Cost of Glory
The most influential biographies ever written, admired by leaders, creators, soldiers, and thinkers for nearly 2,000 years: Plutarch’s Parallel lives. Essential listening for anyone striving after greatness. Alex Petkas, former professor of ancient philosophy and history, revives and dramatically retells these unforgettable stories for modern audiences. The subjects are statesmen, generals, orators, and founders; pious and profane, stoics and hedonists. The stakes bear on the future of Western civilization. The cost of glory is always great. Visit costofglory.com to find out more.
122 - The Odyssey Retold (by a Classicist): Part 1
Something is very wrong in the opening scenes of the Odyssey.
The master of the house is gone. His wife is besieged. His son is powerless. And the men eating him out of house and home are waiting for the right moment to strike.
Welcome to Part 1 (of 6!) of our new series, where we cover Homer's great epic.
Part 1 covers Books 1 to 4, the monsters haven't arrived yet — but the groundwork for everything is laid here. What does it take to reestablish order once it has fallen? What kind of man can do it?
F...
121 - Plutarch and Shakespeare, w/ The Base Creates
A conversation with Morgan Watkins of TheBaseCreates and George Carter from Old Sovereign Publishing about the importance of re-enchanting the world through theatre and the tradition of the classics, specifically focusing on a new drama competition called "The Great Panathenaea".
Links:
TheBaseCreates YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBaseCreates TheBaseCreates X: https://x.com/thebasecreatesSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of this pivotal moment in ancient history
Get in touch at:
Website: https://costofglory.com
X: https://x.com/costofglory
120 - The Modern Roman Legion? w/ "Monastery of the Damned" author Nicholas Tobias
My conversation with author, soldier, and scholar, Nicholas Tobias.
This is the first public interview with Nicholas, and he agreed to speak on condition that we'd preserve his alias and therefore his anonymity.
Hence there is no video of him, and the sound quality from his undisclosed location was not perfect.
But this was a fascinating conversation that I'm going to be thinking about for a long time.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
Subscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, an...
119 - Sparta vs. Stoicism
On how the Spartans achieved emotional mastery, long before Stoicism was invented.
118 - Is Julius Caesar in Heaven?
-Lessons both personal and political from the life of Caesar.
-The Net Worth of Caesar's Estate
-Also, could he be in heaven? What should a Christian's, or any modern man's attitude be toward Caesar?
-Thanks to sponsors Shokworks and Dr. Richard Johnson!
-Shout out to Ward Farnsworth, author of The Practical Stoic, Classical English Rhetoric, and more!
Find out more about The Classical Society: https://theclassicalsociety.com
117 - Alexander's Sack of Thebes, w/ Victor Davis Hanson
A conversation with American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson.
We discuss:
Why Epaminondas remains one of the most underrated commanders in Greek history, and how the loss of Plutarch's Life of Epaminondas has obscured his legacyThe pivotal liberation of Thebes in 378 BC: how a small band of conspirators overthrew the Spartan-backed oligarchy and sparked a democratic revolutionEpaminondas's strategic masterstroke at Leuctra — the deep oblique phalanx on the left — and how it shattered 200 years of Spartan military supremacyHow freeing the Messenian Helots and building Megalopolis, Mantinea, and Messene permanently encircled and emasculated Spar...116 - Caesar 3: Divus Julius
Part 3 of 3 of the Life of Julius Caesar.
Did Caesar want to be a King? A god? What was his vision for Rome? Was there a way he could have prevented his assassination?
In this episode:
Caesar returns to Rome His TriumphsHis Reforms His Clemency His Final War in Spain; the Batle of MundaThe Octavius QuestionThe Plots, Dreams, Portents, The men he trusted; the men who betrayed himThanks to our sponsor, Ai Labs. Visit austinlab.ai to chat with a team member about custom Agentic AI power solutions for your SMB to Ent...
115 - Aristotle, Thiel Fellowship, and Human Greatness w/ Michael Gibson
In this episode:
Michael Gibson's origin storyMeeting Peter Thiel and launching the Thiel FellowshipThe importance of AristotleAristotle on "The Gigachad"Is intelligence enough?Failure of philosophy is present in Plato's work...not Aristotle'sAlexander the Great's major influenceInspiration from the immortalsWhy victory is better than happinessFriends as a second self114 - Julius Caesar and the Jews, w/ Barry Strauss
A conversation with the bestselling author, classicist and the military and naval historian Barry Strauss about his latest book Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World’s Mightiest Empire.
We explore:
113 - Cato and his Stoicism: w/ Johnathan Bi
A conversation with Johnathan Bi (Cosmos Institute, The Great Books podcast) for a deep dive into Stoicism through the life and philosophy of Cato the Younger.
We explore:
Why Stoicism continues to attract modern audiencesJonathan’s personal journey with Stoicism—and why he ultimately turned to other philosophiesNietzsche’s critique of Stoicism as a coping mechanismHow Cato embodied Stoic principles (and where he may have fallen short)The tension between Stoic theory and Stoic practice in figures like Seneca and Marcus AureliusSubscribe to the Cost of Glory newsletter for detailed maps, images, and analysis of thi...
112 - The Psychology of Envy and the Fall of Caesar: w/ Rob Henderson
A conversation with Rob Henderson — Air Force veteran, psychologist, and author of the bestselling "Troubled".
In this episode:
Rob's journey from foster care to Cambridge and lessons about status, envy, and human natureThe psychology of envy and jealousy - from Julius Caesar's assassination to modern politicsDifference between dominance and prestige in human behaviorWhy envy is one of the most powerful yet unacknowledged human emotionsHow these dynamics shape personal relationships and societyWhy men are drawn to history and the Great Man theoryWhat academia misses in its focus on present-day issuesLuxury beliefs, status games, and why successful people dow...111 - Caesar's Civil War III: Came Saw Conquered
Part 3 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. From triumph to near-disaster. Caesar's Egyptian entanglement transforms him from a glorious victor to a desperate challenger. In this episode:
Pompey's assassination in Egypt and Caesar's unexpected grief over his former ally's deathCleopatra's legendary entrance in a bed-sack and her political seduction of CaesarThe brutal urban warfare trapping Caesar in the palace quarter for six monthsThe burning of the Great Library during the harbor battles—400,000 volumes lostCaesar's desperate swim to safety while clutching precious documents above waterYoung King Ptolemy XIII's tragic fate and the consolidation of Cleopatra's powerThe lightning campaign against Ph...110 - Caesar's Civil War II: Bloody Pharsalia
Part 2 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. After his lightning conquest of Italy, Caesar faces his greatest challenge yet as Pompey masses a vast army in Greece. In this episode:
Caesar's second dictatorship and revolutionary reforms in Rome—citizenship grants, debt relief, and restoration of the proscribedThe dangerous winter crossing of the Adriatic, splitting his forces against Pompey's naval supremacyThe siege of Dyrrhachium and Caesar's ambitious 17-mile circumvallation to trap PompeyThe catastrophic defeat that nearly ended Caesar's career—his worst loss yetThe brilliant strategic retreat showcasing the iron discipline of Caesar's veteransYoung Curio's tragic death in Africa, highlighting Caes...109 - Caesar's Civil War I: Breakdown
Part 1 of 3 of Caesar's Civil War series. The die is cast—Caesar crosses the Rubicon and plunges Rome into civil war. In this episode:
The political crisis of 51-50 BCE as Caesar's enemies demand his recall from GaulCurio's shocking defection and proposal that both Caesar and Pompey lay down armsThe breakdown of negotiations and Pompey's fateful acceptance of command against CaesarHis lightning campaign through Italy as cities surrender without a fightThe siege of Corfinium and Caesar's revolutionary policy of clemency toward enemiesPompey's strategic retreat to Greece, abandoning Rome and splitting the RepublicThe brilliant Spanish campaign at Ilerda, showcasing Ca...108 - Caesar 2: Law and Nature
Part 2 of 3 of the Life of Julius Caesar. In this episode:
Caesar forms the First Triumvirate with Pompey and Crassus, uniting Rome's most powerful menHis revolutionary consulship of 59 BCE bypasses Senate opposition through popular assembliesThe brilliant staging of the Gallic conquest, using allies and tribal conflicts as pretexts for expansionHis management of Rome through letters while commanding armies across GaulThe death of Julia and Crassus fractures the political alliance holding Rome togetherVercingetorix's rebellion culminates in the decisive siege of Alesia, securing Gaul for RomeCaesar transforms both Rome and Gaul forever through calculated strategy, personal magnetism, and...
107 - Caesar 1: Man of Destiny
The much awaited series on Julius Caesar begins, with the inaugural episode: "Man of Destiny".
In this episode:
Caesar's formative years in the shadow of Sulla's dictatorshipHis early political boldness and refusal to divorce CorneliaThe capture by pirates and his merciless revengeCaesar's rise through the ranks of Roman politics as Quaestor and AedileThe Catilinarian conspiracy and Caesar's narrow escape from executionHis famous ambition: "I would rather be first man here than second at Rome"A tale of charm, audacity, and calculated risk as a young aristocrat from a modest branch of an ancient family navigates...
106 - The New Indiana Jones - w/ Dr. Brent Seales
A conversation with Dr. Brent Seales, professor of computer science at the University of Kentucky and a modern day Indiana Jones who has been using advanced technology to restore and redeem cultural and historical artifacts from the ravages of time.
In this episode:
The 'virtual unwrapping' of the Vesuvius scrollsUnearthing an entire new RenaissanceBrent's encounters with Silicon Valley and some DOGE membersThe long-term future of this project105 - Breeding Future Statesmen: Interview w/ Kevin Dolan on the EXIT podcast
A conversation w/ Kevin Dolan on Kings of Sparta, Anti-Natalist Roman Aristocrats, and whether Christianity destroyed or saved Rome.
Join me at the Natal Conference, March 28-29, 2025, in Austin, TX! https://natalism.org
Find Kevin on X at https://x.com/extradeadjcb
104 - Heroic Struggles in Vietnam, w/ Doyle Glass
A conversation with Doyle Glass, author of Swift Sword, The True Story of the Marines of MIKE 3/5 in Vietnam, 4 September 1967.
Intro Story featuring BlackJack Mulligan.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackjack_Mulligan)
In this episode:
Mastering Fear in Combat
A lawyer's journey to becoming an artist and an author
The ambush begins: "The tree line stood up"
Clear headed leadership of Lieutenant Murray
The heroic Father Capodanno
Larry Peters' Sacrifice to Save His Squad
The powerful psychology of accepting death in combat
"With t...
103 - The Immortal Cato
Cato's Afterlife, Takeaways, Sources.
Some Modern Sources:
Rome's Last Citizen, by Goodman and Soni
Uncommon Wrath, by Osgood
Cato the Younger by Drogula
102 - Cato III: The Senate's Ashes
The Finale, of the life of Cato the Younger. In this episode:
The burning of the Senate house after Clodius' murder in 52 BCECato's failed bid for consulship and his hardline stance against CaesarThe outbreak of civil war and Caesar's crossing of the RubiconCato's final days and dramatic suicideA tale of principle and paradox, Cato's resolute stand for Republican values helped precipitate its own downfall. His death at Utica - dramatic, philosophical, and on his own terms - marked not just the end of his life but symbolically, the end of the Roman Republic itself.
<...
101 - Cato II: Seducers of Rome
Part 2 of 3 of the Life of Cato the Younger. In this episode:
Cato confronts the rising power of Caesar and Pompey in the SenateThe scandalous note from Servilia that backfired on CatoHis principled handling of the Cyprus annexation missionThe formation of the First Triumvirate and Cato's resistanceHis memorable year as Praetor and battles against corruptionThe death of Julia and Crassus sets the stage for civil warA story of political intrigue, street violence, and the struggle to preserve Republican institutions against the rising tide of populist strongmen. At the heart of it all stands Cato, refusing to...
100 - Cato I: A Strange Boy
Episode 1 of the Life of Cato the Younger, Rome's great Stoic statesman.
In this episode:
Cato's earliest years and the murder of his uncleHis first encounter with Sulla as a precocious youthCato establishes his reputation: in military service and as QuaestorA Principled stand against Julius Caesar
On this centennial episode, I'd like to thank all of my listeners and patrons. On to the next hundred!
99 - On Progress - Against Stoicism
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
98 - Gallic Wars 8: Finale
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...97 - Gallic Wars 7: Vercingetorix and the Great Revolt
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 Incendi...96 - Gallic Wars 6: Manhunt
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 cr...95 - Gallic Wars 5: Uprisings
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 Brita...94 - Gallic Wars 4: Amphibious Assault
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 Sueb...93 - Gallic Wars 3: Caesar At Sea
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 gamesS...92 - Gallic Wars 2: Conspiracy
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...
91 - Gallic Wars 1: Caesar's Chance
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...
90 - Heroes are Dangerous: Rousseau & Nietzsche with Johnathan Bi
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.
In this episode:
89 - A Manual for Greatness — with Johnny Burtka
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”.
In this episode:
88 - Mysteries of the Scrolls — with Nat Friedman
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.
In this episode:
For the episode transcript, be sure to subscribe to my Substack!
87 - Pursuing Greatness — with Pano Kanelos
An interview with Pano Kanelos, the founding president of the University of Austin and the former President of St. John’s College, Annapolis.
In this episode:
86 - Pompey: Aftermath, Comparison w/ Spartan King Agesilaus
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...
85 - Pompey III: Fields of Pharsalus
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 T...
84 - Pompey II: Empire of Venus
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 Dictator
Pompey
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 Cau...
83 - Pompey I: Kid Butcher
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 (f...
