Emperor Claudius

Tell me your favorite episode for the 6th anniversary show!It is a metal that can explode in water, a part of a mineral that helped build empires, and an ion that allows your nerves to fire and your muscles to move. It has helped preserve food, shaped trade routes, powered indust ...  Show more

Tell me your favorite episode for the 6th anniversary show! Over 4,000 years ago, in the cities of ancient Mesopotamia, people told the story of a mighty king who sought fame, found friendship, faced devastating loss, and went searching for the secret of eternal life. This story ...  Show more

The Persian Empire followed in the footsteps of the Assyrians and Babylonians, but it was a much different entity than its predecessors, and its founder - Cyrus the Great - deserves to be mentioned among history's most accomplished conquerors. Professor Matt Waters joins me to ...

The Empress Theodora is often unfairly remembered for the salacious stories that have been told about her when she was forced to work in a brothel. She was far more than that. She used her power to improve the fortunes of women who were unfortunate enough to go through the same s ...  Show more

16 January 27 BC is a date sometimes associated with the beginning of the Roman Empire. It was on that day that Octavian received the name Augustus, effectively becoming the first emperor of Rome. Augustus ordered the gates of Janus to be closed, marking an end to the period o ...

What happens at a Roman emperor's dinner party? Why would you be lucky to get out alive? And how are emperors even chosen?

Joining Kate today is the one, the only Mary Beard, to take us back to Ancient Rome and help separate the facts from the myths.

Mary's ...