History Books Review
100 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 7 years ago - ★★★★★ - 55 ratingsI am a professional scientist, but in my spare time I read history books and I review them. I am mainly working through Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire at the moment, but will slip in a few other titbits from time to time. I normally get a show out every Thursday.
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Episodes
The Germans Invade Gaul - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 30 Part 2
December 09, 2013 08:13 - 6 minutes - 1.81 MBStilicho holds the Germans back in Italy, but the effort leads to Gaul being depleted of troops. In the winter of 406/407 barbarian tribes pour across the probably frozen Rhine breaching the empire's unmanned defences. The border will never be re-established.
Alaric - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 30 Part 1
November 17, 2013 23:08 - 14 minutes - 3.6 MBAlaric was the first barbarian to operate in Italy itself for over hundred years. He had some successes but failed to capture anything or anyone of any significance. He ended up retreating after being paid a large sum of cash to make him go away, but he would be back to make an even bigger mark.
Stilicho - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 29 Part 2
November 14, 2013 05:00 - 11 minutes - 2.62 MBTensions between east and west rise, with possession of Africa being the main bone of contention. Both halves of the empire are run by favourites rather than the emperor themselves. But the characters of these men, Rufinus in the east and Stilicho in the west are very different.
Byzantine Intrigue- Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 29 Part 1
November 07, 2013 09:35 - 6 minutes - 1.59 MBThe Byzantine Empire has a well deserved reputation for intrigue,plots and corruption in high places. Much of its history is that of court politics and behind the scenes power struggles. None illustrates this as well as the story of the able, energetic and utterly self serving scoundrel Rufinus who for a time managed the affairs of the eastern empire with a view to his own selfish ends.
The Destruction of Paganism - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 28
October 31, 2013 13:00 - 13 minutes - 3.21 MBThe destruction of paganism was one of the greatest acts of cultural vandalism in human history. A centuries old tradition that went back before recorded history was wiped out by the order of the emperor Theodosius. It would never be reversed.
The Last Triumph of Theodosius - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 27 Part 6
October 24, 2013 13:00 - 11 minutes - 2.74 MBTheodosius extinguishes the rebellion of Maximus to become the last man to rule a united Roman Empire that would be recognisable geographically to the emperor Augustus. But the nature of the empire had changed beyond all recognition.
St Ambrose - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 27 Part 5
October 17, 2013 13:00 - 9 minutes - 2.13 MBSt Ambrose was one of the most powerful figures in the declining empire of fourth century Rome. He was as much a politician as a churchman and did a great deal to promote the influence of Christianity in the empire.
The Triumph of Orthodoxy - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 27 Part 4
October 10, 2013 13:00 - 9 minutes - 2.33 MBThe increasingly theocratic Roman Empire starts to take measures to stamp out heresy, and the first Roman citizen has his head removed because of the ideas it contains.
Gregory of Nazianzus - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 27 Part 3
October 02, 2013 13:00 - 9 minutes - 8.31 MBGregory of Nazianzus started the process of redefining Christianity to make it more suitable to the commanding role it was coming to play in the Roman Empire. He also battled the heretics against the odds - but only won with outside support.
A Field Guide to Heresy - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 27 Part 2
September 29, 2013 22:10 - 11 minutes - 2.76 MBTheological wrangles were a big issue in the late Roman Empire. The orthodox form of Christianity did not immediately win everybody over, and for some time it was in danger of being replaced by what are now considered to be heretical views. This episode is a quick field guide to some of the alternative forms that Christianity might have taken.
Lucretius - The Nature of Things
August 16, 2013 22:33 - 11 minutes - 2.72 MBThe Nature of Things is a superb hymn to Epicurean philosophy that echoes a lot of what we believe today. It is stunning in fact, to find just how modern it is.
The Legions Leave Britain - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 27 Part 1
December 16, 2012 18:15 - 11 minutes - 13.7 MBThe early years of the reign of Gratian, who came to the throne at the age of 19 were very promising. He defeated the Lentienses at the battle of Colmar freeing Gaul from the threat of German invasion. He also solved the problem of who should rule the Eastern empire by the canny appointment of the very able Theodosius. If that was the measure of the youthful Gratian,things seemed set for a glorious reign as he matured. But it soon turned out that the early successes were down to good advice ...
Aftermath of Adrianople Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 26 Part 4
December 04, 2012 15:52 - 11 minutes - 6.5 MBWith the emperor dead and two thirds of his army destroyed Adrianople was one of the major setbacks in Roman history. In fact it has often been regarded as one of the decisive battles in the decline and fall of the Roman empire. It was certainly regarded as extremely serious by the people at the time. Accounts of the battle and its aftermath take on apocalyptic tones, almost literally so in the case of Saint Jerome. Jerome is recognised as one of the founding fathers of both the Catholic ...
Valens and the Goths - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 26 Part 3
November 09, 2012 07:39 - 12 minutes - 7.22 MBSince the time of the first emperor. Augustus, there had been a rough equilibrium between the empire and the German tribes. The empire had been too big for the Germans to defeat, but too overextended to threaten their independence. But with the Huns now about to wipe out the Germans the position had changed. The equilibrium was wrecked.
The Huns Attack - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 26 Part 2
November 04, 2012 08:57 - 8 minutes - 8.1 MBThe origin of the Huns is obscure. Gibbon traces it back to early first century when they were known as the Tanjou and lived on the borders of China just north of the Great Wall. This was not a coincidence. The Tanjou were a force to be reckoned with. They had put together a vast coalition of steppe peoples via diplomacy, war and straight forward intimidation. They had become powerful enough that they threatened to overthrow the ruling dynasty in China itself. The first wall built by the...
The Huns - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 26 Part 1
July 08, 2012 15:11 - 16 minutes - 15.4 MBGibbon was not alone in his fascination for the Roman Empire, and in the following generation Napoleon Bonaparte expressed his interest rather more practically by attempting to effectively refound it with himself as the new emperor. So it is quite fitting that in one his first battles as emperor, at Eylau, he should find himself up against Cossack horsemen armed with bows and arrows. They probably looked much like the Huns, also steppe nomads, who had played such a big role in the destruct...
Announcement - Future of the Podcast
June 23, 2012 15:01Afer seventy seven episodes, I have had a look at how well I am doing.
The Last Roman - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 7
June 21, 2012 05:00 - 13 minutes - 12.9 MBThe emperor Valerian was a strong and effective emperor, marred by a massive temper. And in the event it was his temper that got him in the end.
Theodosius in Africa- Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 6
June 13, 2012 22:11 - 9 minutes - 8.95 MBFrom the fall of Carthage in 146 BC to the arrival of Christianity at the end of the 2nd Century nothing much happened in the Roman province of Africa. But although it was uneventful it was far from unimportant. The Romans used Africa as the name for the area around Carthage, modern day Tunisia, and the southern shore of the Mediterranean to its east - the northern part of modern day Libya. At that time it was highly productive and fertile. The bread dole that formed part of the bread an...
Theodosius in Britain - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 5
June 06, 2012 14:01 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MBThe governement of Roman Britain suffered a catastrophic collapse when someone stole the troops' wages. The deserted and pillaged the country and allowed the Scots, Picts and Saxons to raid far and wide. Theodosius led a major operation to restore order.
Gibbon's Britain and Imperial Rome
May 31, 2012 05:00 - 12 minutes - 11.9 MBGibbon must have understood the early empire well, but probably not the later one so much. I think this gives us a clue as to why the empire fell.
Barbarians on the Rhine - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 4
May 24, 2012 06:00 - 10 minutes - 9.51 MBThe wide waters of the Rhine separated the rich and peaceful provinces of Gaul from the violent barbarians of Germany. But it was no barrier. The warlike tribes were only prevented from helping themselves to the property of the empire's inhabitants by the Roman army.
The Reigns of Valentinian and Valens - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 3
May 17, 2012 06:39 - 15 minutes - 14.2 MBValentinian was a brutal soldier, but did have a soft spot deep down. He had a no nonsense approach to religion. His brother had a lot more trouble with religious dissension, particularly in Egypt.
Procopius - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 2
May 10, 2012 05:00 - 9 minutes - 9.34 MBProcopiuswho w as the cousin of Juian and the last person with any connection with the house of Constantine made a bid to take over the empire and very nearly succeeded.
Brief Reign of Jovian - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 25 Part 1
May 06, 2012 21:47 - 11 minutes - 11.2 MBJovian's reign was promising but in the event was short lived. But it did mark the final establishment of Orthodox Christianity.
The Retreat of Jovian - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 24 Part 3
April 26, 2012 12:31 - 11 minutes - 10.9 MBJovian comes from nowhere to ascend the throne of the Roman Empire, then proceeds to make the first territorial concessions in hte empire's history. Julian is buried to widespread grief.
Could Julian the Apostate have defeated Christianity?
March 31, 2012 22:27 - 14 minutes - 13.5 MBJulian the Apostate was the last pagan emperor of Rome. He didn't directly persecute Christians, but he had the most effective response to them of any of the emperors. Could he have turned the tide with a longer reign?
The Death of Julian - Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 24 Part 1
March 29, 2012 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.63 MBTo everyone's surprise, Julian was killed in hand to hand fighting in Persia.
Julian Invades Persia Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire Chapter 24 Part 1
March 24, 2012 11:49 - 12 minutes - 11.5 MBJulian invades the Persian Empire. Nobody knows why, but it was probably motivated by his dislike of the Christians.
Black Swan by Nassim Taleb
March 06, 2012 21:55 - 10 minutes - 10 MBLike a conversation with an educated, intelligent and erudite friend who refers frequently to his equally clever friends. It is an enjoyable experience and you learn a lot and feel better, and maybe a little cleverer. In a random and unpredictable world, I can think of no greater recommendation.
Grand Strategy of the Byzantine Empire by Edward Luttwak
February 09, 2012 22:27 - 9 minutes - 8.61 MBThe Byzantine empire was finally ended in 1453 some eleven hundred years since Constantine moved the capital from Rome. For most of that time it had looked weak, often catastrophically so. It had been on its knees many times. Somehow it always managed to come through against the odds. Edward Luttwak's book goes a long way to explain how it managed it. If you are managing a declining superpower, this is a must read book.
Why the West Rules (For Now) by Ian Morris
February 07, 2012 22:43 - 6 minutes - 7.4 MBDuring the Middle Ages the sophistication and size of China dwarfed anything in Europe or the Middle East and an impartial observer would no doubt have confidently predicted that it would be the Chinese who were destined to rule the world. But they had achieved this by default thanks to problems and instability at the other end of the huge Eurasian continent. Later it was to be the Chinese that succumbed to problems leaving the West to forge ahead. Today the situation is that both are s...
The Hymn to Cybele by Julian the Apostate
January 11, 2012 22:46 - 11 minutes - 10.5 MB"Grant unto all men happiness, of which the sum and substance is the knowledge of the gods; and to the Roman people universally, first and foremost to wash away from themselves the stain of atheism, and in addition to this, grant them propitious Fortune, that shall assist them in governing the empire for many thousands of years to come! To myself grant for the fruit of my devotion to thee–-Truth in belief concerning the gods, the attainment of perfection in religious rites, and in all the un...
When Magic Still Made Sense: The History Books Review Guide to Neoplatonism
December 28, 2011 17:05 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBImagine some people who had grown up and lived their entire lives chained to the wall of a cave. Their only view of the world comes from shadows cast into the cave. They would have some idea of what the world was like, but would be unable to fully experience and appreciate the full depth of the colours, the sounds and the smells of the world outside. They would have only the haziest notions of the motivations and passions of the people living there.
Julian and the Christians
December 08, 2011 07:52 - 17 minutes - 16.7 MBAlexandria was one of the major cities of the Roman empire, and one that would have appealed to Julian. It was founded by Alexander the Great, who was one of Julian's heroes. It was also the centre of a major pagan cult, that of Serapis. (If you are wondering who Serapis was, he was created by the Greek founders of Alexandria as an amalgam of Greek and Egyptian elements so as to appeal to both ethnic groups. Cynical manipulation of religion for political purposes has a long history.) A...
Julian and the Pagans
November 27, 2011 23:00 - 14 minutes - 13.9 MBConstantine's adoption of Christianity and the ramifications of it triggered off a full scale religious crisis in the empire that was to last for the whole of the fourth century. As Julian came to the throne Christians were already fighting other Christians and it was only a matter of time before other religions resorted to violence as well. What would Julian do about it? To everyone's surprise his first edict was one of tolerance. His approach looked good on paper. Everyone was free to fol...
Julian and the Jews
November 21, 2011 22:53 - 9 minutes - 9.37 MBIt is hard not to admire the way that the Jews have succeeded in maintaining their culture and identity for many thousands of years. This has been achieved in the face of some pretty big practical difficulties. They have rarely had the support of a state and have often been subject to some pretty severe persecutions. For instance, when Julian became the last pagan to come to the throne they were going through one of their bad patches. The Christians had not that long ago broken away from th...
Against the Galileans by Julian the Apostate
November 11, 2011 11:02 - 10 minutes - 10.2 MBNot many leaders in history write books. Quite a few don't read books. Those that do put pen to paper rarely write anything of more than historical interest. But even among the small number that do stand up to scrutiny, Julian the Apostate's lengthy polemic 'Against the Galileans', his critique of the Christianity of his time, is a completely unique document. There really is nothing to compare it with.
Julian the Apostate
October 30, 2011 22:31 - 22 minutes - 20.8 MBReligion is often accused of causing most of the wars in history. This is hardly fair. People are quite capable of picking fights without any divine inspiration, even if religion is a handy justification to cover your true motives. And religious leaders sometimes take a role in solving problems, which evens up the balance sheet a bit. But the charge is not totally groundless. Religion itself can be the problem, and the religious trauma of the late Roman Empire is the textbook case.
Julian the Reformer
October 11, 2011 21:11 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MBJulian managed to get a lot done in his short life. It's a shame he didn't write a book on time management, I'd love to know how he was so productive, but he did write a lot. Its a shame that more of his writings haven't survived. They aren't as well written as the works of Caesar or Marcus Aurelius and his choice of subject matter isn't particularly compelling. But nonetheless you can still pick up his intelligence and perceptiveness. I get the feeling that he would have been pretty su...
Julian the Emperor
October 02, 2011 15:14 - 19 minutes - 18.1 MBIn the late summer of 360 Julian marched across the Rhine near modern day Basel and out of the empire with a mere 3,000 hand picked volunteers. He penetrated the Black Forest just north of the Alps. Travelling light and crossing mountains and morasses by obscure and rarely used routes he was soon out of contact with the civilised world.
Julian the Rebel
September 26, 2011 06:18 - 18 minutes - 17.2 MBIn an absolute monarchy much hangs on the personality of the man on top, and the events covered in this podcast are pretty much the result of the emperor's management style. Constantius seems to have been the kind of boss that corridor warriors thrive under. He was far from ineffective as an emperor and I'll be looking at his balance sheet a bit later, but he does seem to have had a bit of a weakness in delegation skills. Time and again we see him letting highly unsuitable people get into...
Heretics
September 15, 2011 06:27 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBImagine a large chunk of the population suddenly adopted a strange set of beliefs that you couldn't understand, and that they themselves couldn't explain. Then imagine that they started arguing with each other over seemingly insignificant details. And they are very serious about it all. Deadly serious. They are prepared to die for their beliefs. And to kill for them. Then they get control of the state, and start fighting each other. Armies are deployed and full scale pitched battles foug...
The Conversion of Constantine
September 08, 2011 04:30 - 21 minutes - 20.1 MBConsidering that the establishment of Christianity was the most lasting effect of his reign, it is a bit surprising that we don't know exactly when Constantine became a Christian.
Julian in Gaul
September 01, 2011 05:00 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBJulian set off to Gaul with a guard of 300 men and without any idea of military matters. The plan was simply to give an air of concern to a neglected theatre. The Alemanni were well established and imperial forces were disorganised. The actual running of the campaign was in the hands of Sallust, an experienced general. Sallust and Julian, despite coming from totally different backgrounds, hit it off personally. Throughout his life Julian was to show himself capable of charming people, but ...
Constantius and Julian
August 25, 2011 05:00 - 23 minutes - 22 MBBlackadder: Where is the prisoner. Baldrick: He's dead. Blackadder: Dead? Are you sure? Baldrick: Well I cut his head off. That usually does the trick. In that episode of Blackadder 2, Edmund Blackadder had been put in charge of the Tower of London and had brought all the scheduled executions forward so he could enjoy a long weekend. Unfortunately Queen Elizabeth had changed her mind about killing one of her favourites. When the change of instructions got through, it was too late. Wi...
Constantius and Gallus
August 18, 2011 12:00 - 16 minutes - 15.6 MBWhen the sons of Constantine massacred all their close relatives, they spared a couple of their cousins. Gallus and Julian were too young to pose any immediate threat so they didn't have to be killed straight away. But as their parents had been killed something needed to be done with them, so they were held captive. Was there a long term plan for them? It is hard to say. Given that they had an empire to run, probably their captors forgot all about them. They were safely out of the pict...
Constantius
August 14, 2011 21:29 - 14 minutes - 13.2 MBConstantius was the middle of the three sons Constantine had with Fausta. Of the three he was the one that showed the most promise. Those who occasionally mention the education or talents of Constantius, allow that he excelled in the gymnastic arts of leaping and running that he was a dexterous archer, a skilful horseman, and a master of all the different weapons used in the service either of the cavalry or of the infantry.
The Death of Constantine
July 28, 2011 06:00 - 13 minutes - 13 MBConstantine died in Nicomedia in 337 after a short illness. He had lived to 64, a good age for the time. And he had one of the longest reigns in the history of the empire. His death came just after he had celebrated his thirtieth year as emperor, something only Augustus had previously achieved. It was fitting that he was buried in Constantinople, the city he founded.
The Character of Constantine
July 26, 2011 05:50 - 12 minutes - 11.8 MBIf it weren't for Constantine it is quite likely that very few of us would have ever been inside a Christian Church. The city he founded bore his name up until the lifetime of my Grandfather. It is still the largest one in Europe. Ten more emperors were to bear the name Constantine, and when Greece became an independent nation in modern times several of its kings were also called Constantine which remains a popular name there and elsewhere. Aristocratic titles throughout Europe hark ba...