EPISODE 114: The Years of Lead: Piazza F...

<p>What did it look like inside a Roman brothel? Who was the sex worker involved in a murder plot to kill an Emperor? And why was the Pope getting sex workers to race chariots?!</p><br><p>In this first episode of our brand new limited-series on sex work through history, Kate is j ... Show More

<p>Evidence shows us that women gladiators fought in front of baying crowds in Ancient Rome.</p><br><p>Who were these women? How would these fights have played out? And what did the rest of Rome think of women taking up such a masculine space?</p><br><p>Joining Kate is historian ... Show More

Liv speaks with historian Dr Jane Draycott about Fulvia of ancient Rome, a woman at the centre of the fall of the Roman Republic... Unsurprisingly the conversation became something wider, looking at ancient women more broadly. Plus, we rant about the patriarchy, because it deserv ... Show More

<p>When you think about ancient gladiators, you likely have a certain vision that comes to mind: slaves forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of bloodthirsty Romans.</p><p>But much of what we think we know about gladiators is actually wrong.</p><p>Today on the show, ... Show More

<p>Who really were the gladiators of Ancient Rome?</p><br><p>With them once again hitting the big screens this month, we wanted to take you back a couple of thousand years to find out more about the people who fought and what their lives were really like.</p><br><p>What rights in ... Show More

<p>As the Roman Empire grew, so did the importance of its army - the Roman Legion.</p><br><p>But what was life on the march like? What happened on the encampments after dark? And why couldn't eunuchs join the Roman legion?!</p><br><p>Joining Kate today to tell her all about this ... Show More

The Roman Emperor Gaius, better known by his childhood nickname Caligula, is often counted among the worst rulers in the history of the world. According to some ancient sources his tumultuous four year reign was defined by wonton cruelty, sadistic sexual excess, and unchecked bl ... Show More

<p>From medieval d*ck pics to sex with monks, how did people in medieval times think about sex and sexuality?</p><br><p>It was a period that spanned roughly 1,000 years and even though views on sex were largely shaped by the dominant Christian faith, whether this filtered down to ... Show More

On today's episode, we explore how Rome dealt with the so-called "barbarians" who shaped its rise. From the Greek idea that anyone outside their polis was a barbarian (bar, bar, bar...), to Rome's practical alliances with these tribes, we dive into the myths, wars, and politics t ... Show More

<p>Early Modern Italy birthed artistic giants like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, saw architectural marvels like Florence's dome and St. Peter's Basilica, and pushed scientific frontiers in astronomy. This same vibrant era was also home to Bologna's uniquely regulated sex wo ... Show More