Western Civ
Adam Walsh
A fast-moving history of the western world from the ancient world to the present day. Examine how the emergence of the western world as a global dominant power was not something that should ever have been taken for granted. This podcast traces the development of western civilization starting in the ancient Near East, through Greece and Rome, past the collapse of the Western Roman Empire into the Dark Ages, and then follows European and, ultimately, American history as the western world moved into a dominant world position.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 17, 2016 • 56min
Episode 39: The End of the Beginning
After the death of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Empire begins a slow and steady decline. And, it all begins with Commodus...
Feb 21, 2016 • 1h
Episode 38: Glory Days
Rome reaches its height under the Antontines. Trajan leads the Empire to its greatest territorial heights.
Jan 15, 2016 • 1h 17min
Episode 37: The Year of the Four Emperors and the Flavian Dynasty
Nero's suicide leads to a year of unprecedented chaos in Rome. Four men stake their claim to the throne and ultimately only one can triumph and lead the Empire into a new golden age.
Jan 5, 2016 • 1h 9min
Episode 36: The Julio-Claudians (Part Two)
Rome gets a short reprieve under the reign of the unexpectedly good Emperor Claudius. Then, after his murder, Nero brings the short-lived age of the Julio-Claudians to an end.
Dec 10, 2015 • 1h 9min
Episode 35: The Julio-Claudians (Part One)
In this episode, we cover the turbulent reigns of Tiberius and Caligula. If you like random persecutions and insanity, this episode is for you as the vision of Augustus Caesar gets off to a rocky start. (14 - 41 AD)
Nov 25, 2015 • 44min
Supplemental: A Roman Tour
An Exploration of Roman Urbanization Efforts and Tour of the Empire.
Nov 18, 2015 • 28min
Supplemental: A Day In The Life Of A Roman
This supplement takes a closer look at everyday life in Rome under Emperor Augustus. We will explore commerce, how people lived, where they lived, what they ate, who they congregated with, and what they did for fun.
Nov 11, 2015 • 17min
Supplemental: The Eternal City
In this supplemental, we look more closely at the citizens of Rome under Augustus. Who lived there? What did they do? What were the laws that governed them?
Nov 5, 2015 • 20min
Supplemental: Ancient and Classical Recap
An overview of where the podcast has gone. We have traveled over 4,000 years and there have been some major changes. Populations have shifted. Empires have risen and fallen. And now Rome has come to dominate the Western World. But why does it all matter?
Oct 22, 2015 • 45min
Episode 34: Augustan Peace
This episode wraps up the reign of Rome's first Emperor. Caesar Augustus struggles with family dynastic issues and deals with a major setback in Germany.
