The Rest Is History

By: Goalhanger
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  • Summary

  • The world’s most popular history podcast, with Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.therestishistory.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Here are some of our favourite episodes to get you started: WATERGATE/NIXON apple.co/3JrVl5h ALEXANDER THE GREAT apple.co/3Q4FaNk HARDCORE HISTORY'S DAN CARLIN apple.co/3vqkGa3 PUTIN & RUSSIA apple.co/3zMtLfX
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Episodes
  • 537. Emperors of Rome: Claudius, Paranoia and Poison (Part 4)

    537. Emperors of Rome: Claudius, Paranoia and Poison (Part 4)
    Feb 6 2025
    Following the bloody assassination of the twenty-eight year old Emperor Caligula, Rome found herself without a leader. Who then should fill the enormous power vacuum left by the death of an emperor? Should Rome return to a Republic? Then, one overlooked candidate - a scion of the hallowed family of Augustus long lurking in the wings of imperial power - unexpectedly rose to the fore: Claudius, Caligula’s uncle. Famed as a drooling idiot all his life, Claudius’ apparent shortcomings had kept him safe from the ruthless ambitions of his family and enemies. But his life of anonymity would now be brought to an abrupt end, with a shocking coup led by the Praetorian Guard. The Praetorians, one of the most potent forces in Rome, feared the loss of the emperor’s patronage, and so pulled him out from the curtain behind which he had been hiding, carried him to their camp, and declared him emperor. The reign that ensued - described in gory, glistening, salacious detail by the Roman historian Suetonius - would see Claudius dismantle his mask of imbecility to reveal himself clever and studious, but easily duped by his advisors, freemen, and wives alike. It would see him claim the conquest of Britain, increase the strength of the Roman army, fall foul of the senate, play cuckold in one of the most famous sexual scandals of all time, and marry his niece. All the while, the shadows of Nero’s rise to supreme power were lengthening… Join Tom and Dominic for the mighty conclusion of their journey through the lives of Rome’s first Caesars, as described in rich, technicolour by Suetonius, climaxing with the epic reign of Rome’s most unexpected emperor: Claudius. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/restishistory Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee! Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893 _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Jack Meek Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 536. Emperors of Rome: Caligula, Incest and Insanity (Part 3)

    536. Emperors of Rome: Caligula, Incest and Insanity (Part 3)
    Feb 3 2025
    "Enough of the Princeps, what remains to be described, is the monster..." The Roman emperor Caligula endures as one of the most notorious figures in not only Roman history, but the history of the world. Famed as a byword for sexual degeneracy, cruelty and corruption, the account of his life written by the Roman historian Suetonius has, above all, enshrined him as such for posterity. Throughout the biography there is a whiff of dark comedy, as Caligula is cast as the ultimate demented caesar, corrupted absolutely by his absolute power and driven into depravity. Born of a sacred and illustrious bloodline to adored parents, his early life - initially so full of promise - was shadowed by tragedy, death, and danger, the members of his family picked off one by one by the emperor Tiberius. Nevertheless, Caligula succeeded, through his own cynical intelligence and cunning manipulation of public spectacle, to launch himself from the status of despised orphan, to that of master of Rome. Yet, before long his seemingly propitious reign, was spiralling into a nightmare of debauchery and terror…. Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the most notorious emperor in Rome: Caligula, a man said to have slept with his sister, transformed his palace into a brothel, cruelly humiliated senators, and even made his horse into a consul. But what is the truth behind these horrific legends? Was Caligula really more monster than man...? Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893 _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Video Editor: Jack Meek Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • 535. Emperors of Rome: Tiberius, Slaughter and Scandal (Part 2)

    535. Emperors of Rome: Tiberius, Slaughter and Scandal (Part 2)
    Jan 30 2025
    The Roman historian Suetonius’ biography of the controversial Emperor Tiberius is one of his most shocking and salacious, condemning Tiberius to infamy. But was Tiberius really the perverted monster Suetonius would have us believe? Born of Rome’s most illustrious family and a sacred bloodline - the Claudians - Tiberius’ mother Livia was unceremoniously taken from his father while she carried him, to marry the great Emperor Augustus. So it was that Tiberius grew up in the very heart of imperial power, proving himself intelligent, and a superb military commander. But, following the unforeseen deaths of Augustus’ young heirs, he found himself primed to become the next caesar of Rome. The reign that ensued would prove largely peaceful, prosperous and stable, though Tiberius himself was increasingly plagued by paranoia and fear. While the last of Augustus’ bloodline were wiped out one by one, he retired to Capri, much to the horror of the Roman people. Before long, rumours had begun percolating of the heinous deeds, sick proclivities, and vile abominations Tiberius was practicing on his pleasure island… Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss Tiberius, the impressive though widely lambasted second emperor of Rome. What is the truth behind the sordid myths and mysteries of his reign…? Pre-order Tom Holland's new translation of 'The Lives of the Caesars' here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/279727/the-lives-of-the-caesars-by-suetonius/9780241186893 _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Editor: Aaliyah Akude Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 1 min

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Profile Image for Lancaster

So good.

I can’t stop listening to these. So interesting and I love the delightful British dry witty intellectual banter. I learn a lot. Highly recommend.

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as an American I loved the gentle criticism

well done fellas, I am well-chuffed by this brisk discussion of the American-made disaster that was Vietnam

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Profile Image for Jill A Archer

Murder of Archduke Ferdinand

The humor, banter, attention to detail, comprehension and ability to provide a perspective of what was happening at the times made for a truly brilliant and exciting experience!

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Profile Image for Diana Stephens

Podcast Perfection of the Historical Kind

I’m obsessed with Tom Holland, Dominic Sandbrook, and this podcast! These two historians are a perfect pairing - a mix of serious research with lighthearted presentation. Honestly, there’s something for everyone - Ancient Rome, American Witches, Oppenheimer, Cleopatra, Freemasons, Jesus, London Tours (so funny), even California. I haven’t listen to a book in ages (or any other podcast, really). Beware - Totally Addicting!

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Profile Image for S. Webster

Wonderful on all counts.

History told in an engaging way; which brings the personalities of figures and motivation of nations to life.

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My new favorite history podcast

I never leave reviews but I’m obsessed with this podcast. Tom and Dom are great. I feel like I’m hanging out with two guys - two lads - who love history as much as I do.

I haven’t joined the chat community yet but here I am leaving a review so who knows what I’ll do next.

Highly recommend- Harold Hoss

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This podcast is a delight

If you're a history nerd like me or if you're simply curious, this is the podcast for you. The chrmistry between Dominic and Tom is off the charts.

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Love the show

The combination of great historical fact, amazing analysis and laugh out loud humor make this the best podcast on my list. Thank you for making me think and laugh.

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Superb

My favorite podcast by far. Witty, entertaining, funny and informative. The chemistry between Dominic and Tom is brilliant and very British. This is the best podcast out there.

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Profile Image for Erik + Sarah

Ah the British

What a wonderful exercise in sloppy thinking and Old World privilege. The episode is devoid of any mention of the lack of representation that the colonists endured. There are plenty of apologies for the Britsih transgressions upon the colonists better nature's. If you want a dose of English bloviation I highly recommend this terrible take on the American revolution.

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