Life of Caesar Podcast

24/09/2025

Oh 179 episodes, how cute.

22/09/2025

Happy Birthday, Emperor Ray! May you have a stable of young boys to come behind you.

22/09/2025

In this episode, Cameron and Ray continue their exploration of Tacitus’ account of the Jews and the Dead Sea. They riff on bitumen bubbling up from the “Asphalt Lake,” how vinegar and menstrual blood supposedly affect it, and why the ancients found this both useful and bizarre. The conversation drifts through Roman building materials, paradoxographical stories, Salt Lake City smells, the destruction of cities around the Dead Sea, S***m and Gomorrah legends, and Tacitus’ blend of skepticism and superstition. The back half of the discussion dives into Jewish history under Hellenistic, Maccabean, and Roman rule, the destruction of the Second Temple, Tacitus’ sources and biases, and the survival of Judaism thanks to “the book.” Along the way, there are musical detours, Trump-and-tanks-in-DC anecdotes, and irreverent takes on gods, genocide, and history’s ability to spin a narrative.

In this episode, Cameron and Ray continue their exploration of Tacitus’ account of the Jews and the Dead Sea. They riff on bitumen bubbling up from the “Asphalt Lake,” how vinegar and menstrual blood supposedly affect it, and why the ancients found this both useful and bizarre. The conversatio...

05/09/2025

In this episode of *Life of Caesar*, Cameron and Ray dive deep into Tacitus’ *Histories* and his account of the Jews during the First Jewish-Roman War. The conversation explores the cultural, religious, and political context surrounding the Jewish people at the time of Vespasian and Titus’ campaigns in Judea. They dissect Tacitus’ often hostile and distorted accounts of Jewish origins, customs, and religious practices, unpacking the ways in which Roman writers justified conquest through propaganda. Along the way, the hosts discuss syncretism in ancient religions, the evolution of monotheism, circumcision, Sabbath traditions, burial practices, and Tacitus’ fascination with the geography of Judea, including the Dead Sea and balsam groves. With their usual mix of historical detail and irreverent banter, Cameron and Ray highlight both the absurdities of Roman prejudices and the broader historical forces that shaped Jewish identity in the Roman Empire.

In this episode of *Life of Caesar*, Cameron and Ray dive deep into Tacitus’ *Histories* and his account of the Jews during the First Jewish-Roman War. The conversation explores the cultural, religious, and political context surrounding the Jewish people at the time of Vespasian and Titus’ campa...

05/09/2025

In this episode of The Cold War, Cameron and Ray take us to Havana in 1952, when Fulgencio Batista staged a meticulously planned coup d’état. They walk through the midnight maneuvers at Camp Columbia, the arrest of generals, the swift control of communication hubs, and the apathy of the Cuban people after years of corruption. We see how Batista positioned himself as “the man” while suspending civil liberties, dissolving Congress, and reassuring both the Americans and local elites. Alongside this, Fidel Castro makes his first serious moves as a revolutionary—drafting a proclamation condemning Batista’s coup and beginning the trajectory that would define his life. The conversation ties Batista’s actions to lessons from Rome, Mussolini, and even contemporary American politics, blending history, irony, and sharp commentary.

Cold War #292 – Batista’s Bloodless Coup: Havana 1952 (Cuban Revolution #17) Sep 5, 2025 | Free, Podcast, Premium | 0 comments In this episode of The Cold War, Cameron and Ray take us to Havana in 1952, when Fulgencio Batista staged a meticulously planned coup d’état. They walk through the mi...

18/08/2025

In this episode, Cameron is joined by historian and author **Marc Hyden** to explore the life and times of Emperor **Titus Flavius Vespasianus**. They trace the rise of the Flavian dynasty, the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors, the Jewish-Roman War, and Titus’ surprising path to the imperial throne. The discussion dives deep into Roman religion, Jewish resistance, the messy politics of succession, and the curious parallels between Roman messianic propaganda and the early Christian gospels. It’s a lively mix of scholarship, humour, and speculation on one of Rome’s often-overlooked emperors.

In this episode, Cameron is joined by historian and author **Marc Hyden** to explore the life and times of Emperor **Titus Flavius Vespasianus**. They trace the rise of the Flavian dynasty, the chaos of the Year of the Four Emperors, the Jewish-Roman War, and Titus’ surprising path to the imperial...

11/08/2025

Cameron and Ray pick up Fidel Castro’s story in 1948 as he returns from Colombia in the wake of the Bogotazo riots. We follow Castro through his early 20s as he campaigns for Eduardo Chibás, clashes with Havana police over accusations of corruption, and narrowly escapes being framed for murder. The conversation dives into the student-led bus fare protests—linked to shady U.S. business deals—that propelled Castro into the spotlight. We hear about his whirlwind romance and three-month honeymoon in the United States, his growing fascination with Marxist thought, and his balancing act between rival student gangs and political factions. The episode ends with the murder of his close friend, fellow activist Manolo Fuentes, a turning point that forces Castro to reconsider his alliances and the dangerous reality of Havana’s violent political landscape.

Cold War #290 – The Making Of Fidel (Cuban Revolution #15) Aug 11, 2025 | Free, Podcast, Premium | 0 comments Cameron and Ray pick up Fidel Castro’s story in 1948 as he returns from Colombia in the wake of the Bogotazo riots. We follow Castro through his early 20s as he campaigns for Eduardo Chi...

26/07/2025

A teaser from a recent episode.

The youngest son of newly-declared Emperor Vespasian. 18 years old in Rome while his father is in Egypt and won't be in Rome for nine months. Party time.

25/07/2025

In this chaotic and bloody conclusion to the Year of the Four Emperors, Cameron and Ray chart the political chess game that followed Vitellius’ fall. Mucianus arrives in Rome ahead of Vespasian to consolidate power, dispose of threats, and set the table for the new Flavian dynasty. Antonius Primus, once hailed as the saviour of Rome, gets sidelined and exiled. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old Domitian (Ian) parties like a rock star, enjoying the perks of imperial power without the burden of ruling. The city reels from the Flavian troops’ violent rampage, Tacitus throws shade, pretenders to the throne get snuffed out, and Ray learns what a “sticky wicket” really means. This is Roman realpolitik at its nastiest — with all the gallows humour, cynicism, and Monty Python references you’ve come to expect.

In this chaotic and bloody conclusion to the Year of the Four Emperors, Cameron and Ray chart the political chess game that followed Vitellius’ fall. Mucianus arrives in Rome ahead of Vespasian to consolidate power, dispose of threats, and set the table for the new Flavian dynasty. Antonius Primus...

25/07/2025

A teaser for our latest Life Of Caesar episode, where I had to explain to Ray the meaning of the term "sticky wicket".

A teaser for our latest Life Of Caesar episode, where I had to explain to Ray the meaning of the term "sticky wicket".

15/07/2025

https://lifeofcaesar.com/vespasian-2-big-dick-imperium-vespasians-real-power-brokers/

In this episode of _Life of Caesar_, Cam and Ray reunite for a characteristically wild ride through ancient Roman history, personal chaos, and philosophical side quests. The boys start by catching up—Ray recounts a week full of weddings, funerals, and destroyed lawnmowers, while Cam confesses to s...

10/07/2025

My first attempt at a VEO video —— weird result but kind of funny

Check out lifeofcaesarpodcast’s video.