battle of history against Carthage in the First Punic War.  But more important to his story was what he did off the battlefield.  Perhaps the most remarkable story of self-sacrifice in history.  Regulus, we salute you! A plebeian Consul, led the new Roman navy in the largest navy battle of history against Carthage in the First Punic War.  But more important to his story was what he did off the battlefield.  Perhaps the most remarkable story of self-sacrifice in history.  Regulus, we salute you!

]]> 3647 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 7: Corvus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-7-corvus/ The Raven.  Won wars without drawing a sword, loved by Patricians and Plebs, and lived to be 100 years old.  Why have we not heard of him before?  This man just might be what this podcast is all about. Sun, 24 Sep 2023 19:12:16 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 7: Corvus full 1 7 Matteo & Matthew Storm The Raven.  Won wars without drawing a sword, loved by Patricians and Plebs, and lived to be 100 years old.  Why have we not heard of him before?  This man just might be what this podcast is all about. The Raven.  Won wars without drawing a sword, loved by Patricians and Plebs, and lived to be 100 years old.  Why have we not heard of him before?  This man just might be what this podcast is all about. The Raven.  Won wars without drawing a sword, loved by Patricians and Plebs, and lived to be 100 years old.  Why have we not heard of him before?  This man just might be what this podcast is all about.

]]> 3270 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 6: Camillus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-6-camillus/ He stared down Brennus the Gaul, scourge of Rome, won wars without spilling blood, drained lakes and did other cool stuff, but can he make it into the Hall of Heroes? Sun, 17 Sep 2023 23:35:19 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 6: Camillus full 1 6 Matteo & Matthew Storm He stared down Brennus the Gaul, scourge of Rome, won wars without spilling blood, drained lakes and did other cool stuff, but can he make it into the Hall of Heroes? He stared down Brennus the Gaul, scourge of Rome, won wars without spilling blood, drained lakes and did other cool stuff, but can he make it into the Hall of Heroes? He stared down Brennus the Gaul, scourge of Rome, won wars without spilling blood, drained lakes and did other cool stuff, but can he make it into the Hall of Heroes?

]]> 3063 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 5: Cincinnatus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-5-cincinnatus/ Cincinnatus, the Curly Haired, general, farmer, and exceptionally self-restrained guardian of the Republic who inspired George W. and WKRP in Cincinnati? Sun, 10 Sep 2023 21:24:16 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 5: Cincinnatus full 1 5 Matteo & Matthew Storm Cincinnatus, the Curly Haired, general, farmer, and exceptionally self-restrained guardian of the Republic who inspired George W. and WKRP in Cincinnati? Cincinnatus, the Curly Haired, general, farmer, and exceptionally self-restrained guardian of the Republic who inspired George W. and WKRP in Cincinnati? Cincinnatus, the Curly Haired, general, farmer, and exceptionally self-restrained guardian of the Republic who inspired George W. and WKRP in Cincinnati?

]]> 3185 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 4: Lucius Junius Brutus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-4-lucius-junius-brutus/ LJ Brutus!  He ended the Roman monarchy, and is known as the father of the Roman Republic.  Man or Myth?  Hero or court jester?  Could this be our first member of the Hall of Heroes???  Mon, 04 Sep 2023 22:49:12 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 4: Lucius Junius Brutus full 1 4 Matteo & Matthew Storm LJ Brutus!  He ended the Roman monarchy, and is known as the father of the Roman Republic.  Man or Myth?  Hero or court jester?  Could this be our first member of the Hall of Heroes???  LJ Brutus!  He ended the Roman monarchy, and is known as the father of the Roman Republic.  Man or Myth?  Hero or court jester?  Could this be our first member of the Hall of Heroes???  LJ Brutus!  He ended the Roman monarchy, and is known as the father of the Roman Republic.  Man or Myth?  Hero or court jester?  Could this be our first member of the Hall of Heroes??? 

]]> 3832 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 3: Romulus https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-3-romulus/ Exploring the man, the myth, the legend, Romulus, great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Aeneas, founder of the city of Rome. Sun, 27 Aug 2023 18:13:22 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 3: Romulus full 1 3 Matteo & Matthew Storm Exploring the man, the myth, the legend, Romulus, great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Aeneas, founder of the city of Rome. Exploring the man, the myth, the legend, Romulus, great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Aeneas, founder of the city of Rome. Exploring the man, the myth, the legend, Romulus, great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandson of Aeneas, founder of the city of Rome.

]]> 2701 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 2: Aeneas of Troy https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-2-aeneas-of-troy/ In Episode 2 we look at Rome's mythical progenitor, Aeneas of Troy, without whom, Rome would never have existed?  Or at least, that was the story the Romans told themselves.... Sat, 19 Aug 2023 20:54:03 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 2: Aeneas of Troy full 1 2 Matteo & Matthew Storm In Episode 2 we look at Rome's mythical progenitor, Aeneas of Troy, without whom, Rome would never have existed?  Or at least, that was the story the Romans told themselves.... In Episode 2 we look at Rome's mythical progenitor, Aeneas of Troy, without whom, Rome would never have existed?  Or at least, that was the story the Romans told themselves.... In Episode 2 we look at Rome's mythical progenitor, Aeneas of Troy, without whom, Rome would never have existed?  Or at least, that was the story the Romans told themselves....

]]> 2493 no Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 1 - An Introduction to the Podcast https://lostromanheroes.podbean.com/e/lost-roman-heroes-episode-1-an-introduction-to-the-podcast/ Welcome to the Lost Roman Heroes podcast!  Join us as we explore the lost heroes from Roman history that were critical to the evolution, and survival of Rome, from its mythical founding (in the smoldering ruins of Troy) to its last breath with the death of Constantine XI on May 29th, 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.  We will cover some familiar names, and many more lesser known heroes that stood up when the odds were grim and the future bleak so that Rome would survive.  Join us on our adventure, and help us, share names of history makers so that together we can unpack, and unearth, the unforgotten past that contributed mightily to the world we know today.. Tue, 15 Aug 2023 11:05:00 -0000 Lost Roman Heroes - Episode 1 - An Introduction to the Podcast full 1 1 Matteo & Matthew Storm Welcome to the Lost Roman Heroes podcast!  Join us as we explore the lost heroes from Roman history that were critical to the evolution, and survival of Rome, from its mythical founding (in the smoldering ruins of Troy) to its last breath with the death of Constantine XI on May 29th, 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.  We will cover some familiar names, and many more lesser known heroes that stood up when the odds were grim and the future bleak so that Rome would survive.  Join us on our adventure, and help us, share names of history makers so that together we can unpack, and unearth, the unforgotten past that contributed mightily to the world we know today.. Welcome to the Lost Roman Heroes podcast!  Join us as we explore the lost heroes from Roman history that were critical to the evolution, and survival of Rome, from its mythical founding (in the smoldering ruins of Troy) to its last breath with the death of Constantine XI on May 29th, 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.  We will cover some familiar names, and many more lesser known heroes that stood up when the odds were grim and the future bleak so that Rome would survive.  Join us on our adventure, and help us, share names of history makers so that together we can unpack, and unearth, the unforgotten past that contributed mightily to the world we know today.. Welcome to the Lost Roman Heroes podcast!  Join us as we explore the lost heroes from Roman history that were critical to the evolution, and survival of Rome, from its mythical founding (in the smoldering ruins of Troy) to its last breath with the death of Constantine XI on May 29th, 1453 when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Turks.  We will cover some familiar names, and many more lesser known heroes that stood up when the odds were grim and the future bleak so that Rome would survive.  Join us on our adventure, and help us, share names of history makers so that together we can unpack, and unearth, the unforgotten past that contributed mightily to the world we know today..

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