Knowledge from the Ancients

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Alexander's Sack of Thebes, w/ Victor Davis Hanson
A conversation with American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson.

Caesar 3: Divus Julius
Part 3 of 3 of the Life of Julius Caesar. Did Caesar want to be a King? A God? What was his vision for Rome? Was there a way he could have prevented his assassination?
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Crassus II: Puppet Master
Marcus Licinius Crassus, Richest Man in Rome. The plot thickens in the contest with Pompey, and Crassus takes on new allies: Catiline and Julius Caesar.In this episod...

Crassus I: Richest Man in Rome
The story of Marcus Licinius Crassus, Richest man in Rome.In this episode: -The Real Spartacus-How to make a fortune, ancient style -Why Crassus was a better spender t...

How to Praise Oneself Inoffensively - Part 2
Plutarch gives more examples of how to get it right, from Great Leaders of Greece & Rome-Phocion, -Agathocles, -Pericles, -Sulla, -Themistocles,

How to Praise Oneself Inoffensively
You know you want to do it. But how? Plutarch offers a few key examples.

Catiline III: The Last Stand
Highlights from Rome's Deadliest Conspiracy, the Catilinarian conspiracy.Featuring speeches by Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger.

Catiline II: Cicero's Moment
Get into one of the great moments of history - highlights from Cicero's speech Against Catiline. Featuring a quote or two from the original Latin.

Catiline I: Rome's Deadliest Conspiracy
The Conspiracy to overthrow the Roman Republic at the height of its power. Catiline and his associates challenge Cicero and Cato. Rumors were that Crassus and Caesar ...

Seneca, The Madness of Hercules
The Greatest hero of all, Hercules - told by Seneca: Billionaire, Politician, Stoic Philosopher, and... Tragic Playwright.Highlights and power quotes from Seneca's "Th...

Xenophon, Anabasis VII
The Finale: Xenophon's Anabasis, book 7 of 7. Highlights for the High Life. In this episode:-Sailing to Byzantium -How to Tame a Mob -Spartan Indecision-Drinking more...
History Contains Power
My name is Alex Petkas, and in The Cost of Glory, I present you with the best stories, analyses and takeaways, from the greatest and most influential figures from Greco-Roman antiquity.