Episodes
-
Fill out an application for the Cost of Glory Men's Retreat - "SELL IT LIKE CAESAR". January 23-26th. Apply here. More details to follow soon. (URL here: https://forms.costofglory.com/2025-retreat ).
How to make progress, and know it. Featuring a few of Plutarch's critiques of some Stoics of his day - whether fairly or unfairly, you can decide.
Also featuring: Diogenes the Cynic, Aeschylus the Poet, Brasidas the Spartan Commander.
Also featuring: ZEAL
-
Caesar ties all loose ends in his Gallic Campaign, in part 8, the final episode of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
Final skirmishes with the Bituriges and the CarnutesSiege of a hill-fort, and Caesar takes arms (literally)Conclusion of a bloody chapter, and some takeawaysCost of Glory is an Infinite Media production — and big thanks to Dr. Richard Johnson of the great city of New York for sponsoring this episode and many others in this series!
Coffee + Great Heroes of History = Imperium Coffee. They make great roasts and are big fans of CoG - use code COSTOFGLORY when you checkout for a discount.
See my favorite, Sertorius Roast - co-designed by yours truly.
https://imperium.coffee/roasts/sertorius/ -
Missing episodes?
-
Caesar faces the Gallic Grande Armée through fire and snow, in part 7, the climax of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
Slaughterings begin at CenabumThe Incendiary Tactics of VercingetorixRebellion amongst Roman AlliesCaesar loses Gregovia……but clinches victory at AlesiaVercingetorix falls, sealing the fate of GaulThanks to our sponsor Shokworks ! - Shokworks provides consulting and development to offer ROI - positive, enterprise-grade custom software solutions for companies of any size. To find out more, reach out to [email protected] or visit https://shokworks.io.
-
Caesar fights through enemy tribes and orders a Purge in his manhunt for Ambiorix, in part 6 of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
The hunt for the crafty Ambiorix and his renegade tribeThe exploits of Titus Labienus and of Publius Sextius BaculusHints of Civil War…(and Druids and ancient cows)Thanks to Ancient Language Institute and long time CoG fan Dr. Richard Johnson for sponsoring this episode!
P.S.—If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode, feel free to get in touch, any support is highly appreciated as it helps me create more high quality work.
-
The mighty Caesar returns to Britain, and faces uprisings and deadly skirmishes in Gaul, in part 5 of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
Caesar’s return to BritainA deep personal lossThe worst disaster of the entire Gallic CampaignSubscribe to the CoG Substack to get high quality transcripts w/ MAPS AND IMAGES. Here's the transcript for this episode.
P.S.—If you’re interested in sponsoring an episode, feel free to get in touch, any support is highly appreciated as it helps me create more high quality work.
-
Caesar crosses two major bodies of water (and he hasn’t even gotten to the Rubicon yet), in part 4 of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
The Suebi and their strange waysCaesar builds a bridgeCaesar’s first landing in BritainSubscribe to the CoG Substack to get high quality transcripts w/ MAPS AND IMAGES.
Here's the transcript for this episode.(Ep. cover art by Peter Jackson)
-
Cost of Glory Ecuador event Aug 22-25: for more info & links read this post.
Caesar faces enemies at home and on sea, in part 3 of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
Caesar faces the sea-faring people of VenetiCaesar plays political gamesShip technology, and military strategySubscribe to the CoG Substack to get high quality transcripts w/ MAPS AND IMAGES. Transcript for this episode here.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient Language Institute. If you’re interested in actually reading the newly unlocked scrolls, you will need to know the languages of the ancient world. The Ancient Language Institute will help you do just that. Registration is now open (till August 10th) for their Fall term where you can take advanced classes in Latin, Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and Old English.
-
Caesar almost loses it all, in part 2 of our series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic War (De Bello Gallico).
This is a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
In this episode:
-A conspiracy of the powerful, warlike Belgae (Belgian tribes).
-The battle of the Sabis, against the Nervii
-Caesar's terrifying siege tacticsSubscribe to the CoG Substack to get high quality transcripts w/ MAPS AND IMAGES. Here's the one for this episode.
This episode is sponsored by our very generous sponsor, Dr. Richard Johnson, an avid Cost of Glory listener. Thanks Richard!
-
The beginning of a new series on Caesar’s masterwork of psychology, strategy, and propaganda: On the Gallic Wars (De Bello Gallico). It’s a world-history making story (the conquest of what’s now modern France), told by a world-history making storyteller.
Caesar entered Gaul as a mere politician. He returned 9 years later as a conqueror - and an enemy of the state. He tells how it all happened with his own pen.
I’m having a blast revisiting this classic, and I think you will too.
Subscribe to the CoG Substack to get high quality transcripts w/ MAPS AND IMAGES - here's the one for this episode.
This episode is sponsored by Ancient Language Institute. If you want to be like Caesar, you should learn an ancient language (Caesar knew Greek in addition to his native Latin). The Ancient Language Institute will help you do just that. Registration is now open (till August 10th) for their Fall term where you can take advanced classes in Latin, Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and Old English.
If you like Cost of Glory, Check out the Anthology of Heroes podcast! Here on: Spotify or Apple Podcasts
-
Johnathan Bi left success in the startup world to focus on researching the deep ideas that power the world, and has recently launched his series on the Great Books of the West, starting with his lecture on Nietzsche.
What is Rousseau’s impact on the world?Johnathan’s Journey towards the Great Thinkers and their BooksThe Duality of Heroism & Rousseau as Hero WorshipperRousseau’s balanced treatments of Nietzsche’s IdeasWhy do we need Heroes?The Difference between Desire for Power and Execution of that PowerSilicon Valley Entrepreneurs and their Selfish Desire for GloryThe Hero vs. The CitizenThe Degeneration of Modern LanguagesThe Core of Nietzsche’s Interest in the Great Heroes of the PastTech Startups are Non-Egalitarian!Rome Against Judea
In this episode:Resources mentioned:
Johnathan’s Interview and Lecture Series: Great Books of the WestRousseau’s Discourse on This Question: Which Is the Virtue Most Necessary for a Hero and Which Are the Heroes Who Lacked This Virtue?Johnathan’s NewsletterSubscribe to our Substack for transcripts and updates!
Show transcript here -
An interview with Johnny Burtka, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute. He is a graduate of Hillsdale College, and his most recent book is titled “Gateway to Statesmanship—Selections from Xenophon to Churchill”.
The Mirrors for Princes traditionObstacles as a Ladder to GreatnessThe Potency of Xenophon’s ‘Education of Cyrus’The Leadership Qualities of CyrusThe Complex Enduring Power of Cicero’s ‘On Duties’Cultivating Greatness of Soul and the Magnitudo Animi of ChurchillMachiavelli as Practitioner, not Political PhilosopherWhere should an 18-year old dedicate himself to?Washington’s Farewell Address as a Beautiful Political Text
In this episode:Books Mentioned:
Gateway to Statesmanship—Selections from Xenophon to Churchill by Johnny BurtkaEducation of Cyrus by XenophonOn Duties by CiceroThe Founders: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley by Jimmy SoniWalking with Destiny by Andrew RobertsFor the episode transcript, be sure to subscribe to my Substack!
Thanks to our sponsor Intercollegiate Studies Institute! Check out their programs on supporting quality thought and intellectual life in and after your college years.
-
An interview with Nat Friedman, former CEO of GitHub and creator of the Vesuvius Challenge, which aims to crack the riddles of the Herculaneum Papyri.
The Genesis of the Vesuvius ChallengeEarly Attempts to Open the ScrollsUsing a Particle Accelerator to Scan the Scrolls!Partnering with Daniel Gross and Brent SealesNat’s Childhood experience with Open-source CommunitiesHow to Design Prize Incentives for a Complex ContestDoing Crazy, Strange and Risky ProjectsA Possible Resurgence of Epicureanism?
In this episode:
For the episode transcript, be sure to subscribe to my Substack!This episode is sponsored by Ancient Language Institute. If you’re interested in actually reading the newly unlocked scrolls, you will need to know the languages of the ancient world. The Ancient Language Institute will help you do just that. Registration is now open (till August 10th) for their Fall term where you can take advanced classes in Latin, Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and Old English.
-
An interview with Pano Kanelos, the founding president of the University of Austin and the former President of St. John’s College, Annapolis.
How founding a university is like running a dinerThe flourishing of American universities in the 19th centuryHow old philosophers were men of actionThe Intellectual Foundations Program at UATXHow The Brothers Karamazov explains our current momentPursuing Greatness by finding your North StarPlutarch on self-reflectionWhy Heroes and Truth-tellers are needed when forming communitiesAnalyzing the opening scene from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar
In this episode:
-
In which we follow the lead of Plutarch and study Pompey's character and analyze what we can learn from the life of Pompey the Great, by comparing him to King Agesilaus of Sparta, whom Plutarch paired him with.
Sources and Further Reading for the Life of Pompey:
John Leach, Pompey the Great: https://amzn.to/3UxOsW8
Robin Seager, Pompey: a Political Biography: https://amzn.to/3UPpeUg
Gareth Sampson: Rome's Great Eastern War, Lucullus, Pompey and the Conquest of the East: https://amzn.to/3wrVGD1
-The Battle of Dyrrhachium: https://amzn.to/3wp4Wro
-The Battle of Pharsalus: https://amzn.to/3ULWJHk
-"Rome in Crisis" Penguin edition of Plutarch:
https://amzn.to/4b2WgGv (feat. Lives of Sertorius, Lucullus, and Cato the Younger)
-"Fall of the Roman Republic" Penguin Plutarch Volume: https://amzn.to/4a7vpYw (feat. Lives of Sulla, Crassus, Pompey, Caesar, and Cicero)
-
Life of Pompey Part 3 of 3: Pompey's final rise to the heights of Roman power, his war with his friend Julius Caesar, and his final downfall.
People:
(M. Tullius) Cicero
(Titus Pomponius) Atticus
C. Julius Caesar
Cn. Pompeius Magnus (Pompey)
Julia, Caesar's Daughter
(M. Licinius) Crassus
(L. Domitius) Ahenobarbus - Optimate Stalwart (Cos. 54)
(M. Porcius) Cato "The Younger" - the Stoic
(M. Calpurnius) Bibulus - Cos. 59
P. Clodius Pulcher - Populist Thug lord
(T. Annius) Milo - Pompey's Thug lord
M. Caelius (Rufus) - Cicero's young political analyst friend
Publius Licinius Crassus - The Richest Man's Son
Cornelia - Pompey's final wife
(Q. Caecilius) Metellus (Pius) Scipio - Pompey's new Father in Law
Aulus Gabinius - Pompey's friend, exiled after Egyptian expedition
Ptolemy XII Auletes ("The Piper") - exiled king of Egypt
(C. Scribonius) Curio - Optimate turncoat, Caesar's tribune
M. Antonius (Mark Antony)
M. Claudius Marcellus - Optimate stalwart (Cos 51)
C. Claudius Marcellus - Optimate stalwart (Cos. 50, cousin of Cos. 51)
M. Favonius - "Stamp, Pompey!" Senator
Themistocles - Athenian statesman
Camillus - 4th c. BC Roman statesman
T. Labienus - Caesar's general, deserted to Pompey
(M. Junius) Brutus - Future Conspirator
Theophanes of Mytilene - the Historian
Crassianus - Caesar's centurion at Pharsalus
Cratippus of Pergamon - Philosopher at Mytilene
Ptolemy XIII - Boy king of Egypt
Potheinus - Ptolemy XIII's Eunuch
Achillas - Ptolemy XIII's General
Theodotus - Ptolemy XIII's Rhetoric Teacher
Philippus - Pompey's freedman
Places:
The Roman Forum
The Tiber River
Parthia
Carrhae (Battle of) - in Mesopotamia (Parthian Empire)
Gaul (Mod. France)
Pompey's Theater ("Temple of Venus")
Alesia (Battle of) - in Gaul
Naples (Neapolis)
Ravenna (N. Italy, "Cisalpine Gaul" then)
Rubicon River
Ariminum (Rimini)
Corfinium - Italian town in the Apennines
Brundisium - Eastern Port in Italy
Dyrrhachium (Mod. Durrës) - in Epirus (Rom. province of Macedonia)
Thessaly - large plain in central Greece
Pharsalus - town in Thessaly
Tempē - Valley in Thessaly
Mytilene - City on island of Lesbos
Thanks to our sponsor Intercollegiate Studies Institute! www.isi.org. Check out their programs on supporting quality thought and intellectual life in and after your college years.
-
Pompey becomes Rome’s greatest conqueror, and empire builder, but faces even greater trials back home in Rome.
People
Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, "Pompey the Great"
Sulla Felix, the DictatorPompey
The Pirates
Posidonius the Stoic
Mithridates VI Eupator, King of Pontus
Lucius Licinius Lucullus
Cicero, the Orator
Manilius, the Tribune
Julius Caesar
Theophanes of Mytilene
Queen Monime
Tigranes the Great of Armenia
Tigranes the Younger, Prince
Albani(ans) of Caucasus
Iberians of Caucasus
King Phraates of Parthia
The Parthians
Antiochus XIII, Seleucid King
Aretas, King of the Nabatean Arabs
Aristobulus of Judea
Hyrcanus of Judea
Aulus Gabinius
Josephus (Jewish Historian)
Marcus Licinius Crassus, Richest Man in Rome
Marcus Porcius Cato (the Younger)
Metellus Celer
Metellus Nepos
M. Calpurnius Bibulus
Publius Clodius Pulcher, Slum Lord
Milo
Julia
Domitius Ahenobarbus
Places
Sicily
Sardinia
Corsica
North Africa
Rhodes
Cilicia
Cappadocia
Galatia
Armenia
Artaxata
Mt Ararat
Sophene
Syria
Bithynia
Pontus
Caucasus
Colchis
Albania (Caucasus)
Iberia (Caucasus)
Bosphoran Kingdom (Crimea / Azov)
Damascus
Petra (Arabia)
Judea
Jordan River Valley
Jericho
Jerusalem
Campus Martius
Alban Hills / Lake / Villa
Luca
Image: The Triumph of Pompey, Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, 1765. Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art
Thanks to our sponsor Intercollegiate Studies Institute! www.isi.org. Check out their programs on supporting quality thought and intellectual life in and after your college years.
-
Pompey, the Great. Part 1 of 3. Pompey's rise to become one of Rome's greatest generals - before he's even old enough to hold office. How he got the nickname of "Kid Butcher" or "The Butcher Boy".
Thanks to our Sponsor, Intercollegiate Studies Institute! www.isi.org
Key Names:
Agesilaus of Sparta
Julius Caesar
Alexander the Great
Pompeius STRABO (father)
Social War
Gaius MARIUS (populist consul)
Lucius Cornelius CINNA (populist consul)
Lucius Cornelius SULLA (optimate consul & dictator)
MITHRIDATES - King of Pontus
Gnaeus Papirius CARBO (populist consul)
Antistia (first wife)
Marcus Licinius CRASSUS
Marcus Aemilus LEPIDUS (rebel consul)
Marcus Junius BRUTUS (Father of the conspirator)
Quintus Lutatius CATULUS (optimate stalwart)
Quintus Sertorius
Quintus Caecilus METELLUS PIUS (P's fellow general in Spain)
Marcus PERPERNA (populist ally of Sertorius)
Spartacus
Marcus Terentius VARRO (the scholar)
Lucius Licinius LUCULLUS (rival general)
Quintus HORTENSIUS Hortalus (optimate stalwart)
Aulus GABINIUS (P's tribune buddy)
The Pirates
"Quirites" (the Roman citizenry)Key Places:
Rome
Picenum
Asculum
North Africa
Mutina
Spain
Lauron
Sucro River
Ostia (Rome's port)[Jeremy Giffon on Invest like the Best Podcast, ep. 336: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Vdv5i250hF6EfzOTML9RE?si=98bacff34a7244e9]
Thanks to our sponsor Intercollegiate Studies Institute! www.isi.org. Check out their programs on supporting quality thought and intellectual life in and after your college years.
-
Check out Ralston College's FUNDED MA program: https://www.ralston.ac/humanities-ma !
...Plutarch offers some advice on how to choose your friends, and how to be a good one. Examples include Alexander the Great, Cato, Carneades, Plato, Dionysius the Tyrant, and more.
(Here depicted: the monument of Philopappus in Athens, to whom Plutarch's essay is dedicated)
-
An interview with Barry Strauss, Spartacus expert, and author of The Spartacus War
In this episode:
-How Spartacus' Slave revolt almost failed in its early stages
-Overcoming short term thinking as a leader
-Spartacus' influence on modern leaders -
A method for reading that can transform your life.
W/ help from Dana Gioia, California Poet Laureate, Chairman, National Endowment for the Arts 2003-2009.
Get his new book Sentences from Seneca, here!
Some Sources:
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_108
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Sallust/Bellum_Jugurthinum/3*.html
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/Sayings_of_Spartans*/main.html
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Moralia/Sayings_of_Spartans*/Agesilaus.html
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Agesilaus*.html
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Lysander*.html
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Sertorius*.html - Show more
