Plutarch's Greeks and Romans Podcast
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Plutarch’s Greeks and Romans is a podcast inspired by Plutarch’s ancient collection of biographies of famous Grecians and Romans.Plutarch was both a Greek and a Roman citizen living during the Pax Romana - the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. Our podcast will explore 50+ persons Plutarch believed were most influential in the rise of Greek and Roman civilization, from legends such as Theseus and Romulus to conquerors like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Plutarch had no shortage of great people and stories to tell us about about these people who shaped their times and ours!Ryan & Chris
Episode 22: The Lives of Agesilaus and Pelopidas
We'd love to hear from youIn this episode, we explore the lives of Agesilaus and Pelopidas, two towering figures from ancient Greece whose paths and principles could not be more different. Agesilaus, the disciplined and cunning Spartan king, rose to prominence through military command and political maneuvering—but his loyalty to Sparta may have come at Greece’s expense. Pelopidas, the fiery and courageous Theban, championed freedom and defied tyranny, shaping the rise of Thebes through bold acti
Mar 30, • 29:37
Episode 21: The life of Xenophon
We'd love to hear from youStep into the fascinating world of Xenophon, a soldier, historian, philosopher, and adventurer from ancient Greece whose life reads like an epic tale. This podcast unpacks the extraordinary journey of Xenophon, a student of Socrates, a general in the Persian wilderness, and one of the earliest storytellers of history and leadership.Discover his role in the infamous "March of the Ten Thousand," where Xenophon led a stranded Greek army through hostile territories back to
Nov 30, 2024 • 31:28
Episode 20: The life of Camillus - Part 2
We'd love to hear from youIn this episode, we complete our dive into the life and legacy of Marcus Furius Camillus, one of Rome's most celebrated military leaders and statesmen, often hailed as the "Second Founder of Rome." Camillus played a crucial role in shaping the early Roman Republic, guiding it through some of its most challenging periods.We began in episode one by exploring his early life and rise to power, discussing his military acumen and the series of victories that earned him the po
Sep 2, 2024 • 24:50
Episode 19: The life of Camillus
Furius Camillus, whom many historians, Plutarch included, say is the second founder of Rome and in my opinion is one of the greatest Roman leaders at least up until the Empire, and even then, still holds his own! Support the show
Mar 22, 2023 • 26:39
Episode 18: The Life of Lysander
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?Enjoy the episodeSupport the show
Sep 22, 2022 • 26:43
Episode 17 - The Lives of Alcibiades and Nicias - Part 3
We'd love to hear from youAfter 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.Thanks for listeningChris & RyanSupport the showThanks for supporting our show Plutarch enthusiasts! We're back with all new episodes finishing up season two wi
Jul 23, 2022 • 24:45
Episode 16: The Lives of Alcibiades and Nicias - Part 2
We'd love to hear from youIn 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.Support the showThanks 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
Mar 31, 2022 • 23:04
Episode 15: The Lives of Alcibiades and Nicias - Part 1
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 thei
Mar 1, 2022 • 20:54
Episode 14: The Life of Coriolanus - Part 2 - Season One Finale
Coriolanus was an orphan, a Patrician and a Roman with Roman-sized ambitions who wouldn't let anyone get in his way on the road to glory, fame and prominence. Hope you enjoy!Chris & RyanSupport the show
Dec 31, 2021 • 17:18
Episode 13: The Life of Coriolanus - Part 1
Coriolanus was an orphan, a Patrician and a Roman with Roman-sized ambitions who wouldn't let anyone get in his way on the road to glory, fame and prominence. Hope you enjoy!Chris & RyanSupport the show
Nov 18, 2021 • 26:42
Episode 12: The Life of Pericles Part 2
We'd love to hear from you Pericles had reached heights of political power never achieved before in democratic Athens but the threat of war looms on the horizon for both the city and Greece as a whole.Support the showThanks 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
Sep 9, 2021 • 21:40
Episode 11: The Life of Pericles Part 1
With Cimon out of the picture for a while, more democratic figures would step up to fill the leadership vacuum, and Pericles would end up becoming the most prominent of these, eventually establishing a legacy as arguably the greatest statesman in the history of Athens. With Pericles as the lead voice in the Ecclesia, Athens would experience a Golden Age which continues to impress us a full two and a half Millenia later.Support the show
Jul 31, 2021 • 22:34
Episode 10: The Life of Cimon
Having narrowly survived the invasion of Xerxes massive Persian army, Athens would lean on the leadership of Cimon as it looks to establish supremacy in the Aegean Sea with a new alliance and a powerful navy.Support the show
Jul 9, 2021 • 27:25
Episode 9: The Life of Poplicola
With King Tarquin in exile, and support from the Roman people in hand, Poplicola is forced to play a high stakes game of diplomacy and warfare to secure the newly formed Republic and ensure the tyranny of the cruel monarchy would remain a past indulgence. The life of Poplicola as described by Plutarch makes it clear how the desire for freedom always trumps tyranny. Hope you enjoy the episode! Don't forget to check the blog for our maps and join the discussion at https://plutarchsgreeksromans.com
Jun 28, 2021 • 34:22
Episode 8: The Lives of Themistocles and Aristides Part 2
The Persians are coming and Athens is doomed to destruction if the bold and clever Themistocles, and his rival the honorable Aristides, can't find a way to stop themChris & RyanPlutarch's Greeks and Romans PodcastSupport the show
Apr 15, 2021 • 33:44
Episode 7: The Lives of Themistocles and Aristides Part 1
Aristides and Themistocles came of age as tyranny in Athens was coming to an end and the world's first democracy was being established! It was a brave new world and would require brave new leaders.Support the show
Mar 25, 2021 • 28:52
Episode 6: The Life of Numa Pompilius
Numa Pompilius, a man whom never wanted to be King, a man with a deep faith in the Gods topped off with a philosophy abhorrently against an aggression and anger driven society forever at war depriving Rome’s citizens of more Godly and more peaceful societal improvements. If it’s said, Romulus gifted the Romans with a grand military tradition and supporting institutions which would last for a millennia, then Numa as a counter to military traditions, gifted the Romans grand religious traditions a
Mar 18, 2021 • 42:54
Episode 5: The Life of Solon
Solon was Athens' original wise man. Can his guidance and prudent laws help the city avoid disintegrating into civil conflict?For the life of Solon we return to Athens, where we started the podcast and learned about Theseus, the hero who the Athenians celebrate as their founder because he ended the tribute to King Minos of Crete, brought the people of Attica together, and established some of Athens traditions and festivals.Chris: Not to mention slaying a minotaur, and attempting to kidnap a wi
Feb 20, 2021 • 24:22
Episode 4: The Life of Romulus Part 2
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
Feb 2, 2021 • 35:15
Episode 3: The Life of Lycurgus
Lycurgus was the man who gave Sparta it's laws and transformed it into a polis like no other - a warrior-society which would produce the most fearsome soldiers of the Ancient World. Support the show
Jan 10, 2021 • 30:28
Episode 2: The Life of Romulus Part 1
In our very first episode, we covered Theseus, a legend himself, but today we get to meet the man whom most believe founded Rome, Romulus! Man or legend, you be the judge. Romulus was a towering figure to the ancient Romans who endured to bring glory to the Empire that Romulus set upon the world on April 21, 752 BC.Excerpt"Plutarch next moves to my favorite origin story, which I like to call the "Revenge of the Trojans", which is set at the time Agamemnon was pillaging and burning the Great city
Dec 20, 2020 • 22:37