The Great Podcast

The Tetrarchy was hanging on by a thread. The Empire was poised for war. But who would come out on top?

The abdication of Diocletian and Maximian was a monumental act. Never before had the most powerful men in the Empire voluntarily relinquished their Imperium. But what comes next? Perhaps the next generation of Tetrarchs can continue in Diocletian's great works.

Aurelian was dead due to a lie... No one wanted to take the mantle, and chaos and violence erupted yet again. But when the dust was settled, could an unknown cavalry bodyguard commander rise up and save the Empire?

The empire was as fractured as it had ever been. Gallienus had done all he could, but failed to bring it back together. But could an upstart cavalry commander do what Gallienus could not?

The Crisis of the Third Century was in full swing when Valerian was declared emperor. He raised his son, Gallienus, to the purple alongside him and the two would embark on the unenviable task of saving the Empire from utter chaos. But, will it be enough?

200 years of peace and prosperity are now at an end... With the fall of the Severan Dynasty, the Empire finds itself in the greatest crisis it has ever faced: 50 years of poor governance, invasions, and usurpers. Join as we look at the first half of the Crisis of the Third Century

Caracalla was dead. Some upstart Praetorian Prefect presumed to declare himself Emperor. But an aging widow and her two widow daughters might have just what it takes to reestablish the Severan Dynasty.

Severus had been strict and severe. His son was an all-around more vicious experience. Caracalla was told by his dying father to stick close to family, enrich the soldiers, and spite everyone else. Caracalla would follow through on these lessons... at least most of them.

Chaos reigned in Rome. The people sent pleas to the generals of the Empire to come and liberate them from the despicable Didius Julianus. Septimius Severus was one of these men, and he pounced on the opportunity for power and glory. But, who would win the Year of the Five Emperors?

Commodus was dead... But who would follow him? Surely a wise, experienced, and capable man would come forth to save the Empire from the tyranny it had so long endured.