Plutarch's Greeks and Romans Podcast

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The long awaited conclusion is here! Man or legend, you be the judge!
Romulus begins the episode mounting a daring rescue of his brother Remus, kidnapped by Numitors herdsmen, and most certainly headed for personal disaster.
With Remus rescued, Numitor on the throne, Romulus will rise to his legend and found Rome, her politics, her military, societal structures and religious and moral codes.
Romulus would lay the foundations for Rome's growth strategies' of integrating her enemies, and striving for glory enshrined in the practice of the triumph!
Man or legend, Rome rose and mastered civilization for millennia.
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Excerpt from the episode
Chris: Before Romulus set out to build the shinning bright city on the hill, he sent for men from Tuscany who would ensure the coming construction projects followed sacred usages, and the written rules in all the ceremonies and rights required prior and during construction.

Chris: First the dug a circular trench for which the Court of Assembly would stand, and solemnly threw in the first fruits of all things good as custom dictated, and lastly every man took some earth and tossed it into the ditch. First Fruits is a common ritual in western religions, and at the time, represented the fruits of their labor from harvest and other fruits of the labor which were allowed under the ceremony rules. Perhaps, this ritual is similar to the breaking of Champaign bottles on the hull of newly minted ocean vessels or ribbon cutting ceremonies for large public projects.

Chris: So, this ditch they dug, they called Mundus, as they called the heavens served as the center of the city, now properly ordained through religious ceremony and rights, would expand out around Mundus very quickly and would grow and grow as the centuries passed.

Chris: Rome was never said to be well designed and caused future Romans many problems and I wonder if this early city planning provided precedent for how the city would be built.

Chris: Romulus next took a plow attached it to a bull and cow and plowed a large and deep trench around the city center, with workers following behind, massaging the uprooted soil inwards towards the city, forming the foundation for Rome’s first wall system, which was ordained holly, less the spot left for the entrance and side gates, for entrance ways could never be holly due to uncle3an men who would walk through. Maybe sort of like walking under a ladder today is considered a bad omen, but to the superstitious Romans, rituals were godly, and godliness was not something to trifle with or even to attempt fate as that could bring disaster in some form.

Chris: So it is widely accepted Rome was founded or construction began on April 21, and that day the Romans keep holy, calling it their country’s birthday. This is the day that Romulus completed the Mundus, performed the ceremonies and plowed the borders of the city which would eventually house a large wall. Rome was founded and built quickly starting with 1,000 homes and expanded every day. Romulus was the sole King, and the Roman adventure was officially off to the races.
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We're back with all new episodes finishing up season two with Camillus Part 2 September 2024 and launching season three coming October, 2024!
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Chris & Ryan

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Lysander's importance to history begins when he is appointed as admiral of the Spartan fleet in 407 BC. At this point Athens's navy has experienced a resurgence with the return of Alcibiades.
Lysander takes command of the Spartan fleet at Ephesus and resolves to do what it takes to make it a match for the Athenian navy.
A tall order - is Lysander up for the challenge?
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Thanks for supporting our show Plutarch enthusiasts!
We're back with all new episodes finishing up season two with Camillus Part 2 September 2024 and launching season three coming October, 2024!
Stay tuned for more new and exciting upcoming biographies
Chris & Ryan

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After suffering a disastrous setback in Sicily the situation once again looks grim for Athens. The Athenians would continue the fight however and the story of the Peloponnesian War would see a number of surprising twists - with Alcibiades playing a key role in each new turning point in the conflict.
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Chris & Ryan

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Thanks for supporting our show Plutarch enthusiasts!
We're back with all new episodes finishing up season two with Camillus Part 2 September 2024 and launching season three coming October, 2024!
Stay tuned for more new and exciting upcoming biographies
Chris & Ryan

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In Part 2 of the Lives of Alcibiades and Nicias, these two polar opposites clash over Athenian foreign policy. With Sparta still a looming threat, Athenians must choose whether to listen to the ambitious Alcibiades or cautious Nicias.

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Thanks for supporting our show Plutarch enthusiasts!
We're back with all new episodes finishing up season two with Camillus Part 2 September 2024 and launching season three coming October, 2024!
Stay tuned for more new and exciting upcoming biographies
Chris & Ryan

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For this episode it's going to be another two-for-one special as we will be covering two lives at once, and we will be picking up basically right where we left off.
To jog everyone's memories, when we last left Athens the city had just been dealt a devastating blow in it's war with Sparta. Athens's lead citizen Pericles had convinced the Athenians to avoid a decisive land battle with the Spartans which would play to the Spartan's strengths, and instead stay behind their city walls and use their large navy to their advantage.
However a plague spread within the heavily populated city and claimed the life of Pericles. The war was not over but the city would need to find new leaders.

In this episode, we will take on the lives of two Athenians who would step into the void left behind by Pericles: these would be Alcibiades and Nicias.

Support the show

Thanks for supporting our show Plutarch enthusiasts!
We're back with all new episodes finishing up season two with Camillus Part 2 September 2024 and launching season three coming October, 2024!
Stay tuned for more new and exciting upcoming biographies
Chris & Ryan