The Partial Historians

What if stories have a life of their own? What happens when we think of narratives as external agents? And why is Homer good to think with?...

We interview Dr Emma Southon, co-author of the new children's book, Totally Chaotic History: Roman Britain Gets Rowdy!...

As the siege at Veii drags on, some worrying portents appear. One of the enemy will find himself kidnapped as the Romans search for answers....

We compare stories from Greece and Rome about affairs between gods and mortals with fellow podcaster, Liv Albert....

Our book is here! We sit down with our publisher to talk about the process of bringing 'Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire' to life....

A preview from the new book Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire which tells the story of the siege of Masada....

The siege with Veii drags on and the gods seem dissatisfied with Rome. Will introducing a new ritual help? Let's try our first lectisternium!...

A preview from our upcoming book, Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire, on the rebellious Queen Zenobia of Palmyra....

The fifth century BCE saw the idea of the Roman republic flourish and falter only to flourish again. We review the major developments in Rome across the century taking a bird's eye look at the big iss...

We review the way that Ancient Rome and life in the provinces were portrayed in Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)....

Join the Partial Historians for a handy summary of what the ancient sources have recorded about events in Rome in the 400s BCE....

Get a cheeky preview of 'Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire' with our bonus chapter on the rebellious gladiator, Spartacus....

We jump into the year 400 BCE. This is the year we've been waiting for. Drum roll, it's time for a plebeian break-through into power!...

We discuss the terrible men who ruled the Roman Empire as we interview the author LJ Trafford about her latest history, Ancient Rome's Worst Emperors....

Rome is beset with difficulties, including wars, trials, and scandals. But by the end of the year, the plebeians will score an impressive victory in the Struggle of the Orders....

Let's take a tour of some of Rome's most early structures, including the Tullianum, the Cloaca Maxima, the Circus Maximus, and Ostia!...

It's 402 BCE and Rome and Veii are tooth and nail in siege mode. Rome seems to be on the front foot, but can they stay there?...

We interview Professor Stephanie McCarter, the author of a ground-breaking new translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses....

Representing the patricians, Appius Claudius fights with the tribunes of the plebs over the terms of military service in Rome's war with Veii. Get ready for some rhetorical fireworks!...

The topography of regal Rome was very different to today. We sit down with Neil, the Ancient Blogger, to explore the details....

Rome contends with the Etruscan city of Veii and the Volscian city of Artena. Will they win the day with the support of Servius Romanus?...

In this episode, we talked about the style and function of Augustus' mausoleum and how it was repurposed over time with Dr Victoria Austen. This unique monument has as much to tell us about later peri...

406 BCE stands out for the assertion that this year is the first time the Roman soldiers receive pay for their service. Show me the money!...

Dr Bret Devereaux joins us to discuss all things military and the development of the army in the early years of Ancient Rome. How did Rome go from raids to world domination?...

It's 407 BCE and the Romans face a significant military setback at Verrugo. Is Roman dominance at risk? Their enemies may have the upper hand!...

The Romans have to battle a coalition from Antium, the Volscii and the Aequii. To win, they elect a dictator, but not everyone is pleased....

We delve into the world of Roman names. How do we understand who’s who? We’re consider the complexities of ancient Roman naming conventions!...

In 409 BCE, there is drama in Rome when the plebeians set their sights on electing one of their own to the quaestorship....

The Partial Historians recap what the ancient sources have recorded for the 410s BCE in Ancient Rome....

The citadel of Carventum enters Roman history when the Volsicans and Aequians squeeze Rome’s allies the Hernicians… how will Rome respond?...

We sit down with Dr Emma Southon to discuss her brand new book. We delve into the real and very fascinating lives of Rome's women....

In this episode we tackle the years 413 and 412 BCE. These years come hard on the back of the murder of the patrician Postumius. Rome is facing challenges that seem to be bound up in the spolia in tim...

We delve into more ancient Roman conflict which revolves around the patrician Postumius, described by historians as a wrongheaded man....

This episode features Professor Alastair Blanshard in a conversation about the representation of classical myths in Disney's Hercules (1997)....

This episode delves into more conflict between the Romans and the Aequians, as well as some more classic Conflict of the Orders....

We sit down with Yentl Love to take a deep dive in the layered symbolism of the classical allusions in Lil Nas X's music video for 'Call Me By Your Name'....

We consider the drama of 419 and 418 BCE. These years are packed with exciting moments as we get to learn about an uprising from below...!...

We sit down to chat with Genn and Jenny, the fabulous cohosts of the Ancient History Fan Girl podcast about their book Women of Myth!...

The Partial Historians recap the major events in Ancient Rome during the 420s BCE....

We tackle the drama of 420 BCE by taking a look at the trials of Sempronius and the Vestal Virgin, Postumia....

Part two of our deep dive into the classic sword and sandal epic, Quo Vadis (1951). How was the film shaped by its context? Let's find out!...

422 and 421 BCE see the fall-out of Sempronius' military disaster with the Volsci. But things are about to get complicated as four tribunes, previous cavalry leaders, emerge as a political force to be...

Quo Vadis (1951) is a roaring sword and sandals film from Hollywood. Herein we cover some of the context and the major arc of the plot....

Rome faces disaster as the consul Gaius Sempronius takes a negligent approach to battle preparation. Will plucky plebeian Sextus Tempanius save the day?...

No war to fight? No grumpy neighbours to quibble with? Whatever shall Rome do? One thing's for sure, it's a good time to be a plebeian!...

With its mix of ancient Rome and early Christianity, The Robe (1953) is a fascinating film. We come to grips with its classical reception....

The bromance between Mamercus and Cossus knows no bounds. One swift cavalry move later and these two are riding high for Rome!...

We recap the confusing details of the 430s BCE. There's a lot of dictators about, a political assassination, and some great Latin names!...

We're celebrating ten years of The Partial Historians podcast with our top ten moments from Roman history so far!...

The years of 430-428 BCE are a hazy time for recorded Roman history. We dip in to see the lay of the land and catch up on the drought!...