Episodes

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In this friendly takeover of the Warlords of History Podcast airwaves, the History Daily podcast hosted by Lindsay Graham is featured. Taking you through one of the most pivotal moments in history, which set into motion the series of events that would proceed to rip the Roman Republic apart, leading to its demise and ultimately, its rebirth as the Roman Empire. When on January 10th 49 BC, a provincial governor named Julius Caesar marched his army across the Rubicon river and invaded Italy, plunging the Roman Republic into Civil War.

As Scipio takes part in Rome’s zealous religious efforts to turn the tide of the Second Punic War, the Republic fails to look inwards, seeing the deficits among its Generals. That Hannibal continues to exploit, invading Central Italy before drawing the Legions into a devastating ambush at the Battle of Lake Trasimene. Causing Rome to adopt the Fabian Strategy to stop the Carthaginian threat, that although promising, is quickly tossed aside in 216 BC. As Rome begins amassing an unprecedented force to deliver a knockout blow to Hannibal, with Scipio as the youngest Military Tribune therein.

With Hannibal continuing to tip the scales of power in the Po Valley, the young Scipio bears witness to treacherous setbacks as Rome’s authority in the region unravels. Before being forced to abandon the north due to Hannibal’s crushing defeat of the Roman Legions at the Battle of the Trebia in late 218 BC. Resulting in Scipio retreating to Rome to find his city feverishly raising new armies, however with the populace also deeply unsettled by a series of dark omens sent from the gods. Soon cascading into a sense of panic, upon learning the news of another military disaster at the Battle of Lake Trasimene.

While fighting the Gallic tribes to assert control over northern Italy, the Roman Republic becomes distracted to the power that Carthage begins amassing in Spain. Until the legendary Carthaginian General, Hannibal Barca, storms onto the scene to ignite the Second Punic War. In 218 BC, leading his army in an incredible march to ultimately burst through the Alps and invade Italy, before delivering a stinging defeat upon the Romans at the Battle of Ticinus. Where the young Scipio would lay witness Hannibal’s terrifying tactical genius, yet bravely charge into the battle to save his father’s life.

In this episode we begin exploring the awe-inspiring lifetime of Scipio Africanus (236 – 183 BC). One of the greatest military commanders of antiquity, who guided the Roman Republic out from its darkest moment. In the Second Punic War, leading brilliant campaigns, winning scintillating battle victories to propel Rome as the unrivalled power of the Mediterranean. Starting our story by digging into Rome’s tumultuous history up to Scipio’s youth, alongside the culture and virtues that influenced his understanding of the world and intense expectations to add to the legacy of his great patrician house. 

Joined by Elliot Gates from the Anthology of Heroes podcast, we reach the conclusion of our story on Leonidas I. Under the shadow of the Achaemenid Persian Empire’s enormous second invasion of Greece, we explore the strategy and actions of the Spartan King leading to the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Going deep into this violently primal clash, ending in a heroic last stand for Leonidas, his 300 Spartans and allies. That, from the moment they fell, transported their sacrifice and legacy into the realm of legend, with Leonidas as the iconic standard by which all Spartan Kings were measured.  

Joined by Elliot Gates from the Anthology of Heroes podcast, we dive into the life of Leonidas I. The Spartan King who led one of the most incredible last stands in history at the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. Exploring Sparta’s development into a severe and militaristic society, possessing the finest warriors of ancient Greece, so utterly dedicated to the Spartan state above all. Including the brutal training Leonidas endured as a youth and the events leading up to his crowning. Coinciding with a time of a grave threat, as the mighty Achaemenid Persian Empire launched its first invasion of Greece. 

In the series finale following the life of Judah Maccabee “The Hammer”, Gil Kidron joins me to discuss the Maccabean Revolt broadening from a religious conflict into a war for independence. With Judah reshaping his guerrilla force into a veritable Hebrew field army, daring to take on the superior armies of the Seleucid Empire in pitched battle. Initially meeting with a grave setback, followed by Judah’s greatest battlefield victory. The prelude to his death in a heroic last stand that would inspire the revolt to continue beyond his lifetime, eventually achieving the dream of Judean independence in 140 BC.

Joined by Gil Kidron from A Podcast of Biblical Proportions, we continue with the incredible story of Judah Maccabee “The Hammer” and the early years of the Maccabean Revolt. Initially, a small rebel band, driven by religious zeal, bringing civil war to Judea. But with Judah assuming its leadership early on and transforming them into a fierce guerrilla force. Unleashing devastating ambushes within the Judean wild-lands to win a series of astounding battle victories over the Seleucid armies through 166 – 164 BC. Unexpected successes, greatly expanding the size of the rebellion, but also its ambitions.

Gil Kidron from A Podcast of Biblical Proportions joins me to bring you the incredible story of Judah Maccabee “The Hammer”. A Hebrew priest, turned guerrilla warlord, who would win spectacular battlefield victories in an unexpectedly fierce rebellion against the mighty Seleucid Empire during the 160s BC called the Maccabean Revolt. A conflict with origins laying in bitter Judean factionalism, between those embracing Hellenism versus ardent Hebrew traditionalists. Smoldering resentment that erupted into bloody civil violence due to the meddling of the erratic Seleucid King Antiochus IV. 

In the series finale, with Nader Shah poised to continue the dominant run of his Afsharid Iranian Empire, a failed assassination marks the tipping point for his complete mental unravelling. As Nader maliciously lashes out at all around him while pillaging his people to fuel an incessant pace of warfare. Igniting rebellions throughout his realms that he stomps out with excessive brutality and the unhinged Shah heaping more atrocities upon the Iranian populace. Leading to his assassination in 1747, leaving behind a disaffected, divided and economically ruined empire, plunged into a state of anarchy.   

Having just secured the Iranian crown, Nader Shah begins disrupting the religious bedrock of his nation, while draining its resources to feed his fearsome military machine. Crushing all internal unrest and recapturing the last of Iran’s lost domains, before looking abroad. Winning a series of dazzling battlefield victories to overwhelm the Mughal Empire and then smash the Khanates of Central Asia in 1740. Bringing Nader to the apex of his power as an unstoppable King of Kings, but under the darkening shadow of his worsening mental health, hinting at dire future consequences for his reign. 

We begin exploring the path blazed by Philip II of Macedon (382 – 336 BCE). A military and diplomatic genius who ushered in the Rise of Macedon, bringing Greece to its knees and that laid the foundation for the conquest of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. In order to appreciate how truly unbelievable this ascendancy was, we backtrack deep into the tumultuous history of the Kingdom of Macedon leading up to Philip’s youth, to understand the depths of his starting point, a nation teetering on collapse, scarred with internal disunity and ever threatened by powerful neighbours.  

 In the final episode covering the Danish Viking King Sweyn Forkbeard, we follow along as he relentlessly wages his war of attrition against Aethelred "the Unready" of England. A 10 year marathon, steadily draining their economic and military power, sapping their morale and will to put up a viable resistance. Culminating in a full scale invasion in July 1013, that by the end of that year, would have him ascend to the throne as the first Viking King of England. We then review Forkbeard's legacy, who ushered in one of the most monumental achievements of the Viking Age during its twilight years. 

Peace has taken hold in Scandinavia. However, not all people of Nordic ancestry are free from the threat of violence, as the English King Aethelred “the Unready” unleashes a genocidal scourge upon those settled on his lands in November 1002, known as the St. Brice’s Day Massacre. We explore the events leading to this day of infamy, before following the terrifying retribution led by the Danish Viking King Sweyn Forkbeard, who will take something far more valuable than plunder from England...a strategy to bring the nation to its knees.  

 After having wrestled the Danish crown from his father's cold grasp in 986, Sweyn Forkbeard goes off raiding in England in the pursuit of riches to finance his future endeavors, leaving behind numerous enemies that collude to usurp his kingdom while he is abroad. Left in a desperate situation, the winds of fortune soon change for Forkbeard, fueling an unbelievable resurgence that sees him regain Denmark, add Norway to his domains and establish himself as the preeminent monarch in all of Scandinavia.  

 We begin exploring the path forged by Sweyn Forkbeard. The son of King Harald Bluetooth, growing up in a time of great instability during the late 10th century. Newly unified, Denmark remains marked with factionalism and external influences, including the onset of conversion to Christianity. Underneath all of this, a deeply strained relationship with his father that eventually boils over into civil war, seeing Forkbeard pry the Danish Kingdom from Bluetooth's hands.    

 Viriathus (Viriato), the newly raised general of the Lusitanian resistance, unleashes the War of Fire (147-139 BCE) upon the Roman Republic. Convincing other Hispanian tribes to rise up in defiance and using Guerrilla style tactics to achieve dazzling victories, making Lusitania the graveyard of numerous Legions. The Romans finally resort to treachery to end the threat, but are unable to extinguish his legacy that continues to inspire people to this day.   

 In this episode, we get introduced to the incredible story of Viriathus (Viriato). A lowly barbarian shepherd who, in 147 BCE, appears virtually out of nowhere to lead the Lusitanian tribe in a fierce resistance of the Roman Republic conquests in Hispania (modern day Portugal and Spain), employing imaginative tactics to achieve spectacular results against Rome's mighty Legions. 

 In this final episode covering Amir Timur (Tamerlane), we review his twilight years where he inflicts a series of stinging defeats against the Mameluke Sultanate. Before facing off against the surging Ottoman Empire for supremacy of the region, reaching the pinnacle of his power and the greatest extend of the Timurid Empire. We then look at his broader legacy and the lasting impacts that this warlord made on the world.  

 In retribution to the attack on the heart of the Timurid Empire, Amir Timur (Tamerlane) launches a series of vicious campaigns against one of his greatest adversaries. Tokhtamysh, Khan of the Golden Horde, his one time protégé, now turned bitter enemy. Before embarking into India, seeking the untold riches of Delhi, where further atrocities also await.        

 Now the undisputed ruler in Transoxiana, Timur looks abroad, conquering to enhance the size and prestige of the Timurid Empire. Where we also see the emergence of a notable dark side, resorting to brutal violence and horrific acts to submit nations to his will.

 Through a series of epic battles, Timur and Husayn rid Transoxiana of its Moghulistan Khanate overlords, before facing off against one another in a deadly struggle for control of the region.      

 Introduction and the early days of Timur, detailing the political and social environment before his birth, and his transition from rising star to on the run fugitive.