logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2022
50m 53s

Dethroned Emperor: The Fall of Valerian,...

iHeartPodcasts
About this episode

In this episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe travel back to the third century CE to discuss the Battle of Edessa, in which the Sasanian Empire not only defeated the Roman army but also took its Emperor as a prisoner of war. How did the emperor’s capture impact the already crisis-ridden Roman Empire, and how was Valerian’s fall possibly mythologized by Christian historians? Find out…

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Today
From the Vault: Lost Wonders, with Tom Lathan
In this classic episode of Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert chats with Tom Lathan, author of “Lost Wonders: 10 Tales of Extinction from the 21st Century.” (originally published 6/19/2025)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
45m 30s
Yesterday
Weirdhouse Cinema: In the Mouth of Madness
In memory of the late, great Sam Neill, Rob and Joe devote this episode of Weirdhouse Cinema to John Carpenter's reality-warping 1994 horror film "In the Mouth of Madness," co-starring Julie Carmen and Jürgen Prochnow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
1h 58m
Jul 23
Dog Days and Death Stars, Part 4
In this series from Stuff to Blow Your Mind, Robert and Joe discuss the dog days of summer, their connection to a luminous star in the night’s sky and various ideas linking the summer’s hottest days to human and animal behavior.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 
54m 43s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2023
305: The Fall of the Roman Republic
In this second episode on perhaps the most notorious assasination in world history, Tom and Dominic look at the bloody and chaotic aftermath of the death of Julius Caesar. They discuss the fate of the senators turned assassins, their failure to restore the institutions of the rep ... Show More
56m 31s
Jun 2024
Episode S8 - Decumbo
Synopsis: Part 2 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetrarch, conqueror, schemer, would-be ruler of the (Dacian?) Empire, and persecutor of the Christians. A rollicking Third Century rom ... Show More
35m 17s
Apr 2022
EP 20 A Republic Lost at Sea
Professor Barry Strauss and Dan talk about Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar and a host of historical luminaries in a tale worthy of Shakespeare as the Roman Republic goes down with the ships at Actium. Show Notes: 1. "The War That Made the Roman Empire: Anto ... Show More
1h 8m
Dec 2023
103. Alexander the Great: Defeating Darius
Darius has already been defeated by Alexander. His wife has been kidnapped and has now died in childbirth. The omens sent by the gods bode ill for him. Yet, the two are ready to face off at Gaugamela. Will Darius be the first commander to defeat Alexander in battle, or will he fa ... Show More
41m 2s
Dec 2013
#5 - Xia 3: The Fall Of The House Of Xia
This episode we cover our source materials, and then delve into the latter half of the Xia Dynasty post Shao Kang's restoration. It all ends with the corrupt and cruel Emperor Jie coming face to face with the Army of Shang bearing down on him, intent on ending his reign of terror ... Show More
30m 31s
Feb 2017
The Russian revolution and myths of ancient Egypt
Robert Service explores the downfall of tsar Nicholas II while John Romer discusses popular misconceptions about life in ancient Egypt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 
50m 59s
Feb 2022
156. When did the Roman Empire fall?
Tom and Dominic explore what Edward Gibbon called “the greatest, perhaps, and most awful scene in the history of mankind”: the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed show ... Show More
54m 11s
Jul 2020
Episode CXLV - Battle of the Teutoburg Forest
In 9CE three Roman legions were walking through Germany when they were ambushed in what would become one of the most notorious defeats throughout Rome’s history. The loss of the legions were a crippling blow to Rome’s plans of expansion, and redrew the borders in the province. Gu ... Show More
34m 55s
Jan 2022
12 Days: Nero's succession and the fall of the Byzantine Empire
In a distinctly Roman start to 2022, Tom sets the scene for Rome's "Year of the four Emperors", while Dominic recounts a battle which was the beginning of the end for the Byzantine Empire. *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See t ... Show More
32m 4s
Oct 2010
112- Captured Alive
Valerian and his son Gallienus did their best to hold the Empire together through the 250s AD, but after Valerian was captured by the Sassanids things quickly spiraled out of control. 
25m 55s