When we look at history, we tend to focus on grand things like great leaders and great battles.
In reality, what makes for successful empires is often the mundane: stable laws, an uncorrupt civil service, or, for large sprawling empires, a system of roads.
Roads were one of the secrets to the success of Rome, and they proved useful for centuries, even after ... Show More
Nov 24
The Paraguayan War (Encore)
In the 1860s, one of the bloodiest wars in the Western Hemisphere took place….and it wasn’t the US Civil War.
It was a war between Paraguay and an alliance of Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil, and it was one of the bloodiest ever fought in Latin America.
It was a conventional wa ... Show More
15m 50s
Aug 2024
The Fall of Roman Britain
<p>By 410 AD, over 450 years after Julius Caesar first landed on its shores, the Romans had formally withdrawn from Britain. Burdened by military threats and political upheaval on the continent, the empire began to contract in on itself. The Romano-Britons were left to fend for t ... Show More
36m 10s
Oct 20
358. History of Rome (English Vocabulary Lesson)
When you imagine the city Rome, what comes to mind? Maybe the Colosseum, the Vatican, one of the largest empires in history, or delicious pasta? Rome isn’t just Italy’s capital; it’s also one of the most influential cities in human history. In today’s Thinking in English episode, ... Show More
21m 16s
Jul 2025
The Roman Conquest of the Hellenistic World
<p>For most of its history, Rome barely bothered with the Greek east. Then, quite suddenly, Rome exploded onto the scene, laying low the two most powerful Hellenistic warrior-kings of the past century. Within ten years, Rome became the undisputed hegemonic power of the Mediterran ... Show More
43m 35s
Sep 2024
Love, Betrayal, and the Battle for Rome (Replay)
HISTORY This Week returns with new episodes starting September 16th! In the meantime, listen to a favorite classic from the archives.
September 2, 31 BCE. Two camps prepare for battle off the coast of Greece. On one side is Octavian, Julius Caesar’s heir apparent. On the other, ... Show More
40m 48s