History on Fire

A gripping tale of a violent shipboard rebellion and a daring struggle for freedom at sea. International politics and legal drama pit nations and presidents against each other. Radical courtroom battles and translation breakthroughs bring the captives’ story to light. The saga traces brutal slave trading, abolitionist mobilization, and the long road back to homeland.

Alexander Von Sternberg, host of History Impossible and history-minded gamer, joins to explore how games reconstruct the past. They discuss prehistoric play in Far Cry Primal and Ancestors, the melancholy authenticity of Red Dead, Assassin’s Creed’s Renaissance playground, Ghost of Tsushima’s poetic immersion, and Kingdom Come’s late medieval rigor. Short, fun takes on how interactivity shapes historical worlds.

“Se non ci conoscete, guardateci i coglioni, siamo gli Arditi del Capitan Mattioni.” Arditi song The Italian Army during WWI was not exactly a well-oiled military machine. In terms of supplies, logistics and leadership, it was a disaster… that is, until someone came up with an idea that didn’t rely on supplies, or advanced technologies. Just a stupid degree of bravery. That was the formula behind the Arditi. The Arditi had a reputation for being insane. They were special forces often engaged in nearly suicidal missions. Their motto was 'O la Vittoria o tutti accoppati' ('Either victory or everyone dies.') 25%-30% casualties in every attack were about the norm. Their main weapons were daggers and hand grenades. Their job was to storm enemy trenches while their artillery was bombing them (a risky endeavor in itself) and then use their knives and the grenades to murder the living hell out of their enemies. In today’s episode, we will explore the clash between Italy and the Austro Hungarian Empire during WWI, with a special focus on the Arditi. If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access plenty of bonus content.  All the links to History on Fire social media can be found at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkTree⁠⁠⁠⁠, including: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HOF YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. JAPAN TOUR! Let’s head out to Japan in Oct 2026. All the details at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Geek Nation Tours⁠⁠⁠⁠. Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Purest Mushrooms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount. Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dakota Pure Bison⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout. This episode is supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Arizona State University⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life. My friend James Pieratt is one of the world’s top functional training experts, and a record-breaking hybrid athlete. Use the code WH25 for a 25% discount on all of his training programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wild Hunt Conditioning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Every talent must unfold itself in fighting.” Friedrich Nietzsche “Boxing inhabits a sacred space predating civilization; or, to use D.H. Lawrence’s phrase, before God was love.” Joyce Carol Oates Stories that begin with slavery rarely end in happiness. I’m a huge fan of celebrating individual achievements in the face of terrible circumstances, but the reality is that the cards you are handed early in life usually shape the possible outcomes. The story we chat about today, though, is one that at least partially defeats the odds. Mr. Bill Richmond, the subject of our tale, was born in slavery in New York, in 1763. Not only did Richmond found his way out slavery, but he ended up moving across the globe, marrying a white lady in England, becoming a professional boxer at a time when the sport was infinitely more brutal than it is today, and ultimately becoming one of the first African American superstars in sports. If you feel generous and enjoy History on Fire, please consider joining my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to access plenty of bonus content.  All the links to History on Fire social media can be found at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkTree⁠⁠⁠⁠, including: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HOF YouTube⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. JAPAN TOUR! Let’s head out to Japan in Oct 2026. All the details at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Geek Nation Tours⁠⁠⁠⁠. Throughout history, people have used mushrooms (such as Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, Reishi and Chaga) for their medicinal properties. My friends started ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Purest Mushrooms⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where they offer some of the best quality mushrooms you can find on the market at affordable prices. Use code historyonfire at checkout for a discount. Bison is some of the healthiest meat you could possibly eat. Get yours at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dakota Pure Bison⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. History on Fire listeners get a discount by using the code HOF10 at checkout. This episode is supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Arizona State University⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about how ASU supports all learners through all stages of life. My friend James Pieratt is one of the world’s top functional training experts, and a record-breaking hybrid athlete. Use the code WH25 for a 25% discount on all of his training programs at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wild Hunt Conditioning⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the dark side of human identity as individuals morph into monsters within groups. Delve into how belonging can breed exclusion and moral conflict. The host highlights the dangers of rigid identities, using historical atrocities as powerful examples. Discover the manipulation of identity in politics and how groups can dehumanize others. Modern parallels illuminate ongoing rhetoric that fuels cruelty. Finally, the podcast advocates for treating individuals as unique, calling for empathy over divisiveness in a world plagued by us versus them mentalities.

Discover the gripping tale of the Mayflower voyage and the dramatic decisions faced by the crew amid crisis. Delve into the untold stories of the pilgrims and their crucial alliance with the Wampanoag. Uncover how these pivotal events shaped the early days of America and resonate with us today. It's a captivating blend of historical drama and insightful commentary that shines a light on our nation's past.

Dive into the dramatic decline of Thebes as the Sacred Band era bows to Macedon's rise. Discover Pelopidas's heroic stands and his final fight against Alexander of Pherae. Explore the chaotic court of Dionysius of Syracuse and the influence of Phryne, the famed courtesan. Unravel the aftermath of the Battle of Chaeronea, where the Sacred Band faced obliteration. The shifting alliances and the bloody rise of powerful tyrants reveal a turbulent Greek landscape, ultimately leading to Alexander's ruthless revenge and Thebes' irreversible fall.

Explore the audacious rise of Thebes as it challenges Spartan dominance after the Peloponnesian War. Discover the dynamic duo, Pelopidas and Epaminondas, whose unconventional military tactics transformed warfare. Delve into Thebes' unique embrace of love and valour, illustrated by the Sacred Band of male couples. Experience the thrilling recount of the Battle of Leuctra, where innovation shattered Spartan pride. The discussion blends ancient philosophy with gritty battles, highlighting loyalty, courage, and the quest for freedom.

Dive into the tumultuous 'Years of Lead' in Italy, marked by political violence and chaos. The haunting Piazza Fontana bombing sets the stage for a deep exploration of how terror shaped a nation. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional toll of street battles and police collaboration with neo-fascist movements. Delve into the tragic death of Giuseppe Pinelli and the controversies surrounding state involvement. This gripping narrative intertwines historical battles with modern implications, shedding light on a dark chapter that still resonates today.

Discover the compelling story of Quintus Sertorius, a forgotten Roman general who defied the odds with guerrilla tactics against formidable forces. His resilience in the face of adversity showcases the spirit of a man battling against Rome's might. From his strategic genius to the tumultuous political landscape of his time, Sertorius's legacy highlights themes of courage, betrayal, and the harsh realities of war. This gripping narrative explores his lasting impact amid chaos and his inspirational fight for survival.