What games did the ancient Romans actually play — before chess, playing cards, or modern board games even existed? In this episode, we explore the real games of ancient Rome, reconstructed from archaeological finds, ancient texts, and surviving game boards scratched into stone floors across the empire.You’ll learn how Romans played mill (nine men’s morris), one of the oldest board games in the world, found carved into temples, palaces, gladiator schools, and even brothels. We examine how the rules worked, how they differed in antiquity, and why this simple game became so widespread. We then turn to latrunculi, the most mysterious Roman strategy game — frequently mentioned by ancient authors, yet still only partially understood today. Using evidence like the famous Colchester burial, we explore how scholars attempt to reconstruct its board, pieces, and possible rules.The video also covers Roman dice and gambling games played with astragali — real animal bones that gave us the modern term “dice.” You’ll learn how Romans gambled, how cheating was prevented, and which combinations were considered lucky or powerful. We examine “twelve lines,” the Roman ancestor of backgammon, along with simple alignment games like terni lapilli, the ancient version of tic-tac-toe.Beyond adult games, we look at children’s play in ancient Rome — including walnut games that involved building and destroying miniature fortresses. Finally, we explore one of the strangest finds in Roman archaeology: tesserae lusoriae, ivory tablets that may point to a lost Roman word game — or perhaps something else entirely.This is a journey into Roman everyday life, showing how play, strategy, luck, and competition shaped leisure across the ancient world — and how some Roman games may still be influencing what we play today.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/pcYg1Tm2Htg
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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Journey into one of the most dramatic episodes of Julius Caesar’s life — the brutal Alexandrian War, his alliance with Cleopatra, the battle for the Pharos lighthouse, and the campaign that ended with the immortal words *Veni, vidi, vici*.
This episode follows Caesar after the Battle of Pharsalus as he arrives in Egypt with only a small force, expecting diplomacy but finding himself trapped in a hostile capital, outnumbered six to one. Inside Alexandria, a deadly dynastic conflict unfolds between Cleopatra, her brother Ptolemy XIII, and the powerful courtiers who control the young king. From Cleopatra’s legendary secret entrance into the palace to the burning of the Egyptian fleet and the fighting around the Great Library, the story reveals how close Caesar came to defeat — even death.
You’ll hear how the Alexandrian War reshaped the ancient world: the rise of Cleopatra as ruler of Egypt, the fall of Ptolemy XIII and Arsinoë’s capture, and Rome’s growing control over the Nile. The podcast also covers Caesar’s lightning campaign against Pharnaces, culminating in his swift victory at Zela, as well as the political turmoil awaiting him back in Rome — including the shocking mutiny of his own veterans.
Perfect for listeners interested in ancient history, Caesar’s military genius, the Ptolemaic dynasty, and the real events behind the legend.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yLcPbmDxBQk
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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Travel back to 52 BC, when Julius Caesar faced the greatest challenge of his Gallic campaign. After years of conquest, Gaul erupted in a massive rebellion led by Vercingetorix — a charismatic war leader who united nearly all Gallic tribes against Rome. What followed was a chain of battles, scorched-earth tactics, desperate marches, and relentless cavalry clashes that pushed Caesar’s army to the brink.This episode tells the full story of the road to Alesia: the disaster at Gergovia, the rise of Gallic resistance, the dramatic cavalry battle that changed Caesar’s strategy, and the rebel leader’s decision to make his stand at the fortress city of Alesia.Here you’ll see how Caesar responded with one of the most extraordinary engineering feats of the ancient world — building two vast rings of fortifications stretching more than 35 kilometers. Inside Alesia, famine spread. Outside, a massive relief army gathered to break the siege. Between these two forces stood Caesar’s legions, surrounded, outnumbered, and fighting for survival.Watch the dramatic final assault unfold: the simultaneous attacks from inside and outside, the collapse of Roman lines, the desperate counterattack, and Caesar’s personal charge that broke the Gauls and decided the fate of an entire land.The surrender of Alesia ended the last great Gallic rebellion. Vercingetorix was captured, paraded through Rome, and executed — while Caesar’s victory paved his path to absolute power.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/VXhRUyqj4yM
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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The Phoenicians — the legendary sailors of the ancient Mediterranean — transformed the world not through conquest, but through trade, innovation, and one invention that changed human history forever: the alphabet.This episode explores the rise of the Phoenician city-states of Tyre, Sidon, Byblos, and others; their mastery of shipbuilding and navigation; the collapse of the Minoans and the birth of Phoenician maritime dominance; their global trade networks stretching from the Levant to Spain and even Britain; and the creation of Tyrian purple, the most valuable dye of the ancient world.
Discover how these independent coastal cities built colonies across the Mediterranean, culminating in the great powerhouse of Carthage. Learn how the Late Bronze Age Collapse opened the door for Phoenician independence, how Assyria, Babylon, and Persia reshaped their fate, and how Alexander the Great ended their era of autonomy with the destruction of Tyre.
Most importantly, see how a simple system of 22 letters — the first true alphabet — spread from Phoenicia to Greece, Rome, and far beyond, becoming the foundation of nearly every writing system used today.
If you enjoy deep dives into ancient civilizations, maritime history, and forgotten cultures that shaped our world, this episode is for you.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/qCUVuKenP0g
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Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Who were the Aztecs — and how did they go from nomadic outsiders to rulers of a mighty empire in just two centuries? This full-length documentary explores the incredible rise, complex society, and dramatic fall of the Aztec civilization, from their legendary migration out of Aztlan to the Spanish conquest that ended their reign in 1521.The Aztecs, or Mexica, built one of the most advanced and powerful civilizations in pre-Columbian America. Without the use of iron, wheels, or draft animals, they engineered the stunning city of Tenochtitlan atop a lake, developed sophisticated systems of agriculture using floating gardens (chinampas), and organized a complex political structure centered around the tlatoani — the “Great Speaker”.In this video, we dive into their society, where families were grouped into calpulli, artisans held honored status, and even slavery followed a surprisingly nuanced set of laws. You’ll learn how their class structure worked, how rulers were chosen, and how military service gave commoners a chance to rise through the ranks — provided they could capture enemies fit for sacrifice.We also take an unflinching look at Aztec religion and cosmology. Far from being a side note, human sacrifice was central to Aztec ideology. The Aztecs believed the universe was in a constant battle against chaos, and only through ritual bloodshed could the sun continue to rise. The gods Huitzilopochtli, Tezcatlipoca, Quetzalcoatl, and others played key roles in shaping their worldview, myths, and rituals.But the empire’s glory would not last. When Hernán Cortés landed in 1519, he encountered not just a wealthy empire, but deep internal divisions and resentful subject peoples. Through diplomacy, manipulation, and overwhelming native alliances, the Spanish and their allies brought down the Aztecs in less than two years.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1hlL9yEYGL4
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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On August 2nd, 216 BC, Rome faced its darkest day. At the small town of Cannae, the Carthaginian general Hannibal achieved one of the most astonishing victories in the history of warfare. Outnumbered and deep in enemy territory, he used strategy, deception, and flawless timing to surround and annihilate a Roman army of nearly 90,000 men. By nightfall, more than 50,000 Romans were dead, thousands more were captured, and the Republic itself trembled on the brink of collapse.This video tells the full story of the road to Cannae — from the end of the First Punic War and Carthage’s revival, to Hannibal’s oath of hatred against Rome, his daring march across the Alps, and his string of early victories at the Trebbia, Lake Trasimene, and beyond. We’ll explore how Rome tried to adapt with the Fabian strategy, why the Republic abandoned caution, and how Hannibal prepared the perfect trap on the dusty plains of Apulia.The Battle of Cannae remains one of the most studied military engagements in history. Generals from Napoleon to Schlieffen saw it as the pinnacle of tactical genius, and it continues to be a classic example of how brilliant leadership can overcome even overwhelming odds. Yet for all its glory, Cannae was also a turning point — the last great triumph of Hannibal, and the moment when Rome learned the hard way that survival depended not only on soldiers, but on the unity of it's allies and the resilience of its state.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ERU5ltxaANk
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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Step into the lost world of Babylon — one of the most iconic cities in human history. From the Tower of Babel to the Whore of Babylon, the city has been immortalized in the Bible, mythology, and ancient records as a place of immense power, wealth, and vice. But what’s the real story behind the legends?In this in-depth historical documentary, we trace the epic rise and catastrophic fall of Babylon over two thousand years — from a small Mesopotamian outpost to the glittering capital of empires, and ultimately to its final ruin and disappearance beneath the sands of time.You’ll discover the true origins of Babylon, how it emerged after the fall of the Akkadian and Ur dynasties, and how it rose to prominence under kings like Sumu-abum and Hammurabi, whose famous Code of Laws laid the foundation for one of the most sophisticated legal systems in the ancient world.We explore the complex social hierarchy of Babylonian society — from free landowners (awilum) and dependent workers (mushkenum) to slaves (wardum) — and take a closer look at the religious traditions, the cult of Marduk, and the controversial myth of temple prostitution associated with Ishtar.The documentary follows Babylon through the Kassite era, Assyrian domination, and into its stunning revival under Nebuchadnezzar II, whose military campaigns shaped the fate of the Kingdom of Judah, leading to the Babylonian Exile and the destruction of Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem.We examine the architectural marvels of Babylon — the Etemenanki ziggurat (believed by many to be the inspiration for the Tower of Babel), the Ishtar Gate, the Processional Way, and the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon.Finally, we cover the dramatic collapse of the Neo-Babylonian Empire under Nabonidus and Belshazzar, the arrival of Cyrus the Great and the Persian conquest, and the slow decline of the city during the Hellenistic, Parthian, and Islamic periods.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/iuWwIH6ib-k
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Journey through a thousand years of history — from the arrival of the Hebrews in Canaan to the destruction of the Second Temple — in this complete documentary on the history of ancient Israel.This comprehensive film brings together all three parts of our acclaimed series, tracing the origins, rise, fall, and transformation of the ancient Israelites through archaeology, historical records, and the Hebrew Bible.Witness the emergence of Israel from its Canaanite roots, the rise of kings like David and Solomon, and the split into the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Follow the Assyrian conquest, the Babylonian exile, and the birth of Judaism amid displacement and reform.See how Persian rule allowed the Jews to return and rebuild Jerusalem, how Greek domination brought cultural tension and the heroic Maccabean revolt, and how Roman conquest reshaped Judea under Herod the Great and the governors who followed him.The story culminates in the Jewish War, the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD, and the dawn of the Jewish diaspora — one of history’s most defining transformations.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/j7LtviUPv-E
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Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
What really happened in 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae, and Oplontis? This episode tells the dramatic true story of one of the most infamous ancient disasters in Roman history — the eruption of Vesuvius that turned thriving Roman cities into time capsules under volcanic ash.
Explore the daily life in Pompeii before the catastrophe: from bustling markets, luxurious villas, and Roman entertainment to gladiatorial games and bathhouses. Discover why wealthy Roman citizens chose to live near an active volcano and how fertile volcanic soil made the region economically vital to the empire.
We trace the story through eyewitness accounts, including the famous letters of Pliny the Younger, who described the eruption in detail to the historian Tacitus. Follow Pliny the Elder’s heroic attempt to rescue victims trapped by the ash clouds near Herculaneum — and learn how both Roman mythology and science tried to explain the catastrophe.
Understand the devastating impact of pyroclastic flows — the fast-moving waves of superheated gas and ash that obliterated cities in moments. Learn how thousands, including children, slaves, and the elderly, perished from extreme heat and suffocation.
Archaeological discoveries, from carbonized pomegranates to warm clothing and wall inscriptions, suggest the eruption may have occurred in autumn — possibly October or November, not August as once thought. These findings help experts build a clearer Pompeii timeline and reconstruct the final moments of life in these ancient Roman cities.
Whether you're interested in the history of Pompeii, the archaeology of Mount Vesuvius, or how ancient civilizations responded to natural disasters, this in-depth episode delivers powerful insight into a historical tragedy that still fascinates researchers today.
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This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/TNvg49RH2CY
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
This episode takes you inside the slave markets of the Roman Empire, where human lives were bought and sold as casually as goods at a marketplace. From young Greek boys trained in reading and writing to Thracian farmhands and Syrian women valued for their beauty, every person had a price — and those prices tell us a lot about Roman society, economy, and culture.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
-- How Roman slave markets worked and why the Forum Boarium in Rome became the heart of the trade
-- Real examples of slave prices preserved in historical records and contracts
-- Why certain groups — like educated Greek slaves, skilled craftsmen, and entertainers — were worth far more than unskilled laborers
-- The shocking differences between the cost of children, women, and men on the auction block
-- How Roman buyers evaluated slaves: age, origin, skills, health, and even physical appearance
-- The paperwork behind every sale, including contracts, receipts, and guarantees
-- How historians calculate what Roman prices (measured in denarii and sesterces) would mean in modern money
-- The economic and social impact of slavery on Rome — from agriculture and construction to households and entertainment
Slavery was not just a feature of Rome — it was the backbone of its empire. Millions of men, women, and children were enslaved, powering the economy and shaping daily life. Understanding how slaves were valued and traded opens a window into one of the darkest but most essential aspects of Roman civilization.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know not only the average cost of a slave in Ancient Rome, but also how these transactions reveal the harsh realities of human exploitation in the ancient world.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/g0A_OxIX338
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
What legal rights—if any—did slaves have in Ancient Rome? Popular depictions often show Roman masters wielding absolute power over their slaves, able to punish, torture, or even kill them without consequence. And for much of Roman history, that image isn’t far from the truth. Under Roman law, slaves were considered *res*, or property—often described as “speaking tools,” with no inherent legal personhood.
But the real picture is more nuanced. This video takes a deep, critical look at the *limits of a Roman master’s power* and the rare, often symbolic legal protections that slaves could sometimes rely on. Spanning over twelve centuries of Roman history, from the monarchy through the Republic and into the Empire, we explore how slavery evolved, how laws were applied (or ignored), and how power, politics, and social control shaped the legal status of the enslaved.
We examine:
* The origins of slavery in early Rome and how it functioned in small, agrarian households
* Why early Roman masters sometimes treated slaves with leniency — and how escape was once a viable option
* How territorial expansion, mass enslavement, and economic dependence hardened attitudes toward slaves
* The rise of legal mechanisms designed to *appear* protective while preserving the master’s dominance
* The role of *Roman censors* — powerful officials with the theoretical right to intervene in cases of slave abuse — and why they almost never did
* *Case studies involving emperors* like Augustus and Hadrian stepping in to prevent slave cruelty, not out of compassion, but because the violence was too public to ignore
* The introduction of laws under emperors like Claudius, Domitian, Antoninus Pius, and Constantine that placed minimal, often symbolic limits on cruelty
* The *Lex Petronia*, which prohibited masters from sending slaves to be executed by wild animals without judicial approval
* The legal concept of **manumission** and restrictions introduced by laws like the *Lex Aelia Sentia* and *Lex Fufia Caninia*
* *Contract clauses* that attached conditions to the sale of slaves — such as *ne manumittatur* (no manumission allowed), *ut manumittatur* (manumission required after a set period), *ut exportetur* (forced relocation), and *ne serva prostituatur* (ban on forcing female slaves into prostitution)
* The surprising legal consequences for breaking these clauses, including automatic freedom and legal protections for freedwomen
Despite these laws and clauses, Roman slaves were never treated as full human beings under the law. Even when protections existed, they were often designed to avoid public outrage, prevent rebellion, or maintain social order—not to ensure dignity or justice. Most slaves had no legal voice, no right to appeal, and no consistent protection from violence. Even the most progressive Roman laws treated slaves as valuable assets, not people.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/cmzNAi6v-sM
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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Did Ancient Rome really copy its religion from Greece — or is that just a modern myth? In this video, we uncover the true origins of Roman religion and show how it developed into a unique and complex system of beliefs unlike anything in Greece.
We begin with the earliest Italic tribes of the Tiber Valley, whose worldview was shaped by animism (the belief that nature itself is alive with spirit), totemism (sacred tribal animals like wolves, woodpeckers, and boars), and fetishism — the idea that certain objects held divine power. You’ll discover the “pledges of Rome’s eternity,” seven sacred relics believed to guarantee the survival of the Roman state.
From there, we trace how Etruscan and Greek religion influenced Rome. The Etruscans gave Roman gods human form, while the Greeks provided myths to explain their origins — pairing Jupiter with Zeus, Venus with Aphrodite, Mars with Ares, and so on.
But this blending was never perfect. Roman gods had different roles, personalities, and meanings. We also explore gods the Greeks never had: Janus, god of beginnings and endings; Quirinus, protector of the Roman people; the household Lares and personal Genius; Pomona, Vertumnus, Terminus, Mefitis, and many others.
Roman religion also worshipped abstract values like Virtus (Valor), Pax (Peace), Fides (Loyalty), and Disciplina (Discipline), building entire temples to ideas rather than personalities.
Unlike Greek religion, which emphasized myth, emotion, art, and beauty, Roman religion was about duty, tradition, and exact ritual. The Romans believed the gods cared less about faith and more about whether rituals were performed flawlessly. Every sacrifice, prayer, and gesture had to be precise — or repeated from the beginning.
Divination was another core part of Roman religion. Inherited from the Etruscans, practices like haruspicy (reading the entrails of sacrificed animals) and auspicy (interpreting bird signs) guided political decisions, wars, and daily life.
We uncover stories like Publius Claudius Pulcher at the Battle of Drepana, who mocked the sacred chickens — and lost an entire fleet.Roman priests were not a separate religious class. Priesthoods were held by politicians and generals — Julius Caesar, Cicero, Sulla, Augustus, and Scipio Africanus all served as priests while leading the state, proving how religion and politics were inseparable in Rome.
In the end, Roman religion wasn’t a copy of Greek religion — it was a fusion of Italic, Etruscan, and Greek beliefs shaped by Roman values: duty, order, family, and the power of the state.
This podcast uncovers how it worked, what the Romans truly believed, and why their religious system helped build one of the greatest empires in history.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/PMnPxF0okxQ
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Who was Nero, really? Was he the deranged tyrant who fiddled while Rome burned, a brutal killer who murdered his own mother and wives? Or was he a gifted artist and visionary, vilified by senatorial elites and early Christian chroniclers? This comprehensive historical podcast explores the life, reign, and legacy of Emperor Nero, one of the most controversial figures in the history of ancient Rome.
Born Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus in 37 AD, Nero was connected by blood to some of the greatest names in Roman history — Germanicus, Mark Antony, and Augustus. Adopted by Emperor Claudius and groomed for leadership by the philosopher Seneca, he seemed destined for greatness. And indeed, the first years of his reign were marked by stability, reform, and popularity. But beneath the surface, tensions brewed — with his ambitious mother Agrippina, with Rome’s conservative elites, and within Nero himself.
In this in-depth podcast, we trace Nero’s journey from promising young emperor to feared autocrat. We unpack the complex power plays that shaped his early reign, the dramatic fall of Agrippina, and the internal court dynamics that drove a wedge between Nero and his former mentors. We explore Nero’s artistic passions — his love of music, poetry, drama, and chariot racing — and how these pursuits scandalized Rome’s upper class.
One of the most infamous chapters of Nero’s reign — the Great Fire of Rome in 64 AD — is examined with fresh eyes. We separate fact from fiction, comparing ancient accounts by Tacitus and Suetonius with modern archaeological and historiographical perspectives. Did Nero really start the fire, or did he become a convenient scapegoat?
We also explore the savage persecution of early Christians in the wake of the fire — a campaign of terror that led to the martyrdom of the apostles Peter and Paul.
Finally, we cover Nero’s downfall: his loss of support among the Senate, the betrayal of the Praetorian Guard, and the rebellion of Galba.
What you'll learn in this episode:
- Why Nero was seen as a breath of fresh air in the early years of his reign
- How Roman society viewed artists, performers, and public entertainers — and why Nero’s passions caused outrage
- The influence of women in Roman imperial politics, especially Agrippina and Poppaea
- The brutal mechanisms of imperial control: poisonings, show trials, and forced suicides
- The origins of the Nero-as-Antichrist legend and its impact on early Christian thought
- Why modern historians are reassessing Nero’s legacy — and what still makes him so fascinating today
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/yAkmyw0byQM
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🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
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Who were the Sumerians? Where did they come from — and what happened to them?In this in-depth podcast, we explore the rise and fall of Sumerian civilization, one of the most influential cultures in human history. From the first cities in the world to the invention of writing, the wheel, beer, and even the seven-day week, the Sumerians shaped the foundations of our modern world.
This episode covers the history of ancient Sumer, including the Ubaid and Uruk periods, the invention of cuneiform, Sumerian mathematics and astronomy, the reign of Sargon of Akkad, the Gutian invasion, and the fall of Ur. Learn how early Mesopotamian city-states like Uruk, Ur, Kish, and Lagash competed for power and influenced civilizations that followed — from Babylonians to Assyrians.
🔍 What you’ll learn:– Who the Sumerians were and where they came from– How the Sumerians built the first complex cities– How cuneiform writing developed from clay tokens– The role of ziggurats, temples, and religion in city life– Sumerian advances in law, science, technology, and math– Why base-60 math still shapes how we tell time– How the Sumerians influenced Akkadians, Babylonians, and beyond If you're interested in ancient Mesopotamia, the origins of civilization, or the real story behind the Tower of Babel, this video is for you.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ygbPGogGdz8
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Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Did Jesus of Nazareth really exist? In this episode, we explore what historians and scholars say about the historical Jesus — not the religious figure of the Gospels, but the man who may have lived in first-century Judea.
We examine non-Christian sources that mention Jesus, including ancient writers like Josephus, Tacitus, Suetonius, Pliny the Younger, Lucian, and Mara bar Serapion. What did these authors say about Jesus? Are their accounts authentic? And what can we learn from them about the origins of Christianity?
We also discuss the famous Testimonium Flavianum, the controversial passage in Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews, and analyze whether it was altered by later Christian scribes. You’ll learn how scholars separate authentic references from forgeries, and why the lack of archaeological evidence isn’t unusual for figures of that time.
📚 Topics Covered:
-The historical context of Jesus and early Christianity
-What non-Christian sources say about Jesus
-Josephus and the Testimonium Flavianum
-Tacitus and the fire of Rome
-Suetonius and the Claudius expulsion
-Pliny the Younger’s letter to Trajan
-Lucian and Mara bar Serapion on the crucified “wise king”
-Why Jesus might not have been famous during his lifetime
-Lost sources, Christian forgeries, and Middle Ages censorship
Whether you're religious, skeptical, or just curious, this episode breaks down the historical evidence for Jesus — clearly, critically, and based on academic research.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/IQPhfuanqHg
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Spartacus — a name that has transcended history to become a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and defiance against tyranny. But behind the legend was a real man — a Thracian soldier turned gladiator, whose courage and leadership would shake the foundations of the Roman Republic.
In the early 1st century BC, Rome stood at the height of its power. Its legions ruled over vast territories, and its economy thrived on the labor of millions of enslaved people. Yet beneath this facade of glory lay tension, cruelty, and despair. When Spartacus and his fellow gladiators escaped from a training school in Capua, no one could have imagined that this small uprising would ignite one of the most dangerous wars Rome had ever faced.
Over the next three years, Spartacus’s army of slaves and gladiators defeated one Roman army after another, humiliated consuls, and spread panic across Italy. From the slopes of Mount Vesuvius to the plains of Lucania, his forces fought with unmatched discipline and ferocity — proving that even those born in chains could challenge the might of an empire.
This podcast retraces the incredible journey of Spartacus: his possible Thracian origins, his capture and enslavement, his life as a gladiator under Lentulus Batiatus, and his transformation into the leader of the largest slave revolt in history. We follow his victories against Glaber, Varinius, Lentulus, and Gellius; his complex relationship with his allies Crixus and Oenomaus; and his final confrontation with Marcus Licinius Crassus, the richest man in Rome.
You’ll also discover how the rebellion evolved from a desperate escape into a disciplined military campaign, how Spartacus’s tactics baffled Rome’s generals, and why his dream ultimately came to a tragic end. Drawing on the accounts of Plutarch, Appian, Florus, and Sallust, we explore both the myth and the man — separating historical truth from centuries of legend.
Spartacus’s story did not end on the battlefield. His name lived on, inspiring countless generations — from Roman slaves dreaming of freedom to modern revolutionaries fighting for justice.Watch the full story of Spartacus — the gladiator who defied Rome, the rebel who became a legend, and the man whose spirit still burns as a timeless symbol of resistance.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/IQPhfuanqHg
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Gaius Julius Caesar Germanicus — better known as Caligula — ruled the Roman Empire for just four years, yet his name became a symbol of madness, cruelty, and decadence. But how much of what we know about him is true? And how much is myth, gossip, or political propaganda?
In this podcast, we explore the rise and fall of Caligula, Rome’s third emperor, from his early years in military camps to the paranoia, executions, and divine ambitions that marked his final days. Along the way, we compare ancient sources like Suetonius, Cassius Dio, Josephus, and Philo, and separate historical fact from legend.
Topics covered in this Podcast:
- Caligula’s relationship with Germanicus and Tiberius
-His first months as emperor and surprising popularity
-The illness that changed everything
-Political purges and the fall of Tiberius Gemellus
-Caligula’s obsession with Incitatus, his favorite horse
-The plan to invade Britain
-His controversial deification and god complex
-The assassination of Caligula in 41 AD
-What modern historians say vs. ancient Roman writers
This episode is perfect for anyone interested in: Ancient Rome, Roman emperors, Julio-Claudian dynasty, Roman history documentaries, and the truth behind Rome’s most notorious rulers.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Gm2sk0mNmWw
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
Year 122 AD. Deep in remote Britannia, the Ninth Legion stands guard against northern tribes—Brigantes, Picts, Caledonians—bearing the full weight of Rome’s frontier. Yet fifty years later, the Ninth is simply gone. No records, no standard, no trace. What really happened to Rome’s most celebrated legion?
In this podcast, we trace the Ninth Legion’s journey from its early campaigns under Pompey and Julius Caesar—fighting at Alesia, Pharsalus, Thapsus—to its prized titles Hispana and Macedonica earned in Spain and on the roads to Actium. We follow the legion’s service under Vespasian and Agricola, its role in the Boudican revolt, and the brutal mutinies that nearly dissolved it. We chart its last known fortress at Eboracum (modern York) and explore how a dedicated detachment may have slipped away to the Rhine.
Finally, we examine the disappearance during the reign of the “Good Emperors,” separating fact from fiction and evaluating every theory: from a catastrophic defeat in Britain to a quiet transfer to the continent, and even fringe ideas of Bar Kokhba or Parthian disasters.
Along the way, we highlight key archaeological clues—military diplomas, altar inscriptions, and those iconic bronze eagle finds—and walk through the careers of Lucius Caer and Lucius Saturninus, whose diverging fates hint at untold scandal or dishonor. You’ll hear why the Ninth Legion captured the popular imagination in Sutcliff’s The Eagle of the Ninth and why modern historians still debate its fate.
Whether you’re a Roman history buff or simply fascinated by unsolved mysteries, this deep dive reveals how the Ninth Legion’s legacy endures and why its vanishing act remains one of antiquity’s greatest enigmas. Don’t forget to subscribe for more explorations of ancient empires.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/-TQfBKrh0OU
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
The Second Punic War was one of the most dramatic and consequential conflicts in all of ancient history — a seventeen-year struggle between the two great powers of the Mediterranean: Rome and Carthage. It was a war that produced two of the greatest generals the world has ever known — Hannibal Barca and Publius Cornelius Scipio, later called Scipio Africanus. Their rivalry, strategies, and battles shaped the course of Western civilization.
In this podcast, we trace the entire story of the Second Punic War — from Hannibal’s daring crossing of the Alps and his stunning victories at Trebia, Lake Trasimene, and Cannae, to the desperate years that followed, when Rome refused to surrender even in the face of disaster. You’ll see how the Republic slowly turned the tide of war: retaking Spain, crushing Carthaginian hopes in Sicily and Sardinia, and preparing for the ultimate counterattack.
We’ll explore how Scipio — once a young tribune at Cannae — rose to command Rome’s armies in Spain, trained the survivors of that battle into an elite fighting force, and launched his bold invasion of North Africa. You’ll witness the alliances, betrayals, and political intrigue that shaped the conflict: Carthage’s uneasy oligarchy, the role of Numidian kings Masinissa and Syphax, and the desperate maneuvers that brought Hannibal back from Italy for one last stand.
Finally, the podcast reaches its climax at the Battle of Zama (202 BC) — the confrontation that decided the fate of the ancient Mediterranean. We’ll examine Scipio’s tactics, Hannibal’s final gambit with war elephants, and the brutal clash that ended with Carthage’s defeat and Rome’s rise as the undisputed superpower of the ancient world.
This is not just the story of a war — it’s the story of endurance, genius, and the transformation of Rome from a republic fighting for survival into a dominion destined to rule for centuries.
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/pcYg1Tm2Htg
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas
When we talk about Rome’s greatest enemies, most people think of Hannibal, the Gauls, or the Carthaginians. But long before those names echoed through history, there was another — the Samnites. For over 30 years, these fierce mountain warriors fought Rome in a series of brutal conflicts known as the Samnite Wars, shaping the early Roman Republic and laying the groundwork for its future dominance.
In this in-depth historical podcast, we explore the full rise and fall of the Samnites — from their mysterious origins and unique language to their military brilliance and final destruction. The Samnites were more than just another Italic tribe; they were Rome’s most persistent and dangerous rivals during the Republic’s formative years.
Join us as we uncover:
‣ Who the Samnites were and what made them unique among Italic peoples
‣ The meaning of terms like Safines, Oscan, touto, meddix tuticus, and the Linen Legion
‣ How their rural society differed from Rome’s urbanized and class-divided structure
‣ What happened during the First, Second, and Third Samnite Wars
‣ The infamous Battle of the Caudine Forks, where Rome was forced to march under the yoke
‣ How Roman military reforms — like the manipular legion — were influenced by Samnite tactics
‣ The role of Gaius Pontius and other key Samnite leaders in their resistance against Roman expansion
‣ Why Rome built the Appian Way and how it helped turn the tide
‣ How the Samnites fought alongside Pyrrhus of Epirus, Hannibal, and later revolted in the Social War
‣ How Sulla’s campaigns erased Samnite independence — and nearly their memory
‣ The lasting legacy of Samnite blood in the Roman elite — including emperors and empresses
This is the forgotten story of Rome’s eternal enemies — a people who defied the Republic at its height and whose stubborn resistance forced Rome to evolve. Without the Samnites, Rome might never have become the empire we remember today.
Perfect for anyone interested in:
‣ Ancient Roman history
‣ Italic tribes and early Italy
‣ Forgotten wars of Rome
‣ Ancient military tactics and reforms
‣ The pre-imperial Roman Republic
‣ The roots of Roman expansion and conquest
🔔 Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss other stories from the ancient world, where the truth is often more dramatic than fiction.
This Episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/pcYg1Tm2Htg
Visit our website: https://parabellumhistory.com
Our merchandise store: https://parabellumstore.creator-spring.com/
Music from our podcast: https://share.epidemicsound.com/xk7k44/?playlist=kgati2pa4pi3mz2hsib867syv6zjdzqh
Listen early & support the channel on Patreon: https://patreon.com/ParaBellumHistoryChannel
🎤 Voiceover by: Nick Banas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbanas