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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.
109 - Civil War 1: Breakdown
109
Episode Length:
109:20
June 4, 2025

109 - Civil War 1: Breakdown

Part 1 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. The die is cast—Caesar crosses the Rubicon and plunges Rome into civil war. In this episode:The political crisis of 51-50 BCE as Caesar's enemies demand his recall from GaulCurio's shocking defection and proposal that both Caesar and Pompey lay down armsThe breakdown of negotiations and Pompey's fateful acceptance of command against CaesarHis lightning campaign through Italy as cities surrender without a fightThe siege of Corfinium and Caesar's revolutionary policy of clemency toward enemiesPompey's strategic retreat to Greece, abandoning Rome and splitting the RepublicThe brilliant Spanish campaign at Ilerda, showcasing Caesar's military geniusThe brutal siege of Marseille and Caesar's appointment as DictatorCaesar's own account reveals a man driven not by revolutionary ambition, but by wounded dignity and the desperate need to defend his honor against enemies who would destroy him through partisan prosecution. As Lucan wrote of this cosmic struggle: "Of civil wars and worse waged on Thessalian fields / Of crime made law we sing, how a powerful people / Turned on its own heart its conquering hand." The war that would transform Rome forever begins not with grand ideology, but with Caesar's refusal to submit to humiliation—and his enemies' fatal miscalculation of the man they sought to crush.Works CitedKurt Raaflaub (ed.), The Landmark Julius CaesarMatthias Gelzer, Caesar: Politician and StatesmanErich Gruen, Last Generation of the Roman Republic
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108 - Caesar 2: Law & Nature
108
Episode Length:
130:03
May 10, 2025

108 - Caesar 2: Law & Nature

Part 2 of 3 of the Life of Julius Caesar. In this episode:Caesar forms the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus, uniting Rome's most powerful menHis revolutionary consulship of 59 BCE bypasses Senate opposition through popular assembliesThe brilliant staging of the Gallic conquest, using allies and tribal conflicts as pretexts for expansionHis management of Rome through letters while commanding armies across GaulThe death of Julia and Crassus fractures the political alliance holding Rome togetherVercingetorix's rebellion culminates in the decisive siege of Alesia, securing Gaul for RomeCaesar transforms both Rome and Gaul forever through calculated strategy, personal magnetism, and relentless ambition—all while his enemies in Rome, led by Cato, plot his downfall and convince Pompey to turn against him, setting the stage for civil war.
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Xenophon, Anabasis VII
64
Series
Episode Length:
77 MINUTES
May 30, 2023

Xenophon, Anabasis VII

The Finale: Xenophon's Anabasis, book 7 of 7.  Highlights for the High Life. In this episode:-Sailing to Byzantium -How to Tame a Mob -Spartan Indecision-Drinking more...

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Xenophon, Anabasis VI
63
Series
Episode Length:
60 MINUTES
May 16, 2023

Xenophon, Anabasis VI

Highlights from Book 6 of Xenophon's AnabasisIn this episode:-Drinking parties, War Dances -Why every modern gentleman should sacrifice to the gods-How to gracefully d...

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Xenophon, Anabasis V
62
Series
Episode Length:
54 MINUTES
May 2, 2023

Xenophon, Anabasis V

Xenophon, Anabasis 5.  #1 Highlights for Life Success.  In this episode: -Fending off chaos in all its forms -Dealing with a power vacuum -The Source of the Golden Fle...

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Agesilaus: Takeaways & Next Actions
61
Series
Episode Length:
22 MINUTES
April 25, 2023

Agesilaus: Takeaways & Next Actions

Top 4 takeaways from the life of Agesilaus.  Also, further reading:Plutarch, "On Sparta": https://amzn.to/3Ni3RaO-Cornelius Nepos, Lives of the Great Commanders (trans...

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Agesilaus III: The Fire Breathers
60
Series
Episode Length:
79 MINUTES
April 14, 2023

Agesilaus III: The Fire Breathers

Agesilaus, old King of Sparta, faces his final enemy, and greatest foe of all: the Theban commander Epaminondas.MapKey People: Agesilaus, king of Sparta Demaratus, kin...

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Agesilaus II: The Spartan Supremacy
59
Series
Episode Length:
86 MINUTES
April 4, 2023

Agesilaus II: The Spartan Supremacy

Sparta's greatest king, from his grandest moments, to his most challenging setbacks.  394-371 BC.In this episode:-Isolating your enemies-Working through intermediaries...

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Agesilaus I: Persian Expedition
58
Series
Episode Length:
88 MINUTES
March 28, 2023

Agesilaus I: Persian Expedition

The story of Sparta's greatest king. Sponsors: -The Excellent How To Take Over The World Podcast;  -Ancient Life Coach Rome Retreat In This Episode:-Inspiration from a...

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Xenophon: Anabasis IV
57
Series
Episode Length:
50 MINUTES
March 14, 2023

Xenophon: Anabasis IV

Xenophon's Anabasis 4: The best parts of all, with analysis for action. Thanks to our sponsor, Ancient Language Institute!https://ancientlanguage.com/register-greek/--...

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CoG in Conversation: Ben Wilson
56
Interview
Episode Length:
30 MINUTES
March 8, 2023

CoG in Conversation: Ben Wilson

Apply for the Rome Retreat: https://ancientlifecoach.com/retreatAnnouncing a new partnership!Alex gets interviewed by Ben Wilson of How to Take Over the WorldIn this e...

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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.

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Gallic Wars I - Caesar's Chance by @costofglory

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