Send us a text

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

Send us a text

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

Send us a text

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

Send us a text

Adherent to Confucianism corrupted by absolute power or clever plotter who feigned virtuousness to usurp the throne? The life of Wang Mang (45 BC - 23 AD) was seemingly full of contradictions but just how much he plotted in advance of his coup is unclear. We'll explore his upbringing in the stable Han Empire, then follow along as he grows from revered Confucian practitioner to reviled emperor. Afterward, you can decide for yourself the truth of his intentions.

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:
Wang Mang - our protagonist
(Future) Empress Ping - Wang Mang's daughter
Wang Zhengjun - Empress (for a time) and Wang Mang's aunt
Emperor Ai - 2nd Successor to Zhenjun's husband
Chunyu Zhang - political rival of Wang Mang
Princess Dowager Fu (AKA Grandma Fu) - Emperor Ai's grandmother

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