The Partial Historians

• Shirts Off For Virtus

  In this episode, we continue to follow the adventures of that most amazing of Romans: Marcus Furius Camillus! This is one of his real shining moments of virtus.Although the Romans have just conquered Veii, there was tension on those mean city streets. The patricians and plebeians were locked in a disagreement over what they should do with this new territory.However, Camillus had military matters to attend to. He was placed in charge of subduing Veii’s allies, the Faliscans. This was no easy task as the enemy was well-prepared and the city of Falerii was easily defended.Camillus was making some headway, but it looked as though this conflict was going to turn into another length siege. Boo!School for ScandalFortune sided with Camillus as the leading school teacher in Falerii decided to betray his people. He was in charge of the children of all the most important families in town, and what better way for kids to get exercise than to be marched right into the Roman camp?We don’t want to give too much away, but what Camillus does next will make you swoon like a love-sick teen. Oh, and it also gave us our next idea for a T-shirt, so thanks Camillus! You sure are a swell guy!Our PlayersMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerM. Furius L. f. Sp. n. Camillus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 401, 398, 386, 384, 381L. Furius L. f. Sp. n. Medullinus (Pat) Cos. 413, 409, Mil. Tr. c. p. 407, 405, 398, 397, 395, 391 C. Aemilius TI. F. TI. N. Mamercinus (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 391L. Valerius L. f. L. n. Poplicola (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 389, 387, 383, 380Sp. Postumius – f. – n. Albinus Regillensis (Pat)P. Cornelius -f. -n (--------) (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 397 or 395[?] Catlus VerusTribunes of the PlebsQ. PomponiusT. SiciniusA. VerginiusLegates, AmbassadorsL. Valerius Potitus (Pat) Cos. 393, 392, Mil. Tr. c. p. 414, 406, 403, 401, 398L. Sergius (Fidenas) (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 397A. Manlius (Vulso Capitolinus) (Pat) Mil. Tr. c. p. 405, 402, 397For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman EmpireFor our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Fulvia with Dr Jane Draycott

  In our latest special episode, we were positively tickled to be able to chat to Dr Jane Draycott about her latest historical biography Fulvia: The Woman who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome (published with Atlantic Books).For the uninitiated, Fulvia is one of the more notorious characters from the Late Roman Republic. If you’ve heard of her, it is probably as the wife of Mark Antony – the one he first cheated on with Cleopatra. What an honour.However, in this episode, you will get to hear why Dr Draycott thinks she is so much more than that. Join us to hear all about Fulvia’s other husbands, her many children and the rhetoric that destroyed her reputation.Dr DraycottDr Jane Draycott is a historian and archaeologist and is currently Lecturer in Ancient History at the University of Glasgow. Her research interests are extensive and include: displays of extraordinary bodies in the ancient world; the depiction of the ancient world in computer games; and domestic medical practice in ancient Rome. In 2023, Dr Draycott published Prosthetics and Assistive Technology in Ancient Greece and Rome with Cambridge University Press. 2022 was a huge year for Dr Draycott in terms of publications! First, there’s the co-edited collection Bodies of Evidence: Ancient Anatomical Votives Past, Present and Future with Routledge; Second, the co-edited the volume Women in Classical Video Games with Bloomsbury; Third(!), the edited volume Women in Historical and Archaeological Video Games for De Gruyter; And fourth (we’re already tired thinking about this much writing coming out all at once), the biography Cleopatra's Daughter: Egyptian Princess, Roman Princess, African Queen (Bloomsbury)We know that you will be running out to get yourself a copy of Fulvia once you have heard the fascinating details shared in this episode.And for keen listeners, rest assured that Dr Rad was keeping a tally throughout the interview of all of Augustus' hideous crimes :)Sound CreditsOur music is provided by the wonderful Bettina Joy de Guzman.For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• ¿Por Qué No Los Dos?

  It’s 395 BCE and we explore the events that are the result of the epic year of 396 BCE. The Romans ended 396 BCE on a high with their military success against the southern-most city of the Etruscans, Veii. But is all well in the Roman world? That may depend on which god you talk to…An incomplete victory?The defeat of Veii leaves the northern peoples - the Capenates and Faliscans - open to Rome’s wrath. Their resistance to Rome means that war is on Rome’s agenda. This may also explain why we see military tribunes with consular power.A great time for some Roman colonising?Despite the threats to the north, Rome seems intent on setting up a new colony down south towards Volscian territory. Does Rome really have the resources to spare for such an endeavour after a ten-year siege and problems north of Veii? Well, historians have some questions about that!What’s up Apollo?Camillus’ glorious leadership in taking Veii seems to be undermined by the his vow to Apollo which he had apparently forgotten. This creates real problems as the 10th portion to be offered to Apollo was not collected when the booty was distributed and now people OWE the gods… Will Camillus’ reputation emerge unscathed?Things to listen out forIs Veii more attractive to the plebeians than Rome? Scandal!A proposal to send half of Rome’s population, patricians and plebeians to Veii - a classic case of Porque Lo Nos Dos?Some very grumpy patricians playing the ‘Romulus’ cardBlaming Titus Sicinius for putting ideas into the plebeians’ headsConnections with Greek history…A beautiful golden bowl!Drama in Sicily including an appearance from Magon the CarthaginianOur PlayersMilitary Tribunes with Consular PowerPublius Cornelius P. f. A. n. Cossus (Pat)Publius Cornelius - f. -. N. Scipio (Pat)Kaeso Fabius M. f. Q. n. Ambustus (Pat). Previously Military Tribune with Consular Power in 404, 401.Lucius Furius L. f. Sp. n. Medullinus (Pat). Previously Consul in 413, 409 and previously Military Tribune with Consular Power in 407, 405, 398, 397.Quintus Servilius Q. f. P. n. Fidenas (Pat). Previously Military Tribune with Consular Power in 402, 398.Marcus Valerius M. f. M. n. Lactucinus Maximus (Pat). Previously Military Tribune with Consular Power 398.Tribunes of the PlebsTitus SiciniusQuintus PomponiusAulus VerginiusFor our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Gladiator II with Alexandra Sills

  Rounding out our trilogy of special episodes on Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II, we are joined by gladiator expert, Alexandra Sills.Alexandra holds a BA in Classical Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London and a MA in The Classical Mediterranean from the University of Leicester. Alexandra’s MA dissertation was awarded the Mark Pluciennik prize in Archaeology & Ancient History. Alexandra has published outreach articles for Bad Ancient and Working Classicists and recently published an academic article entitled ‘The Tropification of Hollywood Heroes Thrown Into the Arena’ for Melita Classica in 2023. Alexandra’s current research focuses on gladiators in the ancient world and their reception on film and television. We’re thrilled to have her on the show to discuss all things gladiators.We start with a history of the development of the gladiator in the Roman world including:The Etruscan evolutionThe Julius Caesar effect and the subsequent influence of AugustusThe osteo-archaeological evidence for gladiatorsAre there things that Gladiator II gets right from the perspective of the ancient evidence? We discuss the possibilities with Alexandra.Things to listen out for:The nobility of the screen gladiator versus the infamia of gladiators historicallyThe contrast between the crowd of spectators in the ancient world and in cinematic representationsThe dehumanisation involved in the arenaThe role of the love interestThe gladiator connection of Katniss EverdeenThe trope of the woman in the refrigeratorHow to make sure gladiators are dead in the arena and on filmThe complexities of katabasis (journeys to the Underworld) in the context of films and sequelsThe challenges of setting a film in Ancient Rome but changing key elements of history through the storytellingThe deep specialisation of the different gladiatorial fighting stylesWhere are the shields? Where are the nipples?Sexuality in the Roman imperial era versus the representation on screenFor our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  1:19:37

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• The Fall of Veii: Part III

  We return for the final instalment on the fall of Veii in 396 BCE.In our previous episode, we witnessed the actual conquest of the great Etruscan city.Now it’s Camillus’ time to bask in the glory!He's a Real TripCamillus has managed to secure victory for Rome, and one of the advantages now that it’s all over is that sweet, sweet booty. Everyone knew that Veii was wealthy, but Camillus is staggered (pun intended) by the number of captured spoils. As he offered detailed thanks to the gods, he stumbled. The Romans were a superstitious bunch, so although Camillus tried to gloss over this trip, it was seen as an omen. Camillus, and perhaps Rome herself, were destined to take a mighty tumble. Foreshadowing!But that all lay in the future. Camillus had to decide how to divvy up the booty. He tried to take the sensible path and consult with the Senate, but he failed to please most of the populace with his choices. Ingrates!This Lady IS for Turning!The fate of Veii’s tutelary deity, Juno Regina, was an even more delicate matter. The Romans hoped they could persuade her to switch her allegiance and residence to Rome. Juno agrees to make the move and was initially established in a new temple on the Aventine. That little minx!This is the first example of the ritual of evocatio, which we sometimes see pop up when Rome conquers Etruscan cities. This may have something to do with the fact that the rite probably originated in Etruria. We wish we knew more about this fascinating practice, but as usual, we have more questions than answers. The religious calendars of Rome indicate that the cult of Juno Regina did begin at around this time, so this may lend some support to our historical narrative. Either way, Veii has now not only been conquered, but stripped of divine protection. OUCH.Celebrate Good Times, Come On!Back in the city, the Romans are thrilled with this military victory. Camillus was mobbed by crowds upon his return. No one will be surprised to hear that Camillus was awarded a triumph. EVERYTHING about it was OTT. Not everyone thought this triumph was in good taste. After such an important victory, Camillus was eroding those warm fuzzies in record time. That is, of course, if we can believe the details. It’s hard to know what the norm was for a triumph in the early 4th century BCE.Camillus ignored the haters, and busied himself with all the vows and promises he had made to various deities. There were temples to build for Juno and Mater Matuta, and then there was also the matter of gifts to Apollo. Camillus had pledged one tenth of the booty seized. The pontiffs decided that this needed to come from the people, who were less than impressed with a request to return some of their share of the spoils.The Year That Had EverythingThe year wrapped up with peace being secured on multiple fronts. Perhaps after seeing Veii’s defeat, the Volscians and Aequians decided to sue for peace themselves.396 BCE truly was an epic year. We think you’ll agree once you’ve listened to all parts of our trilogy that it deserves to be known as ‘The Year That Had Everything’. For our full show notes and edited transcripts, head on over to https://partialhistorians.com/Support the showPatreonKo-FiRead our booksRex: The Seven Kings of RomeYour Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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