87
Pursuing Greatness — with Pano Kanelos
Episode Length:
51 MINUTES
An interview with Pano Kanelos, the founding president of the University of Austin and the former President of St. John’s College, Annapolis.
In this episode:
- How founding a university is like running a diner
- The flourishing of American universities in the 19th century
- How old philosophers were men of action
- The Intellectual Foundations Program at UATX
- How The Brothers Karamazov explains our current moment
- Pursuing Greatness by finding your North Star
- Plutarch on self-reflection
- Why Heroes and Truth-tellers are needed when forming communities
- Analyzing the opening scene from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
The Cost Of Glory Episodes
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

117
Interview
Episode Length:
52:17
February 21, 2026
Alexander's Sack of Thebes, w/ Victor Davis Hanson
A conversation with American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson.
Listen Now

116
Series
Episode Length:
149:10
January 24, 2026
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?
Listen Now

115
Interview
Episode Length:
69:02
November 7, 2025
Aristotle, Thiel Fellowship, and Human Greatness w/ Michael Gibson
A conversation with Michael Gibson, philosopher and founder of 1517.
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...
