When Bougainville fought an incredible civil war over a colossal mine, and won, its military leader emerged a hero. But he would soon fall under the spell of a conman and cult leader who wanted the Pacific island—and believed himself to be its king.
The unlikely pair soon carved an empire out of a coconut palm jungle—and a wild, picaresque myth about Eden, a ... Show More
Aug 2018
Gregor MacGregor Invented a Country and Convinced People to Invest in It
When His Serene Highness Gregor the First, Sovereign Prince of the State of Poyais and its Dependencies, and Cacique of the Poyer nation visited London, he made a huge impression. Hundreds of people jumped at the chance to buy land in his remote, Central American paradise. There ... Show More
55m 7s
Apr 2025
CLASSIC: Gregor MacGregor Invented a Country and Convinced People to Invest in It
When His Serene Highness Gregor the First, Sovereign Prince of the State of Poyais and its Dependencies, and Cacique of the Poyer nation visited London, he made a huge impression. Hundreds of people jumped at the chance to buy land in his remote, Central American paradise. There ... Show More
57m 5s
Oct 2022
10. Killing for the Koh-i-Noor
Divide and rule, a man described as Brian Blessed but ‘with a bigger, bushier, blacker beard’, and a whole lot of regicide. Join Anita and William as they continue to take us through the rip-roaring history of the Koh-i-Noor diamond.
LRB Empire offer: lrb.me/empire
Twitter: @Emp ... Show More
58m 7s
Jan 2019
Emperor Commodus Pt. 1: The Gladiator
Known as one of the most egotistical Roman emperors, Commodus famously commissioned statues depicting himself as the mythical hero Hercules. He regularly fought as a gladiator, and claimed to be the son of Jupiter. Ultimately his megalomania would be his downfall, when in 192, a ... Show More
40m 15s
Mar 2023
Ep.13 - The Mutiny on the Batavia, Part One
The ship Batavia was sailing to Indonesia, filled with the worst kind of sailors, horrid conditions, but loaded with treasure. However, one member on board had dreams of stealing the treasure and creating his own pirate kingdom. He began a mutiny, which led to a shipwreck. What f ... Show More
49m 51s