In the second of two programmes marking In Our Time’s 20th anniversary on 15th October, Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss Shakespeare’s versions of history, continuing with the Roman plays. Rome was the setting for Titus Andronicus, Julius Caesar, Coriolanus and parts of Antony and Cleopatra and these plays gave Shakespeare the chance to explore ideas…

• via Is Shakespeare History? The Romans — In Our Time

Motya was going to die. And Motya knew it. In the intense heat of the summer of 397, the Motyans stood behind their defensive walls, which they had just fortified using the stones from the ruins of an ancient temple nearby. And they had also taken the bold decision of backing themselves into a corner, […]

• via Episode 1.14 – The Death of Motya — Historyteller

Appius Who? We are deep in the conflict between between patricians and plebeians. One of the important consequences of the current struggles seems to be an increase in the number of tribunes. Dates for these kinds of things are very hazy indeed and there’s good reason to think that our sources, Dionysius and Livy, are…

• via Episode 87 – The Rise and Rise of Appius Claudius — The Partial Historians

Theseus has had a long and storied life, but now he faces his greatest challenge: after you’ve accomplished everything you set out to do and your name will live on for generations, what comes next? The creature is the, impundulu environmentally-conscience bird who only uses alternative fuels for its tiny plane. Unfortunately, the alternative fuel…

• via 124-Greek Mythology: The Fall — Myths and Legends

The Roman empire was made mighty through the hard work of slaves, but occasionally they escaped, banded together and fought back. The last and greatest slave rebellion was lead by Spartacus, a man who has come to symbolise the oppressed and resistance against tyranny. We begin the story of his life by looking at his…

• via Episode CV – Spartacus the Gladiator — Emperors of Rome