Emperors of Rome on Cleopatra

Podcasts, when done right, have a unique way of getting into our heads and infusing us with passions and fascinations we never thought we had. At their best – Stuff You Should Know, or Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History, for example – history podcasts can act like a museum of the mind’s eye, providing an absorbing audio guide to abstract ideas, real events and human dramas.

For this event, we’re joined by Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith, co-hosts of the Emperors of Rome podcast. They’ll record a live episode centred around Cleopatra VII – from her Greek background and willing embrace of Egyptian culture, to her strategic and intimate relationships with Rome (and with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony). What were her political ambitions? How was her story shaped and exploited for the benefit of Emperor Augustus, and how did she try to shape her own image? What do we really know about the legendary but complicated life of Egypt’s last native pharaoh?

As well as a live recording, we’ll hear from our guests about why ancient history is a relevant and insightful companion to today’s world – where power, corruption, dynasty and leadership remain central to how societies work. How are scholars discovering new details of humanity’s story, and how are they sharing them with the wider public?

Presented in partnership with La Trobe University.