Episode 113: The Rise and Fall of Agrippina the Younger

We started this season with a look at the Great Fire of Rome and put forward some of the theories regarding whether or not Nero was indeed to blame for the Great Fire. We also covered the death of Nero and the end of the Julio-Claudian Dynasty. We shall now end season 1 of While Rome Burns with a portrait of the woman who gave birth to Nero. We will take a look at her unlikely rise to power in the imperial court and her tragically sad downfall at the hands of her own son. Today’s story is about Julia Agrippina, also known as Agrippina the Younger.

Sit Back, Relax, and Let me tell you a story… While Rome Burns.

**Episode Transcript**

This concludes Season 1 of While Rome Burns. We will return in Summer of 2021 with 13 new episodes in Season 2.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our shows, including the award-nominated Actual Play Podcast, Are We Dead Yet? At https://www.1upPodcasts.com/

Cover art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com or contact him on twitter for commissions by going to https://www.twitter.com/whyccan that’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N.

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a public domain dedication. Find more of their work at https://www.FreeMusicArchive.org/music/monplaisir and follow them on twitter at https://www.twitter.com/MonplaisirMusic. That’s M-O-N-P-L-A-I-S-I-R.

Thank you so much for checking out this show! We hope to bring you back for season 2! Have a safe and happy new year.

Episode 112: The Vespers of 88 BCE

The ancient world was full of acts of Viciousness, barbarism, and cruelty. During war time, cities were burned, pillaged, plundered and their people were either butchered or sold into slavery. Human cruelty, it seems, is one thing that all societies have shared throughout time. One such instance of cruelty occurred in 88 BCE in the kingdoms surrounding the southern coast of the Black Sea. A tale of betrayal, murder, and unnecessary war awaits us. Today’s story is about The Vespers of 88 BCE.

Sit Back, Relax, and Let me Tell you a Story… While Rome Burns.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our content, including transcripts, cast info, and more podcasts by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

 **EPISODE TRANSCRIPT**

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com and contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. That’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N.

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a public domain dedication from creative commons. Find them on twitter @Monplaisirmusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/monplaisir

Our Final Episode of Season 1 will release in 2 weeks! Thank you so much for listening.

Episode 111: Saitō Musashibō Benkei 1155 - 1189 CE

Today’s story is a story of a legendary warrior. A mountain of a man who was known for his ferocity, strength, and extreme loyalty. The story of a warrior, who did not let his devotion to his lord waiver, even when facing certain death. Our story is also about the period of history of Japan that this warrior found himself in and how he ultimately became entangled with one of the clans that would eventually rise to power. Today’s story is the story of Benkei Saito Musashibo.

Sit Back, Relax, and Let me Tell you a Story… While Rome Burns

**Episode Transcript**

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our content, including transcripts, cast info, and more podcasts by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com and contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. That’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N.

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a public domain dedication from creative commons. Find them on twitter @Monplaisirmusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/monplaisir

The next Episode will release in 2 weeks. Thank you so much for listening.

Episode 110: The Eruption of Mount Vesuvius 79 CE

Few natural disasters are as terrifying as the eruption of a Volcano. Molten lava, pyroclastic flows, ash in the air, fires, and noxious fumes are all dangers that can impact civilizations all around the cataclysm, even miles away, towns and cities can be impacted. In 79 CE, the cities that occupied the areas around Mount Vesuvius had no idea what dangers were lurking deep in the Earth or what fate had in store for the people living in those cities.

Today’s story is about the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE and how a once cataclysmic eruption led to one of the greatest preservations of Ancient Roman civilization the world has ever known.

Sit Back, Relax, and Let me Tell you a Story… While Rome Burns.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our content, including transcripts, cast info, and more podcasts by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com and contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. That’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N.

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a public domain dedication from creative commons. Find them on twitter @Monplaisirmusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/monplaisir

The next Episode will release in 2 weeks. Thank you so much for listening.

**Episode Transcript**

Episode 109: The Assassination of Julius Caesar

It’s a story we are all familiar with. A story of loyalty, betrayal, idealism, and cynicism. The date of the event is forever burned into the collective consciousness. Plays have been written about it, movies and T.V. shows have reenacted the events, and historians have been fascinated by the factors that led to the historic event that took place on the Ides of March in 44 B.C.E.

Today’s story is about the assassination of Julius Caesar and the impact his death would have on the flailing Roman Republic.

Sit Back, Relax, and Let me Tell you a Story… While Rome Burns.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our content, including transcripts, cast info, and more podcasts by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com and contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. That’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N.

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a public domain dedication from creative commons. Find them on twitter @Monplaisirmusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/monplaisir

Episode 10 will release in 1 week. Thank you so much for listening.

**Episode Transcript**

Episode 108: Tsunami of the Malian Gulf 426 BCE

The world is a capricious place. The shifting of the crust beneath our feet reminds us that we are all guests of this planet, at the mercy of the power and strength of forces beyond our comprehension or control. In 426 BCE, during the Peloponesian War, a Tsunami struck the coasts of the Malian Gulf and had a lasting impact on Greece.

Sit Back, Relax, and Let me Tell you a Story… While Rome Burns.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our content, including transcripts, cast info, and more podcasts by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com and contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. That’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N.

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a public domain dedication from creative commons. Find them on twitter @Monplaisirmusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/monplaisir

**Episode Transcript**

Episode 107: The Battle of Yongqiu 756 CE

In 8th century CE China, The An Lushan rebellion rose up in opposition to the wildly successful Tang dynasty. As the rebellion advanced from small rebellion to overwhelming opposing state, it seemed as if the Tang dynasty and the accompanying golden age, was over. But for some loyal soldiers of the Tang dynasty, losing hope and faith in their Emperor was an unacceptable position. Our story today is a story of brilliant tactics, loyalty, and just a bit of brashness. Our story is about The Battle of Yongqiu in 756 CE.

Sit Back… relax… And let me tell you a story… While Rome Burns.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1upPodcast Network. Find more content, including show notes, transcripts, and additional podcasts by going to 1upPodcasts.com

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan and find more of his work by visiting Whyccan.Artstation.com.

Background music provided by Tabletopaudio.com under an attribution non-commercial, no derivatives 4.0 International license from creative commons. Check them out by going to tabletopaudio.com

**Episode Transcript**

Episode 106: The Plague of Athens 430 BCE

We live in uncertain times. The fear of the Pandemic has gripped the world, it has taken friends, family, coworkers, and strangers alike. It has caused businesses to fail, schools to be shuttered and our whole way of life has been turned on its head. It feels like the world is ending. But its not ending, its transforming and changing before our very eyes, as pandemics have changed societies and civilizations throughout history. One such pandemic was the Plague of Athens in 430 BCE. This plague, by the time it burned itself out 5 years later, left a lasting imprint on the people of Athens: Religious observations, the importance of honor, and even the way the dead were buried were drastically changed by the Pandemic. To the Athenians living at that time, it probably felt like their world was ending. But just like today, the world wasn’t ending. It was simply changing. Sit Back… Relax… And let me tell you a story… While Rome Burns.

**Episode Transcript**

Thank you for listening to our show. While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our shows, including the award-nominated dnd podcast: Are We Dead Yet? By going to 1upPodcasts.com. Cover Art by Igor Nunes. Find more of his work on twitter @Whyccan that’s W-H-Y-C-C-A-N or go to Whyccan.ArtStation.com Background music provided by Monplaisir under a Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Find Them on twitter @MonplaisirMusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/Monplaisir

Episode 105: The Death of Alexander The Great

The world has known few conquerors like Alexander the Great. In just a few short years after rising to power, he had laid claim to much of the known world, known to him and his people that is. Alexander marched his armies across Greece, Persia, and even into India. But for all of the glorious and bloody military triumphs Alexander had led, he was still, like so many other leaders, defeated by the mortality of his own body.

Sit Back... Relax... And let me tell you a story... While Rome Burns.

Thank you for listening to our show. While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our shows, including the Award Nominated DnD Podcast Are We Dead Yet? by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. You can contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. Find more of his art by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Find Them on twitter @MonplaisirMusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/Monplaisir

**Episode Transcript**

Episode 104: The Siege of Jerusalem 70 CE

A rebellion stirs in the heart of Judea. The son of the New Roman Emperor seeks to show his worth. Outside the walls of Jerusalem, thousands of Legionaries post up for a final assault on the holy city. A rebellion and the very survival and way of life of the Jewish people hangs in the balance. There are lessons to be learned here. Sit Back, relax, and let me tell you a story… While Rome Burns.

**Episode Transcript**

While Rome burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more of our content by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. You can contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. Find more of his art by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Find Them on twitter @MonplaisirMusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/Monplaisir

Additional Background music provided by TableTopAudio.com under an attribution, non-commercial, no derivatives 4.0 International License from Creative Commons. Find more ambient music, sound effects and more by going to TabletopAudio.com

Episode 102: The Battle of Red Cliffs

The Battle of Chi Bi was one of the most decisive battles during the fall of the Han dynasty and the lead up to the Three Kingdoms era and is one of history's greatest examples of the underdog snatching victory from the jaws of defeat. On one side, an invading army ranging between 200,000 and 800,000 soldiers on the other side a coalition of 50,000 troops. Come with me as we explore the circumstances around the Battle of Red Cliffs. Sit back, relax, and let me tell you a story... While Rome Burns.

---Transcript of the episode---

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more content by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. You can contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. Find more of his art by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com

Background Music “Beyond the Warriors” by GuiFrog under an Attribution 3.0 International License from Creative Commons.

Additional Background and outro music provided by Monplaisir under a Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

Find Monplaisir on twitter @MonplaisirMusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/Monplaisir. Find GuiFrog at soundcloud.com/guifrog

Thank you so much for listening.

Episode 101: The Great Fire of Rome

A quiet summer night in Rome. The year is AD 64. Windy weather and Dry conditions. The perfect setting for the arsonists that move through the city, setting alight The Eternal City. The identity of those arsonists has remained lost to the sands of time. But in this first installment of While Rome Burns, perhaps we will understand just how disastrous these anonymous arsonists acts truly were. Sit back, relax, and let me tell you a story, While Rome Burns.

While Rome Burns is part of the 1up Podcast Network. Find more content by going to 1upPodcasts.com.

Cover Art by Igor Nunes. You can contact him for commissions on twitter @Whyccan. Find more of his art by going to Whyccan.Artstation.com

Background music provided by Monplaisir under a Creative Commons Zero 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Find Them on twitter @MonplaisirMusic or at FreeMusicArchive.org/music/Monplaisir

Outro music created by Josh Fisher

**Episode 1 Transcript**