The ’’Greats’’ of History

A weekly series about people who have been called “The Great,” where we try to get past the honorific and understand who they were, what they did, and why some people seem to like them so much.

Episodes

Oct 22, 2024

43 min

Let's track Pompey as he pushes in his chips and chooses sides in Rome's first major civil war, -- already! -- gets the name "The Great," and becomes the indispensable man of Rome, all before age thirty. 

Oct 22, 2024

43 min

Oct 15, 2024

54 min

So, if you haven't figured this out yet, I am a nerd. Nothing brings out my inner nerdery like Rome. Buckle up; we're going to be here for a while!

Oct 15, 2024

54 min

Oct 8, 2024

37 min

The story of The Poison King reaches its violent apex. We've spent lots of time with this guy. Would you consider him to be "Great?"

Oct 8, 2024

37 min

Oct 1, 2024

32 min

HI. If you've already listened to this, then you realized that I messed up the RSS feed, and published part three BEFORE part one. So, yeah. Six months in and this is my first major flub. But the story is awesome so hopefully you will forgive me. 

Oct 1, 2024

32 min

Sep 24, 2024

38 min

The king is back from his self-imposed exile in the wilderness. Let's see what he does now that he is back in control of his kingdom. 

Sep 24, 2024

38 min

Sep 17, 2024

36 min

Part one of our series on Mithridates, a larger than life figure and the deadliest enemy of those obnoxious Romans. You're going to love this guy. 

Sep 17, 2024

36 min

Sep 10, 2024

40 min

Wu is firmly in control. Let's follow him across his long reign to see if he earns his epithet of "The Great."

Sep 10, 2024

40 min

Sep 3, 2024

38 min

We shift our attention to the unification of China under its first Emperor, the spectacular fall of his short-lived dynasty, and the rise of the powerful Han and their greatest of rulers, Wu the Great. 

Sep 3, 2024

38 min

Aug 27, 2024

38 min

Today moves us to China, where we meet all sorts of fun people, like Yu the Great, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu, and many more! Ancient China was an amazing place. 

Aug 27, 2024

38 min

Aug 20, 2024

29 min

The conclusion of our look at Ashoka, considered by many to be the greatest ruler in India's history, even if it didn't start out that way.

Aug 20, 2024

29 min

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