109
109 - Civil War 1: Breakdown
Episode Length:
109:20
Part 1 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. The die is cast—Caesar crosses the Rubicon and plunges Rome into civil war. In this episode:
- The political crisis of 51-50 BCE as Caesar's enemies demand his recall from Gaul
- Curio's shocking defection and proposal that both Caesar and Pompey lay down arms
- The breakdown of negotiations and Pompey's fateful acceptance of command against Caesar
- His lightning campaign through Italy as cities surrender without a fight
- The siege of Corfinium and Caesar's revolutionary policy of clemency toward enemies
- Pompey's strategic retreat to Greece, abandoning Rome and splitting the Republic
- The brilliant Spanish campaign at Ilerda, showcasing Caesar's military genius
- The brutal siege of Marseille and Caesar's appointment as Dictator
Caesar's own account reveals a man driven not by revolutionary ambition, but by wounded dignity and the desperate need to defend his honor against enemies who would destroy him through partisan prosecution.
As Lucan wrote of this cosmic struggle: "Of civil wars and worse waged on Thessalian fields / Of crime made law we sing, how a powerful people / Turned on its own heart its conquering hand."
The war that would transform Rome forever begins not with grand ideology, but with Caesar's refusal to submit to humiliation—and his enemies' fatal miscalculation of the man they sought to crush.
Works Cited
Kurt Raaflaub (ed.), The Landmark Julius Caesar
Matthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and Statesman
Erich Gruen, Last Generation of the Roman Republic
As Lucan wrote of this cosmic struggle: "Of civil wars and worse waged on Thessalian fields / Of crime made law we sing, how a powerful people / Turned on its own heart its conquering hand."
The war that would transform Rome forever begins not with grand ideology, but with Caesar's refusal to submit to humiliation—and his enemies' fatal miscalculation of the man they sought to crush.
Works Cited
Kurt Raaflaub (ed.), The Landmark Julius Caesar
Matthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and Statesman
Erich Gruen, Last Generation of the Roman Republic
Thanks to our sponsor, Ai Labs. Visit austinlab.ai to chat with a team member about custom Agentic AI power solutions for your SMB to Enterprise level business. Powered by Shokworks.
Also Thanks Dr. Richard Johnson, the Crassus to this Caesar series!
Also Thanks Dr. Richard Johnson, the Crassus to this Caesar series!
The Cost Of Glory Episodes
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
70
Analysis
Episode Length:
16 MINUTES
August 17, 2023
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,
Listen Now
69
Analysis
Episode Length:
14 MINUTES
July 27, 2023
How to Praise Oneself Inoffensively
You know you want to do it. But how? Plutarch offers a few key examples.
Listen Now
68
Series
Episode Length:
51 MINUTES
July 11, 2023
Catiline III: The Last Stand
Highlights from Rome's Deadliest Conspiracy, the Catilinarian conspiracy.Featuring speeches by Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger.
Listen Now
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.
Listener Feedback
We’re all thinking about the Roman Empire...