Knowledge from the Ancients
Explore Our Latest Episodes
107 - Caesar 1: Man of Destiny
The much awaited series on Julius Caesar begins, with the inaugural episode: "Man of Destiny".
A tale of charm, audacity, and calculated risk as a young aristocrat from a modest branch of an ancient family navigates the treacherous waters of late Republican politics. Caesar—stylish, charismatic, deeply in debt, and dangerously ambitious—sets himself against the legacy of Sulla while methodically building a coalition that would eventually transform Rome forever.
The New Indiana Jones - w/ Dr. Brent Seales
Explore Our Podcast Episodes
Win like the Santa of Power (Christmas Special)
Persevere when you are surrounded by enemies, like the other Santa Claus, Saint Basil of Caesarea. A Christmas special, from the Cost of Glory.
How to Botch a Conspiracy
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 cons...
Prosper and Succeed with Spartan Realpietik
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 Gree...
Comparison: Lysander and Sulla
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 w...
Sulla: Five Takeaways. And Aftermath.
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.
Sulla III: Vengeance
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...
Sulla 2: Rogue Commander
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 o...
Sulla 1: The Lucky
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...
An uncommon strategy for mastering fear
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.
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.