When it comes to Roman history, there are thousands upon thousands of sources out there in film and printed word. Some are pedantic tomes that create more drool than enlightenment. However, there are just as many sources, if not more, that simplify Roman history into an equally dull blurb. A few key names pop up, like Augustus, Caligula, Nero, and maybe Romulus, but provide a story without substance.
For those suffering from a chronic lack of Rome comes "The History of Rome," a weekly podcast by Roman guru named Mike Duncan, who combines the details and minutiae that bring history into sharp focus, while simultaneously offering the gripping overarching history that makes Rome such a fascinating topic. Now numbering over a hundred episodes in length, the series has gained a substantial following over the past three years.
The History of Rome Format
The episodes last anywhere from scarcely over ten minutes, the shortest episode in the series, to the longest thus far, nearly forty-five minutes, and the average episode running from twenty to thirty minutes. Packed with information in each episode, the episodes include a brief recap of the prior episode, the main topic of the week, and at the very end, a brief preview of the next week's story.
The pacing and story-telling of Mike Duncan cannot be overstated. While full of information about many of the lesser-known figures in history, the series captures that epic feel of the Roman civilization into manageable size. The narrative is well-crafted, staying on point and never runs away on tangents or fails to transition when a new focus arises.
The show does not require any knowledge of Latin or of Roman history as a whole, and is generally geared towards a middle ground between the novice and the expert. The rare factual slip is caught usually by the next episode, and the show never feels too drawn out or trying to stretch the length to far.
Enjoying History
For fans of history, the history of the Roman empire is an easy sell. Even for the less history-crazed, however, the story is worth sitting and listening to. It is easy to forget that this is a history lesson instead of a gripping story. It's clear that Mike knows his material, and enjoys presenting it, ensuring to include the occasional wry joke Mike Duncan is the epitome of the cool history professor in podcast form.
The balance of the history is executed well, too. Important events get their deserved time, but it never feels like he is rushing to get to the next popular part of the Roman storyline. The podcast feels like an actual history rather than the select mentioning of a few events. The people and places change along with the story, and the characters are never whitewashed. In short, bias is not an issue.
This is a true gem of a podcast for anyone who wants to see what a well-executed series can look and sound like. The podcast may seem like a simple thing: One man behind a microphone talking about history. The simplicity, in this case, is exactly what sells it. This is a great story, researched and delivered well. If you like ancient history, this is the one podcast you need to listen to.
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Frank Yeats - Frank Yeats is a graduate of West Texas A&M University with a degree in English. He writes plays, short stories and poetry. His long-term ...
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