080- Optimus Trajan

Though Hadrian's career had long been guided by Trajan, when the Emperor died in 117 he still had not named Hadrian heir. 

Hadrian's reign got off to a rough start following the political murders of four ex-consuls. The new Emperor would eventually settle in though and set out on his first grand tour of the Empire in 121. 

How did Constantine the Great conquer his rivals and shape the Roman Empire?

Tristan Hughes discusses the dramatic rise of Roman Emperor Constantine I with Professor David Potter. They discuss the scandalous tales and strategic manoeuvres that defined Constantine's a ...

Perhaps most significant among al Mansur’s many triumphs was his founding of a new capital for his administration, a glorious new city which would come to be known as Baghdad. It was a decision that had a tremendous impact on Arab and world history, bringing the umma another step ...  Show more

Synopsis:  The death of King Philip I marks the official end of the Seleucid line.  Invited by the Antiochenes to rule them, King Tigranes II of Armenia proceeds to conquer all of Syria – including Cleopatra Selene’s stronghold of Ptolemais-Akko.  But Tigranes’ refusal to abandon ...  Show more

The history of the Roman Empire shows us how even the strongest pinnacles of power and innovation can collapse. From 753 to 509 BC, Rome changed from an ancient Kingdom to a Republic. This republic lasted until 27 BC and by that time, the Roman Empire stretched across Europe, ...