The Cost Of Glory Podcast Archive

Pompey, the Great. Part 1 of 3. Pompey's rise to become one of Rome's greatest generals - before he's even old enough to hold office. How he got the nickname of "Kid Butcher" or "The Butcher Boy".Thanks to our Sponsor, Intercollegiate Studies Institute! www.isi.orgKey Names: Agesilaus of Sparta Julius Caesar Alexander the Great Pompeius STRABO (father) Social War Gaius MARIUS (populist consul) Lucius Cornelius CINNA (populist consul) Lucius Cornelius SULLA (optimate consul & dictator) MITHRIDATES - King of Pontus Gnaeus Papirius CARBO (populist consul) Antistia (first wife) Marcus Licinius CRASSUS Marcus Aemilus LEPIDUS (rebel consul) Marcus Junius BRUTUS (Father of the conspirator) Quintus Lutatius CATULUS (optimate stalwart) Quintus SertoriusQuintus Caecilus METELLUS PIUS (P's fellow general in Spain)Marcus PERPERNA (populist ally of Sertorius)SpartacusMarcus Terentius VARRO (the scholar)Lucius Licinius LUCULLUS (rival general)Quintus HORTENSIUS Hortalus (optimate stalwart) Aulus GABINIUS (P's tribune buddy)The Pirates"Quirites" (the Roman citizenry) Key Places: Rome Picenum Asculum North AfricaMutinaSpain LauronSucro RiverOstia (Rome's port)[Jeremy Giffon on Invest like the Best Podcast, ep. 336: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Vdv5i250hF6EfzOTML9RE?si=98bacff34a7244e9]
Ralston College FUNDED MA program: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-maPlutarch offers some advice on how to choose your friends, and how to be a good one. Examples include Alexander the Great, Cato, Carneades, Plato, Dionysius the Tyrant, and more.(Here depicted: the monument of Philopappus in Athens, to whom Plutarch's essay is dedicated)
An interview with Barry Strauss, Spartacus expert, and author of The Spartacus WarIn this episode: -How Spartacus' Slave revolt almost failed in its early stages-Overcoming short term thinking as a leader-Spartacus' influence on modern leaders
A method for reading that can transform your life.W/ help from Dana Gioia, California Poet Laureate, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts 2003-2009.Get his new book Sentences from Seneca, here!Some Sources:https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_108 https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Sallust/Bellum_Jugurthinum/3*.htmlhttps://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/Sayings_of_Spartans*/main.htmlhttps://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/Sayings_of_Spartans*/Agesilaus.htmlhttps://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Agesilaus*.htmlhttps://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Lysander*.htmlhttps://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Sertorius*.html
Why does Achilles, slaughterer of men, play the lyre? A conversation with Spencer Klavan of the Young Heretics podcast. Check out the Cost of Glory Men's Leadership Retreat: costofglory.com/retreatIn this conversation, we discuss:-Spencer & Alex's common ground training as classicists-How one gets into these ancient books in the first place-The theory of "Art for Art's Sake": Why it's interesting, plausible, and wrong.-Epic heroes singing Epic Poetry-Great books for busy dadsAnd much, much more...
The fall and political struggles of the great Lucullus, rival of Pompey and Caesar.Cost of Glory Men's Retreat 2024 application open! - costofglory.com/retreat Thanks to our sponsor Ancient Language Institute - Tutoring now available:Latin: https://ancientlanguage.com/latin-tutorials/ Ancient Greek: https://ancientlanguage.com/ancient-greek-tutorials/ Cicero's Pro Archiahttps://www.attalus.org/cicero/archias.html People in this episode: Mithridates, King of Pontus Tigranes, King of Armenia Clodius, the Brother in Law Pompey Clodia, the Bad WifeServilia, also a Bad Wife Cato the Younger Cicero Caesar Places in this episode:Tigranokert Artaxata Nisibis Pontus Armenia Rome
Lucullus drives Mithridates out of Pontus, and war escalatesIn this episode:-The power of concentration-Nothing is more important than sleep-Bold Barbarian Queens-The value of bad news-Battle of TigranocertaBook Rec - Gareth Sampson, Rome's Great Eastern War
Lucullus, Conqueror of Armenia. Highlights from Plutarch's biography of the great foe of PompeyCost of Glory Men's Retreat 2024 application open! - costofglory.com/retreat Thanks to our sponsor Ancient Language Institute - Tutoring now available: Latin: https://ancientlanguage.com/latin-tutorials/ Ancient Greek: https://ancientlanguage.com/ancient-greek-tutorials/ In this episode: -How to get noticed early on in your career -Seducing your way to warlord status -Taking the time to do the math
The vice of "dysopia" brings down even the strongest. Plutarch gives some advice on how to fortify ourselves against it. Reach out to alex@ancientlifecoach.com for more info on the 2024 Cost of Glory Men's retreat in Rome!Link to a translation of Plutarch's text : https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/De_vitioso_pudore*.html
What happened to Crassus' captured soldiers? To his family? What can we learn from his successes and his world-historic failure? ANNOUNCEMENT! Cost of Glory Men's Leadership Retreat in Rome - July 2024. Reach out to alex@ancientlifecoach.com if you're interested.Buy the books:-Penguin edition of Plutarch including Life of Crassus -Sallust's war with Catiline -Tom Holland's Rubicon-Barry Strauss' book on Spartacus-Edward Watts's Mortal Republic-Gareth Sampson, "The Defeat of Rome" on Parthian Expedition-Peter Stothard, The First Tycoon See also Gruen, Last Generation of the Roman Republic; Ward, Crassus and the Late Roman Republic; Rawson, Crassorum Funera (in journal Latomus).Pictured: Roman Soldier next to a Han noble, statue group in Liqian, China. Photo: Natalie Behring
Crassus' famous campaign against the Parthians - what motivated it? What happened at Carrhae? What can we learn from it?Key FiguresMarcus Licinius Crassus - The Protagonist Gaius Pompeius Magnus - Pompey, the Rival Lucius Licinius Crassus - the Orator Publius Licinius Crassus - Crassus' father Publius Licinius Crassus - Crassus' Son Publius Clodius Pulcher - The Playboy Mobster Titus Annius Milo - Anti-Mobster Marcus Tullius Cicero - The Mentor Gaius Julius Caesar - The Triumvir Marcus Porcius Cato - The Nemesis Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus - The Challenger Ptolemy XII "Auletes" - The Piper King Aulus Gabinius - Pompey's Crony in Syria Trebonius - Willing Tribune Ateius (Capito) - Unwilling Tribune Gaius Cassius Longinus - The Assassin Octavius - The Junior Officer Orodes II - King of Parthia Mithradates IV - Parthian Usurper Surena - the Parthian Commander at Carrhae Key Places Rome Ravenna - City in Northern Italy (cisalpine Gaul) Luca - City in Northern Italy (Etruria/Cisalpine Gaul) Curia - The Senate house Syria - Roman Province Mesopotamia Iraq Seleucia Babylon Ctesiphon Carrhae Euphrates River
Marcus Licinius Crassus, Richest Man in Rome. The plot thickens in the contest with Pompey, and Crassus takes on new allies: Catiline and Julius Caesar.In this episode:-How to defuse the resentment of opponents you've beaten-The power of debt at Rome-Fighting for the hardest prizes, but playing it like a game-Cicero's mortgage and homeowner headachesThanks to Sponsors:Ancient Language Institute:https://ancientlanguage.com--Copythat, learn copywriting from the classics: https://copythat.com/For a discount (and to let them know I sent you), use this code: glory
The story of Marcus Licinius Crassus, Richest man in Rome.In this episode: -The Real Spartacus-How to make a fortune, ancient style -Why Crassus was a better spender than modern billionairesThanks to our Sponsor!--Copythat, learn copywriting from the classics:https://copythat.com/For a discount (and to let them know I sent you), use this code: glory
Plutarch gives more examples of how to get it right, from Great Leaders of Greece & Rome-Phocion, -Agathocles, -Pericles, -Sulla, -Themistocles,
You know you want to do it. But how? Plutarch offers a few key examples.
Highlights from Rome's Deadliest Conspiracy, the Catilinarian conspiracy.Featuring speeches by Julius Caesar and Cato the Younger.
Get into one of the great moments of history - highlights from Cicero's speech Against Catiline. Featuring a quote or two from the original Latin.
The Conspiracy to overthrow the Roman Republic at the height of its power. Catiline and his associates challenge Cicero and Cato. Rumors were that Crassus and Caesar were involved... Part I: Highlights from Sallust's War with Catiline.ANNOUNCING - New Megaseries: Visions of Caesar. I am beginning an arc on the biographies of all the most prominent of the era of Caesar, including The Man himself. Crassus, Pompey, Cato, Caesar, Cicero, Brutus, Antony.
The Greatest hero of all, Hercules - told by Seneca: Billionaire, Politician, Stoic Philosopher, and... Tragic Playwright.Highlights and power quotes from Seneca's "The Madness of Hercules": in a new, brilliant, poetic translation by one of America's great poets, Dana GioiaGet a copy here: https://amzn.to/42TEUqJ(and support the show thereby)More about Dana Gioia and his work here:https://danagioia.com/
The Finale: Xenophon's Anabasis, book 7 of 7. Highlights for the High Life. In this episode:-Sailing to Byzantium -How to Tame a Mob -Spartan Indecision-Drinking more wine from big horns with dangerous men -Raiding with Thracians -Fire attack at night -How to lose a good friend for good -What all gyms should aspire to be like -The importance of keeping your horse
Highlights from Book 6 of Xenophon's AnabasisIn this episode:-Drinking parties, War Dances -Why every modern gentleman should sacrifice to the gods-How to gracefully decline a promotion -Hercules in Hell-On keeping the Fellowship together-Isolated sheep rustling incident threatens to start an international war -The value of a cool head
Xenophon, Anabasis 5. #1 Highlights for Life Success. In this episode: -Fending off chaos in all its forms -Dealing with a power vacuum -The Source of the Golden Fleece -The BEST way to spend Sacred Funds (Hint: Real Estate) -Artemis and her 7 wonders Temple at Ephesus (cult statue here)-Sampling Local Delicacies (as always) -Pale white children as wide as they are tall-Dreams of city founding-The metaphysical basis of international law-Xenophon, hubris, and soldier punchingDon't forget to follow @costofglory on Twitter for updates and additional takeawaysAlso - Leave a review if you like this!
Top 4 takeaways from the life of Agesilaus. Also, further reading:Plutarch, "On Sparta": https://amzn.to/3Ni3RaO-Cornelius Nepos, Lives of the Great Commanders (trans. Quintus Curtius): https://amzn.to/3AtrqpO-Xenophon, Hellenica: https://amzn.to/41YXmOx -Steven Pressfield, Gates of Fire (historical novel): https://amzn.to/3V0gCsH-Paul Cartledge, Agesilaos and the Crisis of Sparta: https://amzn.to/3L3Wj9d-John Buckler, Theban Hegemony:https://amzn.to/3Lonc98-James Romm, The Sacred Band:https://amzn.to/3L1WoKA-Charles Hamilton, Agesilaus and the Failure of Spartan Hegemony: https://amzn.to/3oDn38PHow to Take Over the World Podcast: Philip of Macedon
Agesilaus, old King of Sparta, faces his final enemy, and greatest foe of all: the Theban commander Epaminondas.MapKey People: Agesilaus, king of Sparta Demaratus, king of Sparta Artaxerxes, King of Persia Epaminondas, Theban Statesman Pelopidas, Theban Statesman Antalcidas Xenophon, the Philosopher-warrior Gryllus, son of Xenophon Nectanebo, Pharaoh of Egypt Menelaus, king of Sparta Key Places: Sparta Thebes Leuctra Athens Corinth Arcadia Mantinea Tegea Elis Achaea Mt. Taygetos Eurotas River Messenia Kalamata Messene Mt. Ithome Pamisos River / Valley Megalopolis Olympia Egypt
Sparta's greatest king, from his grandest moments, to his most challenging setbacks. 394-371 BC.In this episode:-Isolating your enemies-Working through intermediaries-The power of culture-Democracy vs. Oligarchy-personal integrity vs state integrityThanks to our Sponsor, Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/register-greek/Here's a nice map of ancient Greece Places: Thebes Corinth Athens (in Attica) Argos Sparta/Lacedaemon (in Laconia) AcrocorinthPeloponnese Cadmeia Olynthus Piraeus (Port city of Athens) ElisArcadiaMantinea Olympia Thespiae (in Boeotia) Plataea (in Boeotia) Leuctra (in Boeotia) People: Agesilaus Xenophon Antalcidas (of Sparta) Cynisca (of Sparta) Leontiades (of Thebes) Ismenias (of Thebes) Phoebidas - Spartan Commander Agesipolis - King of Sparta Pelopidas (of Thebes) Epaminondas (of Thebes) Sphodrias - Spartan Commander Cleonymus - son of Sphodrias Archidamus - son of Agesilaus Cleombrotus - King of Sparta
The story of Sparta's greatest king. Sponsors: -The Excellent How To Take Over The World Podcast; -Ancient Life Coach Rome Retreat In This Episode:-Inspiration from a rough childhood-The Spartan youth training system-The Spartan art of consensus building-The Iliadic vision of a Panhellenic King-Getting enemies to finance your war effort-War and Friendship among Greeks and PersiansPeople:AgesilausPompeyKing Archidamus (of Sparta)King Agis (of Sparta)King Leonidas (of Sparta)LysanderAlcibiadesPrince CyrusKing Artaxerxes (of Persia)Xenophon of AthensTissaphernesPlaces:Sparta Peloponnese (Peloponnesus)Athens Mt TaygetosMantineiaThebes (in Boeotia)Aulis (in Boeotia)BoeotiaAsia (Minor) Ephesus Lydia Sardis Phrygia CorinthArgosHaliartus (in Boeotia)HellespontThermopylae Orchomenus (in Boeotia)Cnidus (Knidos)Coroneia (in Boeotia)
Xenophon's Anabasis 4: The best parts of all, with analysis for action. Thanks to our sponsor, Ancient Language Institute!https://ancientlanguage.com/register-greek/--Apply for the Ancient Life Coach Speak Lead Retreat!ancientlifecoach.com/retreatIn this Episode:-How to cross a guarded river-The mindset of people who push through massive stress and pain-Distinguishing yourself as middle management-The Sea, The Sea-Lawrence of Arabia, Xenophon admirer-Psychedelic Bees
Apply for the Rome Retreat: https://ancientlifecoach.com/retreatAnnouncing a new partnership!Alex gets interviewed by Ben Wilson of How to Take Over the WorldIn this episode: -What's in store-What Alex is listening to-Why Cost of Glory exists-Why biography is energizing-What the greats, ancient and modern, have in common-The true meaning of Zeal
Best highlights, power quotes, and notes from a leadership and adventure classic, Xenophon's Anabasis 2. Featuring:-Deciding who won a battle-How to deceive the wise-The noble and the base among Greek leaders-The hazards of date palm wineAmazon links (Click, Buy -> Support this show!)Landmark Xenophon's Anabasishttps://amzn.to/3HLGAegOld Penguin Anabasis:https://amzn.to/3HLGAegLoeb Edition:https://amzn.to/3HLGAegCharactersCyrus The Younger (RIP)AriaeusPhalinus of PersiaCtesias of CnidosClearchus of Laconia/SpartaXenophon of AthensProxenus of Thebes/BoeotiaMenon of ThessalyTissaphernesAtaxerxes, King of Kings
Xenophon's Anabasis Book 3 - The best highlights, the Power Highlights. For Power Listeners.In this Episode:-The power of public speaking-What Socrates told Xenophon before he left-Xenophon's inner monologue in GREEK-Motivating your managers-Finding resources you didn't know you had-Lost cities of Mesopotamia-Goat and donkey balloons-The Original Kurds?Apply to join us in Rome for the Speak Lead Retreat! July 16-23 ancientlifecoach.com/retreatAmazon links (Click, Buy -> Support this show!)David Allen, Getting Things Donehttps://amzn.to/3kIRpoHJocko's Extreme Ownership:https://amzn.to/3SCmnLXLandmark Xenophon's Anabasishttps://amzn.to/3HLGAegOld Penguin Anabasis:https://amzn.to/3HLGAegLoeb Edition:https://amzn.to/3HLGAegKey CharactersXenophonProxenus (+)CheirisophusMithradatesSome Hater from BoeotiaA Rhodian Balloon smithThe CarduchiansPlaces: NimrudNineveh (Mosul)Tigris River
Best highlights, power quotes, and notes from a leadership and adventure classic, Xenophon's Anabasis 1. Featuring: -How to get people to take real risks on your behalf -How ancient army logistics worked -Love affairs with foreign queens -Hunting the Ostrich -Qualities of good leaders, in Xenophon's opinion Amazon links (Click, Buy -> Support this show!) Landmark Xenophon's Anabasis https://amzn.to/3HLGAeg Old Penguin Anabasis: https://amzn.to/3HLGAeg Loeb Edition: https://amzn.to/3HLGAeg
The moment when someone obscure and untested realizes, in a crisis, that they can handle this. An autobiographical story from someone who was both a great writer and great leader, Xenophon.
Persevere when you are surrounded by enemies, like the other Santa Claus, Saint Basil of Caesarea. A Christmas special, from the Cost of Glory.
A Spartan story about a conspiracy. Whether it's a hostile corporate takeover, a plot to overthrow a president, or a school board coup, how do you make sure your conspiracy doesn't fail? Learn this lesson or be sorry later. Also featuring commentary from Aristotle's Politics.
How do you buy yourself some time when you can't afford to tell people the reason why? A strategy used by a Spartan commander, Dercylidas. Brought to you by the Greek philosopher-historian-warrior Xenophon.
How should we look at the lives of “problematic” great figures? Join us as we join the ancient philosopher Plutarch, in sizing up two incredible men of action. Who wins?
Mass murderer or brilliant patriot? Whatever your take on Sulla, it's worth analyzing the qualities that made him a joy to his friends, and a terror to his enemies.
How do you keep your team together in a civil conflict? Can a country right itself by warring with itself? What are the limits to which one man will go to punish his enemies? In this episode, Sulla’s most famous, or rather infamous, acts as a leader.
How does a great commander handle being undermined by his government back home? How should we treat opponents we defeat? And how do we negotiate the best deal when our backs are against the wall and our counterparts know it? In this episode: Sulla in Greece.
How do we get Fortune on our side? What are the qualities necessary for daring unthinkable, unspeakable acts? When is it justifiable to massacre your enemies? Sulla: A man of contradictions. Enjoyer of dramas and hedonistic pleasures; most successful general of his generation, and one of the greatest of all time. Patriot and champion of the ancient constitution; the Roman responsible for more Roman deaths than perhaps any other man in history. Was Sulla the one who broke the Republic?
A principle for building exercises to control your anxiety or fear. Favorinus, a philosopher from the time of Plutarch, offers some deft observations about Socrates.
Plutarch offers insight on relating to people above your station
Plato gives insight on how to undermine your enemies
How to turn bad luck around. SPOILER: it's not just more effort. Stories of Timotheus and Sulla.
What happened after Lysander died? What was his legacy? What can we learn from his life?
Lysander returns from his setbacks at Sparta with a revolutionary plan. He consults the gods about the Spartan Kingship; and some of his own prophecies about Greek geopolitics come true. In this episode: How should protegés treat mentors? How do you change a deeply conservative state? And, as always, what is the cost, for an individual, for a state, of striving for supreme glory?
Lysander - The Spartan who took down Athens. In this episode: the dangers of success. How (and why) Lysander installed the notorious "Thirty" at Athens, and how he came to be worshipped as a god. Could Sparta contain such a man?
A Spartan; first Greek honored as a god during his lifetime; destroyer of Athenian naval supremacy. In this episode: his rise to power, how he pulled off the greatest naval upset in Greek history, and WHY he did it. Guest narrator! Vincent B Davis II, author of the Sertorius Scrolls series: https://vincentbdavisii.com/
A story about how Socrates reacted when he got publicly shamed.
Harry Truman was a great admirer of Plutarch's lives, and recommended them often. He discusses why. Quotes taken from Miller's oral biography of Truman, "Plain Speaking."
How do we translate the advice Plutarch gives on free speaking, with the example of Pericles, into the world of modern media?
What combination of habits produces both strength and peace? How do we become more sovereign over our lives, over ourselves? With some references from a famous, classic text from Plutarch's works.
What combination of habits produces both strength and peace? How do we become more sovereign over our lives, over ourselves? With some references from a famous, classic text from Plutarch's works.
Why do we work? How should we spend our leisure? Also, announcing the next biography subjects!
A quote and meditation from Plutarch's On Having Many Friends.
Pyrrhus made his mark by cultivating an almost maniacal focus on winning in battle - he had a lust for combat. In doing so, he won for himself long lasting glory. Pyrrhus’ contemporaries and many generations after, seem to agree that Pyrrhus was the greatest commander of his day. But what was the cost? And was it worth it? Key takeaways: On today’s podcast: Pyrrhus’ whirlwind Sicilian expedition Fabricius’ revenge Pyrrhus vs Antigonus The Siege of Sparta The Battle for Argos
Pyrrhus challenges the Romans. History is full of examples of ambitious leaders who achieved great things. And conversely it features eminent leaders who dreamed big but failed to deliver. So, on which side of history will Pyrrhus, King of Epirus sit? Key takeaways: The cost of following your dreams Showing respect for your adversary Winning wars without resorting to violence (sometimes) Letting your strengths guide your decisions
Pyrrhus, the Warrior King. Father of the "Pyrrhic Victory." Get fired up by the story of his physical courage, his determination to win against great odds. Original music score by Ilias Markantonis. In this episode: -Finding a Mentor -Identifying the Master Skill in your field, and focusing -Mastering Fear -Controlling the Narrative
Nietzsche on how too much history can be bad.
A brief account of the life of Plato, and how he stayed virtuous by using this ONE WEIRD trick....

32 – The Sovereign Mind

What combination of habits produces both strength and peace? How do we become more sovereign over our lives, over ourselves? With some references from a

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32 – The Sovereign Mind

What combination of habits produces both strength and peace? How do we become more sovereign over our lives, over ourselves? With some references from a

Listen Now »