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Knowledge from the Ancients

My name is Alex Petkas and it is my mission to bring the wisdom of Plutarch — historian, philosopher, literary artist — to modern audiences.
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Podcast

Explore Our Latest Episodes

Dive into the stories of ancient greatness.
105 - Breeding Future Statesmen: Interview w/ Kevin Dolan on the EXIT podcast
105
Episode Length:
106:31
February 26, 2025

105 - Breeding Future Statesmen: Interview w/ Kevin Dolan on the EXIT podcast

A conversation w/ Kevin Dolan on Kings of Sparta, Anti-Natalist Roman Aristocrats, and whether Christianity destroyed or saved Rome.Join me at the Natal Conference, March 28-29, 2025, in Austin, TX!  https://natalism.orgFind Kevin on X at https://x.com/extradeadjcb
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104 - Heroic Struggles in Vietnam — with Doyle Glass
104
Interview
Episode Length:
81:28
February 13, 2025

104 - Heroic Struggles in Vietnam — with Doyle Glass

A conversation with Doyle Glass, author of Swift Sword, The True Story of the Marines of MIKE 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967.  Intro Story featuring BlackJack Mulligan. In this episode: Mastering Fear in Combat, A lawyer's journey to becoming an artist and an author, The ambush begins: "The tree line stood up", Clear headed leadership of Lieutenant Murray, The heroic Father Capodanno, Larry Peters' Sacrifice to Save His Squad, The powerful psychology of accepting death in combat

"With the Old Breed" war classic by Eugene Sledge

Man of Mystery Robert Benoist

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105 - Breeding Future Statesmen: Interview w/ Kevin Dolan on the EXIT podcast
105
Episode Length:
106:31
February 26, 2025

105 - Breeding Future Statesmen: Interview w/ Kevin Dolan on the EXIT podcast

A conversation w/ Kevin Dolan on Kings of Sparta, Anti-Natalist Roman Aristocrats, and whether Christianity destroyed or saved Rome.Join me at the Natal Conference, March 28-29, 2025, in Austin, TX!  https://natalism.orgFind Kevin on X at https://x.com/extradeadjcb
Listen Now
104 - Heroic Struggles in Vietnam — with Doyle Glass
104
Interview
Episode Length:
81:28
February 13, 2025

104 - Heroic Struggles in Vietnam — with Doyle Glass

A conversation with Doyle Glass, author of Swift Sword, The True Story of the Marines of MIKE 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967.  Intro Story featuring BlackJack Mulligan. In this episode: Mastering Fear in Combat, A lawyer's journey to becoming an artist and an author, The ambush begins: "The tree line stood up", Clear headed leadership of Lieutenant Murray, The heroic Father Capodanno, Larry Peters' Sacrifice to Save His Squad, The powerful psychology of accepting death in combat

"With the Old Breed" war classic by Eugene Sledge

Man of Mystery Robert Benoist

Listen Now
103 - The Immortal Cato
103
Episode Length:
25:27
February 6, 2025

103 - The Immortal Cato

Cato's Afterlife, Takeaways, Sources.Some Modern Sources:Rome's Last Citizen, by Goodman and SoniUncommon Wrath, by OsgoodCato the Younger by Drogula
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102 - Cato III: The Senate's Ashes
102
Series
Episode Length:
106:20
January 22, 2025

102 - Cato III: The Senate's Ashes

The Finale, of the life of Cato the Younger. In this episode:The burning of the Senate house after Clodius' murder in 52 BCECato's failed bid for consulship and his hardline stance against CaesarThe outbreak of civil war and Caesar's crossing of the RubiconCato's final days and dramatic suicideA tale of principle and paradox, Cato's resolute stand for Republican values helped precipitate its own downfall. His death at Utica - dramatic, philosophical, and on his own terms - marked not just the end of his life but symbolically, the end of the Roman Republic itself.
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101 - Cato II: Seducers of Rome
101
Series
Episode Length:
100:49
December 21, 2024

101 - Cato II: Seducers of Rome

Part 2 of 3, The Life of Cato the Younger.
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Cato I: A Strange Boy
100
Series
Episode Length:
89 MINUTES
November 22, 2024

Cato I: A Strange Boy

Our centennial episode! The first in a new series on the Life of Cato the Younger, Rome's great Stoic statesman.

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On Progress : Against Stoicism
99
Analysis
Episode Length:
22 MINUTES
November 6, 2024

On Progress : Against Stoicism

How to make progress, and know it.  Featuring a few of Plutarch's critiques of some Stoics of his day - whether fairly or unfairly, you can decide. Also featuring: Diogenes the Cynic ...

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Gallic Wars 8: Finale
98
Series
Episode Length:
38 MINUTES
October 21, 2024

Gallic Wars 8: Finale

Caesar ties all loose ends in his Gallic Campaign, in part 8, the final episode of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).  This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller. Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.In this episode:Final skirmishes with the Bituriges and the CarnutesSiege of a hill-fort, and Caesar takes arms (literally)Conclusion of a bloody chapter, and some takeawaysCost of Glory is an Infinite Media production — and big thanks to Dr. Richard Johnson of the great city of New York for sponsoring this episode and many others in this series!

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Gallic Wars 7: Vercingetorix and the Great Revolt
97
Series
Episode Length:
115 MINUTES
September 30, 2024

Gallic Wars 7: Vercingetorix and the Great Revolt

Caesar faces the Gallic Grande Armée through fire and snow, in part 7, the climax of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the ...

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History Contains Power

My name is Alex Petkas, and in The Cost of Glory, I present you with the best stories, analyses and takeaways, from the greatest and most influential figures from Greco-Roman antiquity.

Listener Feedback

We’re all thinking about the Roman Empire...

If you haven’t heard it yet, I encourage you to give a listen to @costofglory’s podcast on Spotify. He’s doing very good work on Plutarch and Xenophon.

Proudly the top 0.5% fan of @costofglory, who expanded my ancient history knowledge. Man, there's a lot to learn, but I'm happy to learn as much as I can

The Attenborough of History @costofglory

If you haven't heard you need to hop on this train because you're missing out

I absolutely love the podcast!!! I’ve been listening thru for the last few weeks. It’s so heartening to see these stories being put out in such an accessible and gripping way. And new too! I remember just a few years ago was impossible to find audio/internet sources!

Gallic Wars I - Caesar's Chance by @costofglory

Far too few know about this excellent history and ancient wisdom show.

The Attenborough of History @costofglory

If you haven't heard you need to hop on this train because you're missing out

Cost of Glory is so f'ing amazing.

Your story telling ability is amazing!!! Have listened to every episode 2x now.  I keep getting more and more! Best podcast out!

As a fan of Hardcore History, Martrymade, and History On Fire podcasts - THE COST OF GLORY podcast with @costofglory is worthy of your blood 🩸⚔️

Thank you for all your hard work. Cost of Glory is such a . great source of history and entertainment 🎉

@JasonMcHughq7g

I think you give Morgan Freeman beat for the perfect voice for a narrator! I wih you would read the Bible for audio tapes!!

@samright4661

This podcast is easily one of the best I’ve come across. I would even go so far as it’s better than the Rome podcast by Mike Duncan

@benmills7731

Just discovered this channel and on part 3, love it just love it thank you

@Craig-15q

Great episode an fantastic quality all round. New subscriber here.

@tiptoptechno

6k subs? love this guy..

@Majeerteenia

Hey, the visual are getting way better!

@Stoic_Zoomer

Excellent production!

@tiptoptechno