g
85

Pompey III: Fields of Pharsalus

Episode Length:
120 MINUTES
Listen Now
Pompey III: Fields of Pharsalus

Life of Pompey Part 3 of 3: Pompey's final rise to the heights of Roman power, his war with his friend Julius Caesar, and his final downfall.

People:

(M. Tullius) Cicero

(Titus Pomponius) Atticus

C. Julius Caesar

Cn. Pompeius Magnus (Pompey)

Julia, Caesar's Daughter

(M. Licinius) Crassus

(L. Domitius) Ahenobarbus - Optimate Stalwart (Cos. 54)

(M. Porcius) Cato "The Younger" - the Stoic

(M. Calpurnius) Bibulus - Cos. 59

P. Clodius Pulcher - Populist Thug lord

(T. Annius) Milo - Pompey's Thug lord

M. Caelius (Rufus) - Cicero's young political analyst friend

Publius Licinius Crassus - The Richest Man's Son

Cornelia - Pompey's final wife

(Q. Caecilius) Metellus (Pius) Scipio - Pompey's new Father in Law

Aulus Gabinius - Pompey's friend, exiled after Egyptian expedition

Ptolemy XII Auletes ("The Piper") - exiled king of Egypt

(C. Scribonius) Curio - Optimate turncoat, Caesar's tribune

M. Antonius (Mark Antony)

M. Claudius Marcellus - Optimate stalwart (Cos 51)

C. Claudius Marcellus - Optimate stalwart (Cos. 50, cousin of Cos. 51)

M. Favonius - "Stamp, Pompey!" Senator

Themistocles - Athenian statesman

Camillus - 4th c. BC Roman statesman

T. Labienus - Caesar's general, deserted to Pompey

(M. Junius) Brutus - Future Conspirator

Theophanes of Mytilene - the Historian

Crassianus - Caesar's centurion at Pharsalus

Cratippus of Pergamon - Philosopher at Mytilene

Ptolemy XIII - Boy king of Egypt

Potheinus - Ptolemy XIII's Eunuch

Achillas - Ptolemy XIII's General

Theodotus - Ptolemy XIII's Rhetoric Teacher

Philippus - Pompey's freedman


Places:

The Roman Forum

The Tiber River

Parthia

Carrhae (Battle of) - in Mesopotamia (Parthian Empire)

Gaul (Mod. France)

Pompey's Theater ("Temple of Venus")

Alesia (Battle of) - in Gaul

Naples (Neapolis)

Ravenna (N. Italy, "Cisalpine Gaul" then)

Rubicon River

Ariminum (Rimini)

Corfinium - Italian town in the Apennines

Brundisium - Eastern Port in Italy

Dyrrhachium (Mod. Durrës) - in Epirus (Rom. province of Macedonia)

Thessaly - large plain in central Greece

Pharsalus - town in Thessaly

Tempē - Valley in Thessaly

Mytilene - City on island of Lesbos


Thanks to our sponsor Intercollegiate Studies Institute! www.isi.org. Check out their programs on supporting quality thought and intellectual life in and after your college years.

Pompey III: Fields of Pharsalus
April 30, 2024
Pompey III: Fields of Pharsalus

The Cost Of Glory Episodes

View all
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
108
Episode Length:
130:03
May 10, 2025

108 - Caesar 2: Law & Nature

Part 2 of 3 of the Life of Julius Caesar. In this episode:Caesar forms the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus, uniting Rome's most powerful menHis revolutionary consulship of 59 BCE bypasses Senate opposition through popular assembliesThe brilliant staging of the Gallic conquest, using allies and tribal conflicts as pretexts for expansionHis management of Rome through letters while commanding armies across GaulThe death of Julia and Crassus fractures the political alliance holding Rome togetherVercingetorix's rebellion culminates in the decisive siege of Alesia, securing Gaul for RomeCaesar transforms both Rome and Gaul forever through calculated strategy, personal magnetism, and relentless ambition—all while his enemies in Rome, led by Cato, plot his downfall and convince Pompey to turn against him, setting the stage for civil war.
Listen Now
107
Episode Length:
113:52
April 8, 2025

107 - Caesar 1: Man of Destiny

The much awaited series on Julius Caesar begins, with the inaugural episode: "Man of Destiny".

A tale of charm, audacity, and calculated risk as a young aristocrat from a modest branch of an ancient family navigates the treacherous waters of late Republican politics. Caesar—stylish, charismatic, deeply in debt, and dangerously ambitious—sets himself against the legacy of Sulla while methodically building a coalition that would eventually transform Rome forever.

Listen Now
106
Episode Length:
51:17
March 23, 2025

The New Indiana Jones - w/ Dr. Brent Seales

A conversation with Dr. Brent Seales, professor of computer science at the University of Kentucky and a modern day Indiana Jones who has been using advanced technology to restore and redeem cultural and historical artifacts from the ravages of time.
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...

If you haven’t heard it yet, I encourage you to give a listen to @costofglory’s podcast on Spotify. He’s doing very good work on Plutarch and Xenophon.

Proudly the top 0.5% fan of @costofglory, who expanded my ancient history knowledge. Man, there's a lot to learn, but I'm happy to learn as much as I can

The Attenborough of History @costofglory

If you haven't heard you need to hop on this train because you're missing out

I absolutely love the podcast!!! I’ve been listening thru for the last few weeks. It’s so heartening to see these stories being put out in such an accessible and gripping way. And new too! I remember just a few years ago was impossible to find audio/internet sources!

Gallic Wars I - Caesar's Chance by @costofglory

Far too few know about this excellent history and ancient wisdom show.

The Attenborough of History @costofglory

If you haven't heard you need to hop on this train because you're missing out

Cost of Glory is so f'ing amazing.

Your story telling ability is amazing!!! Have listened to every episode 2x now.  I keep getting more and more! Best podcast out!

As a fan of Hardcore History, Martrymade, and History On Fire podcasts - THE COST OF GLORY podcast with @costofglory is worthy of your blood 🩸⚔️

Thank you for all your hard work. Cost of Glory is such a . great source of history and entertainment 🎉

@JasonMcHughq7g

I think you give Morgan Freeman beat for the perfect voice for a narrator! I wih you would read the Bible for audio tapes!!

@samright4661

This podcast is easily one of the best I’ve come across. I would even go so far as it’s better than the Rome podcast by Mike Duncan

@benmills7731

Just discovered this channel and on part 3, love it just love it thank you

@Craig-15q

Great episode an fantastic quality all round. New subscriber here.

@tiptoptechno

6k subs? love this guy..

@Majeerteenia

Hey, the visual are getting way better!

@Stoic_Zoomer

Excellent production!

@tiptoptechno