Roman History 13 - Claudius And The Rise Of Nero 41 - 54 AD

[@fartakiss9595]

Claudius is fastly becoming one of my favorite people to learn about. Probably the most humane and down to earth, of all the emperors.

[@Mr_Bob_Loblaw]

He had a bunch of ppl who worked in the Roman circus put to death bc they screwed up the production of an event.

[@dothejive]

Just finished reading I, Claudius and watching the bbc series, I'm addicted to this stuff! Great podcast

[@fartakiss9595]

I don't think people realize how much of a hindrance a studders can be, especially in a place like Rome, were your ability to speak, is as important, as your ability to govern, compounded by the fact that Claudius had to be in the public eye, as a leader. The true story of Claudius must have been an inspirational one, as the story of King George from, "The Kings Speech".

[@Jabranalibabry]

Check out the BBC series I, Claudius; it's great

[@tomdudley5314]

I tried listening to this podcast whilst at work, I soon found myself listening to the podcast more intently than my work! So I now listen to the podcasts for weekend listening! Great material, excellent narration and refinement of historical records! Great series!

[@-timaeus-9781]

I know, it had the same effect on me when I first came across it. I ended up listening to the episodes several times each in the process of compiling them for KZbin. :)

[@david10101961]

imho that's a very good summary on the life of dear old Uncle Claudius. It seems so impossibly unlikely that a man so apparently lacking in self-confidence, qualification, single minded ambition, and afflicted with conspicuous physical weaknesses was able to gain, and then retain for as long as 13 years, the position of the most powerful person in the 'known' world, especially given that life in the imperial Roman household in the first century was a precarious occupation. But then as the saying goes, sometimes truth can be stranger than fiction.

[@lambrosk3790]

I’m hooked on this history of Rome too! Been listening for years , replaying each before sleep.

[@funfact8660]

Poor Uncle Claudius

[@jaiclary8423]

Just to be absolutely clear about it, I have *not* listened to this particular episode 4 times. Also why is it every time I listen to this I find another reason to love Uncle Claudius?!??

[@jacobsoltero2872]

Claudius is my 2nd favorite Princips in the Pax Romana because ge proved everyone sorely wrong and that is just amazing. Success is the best revenge.

[@-timaeus-9781]

I agree. He is underrated.

[@5cohana]

He was sort of like a real life Tyrion from GoT.

[@shaundavenport621]

Exactly. Everyone overlooked the non-threathening Claudius.Either extremely lucky or a master tactision!

[@geordiejones5618]

After Augustus, it seems only Claudius was able to keep his sanity in this dynasty but only bc he was never even considered a possible ruler.

[@Jabranalibabry]

I think more than that he was smart and a lot closer to Augustus' earlier years than even he realized. Both were book smart rather than militarily talented and used their strengths carefully.

[@dextergeorge6641]

@@Jabranalibabry If only Claudius had an Agrippa-style military right hand would be up there with the greatest

[@Jabranalibabry]

@@dextergeorge6641 totally, bro, and it also comes to show you that the fact that he didn't have such talented leaders around him was because of the structural weakness in the Roman imperial set up as such leaders tended to usually usurp power sometimes even unwillingly

[@KyleDB150]

Hang on, there was a guy named Gaius Rebellius Plottus? He sounds suspicious to me

[@EinFelsbrocken]

Not as sus as impostorius sussius amogus

[@dragonforks93]

What about Sillius Soddus and Biggus Dickus?

[@blindthrall]

​@@dragonforks93Do not impugn my beloved wife, Incontinentia.

[@RoboBoddicker]

A conspiracy led by Gaius Rebelius Plotus? Who coulda seen that coming?? lmao

[@Maceta444]

Copydot I fucking died when he mentioned that hahaha

[@conagherdenson2194]

BenkethePirate sounds like a warhammer 40k character

[@funfact8660]

I know

[@glynwigley1581]

If you knew your Roman history properly you'd know his name was actually Gaius Rubellius Plautus.

[@tomcarroll2312]

@@glynwigley1581 You're a bit of a twat aren't you?

[@muricamarine9473]

i wanted you to know that -i love you man, this is fantastic

[@forgetfulfunctor1]

27:00 that's a paraphrasing of a Simpsons line, maybe vice versa. Groundskeeper Willie was like, brothers and sisters are natural enemies...like Scots and irishmen...or Scots and japanese...or scots and other scots. DAMN SCOTS. THEY ROONED SCOTLAND.

[@romulusnuma116]

I feel so bad for Claudius.

[@ChrisZukowski88]

Romulus Numa poor guy had no luck with women, everybody wanted to use him to gain power.

[@Botkilla2K12]

Romulus Numa What’s really sad is even after he proved himself everyone refused to believe that he was capable of anything.

[@MrArby343]

Romulus Numa If only we could go back and convince The Divine Augustus to adopt Claudius & groom him to be Emperor. . Though Heirs around the Princeps seemed to die, tragically. ...

[@conagherdenson2194]

Eric Beres Jr. Probably best to leave it alone, lest something go wrong and Caligula live for 40 years

[@Hugh_Morris]

@@MrArby343 I don't think Augustus would have allowed someone with such disabilities to be Princeps, it looked bad on the entire family.

[@shaundavenport621]

Apart from Ceaser facing down Sulla I've never heard of anyone courting their own demise as enthusiastically as Messalina.

[@herbthompson8937]

Caesar faced Sulla?? I was always under the impression other people faced Sulla on his behalf

[@Jabranalibabry]

@@herbthompson8937 he's referring to Caesar's refusal to divorce his first wife on Sulla's orders; that was a very public move which clearly put him danger as he was related to Marius

[@herbthompson8937]

@@Jabranalibabry that was after Sulla was already convinced not to kill him though, wasnt it?? i looked at that situation as Caesar just doubling down on his gift of living, knowing he had people, even some of Sullas closest friends, there to talk Sulla down.

[@Jabranalibabry]

@@herbthompson8937 as far as I remember, bro, that happened after Caesar's refusal and during this time Sulla was going around proscribing anyone who'd even smiled at Marius lol it was one of the few times when Caesar did something which showed no practical benefit. Caesar was young at the time which was why he wasn't named in the first few lists. After this defiance he was named and then his mom petitioned Sulla to reconsider, which he eventually did.

[@herbthompson8937]

@@Jabranalibabry fuck, you are right, i was definitely under the impression that Sulla demanded the divorce after he was talked down on killing him. thanks for the clarification!!!

[@nachiuslafachius5475]

I've listened to all of these at least ten times all the way through

[@mosart7025]

You almost have to, to absorb all the info (and humor) being dispersed!

[@nachiuslafachius5475]

@@mosart7025 I love Mike's style on all this stuff,Its the perfect medium between a history channel documentary that is near informationless and the pure information of like Tacitus

[@staygoldponyboy8881]

Snap! Been listening to it over n over since I found it four years ago. The subject matter is awesome but it's Mike Duncan's delivery that does it for me, so warm, friendly and inviting. A triumph.

[@SMC01ful]

The brilliant, "I Claudius" series ironically was played as black comedy. The actors had a great time portraying the characters and understood the comedic value of the times. Indeed, they pushed it quite a bit and the director who was determined not to make a cock up like previous productions agreed with them. Usually, actors running stuff makes productions turn to shit. Luckily, these guys were totally professional. Hence, the humour is seamlessly blended into a very tight script. As a result, the dialogue feels strangely authentic and the emotions real. They didn't have any idea how it would work out until they saw the final product. After all these years it's still superb and I'd watch it at least twice a year.

[@glynwigley1581]

The actors didn't play it as a black comedy. They originally didn't know how to approach it, and the director told them to play it like the Imperial Family were the Mafia.

[@marrrtin]

I'd agree, and recommend Timaeus to watch the BBC production of "I, Claudius", as well as read Robert Graves' original, which highlighted the many comedic ironies of Claudius' life. As for the actors, Derek Jacobi in the title role and John Hurt as Caligula were standout performances, probably not improved by Rowan Atkinson or Ricky Gervais. Having said all that, I really enjoy these podcasts.

[@seriouslyyoujest1771]

I’m back to do it all again. I love this series. If travel ever begins again, and you have History of Rome tours I would like to go on one. Or just island hop in Greece.

[@tjeuclaessen]

In re naming a veteran's colony after Agrippina the Younger, apparently the German city of Cologne was originally founded and named Colonia Agrippinensis during Claudius' reign. (Hence Cologne (Köln) < Colonia)

[@compier12]

Mathias Claessen that’s interesting, thanks!

[@EinFelsbrocken]

Man; one could think after decades of loyal service to the empire and proven competence people would cut him a break...but nooo

[@Jabranalibabry]

They didn't know when something good was going for them lol

[@chasemaurer2728]

Love this series so much!

[@hendersongalbreath1072]

"I know! Justice! Damndest thing I've ever seen."

[@jacobsoltero2872]

FAVORITE PRINCEPS: 1. TRAJAN-AUGUSTUS (TIED) 2. CLAIDIUS 3. MARCUS ARELUS 4. AURELIAN 5. ANTONINUS PIUS 6. TITUS-NERVA(TIED) 7. VESPASIAN 8. CONSTANTINE I 9. HADRIAN 10. MAJORIAN(Because he could have been a great restorer like Aurelian.)

[@-timaeus-9781]

I would put Marcus Aurelius higher if it weren't for his persecution of the Christians. Consequently I would put Constantine higher on the list as it is since he legalized Christianity once and for all.

[@mikewilliams258]

If Trajan and Augustus are tied, Claudius is 3rd, not second.

[@vespasianflaviustheemperor7901]

#7? you gotta be kidding .

[@Argos-xb8ek]

I too am a fan of Trajan

[@TheJulior1983]

Amazing podcast.

[@diarradunlap9337]

I suspect that Livia, many years prior, knew more about Claudius' actual abilities than she let on.

[@thomsbooth4906]

Claudius surprised everyone. Nobody expected anything from him. Everyone just wanted him to keep his head down, do what he was told and give the Empire some time to recover while a better candidate for Emperor could be found. I think of him as the "Harry Truman" of the Empire.

[@garboil]

My favorite W quote! 👍

[@talkingheaded]

1.33.42 there is a guy called Gaius Rebellius Plottus and guess what he did?

[@Woman_in_the_Wilderness]

These are REALLY good - thank you for uploading!

[@stephendean2896]

Her character points to all three.

[@kevinc809]

Messalina did have blood ties. She was a grandaughter of Augustus's sister Octavia and Mark Antony.

[@rascalferret]

Appreciate CC ...

[@VADY2B]

it seems like whoever was next to rule the empire in rome, no matter who it was, they were subjected to slander and ridicule which eventually led to death. coming into a seat of power and dealing with and serving politicals who've already killed half of your family off. straight madness! and to think this is only the stuff they were allowed to document.

[@jacobsoltero2872]

MY OPINION WORST PRINCEPS: 1. CALIGULA-ELAGABALUS (TIED) 2. NERO-GALERIUS (TIED) 3. COMMODUS 4. HORONIUS 5. CARACALLA 6. CONSTIUS I 7. TIBERIUS 8. GETA 9. ROMULUS(Last One) 10.DIOCLETIAN (Founder of the feutal system.) Why not: DOMITIAN (I honestly like this guys reign he was an efective ruler and autocrat, and wasn't even a bloodthirsty shit hole he was just the apitemy of a tyrant and a good one at that.)

[@-timaeus-9781]

Good list . Personally I would put Diocletian a bit higher on the list. I'd probably put him at 5 and Caracalla at 10.

[@EinFelsbrocken]

Elagabalus was obviously S-Tier emperor on par with Trajan my dude smh

[@rigulur]

blessed uncle Claudius!

[@fiddleriddlediddlediddle]

I am desperate to see Ricky Jervais star as the Roman Emperor now.

[@John-115]

Great work thanks!

[@fartakiss9595]

22:00 slick bush reference

[@greyinglis7570]

I'd much rather be in the Claudius court then any other Emperor. Would have been a lite harted comedy most of the time.

[@Figgy_Tree]

Nobody rules alone, so what if Claudius or any emperor relied on his advisors, that's their job.

[@CaracalKeithrafferty]

Best opening ever! XD

[@stevenchurch1163]

I see the area between black and caspian seas called Iberia which I associate with hispania, was that the old name for It? Really enjoy listening to these...

[@-timaeus-9781]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Iberia

[@stevenchurch1163]

thanks...

[@-timaeus-9781]

Steven Church I had never heard of it either. It is strange that it would have have the same name as the Iberian peninsula though.

[@stevenchurch1163]

it is odd, maybe some sort of emigration would explain it--btw if you haven't read Colleen McCullough's masters of rome series of novels they're great, she has some out of the box notions including that Sulla's first wife was a julia, possibly closely related to Marius' Julia which would explain their early association and also why Sulla went easy on Caesar and his family during his dictatorship...

[@colonelcarrillo5131]

Same here, there's also an "Albania" in the Caucasus if I'm not mistaken.

[@lowersaxon]

Did you know that Nero was head of RFD, the department launched by Augustus back then. Some say they love burning scenes still today.

[@jacksonlamme]

Very good work!

[@lesliewatkins6011]

G.W. Bush quote is hilarious! Quite possibly the funniest moment I've come across listening to these podcasts. Anybody else notice the weird pitch change in his voice at 1:19:06? Then it just gradually & inconspicuously goes back down to normal pitch at 1:19:12? lolol ok

[@Woman_in_the_Wilderness]

Hahaha YES!!! 😆

[@barrywalls7175]

Just a dodgy edit

[@tessierashpoolmg7776]

Great Ceasar's ghost!

[@Endgame707]

Nero Was Micronesian 🇫🇲

[@honda6353]

How I miss the Republic

[@Martin-jk2ng]

We're all known a Messalina or an Agrippina in our time, am I right?

[@randombencounter263]

Will you cover Byzantium all the way up to 1453 as part of Roman history?

[@-timaeus-9781]

Thanks for watching :) This series ends with Romulus in 476 AD. His deposition by Odoacer traditionally marks the end of the Western Roman Empire, the fall of ancient Rome, and the beginning of the Middle Ages in Western Europe.

[@randombencounter263]

Okay, I figured that but I still had to ask. I really enjoy this show so I guess I was hoping for another 1400 years worth of it.

[@PennyCilllin]

+Ben Kielar Thanks to a kind person posting in the comments, I was made aware of the podcast series History of Byzantium by, I think, the same author. There does appear to be a charge for each episode, but I shall be looking further into that once I'm done re-listening to and delighting in this awesome History of Rome series for the umpteenth time. www.thehistoryofbyzantium.com/category/podcast/

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Some historians say that the Eastern Roman Empire fell in the early 1200's...when Constantinople fell to and was sacked (burned the greatest library since Alexandria's) by the Venetian and their Frankish War Dogs during the 3rd Crusade.

[@TheHomelessDreamer]

@@PennyCilllin Mike Duncan did History of Rome (and the subsequent Revolutions podcast,) Robin Pierson did Byzantium podcast, though in the same style. Thanks for sharing the link.

[@twoglcox]

If you love this episode and want more check put Robert Graves book on Claudius. The series "I Claudius" is bases on the book.

[@incompetentobjectivist3850]

Subtitles give us that great English leader 'Toga Dumbness', later saluted by Bluto Cocainus Humourous!

[@insertgenericnamehere7774]

No episode next week?! I thought that was the bad consequence D:

[@TheHomelessDreamer]

Considering Mike Duncan completed this particular podcast in 2012 and Timeus made sure, to my gratitude, to post every single one, I don't think you need to worry. FYI, between this series and the Revolutions one, Mike did actually take several breaks, usually through the holidays, but we don't have to worry about it.

[@Pandacous]

Claudius was like the only good princeps since the original at this point its a wonder the people didn’t just turn on the new empire idea after caligula

[@-timaeus-9781]

Yeah, you have to wonder why they didn't realize sooner that giving that much power to one individual might not be the best idea. Especially since Rome had forbid kings for centuries for that express point, then they just switch over to an empire for the second half. Sometimes it makes you feel nostalgic for the old republic days.

[@Pandacous]

- Timaeus - dude I didn’t expect you to respond lol Yeah totally agree btw love the series So fascinating

[@obaolori]

it probably shows that there was also rememberance of the warlords from marius over sulla to caesar also that the system set up by agustus was so intricate that it could survive one bad priceps after another also in imitating the old republican ways

[@Pandacous]

obaolori yeah things had to be really really bad under the republic

[@benquinney2]

Roman law

[@Paddythelaad]

Gaius Rebellious Plottus? Letters sent to him by a mother planning a rebellious plot?

[@Retro77691]

Claudius Was American 🇺🇸

[@Opt1mu5Pr1m3M9]

Im too high right now, It sounded like he said buddies name was "Gaeus Rebellius Plotus" I swear thats what it sounds like.

[@joelkavanagh1464]

,,, me too,, re missing claudius ...

[@Vercingetorix.Fantasia]

I fn lost it at Gaius rebellious plotus ! Is that a real name !

[@andrewsylvia7774]

What happened at 1:19:09

[@evanwahlin]

Helium baloon

[@dramlamb5196]

It is fairly likely that the original recording didn't include the phrase "a scandalous move in the patriarchal ancient world that would have reflected terrible on Rome" and it was added later for the sake of clarity.

[@jhonfamo8412]

Those poor elephants

[@BasedPeanutButterEnjoyer]

1:34:46 Julia Agrippina Didn’t Kill Herself.

[@jonny-b4954]

21:58 hahaha fuckin classic George W Bush quote. Hilarious. I still remember when he said that as a teenager.

[@Danaluni59]

their marriage was a Sham da damn damn… 37:10

[@saradolphin3242]

Sounds Like America 2023!!!

[@zaboomafool1911]

It's kind of interesting the son and grandson of Germanicus were uniquely terrible emperors

[@paulrosa6173]

Nero was what used to be called a "Momma's boy". He sounds like he was totally dominated by his mother and had no real relation to his adopted step father. (I have read accounts that he was taken out by his male friends , when he was on his own and shown how to be a kick ass roman male. BTW - If the "wicked step mother" motif is common in the histories it was also probably true. I don't h think Nero had the hots for his mother. H4e seems to not have noticed she was a good looking woman until he saw her naked dead body. And by rights , she should have been executed by him when he attained the throne she wanted for him because she did, after all, kill his adopted father. .She was not a nice lady. Perhaps he didn't know she had murdered

[@dominicp9296]

Claudius I'm not sure why he was hated but he was actually not a bad emperor at all. Think about lots of the others total psychos killing anyone or partying bankrupting the empire. I just don't know why Roman's didn't like him it's crazy to me. And even some other videos I see they put him down fully

[@SKILLIUSCAESAR]

Was he hated? I feel like he just got kinda bullied, like the nerd with a stutter on the playground…

[@sjoerdpasterkamp9826]

what rise of nero, he ruled only 3 years what was a continious downfall the real ruler during the claudian era was Seneca the liittle tailor

[@darioplant8029]

I cant the maps on the website. Any clues?

[@TheHomelessDreamer]

Website is now defunct. Thankfully, Timaeus made sure to include a map with each of his uploads, of which we can all be grateful.

[@sugarnads]

Camel oh den um. Thames is temmz.

[@EPICDZN]

1:13:00

[@violetrose415]

17:40

[@ernimuja6991]

Claudius is basically Tyrion from Game of Thrones.

[@aliencat8556]

You should be writing for any history story, oh wait, you are

[@Belisarius536]

No chance, at your casting of Ricky gervais. He doesn't have depth as an actor to play such a part. Also he doesn't like slapstick and it has been subject to his own parody. I would argue if you are to apply slapstick comedy to I,Claudius that you have missed the point of the book. The only credence here, that I do hear is: you telling of some of the history. But this is just you giving exposition of the already pre-established facts only. This just cheapens Robert Graves' work in my opinion and is just another idea to turn another classic story and piece of fine literature in to a Hollywood stage show and making it more relatable to the masses by converting it in to a slapstick comedy. I think if one wants to enjoy the story of a I, Claudius, then one has to only read the book and a diluted comedy of contemporary humour is not needed nor should it be applied.

[@winstonmonster]

Or your description of GAAP...not technically accurate but generally accepted by your listeners

[@violetrose415]

55:36

[@danorthsidemang3834]

I knew I didn't like you and the first two minutes of this video illustrate why

[@dominicp9296]

Lollll why? Did I miss something

[@SKILLIUSCAESAR]

@@dominicp9296 ikr

[@jayrox1726]

Also claudius was probably the only heterosexual emperor

[@blindthrall]

I love Agrippina's downfall. She was so sleazy and incompetent, plus in all likelihood killed the ultimate woobie Claudius, that her failure is deservedly delicious. Plus she reminds me of Cersei.

[@isamendez6077]

Learning about history don't used against me witch hunt Zopi

[@Andrew-m1v7h]

You think he was poisoned? Clearly youre an insane conspiracy theorist lol

[@goodsolonius7305]

You believe Agrippina poisoned Claudius? Oh so you’re a conspiracy theorist

[@-V-_-V-]

I like listening to later episodes of this podcast, but he mostly just seems to be reading Wikipedia on this one. Don't believe me go read the wiki yourself.

[@shadetreader]

Ricky Gervais = 👎

[@jc.connor5882]

I'm hooked on your history of Rome. Its excellent. Keeping me sane during covid19 lockdown.

[@luciusgarvous]

Same. Been listening every day

[@KhalDrogo76]

Agree it’s fantastic

[@mattsmith3750]

Still keeping me sane in second lockdown!

[@cuddlesandkafka]

I'm thinking about sending Duncan a few bucks as thanks for exactly this reason--that, or sub to his new stuff, which Timaeus's upload is teaching me to expect to be excellent.

[@amb-yz9ee]

@@cuddlesandkafka I’m going to do this, he’s help me fill the hours, and I know this isn’t his channel

[@violetrose415]

45:30

[@Viktors633]

1:11:00

[@autisticusmaximus2673]

These podcasts are so comfy

[@jarlborg1531]

Aren't they. I fall asleep to them every night.

[@autisticusmaximus2673]

Jarl Borg haha damn. Same. Every night.

[@Hugh_Morris]

@@jarlborg1531 me too, great listen

[@Christiaanwebb]

Me too!

[@paulgalligan1916]

@@jarlborg1531 me too ha ha I thought I was the only one ..

[@AJ_MUR]

0:00 - What, me Claudius? 21:09 - Take My Wife... Please (Claudius' Private Life) 45:30 - A Farewell to Claudius 1:11:24 - Smite My Womb (Rise of Nero and Fall of Agrippina)

[@milica7522]

G.W.Bush quote is my favourite part.

[@sebjornsprauten1406]

Hahaha i love that bush's version has become the official quote

[@rebeccahaines9839]

Gaius Sillius? More like Sillius Soddus. What a Mess(alina).

[@rascalferret]

Bwian's father Naughtius Maximus of the Jerusalem guard, Pilate's gweat fwend Biggus Dickus of Wome, and his wife Incontinentia Buttocks...

[@rebeccahaines9839]

@@rascalferret Hail Theathar!

[@hansratgeber432]

I think Claudius considerable skills as a statesman came from his early scholarship and studying history during his youth. He was essentially a history nerd.

[@saitdizdarevic3538]

Claudias is really in my top 10 if not top 5 of all roman emperors. Obviously a Good guy. But it's easy to be a good guy in the roman empire, or hard? However you look at it. Relatively, he was a stand up dude.

[@Argos-xb8ek]

He was a solid dude

[@jhonfamo8412]

He's was that dude. Thrust into hell really . A well decorated hell.

[@Jabranalibabry]

It's really hard being good especially when everyone wants your head. It's admirable that Claudius didn't turn cruel. He did his best which was much better than a lot of other Emperors. He definitely deserves a top spot.

[@blindthrall]

Guy probably signed a couple hundred death warrants, yet he still comes across as innocent. Princeps were hardcore.

[@Jabranalibabry]

@@blindthrall that's a hard job, mate, everyone trying to kill ya. Lol

[@KhalDrogo76]

I finally got around to watching "I, Claudius" so naturally I've been consumed with this type of content for weeks....this series is as high caliber as it gets; deftly laid out and very easy to listen to. Bravo!

[@communityrags6048]

"I, Claudius" rules... seen it 3 times now :)

[@LuvBorderCollies]

A smart leader or administrator makes use of capable subordinates to help him look good.

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Andrew Carnegie said he credited his success in business to always employing people that were smarter than he.

[@roleplay4humans914]

Claudius is an INSTANT baby face with me. People picking on him from birth? UGH I hope he leaves his mark on the world! Can't wait to find out. Thank you for existing!!

[@G3orgianSoldier]

Camelodonum sounds so much like camelot.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

Nerds seemingly made good Roman emperors; Claudius and Marcus Aurelius

[@jackparker8602]

Augustus as well.