logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2010
17m 49s

017- Pyrrhic Victories

MIKE DUNCAN
About this episode
The Greek cities of southern Italy called on King Pyrrhus of Epirus to protect them from Roman encroachment. Though Pyrrhus was undefeated in battle, his victories were so costly that he was forced to withdraw from Italy in 275 BC, leaving Rome in control of Magna Graecia. 
Up next
Feb 2010
018- A History of Rome Christmas
Many of the traditions that surround modern Christmas have their roots in Saturnalia and the Feast of Sol Invictus. 
12m 46s
Feb 2010
019- Prelude to the First Punic War
It was inevitable that the Romans and Cartheginians would run into each other one day. 
16m 5s
Feb 2010
020a- The First Punic War
22m 40s
Recommended Episodes
Feb 2024
423. Carthage vs. Rome: The Wolf at the Gates (Part 3)
“Every man is the architect of his own destiny” Long before Rome reigned over the Mediterranean, there was Carthage: the supreme predator of Antiquity. But how did Rome rise to become one of the most ruthless powers of all time, united in cold, disciplined violence? And what was ... Show More
49m 29s
Jan 2022
De la arena a la gloria: la historia de Espartaco
Las aptitudes militares de Espartaco y su carisma personal convirtieron una limitada revuelta de gladiadores en la mayor rebelión de esclavos que conoció la antigua Roma; apenas tenían armas, pero eran fuertes y sabían combatir, y bajo su mando, los insurrectos batieron a seis ge ... Show More
11m 30s
Feb 2024
424. Carthage vs. Rome: Total War (Part 4)
In the third century BC, a clash which had been brewing for centuries finally erupted: Rome, the ruthless imperialist upstart dominating Italy, against Carthage, the ancient but sinister apex predator of the Mediterranean. The conflict sparked in Messina in 263 BC, and went on fo ... Show More
53m 30s
Mar 2024
The Sack of Rome 1527
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the infamous assault of an army of the Holy Roman Emperor on the city of Rome in 1527. The troops soon broke through the walls of this holy city and, with their leader shot dead early on, they brought death and destruction to the city on an epic sc ... Show More
46m 32s
Feb 2024
111 The Spartan Hegemony
In this episode, we discuss Spartan imperial policy at home and abroad in the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War at Sparta from 404-396 BC, including their war with Elis, the imperial ambitions of Lysander and the ascension of Agesilaos, Kinadon's foiled socio-political revolutio ... Show More
2h 18m
Feb 2024
Scipion, une Odyssée historique 6/6
<p style="font-style: italic;">Pour écouter l’émission en entier, sans pub, abonnez-vous ! <a href="https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo">https://m.audiomeans.fr/s/S-tavkjvmo</a></p> <p>Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, dit Scipion (235-183 av. J.-C.) était un général et homme ... Show More
8m 5s
Dec 2021
El secuestro del Papa de Roma por Napoleón Bonaparte
En enero de 1808, prácticamente toda Italia estaba bajo el dominio, directo o indirecto, del emperador Napoleón. Dispuesto a imponer su ley en toda Europa, en 1809 el emperador no dudó en arrestar al papa Pío VII y confinarlo en Francia hasta 1814, año en que fue liberado por los ... Show More
9m 16s
Jan 2022
The Fall of the Roman Empire Episode 5 "Pax Romana"
<p>Augustus&apos; Roman Empire produced over two hundred years of peace in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It was called the &apos;Pax Romana&apos;, or Roman Peace. It has never been achieved before or since. So, how did the Romans do it? Find out in this episode.</p><p ... Show More
18m 24s
Aug 2023
Rome vs Persia: an unwinnable fight
The Roman empire was used to getting its own way – but there was one power it was never able to overcome. Despite frequent bouts of warfare, the Parthian and later Persian empire managed to hold its own against Rome for more than six centuries, until a new force emerged that woul ... Show More
42m 52s
Oct 2023
Life in Rome at the Very Height of Its Power
The Pax Romana has long been shorthand for the empire’s golden age. Stretching from Caledonia to Arabia, Rome ruled over a quarter of the world’s population. It was the wealthiest and most formidable state in the history of humankind.<br><br>Today we are speaking with Tom Holland ... Show More
37m 53s