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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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Discover the stories of Greco-Roman antiquity.
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Lucullus III: Betrayal
78
Series
Episode Length:
71 MINUTES
January 2, 2024

Lucullus III: Betrayal

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 ...

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Lucullus II: Armenia
77
Series
Episode Length:
62 MINUTES
December 19, 2023

Lucullus II: Armenia

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 ...

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Lucullus I: Starvation
76
Series
Episode Length:
65 MINUTES
December 12, 2023

Lucullus I: Starvation

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/re...

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How to Turn People Down (or, "On Cringe")
75
Analysis
Episode Length:
21 MINUTES
November 28, 2023

How to Turn People Down (or, "On Cringe")

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 mo...

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Crassus Aftermath, Takeaways, Sources
74
Series
Episode Length:
20 MINUTES
November 17, 2023

Crassus Aftermath, Takeaways, Sources

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 L...

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Crassus III: Battle of Carrhae
73
Series
Episode Length:
86 MINUTES
October 28, 2023

Crassus III: Battle of Carrhae

Crassus' famous campaign against the Parthians - what motivated it?  What happened at Carrhae?  What can we learn from it?Thanks to our Sponsor!Ancient Language Instit...

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Crassus II: Puppet Master
72
Series
Episode Length:
74 MINUTES
October 5, 2023

Crassus II: Puppet Master

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 episod...

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Crassus I: Richest Man in Rome
71
Series
Episode Length:
79 MINUTES
September 13, 2023

Crassus I: Richest Man in Rome

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 t...

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How to Praise Oneself Inoffensively - Part 2
70
Analysis
Episode Length:
16 MINUTES
August 17, 2023

How to Praise Oneself Inoffensively - Part 2

Plutarch gives more examples of how to get it right, from Great Leaders of Greece & Rome-Phocion, -Agathocles, -Pericles, -Sulla, -Themistocles,

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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