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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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Dive into the stories of ancient greatness.
101 - Cato II: Seducers of Rome
101
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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Discover the stories of Greco-Roman antiquity.
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Sulla III: Vengeance
46
Series
Episode Length:
72 MINUTES
October 4, 2022

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...

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Sulla 2: Rogue Commander
45
Series
Episode Length:
70 MINUTES
September 27, 2022

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...

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Sulla 1: The Lucky
44
Series
Episode Length:
67 MINUTES
September 20, 2022

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...

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An uncommon strategy for mastering fear
43
Analysis
Episode Length:
7 MINUTES
September 7, 2022

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.

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Get Friendships with Powerful People
42
Analysis
Episode Length:
6 MINUTES
August 24, 2022

Get Friendships with Powerful People

Plutarch offers insight on relating to people above your station

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Plato on how to Destroy an Aristocracy
41
Analysis
Episode Length:
7 MINUTES
August 9, 2022

Plato on how to Destroy an Aristocracy

Plato gives insight on how to undermine your enemies

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How to get lucky when the gods are against you
40
Analysis
Episode Length:
6 MINUTES
July 20, 2022

How to get lucky when the gods are against you

How to turn bad luck around. SPOILER: it's not just more effort. Stories of Timotheus and Sulla.

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Lysander Aftermath: or, How to Keep Fighting
39
Series
Episode Length:
13 MINUTES
July 5, 2022

Lysander Aftermath: or, How to Keep Fighting

What happened after Lysander died? What was his legacy? What can we learn from his life?

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Lysander 3: Kings of Sparta
38
Series
Episode Length:
68 MINUTES
June 21, 2022

Lysander 3: Kings of Sparta

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 ge...

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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