Diocletian

A podcast survey of Diocletian's rise to power by Lars Brownworth.
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Resource: podcast
Running Time: 20 minutes


Time: 200s - 300s
Place: Roman Empire

Summary:
This podcast is the first in the series 12 Byzantine Rulers by Lars Brownworth.  Diocletian rose to power from within the army.  He set forth unexpected policy concerning succession and sort of cut the Roman Empire in two, thus laying the groundwork for the Byzantine Empire.  This is an enjoyable listen. Mr. Brownsworth is clearly an accomplished speaker with well researched subject matter presented in a dynamic way.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
There is nothing explicit, but murder, assignation and seduction are mentioned.

Website: 12byzantinerulers.com
i-Tunes: 12 Byzantine Rulers Podcast

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Emperor Augustus Quote

The Eagle

A young man tries the impossible to restore his family's honor.

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Resource: movie
Running Time: 1 hr 54 min
Rating: PG-13

Time: 140
Place: Britain

Summary:
Marcus Aquila wants to restore his father's honor.  He tries to do this first through exemplary military service and bravery.  When that fails due to an injury, he undertakes a secret mission into the wild north of Britain, where the tribes refused to be conquered. His father was the leader of the ninth legion who marched north and never returned, losing the eagle. If Marcus can find and restore the eagle, his father's name will be restored.   Marcus and his friend/slave follow a tenuous trail to find the eagle, friendship and freedom.  This movie is based on the excellent book Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
A couple of swear words.  Lots and lots and lots of violence, mostly in battle.  But it is very brutal and somewhat explicit.


Format Link:
DVD
Blu Ray
Digital Download

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Extra History O1 - The Punic Wars

A fun rundown of the causes and effects of the first Punic War.



Resource: YouTube Video
Running Time: 9:12
Rating: N/A

Time: 264BC
Place: Italy, Spain, North Africa/Tunisia

Summary:
This is one of the coolest things I've run across so far.  Here is the story: There is a YouTube channel called Extra Credits devoted to games and gaming.  They have nothing to do with history.  This gaming company, Creative Assembly, calls them up and tells them that they will use some of their budget from their latest game (Total War: Rome II) to underwrite a short series of videos about Roman history.  So Extra Credits did.  This is a fast paced info packed 9 minutes.  It is an almost animated, drawn cartoon figure with other still pics and a narrator telling the back story, and the consequences of the first Punic War between Rome and Carthage.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
none


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TICE Art 1010 Medieval and Bysantine Art by Nancy Ross

A quick overview of the end of the Roman Empire into the Middle Ages.



Resource: YouTube Video
Running Time: 5:07minutes
Rating: n/a

Time: from 395
Place: Roman Empire (Europe)

Summary:
This is a brief history of the fall of the Roman Empire into the Byzantine Empire and the Middle Ages with a particular focus on the art.  Covers the splitting of the Roman Empire into east and west, sack of Rome by the barbarians, iconoclasm, and Pope Gregory II. The hand draws out the history and art as "Art" narrates.  At the end, with the credits there are the actual works of art that inspired the cartoons.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
none


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Rome in Spectacular Cross-Section illustrated by Stephen Biesty

Find out what it was like to live in Rome in A.D. 128.
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Resource: picture book with fictional and non-fictional elements
Time: A.D. 128
Place: Rome

Main Character:  Boy
Age: unknown

Summary:
This large book details a day in the life of ancient Rome in minute detail.  There is a fictional story of Titus Cotta Maximus and his father Marcus as they go throughout the feast day of Caster and Pollux.  Each scene is drawn in full color and tiny detail, sometimes cross-sectioned with points of interest labeled for identification.  Each scene is almost a story unto itself.  Places include the whole city of Rome, Titus's house, the street, the Temple of Jupiter, the Forum the Colosseum, the docks, the baths, and the races.This book reminds me of the Where's Waldo books.

Potentially Objectionable Content:
There is cartoon nudity in the baths and there is toilet sitting. There is also a depiction of someone being robbed at knife point.

Reading Level: grade 3-5
Lexile Measure: 800L

Format Links
Book