Diocletian a low-born Illyrian, rose to emperor in a period of crisis. Instead of waiting for another civil war to erupt, he appointed Maximian to co-rule with him, and handle the problematic western empire. But as problems with invading armies and usurpers continued, Diocletian took the dramatic step of appointing additional emperors in AD 293, establishing the Tetrarchy ('Rule of Four Men'). This militarized system concentrated power in the hands of four absolute autocrats, sidelining the Senate and marking the shift from Principate to Dominate.Donate: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/37Z8MND7GV7XEYoYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfCPE
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Diocletian's Rise - The Pax Romana Podcast 78
Turmoil resumed following Emperor Aurelian’s assassination in AD 275. Rapidly changing emperors, barbarian invasions and internal strife defined the years 275-284. Within this chaos, Diocles, a low-born Dalmatian soldier, seized power in 284. But instead of joining the long list of warlords that only temporarily won power before falling in civil war, he laid a new foundation for a transformative era in Roman politics.Donate: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/37Z8MND7GV7XEYoYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ProfCPE
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What are the Best Roman History Books? - The Pax Romana Podcast QA10
Students often ask me for Roman Empire book recommendations. Listeners have as well. It is easy to find popular histories, but here I discuss eleven excellent hidden gems--books that are great for the causal reader, but robust enough that I’ve used them in my research and teaching. These aren’t popular titles, but they’re brilliantly crafted by leading academics, diving deep into Rome’s history, culture, religion and economy. Each book is well-written, accessible, and budget-friendly, perfect for history fans and students eager to explore Rome’s epic story.Book List:Rome: An Empire’s Story by Greg WoolfThe Fall of the Roman Empire by Peter HeatherMarcus Aurelius by Antony BirleyWorld Full of Gods by Keith HopkinsThe Rise of Christianity: A Sociologist Reconsiders History by Rodney StarkPerpetua’s Journey: Faith, Gender, and Power in the Roman Empire by Jennifer A. Rea and Liz ClarkeFrom Caesar to Augustus: Using Coins as Sources by Clare RowanHypatia: The Life and Legend of an Ancient Philosopher by Edward WattsThe Roman Empire: Roots of Imperialism by Neville MorleyThe Roman Market Economy by Peter TeminThe Roman Empire: Economy, Society and Culture by Peter Garnsey and Richard Saller
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Was Seneca a True Stoic or Fraud? - The Pax Romana Podcast
Lucius Annaeus Seneca, the 1st-century Roman Stoic, sparks endless debate. His works, like Letters to Lucilius and On the Shortness of Life, preach virtue, simplicity, and resilience. Yet, Seneca amassed a fortune of 300 million sesterces, owned lavish villas and advised Nero. Critics call him a hypocrite. His Stoic writings inspire, but do they align with his actions? This tension defines his legacy. Was Seneca a true Stoic, or was he a fraud?
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Who is My Favorite Roman Emperor? - The Pax Romana Podcast
Listeners and students have asked me who my favorite Roman emperor is. Lists of the "best" emperors often highlight giants like Augustus, Trajan, and Marcus Aurelius—undeniably impressive for their conquests and governance. But my favorite, for personal reasons, is a man overlooked by many historians and dismissed by the writers of his time. A blue-blooded elite, he seized power in a chaotic coup, faced senatorial scorn, yet ruled effectively. He expanded the empire, improved infrastructure, and, remarkably, seemed to enjoy himself while doing it. Who is this underappreciated emperor? Check out the episode to find out.
The assassination of Julius Caesar 2,000 years ago unleashed a wild era of Roman emperors, dark conspiracies, intense battles, economic booms and busts and profound religious shifts. Was this truly the Roman Empire's golden age? On the weekly Pax Romana Podcast, Historian Colin Elliott brings gripping stories from Roman history to life. Dive into history starting in episode 1 , or pick your poison from our catalogue: the birth of the empire in the Age of Augustus, Nero's Great Fire, the rise of Christianity, the wisdom and wars of Marcus Aurelius or the military chaos of the third century AD.
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