Eight Days That Made Rome
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Historian Bettany Hughes focuses on the day when Roman troops earned the undying hatred of a fierce and fearless queen who led a revolt that came perilously close to ending the Roman occupation of Britannia. Around 60AD troops invaded Boudica's settlement, flogged her and raped her daughters. The outrage provoked the Iceni... 43:36 Expired
Historian Bettany Hughes focuses on events leading up to and after 9th June 68AD, when Emperor Nero took his life. She examines his relationship with his mother, fondness for debauchery and how casual violence and murder began to destabilise what had once been touted as a new 'Golden Age' for Rome. Nero's death plunged the... 43:31 Expired
Historian Bettany Hughes explores the day in 80AD when the Colosseum opened its gates for the first time. For new emperor Titus, the spectacular games and events were an opportunity to win over the people and secure his place on the imperial throne, but why did the Romans - cultured and civilised in so many ways - enjoy wi... 43:24 Expired
Historian Bettany Hughes recalls the time that marked Rome's symbolic break with its 1,000-year pagan past - the day in 337AD that Emperor Constantine the Great was baptised a Christian. It was a moment of profound significance not just for the empire, but for the history of the world and one of its major religions. Consta...July 2020
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Historian Bettany Hughes recalls eight pivotal days that defined the Roman Empire and its establishment as the world's first superpower. She begins by exploring the day in 202BC when the Roman army, led by Scipio, defeated the might of Carthage under Hannibal at the Battle of Zama in modern-day Tunisia. This was a decisive... 43:07 Expired
Historian Bettany Hughes looks at the day in 73BC that Spartacus, a Thracian gladiator fighting for the entertainment of the Romans, broke out of gladiator school and started a slave revolt. The Republic's rulers were so panicked by the protest that they offered unprecedented power to a single, ambitious individual - Crass... 43:36 Expired
Historian Bettany Hughes looks at the day in 49BC that Julius Caesar led his army across the River Rubicon. By doing so he ignored the orders of the Roman Senate, and effectively declared war on his rivals in Rome. In time, it would prove a fatal blow to the Republic - the system of elected officials that had governed for ... 43:16 Expired
Historian Bettany Hughes focuses on the day in 32BC when Octavian stole the secret will of his most dangerous political rival, Mark Antony. It is a moment that casts a light on what it took to win in Roman politics, as the cunning, brilliant subterfuge required paved Octavian's path to power by undermining Antony's popular...