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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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Marius Aftermath and Takeaways
28
Series
Episode Length:
16 MINUTES
March 1, 2022

Marius Aftermath and Takeaways

3 Lessons for Leaders from the Life of Marius. Also, what happened after Marius died?

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Marius 3: The Ruin of Cities
27
Series
Episode Length:
90 MINUTES
February 22, 2022

Marius 3: The Ruin of Cities

The supremacy, fall, and return of Gaius Marius, one of the most debated men in Roman history. Key takeaways: One way to respond when you’re being undermined Th...

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Marius 2: Third Founder of Rome
26
Series
Episode Length:
74 MINUTES
February 15, 2022

Marius 2: Third Founder of Rome

Marius faces Jugurtha, the Cimbri, and opponents at home. He understood the power of morale, religion, and timing. At war, he exemplified that quintessential Roman q...

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Marius 1: Ambition
25
Series
Episode Length:
69 MINUTES
February 8, 2022

Marius 1: Ambition

A controversial figure, Gaius Marius was a ‘new man’ (novus homo), who rose from a zero to the greatest Roman of his generation, unifying the equestrians and plebs aga...

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Plutarch on Listening to Podcasts
24
Analysis
Episode Length:
8 MINUTES
February 1, 2022

Plutarch on Listening to Podcasts

Why did Plutarch write biographies? What does one hope to get out of a biography podcast?

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Odysseus' advice to proud young men
23
Analysis
Episode Length:
7 MINUTES
January 25, 2022

Odysseus' advice to proud young men

Plutarch reads the Odyssey

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Vice and the Cold Jacket
22
Analysis
Episode Length:
7 MINUTES
January 18, 2022

Vice and the Cold Jacket

A winter message from Plutarch

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Being the Octopus
21
Analysis
Episode Length:
6 MINUTES
January 11, 2022

Being the Octopus

Plutarch on what the octopus, and the mythic figure Proteus (who King Menelaus met on his way back from Troy) can tell us about friendship.

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On Having Even More Friends
20
Analysis
Episode Length:
6 MINUTES
January 4, 2022

On Having Even More Friends

Coming back to Plutarch's essay on having many friends, with remarks from Zeuxis, Chilon, and Thucydides

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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