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While most people familiar with Lucilla (150 - 182 AD) know her from the Gladiator Cinematic Universe, she differed significantly in real life from her movie character. Enchanted by power and all of its trappings, this one-time Roman empress blended nobility and greed in a unique combination.

Just an example: whereas she and Maximus Decimus got along swimmingly in Gladiator, the actual Lucilla strongly disliked her second husband (who was quite similar to Maximus). Maximus's honorable nature captivated movie Lucilla, but real Lucilla disparaged her second husband's lack of ambition. But I wouldn't go so far to say Marcus Aurelius's daughter was a bad person. I mean, she's certainly better her brother, Commodus, and I'd argue was easily the best kid that Rome's philosopher emperor produced.

The thing is: people are complex creatures. Lucilla's life story is defined by woe and her resilience to rise above it. After all, how would you turn out if you lost half a dozen siblings, both parents, your husband, and your empress title all before turning 30?

Mull it over while listening to this Linked by History episode about Lucilla of Rome.

Want to read more about this episode's characters or aren't sure about their spelling? Here's a list of this episode's major characters:
Lucilla - our protagonist
Marcus Aurelius - One of Rome's most revered emperors and Lucilla's father
Faustina the Younger - Loving mother of Lucilla
Lucius Verus - Lucilla's first husband
Commodus - Lucilla's brother...unfortunately for her

Credits
Host: C.J. Weiss
Music: Bobby Hall

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What happens when you raise a boy as a warrior from birth, then give him the reins to conquer all the neighboring tribes and kingdoms on your border? He develops into one of the greatest champions of one of the world's most peaceful religions, Mahayana Buddhism.

Obviously.

Kanishka the Great (79 - 150 AD) may have earned more credit than he deserved, but there's no doubt his influence in shaping the Silk Road altered history in a profound way.

Want to read more about this episode's characters or aren't sure about their spelling? Here's a list of this episode's major characters:
Kanishka - our protagonist
Ashvaghosha - revered Buddhist monk in Kanishka's inner circle

Credits
Host: C.J. Weiss
Music: Bobby Hall

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What do you get when you combine a naturalist with a disciplined soldier? None other than Pliny the Elder (23 - 79 AD). With a work ethic few could match, he produced tome after tome of insights into the natural world. He did all of this while primarily working as either a soldier, lawyer, or governor until meeting his end in Pompeii. Ever dedicated to the empire, the only thing Pliny loved more than Rome was natural science.

Want to read more about this episode's characters or aren't sure about their spelling? Here's a list of this episode's major characters:
Pliny the Elder - our protagonist
Publius Pomponius Secundus - Pliny's mentor a good friend
Pliny the Younger - The Elder's nephew and adopted son
Emperors Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian - Ordered list of Emperors during Pliny's life

Credits
Host: C.J. Weiss
Music:

Credits
Host: C.J. Weiss
Music: Bobby Hall