g
An icon of a Roman structure. This shape response to the mouse movement on desktop only.

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.
Episode Gallic Wass eight finale profile image.
Podcast

Explore Our Latest Episodes

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.
Listen Now
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.

Listen Now
Archive

Explore Our Podcast Episodes

Discover the stories of Greco-Roman antiquity.
View all
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Lysander 2: Thirty Tyrants
37
Series
Episode Length:
72 MINUTES
June 14, 2022

Lysander 2: Thirty Tyrants

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...

Listen Now
Lysander 1: Death of Democracy
36
Series
Episode Length:
71 MINUTES
June 7, 2022

Lysander 1: Death of Democracy

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 greate...

Listen Now
Socrates on Public Shaming
35
Analysis
Episode Length:
7 MINUTES
May 24, 2022

Socrates on Public Shaming

A story about how Socrates reacted when he got publicly shamed.

Listen Now
Harry Truman on Plutarch
34
Analysis
Episode Length:
7 MINUTES
May 10, 2022

Harry Truman on Plutarch

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 S...

Listen Now
How to Learn Free Speech
33
Analysis
Episode Length:
8 MINUTES
April 26, 2022

How to Learn Free Speech

How do we translate the advice Plutarch gives on free speaking, with the example of Pericles, into the world of modern media?

Listen Now
The Sovereign Mind
32
Analysis
Episode Length:
15 MINUTES
April 12, 2022

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 famous, clas...

Listen Now
Aristotle's Quadrivium; Season 2 ANNOUNCEMENT!
31
Analysis
Episode Length:
9 MINUTES
March 29, 2022

Aristotle's Quadrivium; Season 2 ANNOUNCEMENT!

Why do we work? How should we spend our leisure? Also, announcing the next biography subjects!

Listen Now
Comparison
30
Analysis
Episode Length:
19 MINUTES
March 15, 2022

Comparison

What did Pyrrhus and Marius had in common, what lessons can be drawn for leaders?

Listen Now
The Joy of a Humorless Stoic
29
Analysis
Episode Length:
19 MINUTES
March 8, 2022

The Joy of a Humorless Stoic

A transcript of an article from Antigone Journal. Read the article here: https://antigonejournal.com/2022/03/publius-rutilius-rufus/

Listen Now

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