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 against the senatorial nobles. Even more remarkably, Marius’ career only really took off around age 50. Thanks to sponsor ideamarket.io! (@ideamarket_io on twitter) Thanks to guest narrator GritCult (@gritcult on twitter)! Key takeaways: Learning the populist game from Scipio Africanus and the Gracchi Fitting in but staying different Acquiring a fortune and a reputation Entering Roman politics as an outsider Conciliating Rivals From Tribune, to Praetor, to Consul War with Jugurtha
The Cost Of Glory Episodes
Eumenes 1: The King's Secretary
Eumenes stayed at the center of the greatest historical events of his age, by working hard, thinking harder, and keeping his cool. If, like Eumenes, you’re looking for...
Rule the Sparta you got (Tranquillity Part 2)
A story about Dionysius I of Syracuse, and some encouragements from Plutarch on how to approach other people's Lives.
Plutarch on Tranquillity of Mind
How do you keep a positive frame of mind in challenging circumstances? Troubles with loved ones, at work, with poverty, business? Try this tool, drawn from a passage...
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.