History's Greatest Battles

Vicious civil wars. Gruelling sieges. Rebellious provinces, galling betrayals and tribes seeking revenge… Join us for the first series of History’s Greatest Battles, where we’re heading back to the Roman empire. Emily Briffett is joined by historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy to look back at five of the most fascinating clashes of this ancient civilisation, taking in the action blow by blow and identifying the major moments and key commanders that shaped events. They’ll also be uncovering what the military engagements of this mighty superpower can reveal about the age of the emperors, and asking: how history might have turned out differently had things gone the other way? History’s Greatest Battles is produced by HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Listen to our other podcasts History’s Greatest Conspiracy Theories, History’s Greatest Scandals, History’s Greatest Cities, HistoryExtra Long Reads and the HistoryExtra podcast at historyextra.com/podcast. For more fascinating stories from the past, check out BBC History Magazine or head to HistoryExtra.com. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram or YouTube to keep in touch.

Episodes

How to wage war like a Roman

July 5, 2025 • 48 mins

What was the Romans’ weakest link when it came to warfare? Do we underestimate the military might of other ancient civilisations in favour of Rome? And which battles from the imperial era have been overlooked? In this special bonus episode of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett is joined once again by Dr Adrian Goldsworthy to revisit the five epic clashes they explored in our first series on the Roman empire – from naval sh...

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Battle of Adrianople

March 24, 2025 • 38 mins

Across the 370s AD, displaced Gothic tribes had flooded into the eastern Roman empire seeking refuge and settlement – but what they found instead was hardship and desperation. Such appalling ill treatment soon ignited a furious revolt that the Romans were determined to crush swiftly. However, these attempts to dampen resistance would instead culminate in one of Rome’s most disastrous defeats, the death of an emperor and a legacy th...

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Siege of Amida

March 17, 2025 • 44 mins

In 359 AD, the Roman fortress of Amida held fast against the might of the Sassanian Persian army, in a gruelling 73-day siege that saw the city’s defenders face desperation, disease… and betrayal. This was a standoff that left the honour of two formidable military opponents hanging in the balance. The question was, who would come out on top? In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancien...

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Battle of Watling Street

March 10, 2025 • 43 mins

In 61 AD, the fate of Britannia hung in the balance. Thousands had risen up in open rebellion against Roman rule – at their head was Iceni queen Boudica, seeking vengeance for her people’s suffering. Overwhelmingly outnumbered but unyielding, the Roman legions made their desperate last stand at Watling Street, in one of the most famous clashes of the imperial age. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett h...

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Battle of the Teutoburg Forest

March 3, 2025 • 49 mins

In the year 9 AD, three Roman legions marched headlong into the shadowy depths of the Teutoburg Forest in the troublesome province of Germania. But little did they know, they were walking into a trap. Things soon took a turn for the worse with an ambush that landed a catastrophic blow, forever halting Roman expansion into Germania. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to the ancient Roman em...

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Battle of Actium

February 24, 2025 • 50 mins

In the year 31 BC, the waters off the coast of Greece became the stage for a naval showdown that would alter the future of the ancient world. Two mighty, opposing juggernauts vied for the position of Roman top dog, and the clash of fleets would seal the fate of the republic – birthing an empire and bringing a love story for the ages to a crushing end. In this first series of History’s Greatest Battles, Emily Briffett heads back to ...

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Introducing History's Greatest Battles

February 3, 2025 • 1 min

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History's Greatest Battles

Episodes

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.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}Battle of Adrianople

Siege of Amida

Battle of Watling Street

Battle of the Teutoburg Forest

Battle of Actium

Introducing History's Greatest Battles

Popular Podcasts

How to wage war like a Roman

Battle of Adrianople