054- All in the Family

The Julio-Claudian family was rife with conflict, but nothing compared to the battle fought against the Germans in the Teutoburg Forest. 

The early years of Tiberius's reign were defined by his growing jealousy of his nephew/adopted son Germanicus. After winning victories on the far side of the Rhine, Germanicus was sent east, where in 19 AD he died under mysterious circumstances. 

Despreciado por su propia familia a causa de sus defectos físicos, Claudio se vio marginado del poder por Tiberio y sufrió luego las crueles burlas de Calígula. Pero tras el asesinato de éste los pretorianos, para sorpresa de todos, lo auparon al trono imperial. Con el tiempo, se ... Show More

<p>Marcus Aurelius was the last of the &apos;Good Emperors&apos;. His son, Commodus, proved to be the exact opposite of his father. A bloodthirsty tyrant, his reign is often seen as marking the beginning of the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.</p><p>For a free ebook, maps an ... Show More

<p>Julius Caesar lies dead on the floor of the Senate. What will happen now? The answer lies with a man called Octavian, who will surprise and astonish the ancient world by reinventing the Roman state and ensuring two hundred years of peace - he is better known by his honorary ti ... Show More

<p>Given his incredible career, you'd perhaps expect the name of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus to be better known. Born in North Africa in 145AD, he rose to power after distinguishing himself as a military commander at a time of great instability in the Roman Empire. Finally br ... Show More

<p>Given his incredible career, you'd perhaps expect the name of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus to be better known. Born in North Africa in 145AD, he rose to power after distinguishing himself as a military commander at a time of great instability in the Roman Empire. Finally br ... Show More

Although Abdulmalik was an incredibly tough act to follow, his successor was bequeathed an unassailably powerful position. The caliphate was ascendant, and its frontier armies were so capable and efficient that they expanded its domain to unmatched extents practically autonomousl ... Show More

<p>Après l’assassinat de César en 44, Octave, son fils adoptif, s’impose progressivement comme son héritier politique. </p> <p><br></p> <p>Octave écarte par la suite ses rivaux, Marc Antoine et Cléopâtre et surtout, il installe un nouveau régime, le principat. </p> <p><br></p> <p ... Show More

Since ancient times the practice of castrating pre-pubescent boys, and sometimes men, was thought to make them loyal servants, suitable for roles at the heart of many imperial courts. Some historians believe this began with human slaves who were treated in the same way as animals ... Show More

While Epirus was rising and falling, Nicaea was consolidating. John Vatatzes, the new Emperor, was competent at home and abroad. After years of consolidation he decided to besiege Constantinople. But he didn't act alone he invited an unlikely ally to join him. Period: 1215-37 Hos ... Show More

Due to his father al Mahdi’s arrangement, Haroon al Rashid endured a traumatic year during which his brother tried to have him removed from the line of succession. Having barely survived the experience, he put a great deal of thought and effort into the matter of his own successi ... Show More