Podcast Series: Rome, in Extremely Brief Increments
A podcast, if you’ll recall, is an audio or video recording published online, then downloaded and played on your computer or mp3 player (such as an iPod). You can think of them as a downloadable radio show that’s regularly available online. At ASSETT, we think that podcasts can considered for use in the classroom as a supplement to lecture.
Podcasts come in many tones, and more subjects. This article will discuss the podcast The History of Rome, which brings the the complete history of Rome to life with intelligence and wit.
This podcast can give History lecturers a way to present information in an interesting way. It can also provide students with another way to study at home, when lecture notes and homework assignments aren’t enough to keep the subject fresh.
Mike Duncan described his weekly podcast explaining it follows “the history of the Roman Empire, beginning with Aeneas’s arrival in Italy and ending with the exile of Romulus Augustulus, last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.”
This might seem like a dry and immense subject, but Duncan, who has a “love for Roman history,” and gleefully tackles the subject and spreads out the best bits for his listeners. Even with a political science and psychology degree in his pocket,
At 69 posts and counting, Duncan has podcasted his way from the mythical origins of the ancient city to the Year of the Four Emperors. That’s a total of 832 years in 11 months since he began this project in November 2008.
In a recent post, Duncan discusses the history of the roman wedding. He explains just what it means to ‘carry a torch,’ what makese a good catch in ancient Rome (you might be surprised), and why brides are still carried over the threshold today.
In another recent post, Duncan delves into the unpopularity of Nero. He answers the following questions: Did he really ‘fiddle while Rome burned’? How bad was he really? And why is it thought that early Christians considered him the Antichrist?
Duncan is on a short hiatus while he takes a break to enjoy his honeymooon, but he’s due back soon. In the meantime his fans are directed to a forum, where they can hold discussions “about/around/beyond The History of Rome.”
If you’re looking for a way to add to your lectures, or an additional tool you can use to study Ancient Rome, this podcast may be the right one for you.
Written By: Susan Craft-Rendon, ASSETT Research Assistant