EPISODE 118: Woe to the Vanquished

“Everything resounded with the confused noise of terrifying threats and shrieks of despairing anguish blended with the wailing of women and children.” - Livy

Later this year, I will launch a podcast that will run separately from History on Fire, and it will be entirely dedicated to Roman history. Today, I’ll give you a little taste of what’s coming up. In this episode, I’ll share with you a tale from approximately the 390s BCE: it’s the story of Rome’s triumph over its Etruscan rival Veii, before disaster strikes in the forms of a tribe of Gauls sacking the city. Among today’s offerings: the myth of Sisyphus, the dictatorship of Marcus Furius Camillus, the massacre at Veii, the sin of hubris, Nemesis knocking at Rome’s door, the downfall of Rome’s hero, the Italian Celts, Gauls migrating because of wine, the botched diplomatic mission at Clusium, Taoist advice, Tolkien, the origin of panic, Rome’s elders facing the Gauls, the sacred geese, “Woe to the vanquished.”

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This episode is supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Arizona State University⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life.

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