The March of History: Julius Caesar
Experience the dramatic life of Julius Caesar and the fall of the Roman Republic in this gripping biographical history podcast hosted by Trevor Fernes. Step into the heart of Ancient Rome and witness the rise and fall of one of history’s most iconic figures, Julius Caesar. This deep-dive podcast takes listeners on a meticulously researched journey through the Roman Republic’s most pivotal era—an age of political intrigue, military conquest, and the ambitions of powerful men who reshaped history. Follow Julius Caesar’s extraordinary ascent from impoverished noble, navigating the treacherous waters of Roman politics and Senate power struggles, to his rise as a brilliant military commander and transformative statesman. His story is not just one of personal ambition—it’s the story of a civilization in flux, a society on the brink of collapse, and a republic unraveling under civil strife and imperial ambition. This podcast explores Julius Caesar’s legendary military campaigns, beginning with the Gallic Wars—a defining chapter showcasing his unmatched strategic brilliance and relentless ambition. Experience the epic Battle of Alesia, where Caesar’s leadership secured victory over Vercingetorix and the Gauls. This triumph cemented his reputation as one of ancient Rome’s greatest generals and expanded the Roman Republic’s reach, solidifying its dominance across ancient Europe. After the conquests in Gaul, the story shifts to rising political tensions in Ancient Rome, setting the stage for civil war. As Caesar’s rivals grew increasingly intractable—driven by fear, ambition, and a hatred of Caesar personally—he faced a stark choice: cross the Rubicon or submit to prosecution. Caesar chose the Rubicon, unleashing chaos across the Roman Republic and propelling the conflict toward the climactic Battle of Pharsalus, where Caesar’s forces confronted Pompey Magnus in a decisive clash that would determine the Republic’s fate and cement Caesar’s dominance. But battlefields are only part of this history. The March of History immerses listeners in the tangled web of alliances, betrayals, and conspiracies that signaled the Roman Republic’s collapse. Alongside Julius Caesar, explore the ambitions and legacies of Ancient Rome’s most influential figures—Cicero, the brilliant orator and defender of republican ideals; Pompey Magnus, Rome’s golden boy and celebrated general turned reluctant adversary of Caesar; Cato the Younger, the immovable object to Caesar’s unstoppable force; Mark Antony, the charismatic hedonist and formidable battlefield commander; and Brutus, whose betrayal on the Ides of March remains one of history’s most infamous acts of treachery. And, of course, Cleopatra, the enigmatic Egyptian queen whose alliances with Caesar and Antony shaped personal destinies and Rome’s future. This podcast offers more than a retelling of historic events—it’s an exploration of power, ambition, betrayal, and human frailty. The struggles, political moves, and military strategies of this era reveal timeless lessons on leadership, governance, and human nature. Each episode draws from ancient sources and modern historians to provide rich context and insightful analysis. Quotes from classical writers and respected scholars breathe life into the narrative, while detailed commentary deepens the events that shaped Ancient Rome. For those captivated by Roman history, military strategy, and Ancient Rome’s fall, this podcast offers a truly immersive experience. The March of History delivers a powerful exploration of one of history’s most pivotal eras. If you’re fascinated by the rise and fall of empires, the clash of brilliant minds, and the strategies that shaped Ancient Rome, this podcast is a must-listen. Join us as we uncover the epic story of Julius Caesar, the political chaos of the Roman Republic, and the transformation that gave birth to the Roman Empire—a legacy that still echoes through history.
Episodes
The forces of Julius Caesar put the Greek city-state of Massilia under siege. Massilia is equipped with mighty defenses and its people are determined to resist the Roman war machine. To overcome these defenses, the legions will need to utilize all their ancient engineering skills to build truly incredible siege-works. For months this siege is waged on land and sea as the Romans build ever more complex siege works and ...
Gaius Scribonius Curio marches against the approaching Numidian army. Finding success, he presses his luck and pursues his foe… only to be led into a trap. With the Numidians surrounding them, Curio and his army are forced to make a desperate last stand. Meanwhile, the rest of the army is now eager to flee Africa. But the available ships do not have room for everyone, and soon chaos breaks out as no soldier wants to b...
As Caesar wrestles the Spains under his control, Gaius Scribonius Curio leads two legions and 500 cavalry on an invasion of the Roman province of Africa (modern Tunisia). At 34 years old, Curio is young and inexperienced yet talented, dynamic and full of confidence. Arrayed against him are the combined forces of the Roman senator Publius Attius Varrus and the King of Numidia, Juba. Time will tell if Curio's confidence aids him or l...
Julius Caesar rushes Further Spain in an attempt to bring the province under his control and consolidate his power in Spain. Meanwhile, in the Illyrian theatre of war (the modern Balkans), Caesar's subordinates, Gaius Antonius and Publius Cornelius Dolabella, suffer crushing defeats. Even defeats can have honor though, and so, 1,000 men from the town of Opitergium decide to set an example in this civil war and refuse to surrender t...
When Pompeian soldiers and officers start to mingle with Caesar's army in an attempt to bring about a peace, Petreius decides to renew the war in brutal fashion. After a game of cat and mouse, Julius Caesar finally corners the Pompeians and receives their surrender. With both Roman armies listening, Caesar then launches into one of his greatest speeches and one of his most ostentatious displays of clemency. We then dive deep on the...
With their position growing worse by the day, Afranius and Petreius decide to make a run for it and attempt to march to Celtiberia where they expect to find support. For Julius Caesar, everything depends on stopping them from reaching a set of mountains/hills at which point they will be out of his reach and the war will become protracted. And so the race begins, with both armies rushing to reach the mountain pass first. Along the w...
When monsoon rains hit Northeastern Spain, the Sicoris River floods, obliterating both of Julius Caesar's bridges. Now stranded in a narrow strip of land between two flooded rivers, Caesar soon runs out of food and his troops begin to starve. Finding himself in an increasingly desperate situation, Caesar must find a way to regain access to the Eastern bank of the river or else the war will be lost. Meanwhile, Decimus ...
Julius Caesar’s rapid march toward Spain is stalled by the defiant city of Massilia (modern Marseille). Ahenobarbus unexpectedly resurfaces and re-enters the Roman Civil War. We set the stage for Julius Caesar’s campaign in Spain. Caesar’s legate Fabius, sent ahead to start the war while Caesar organizes the siege of Massilia, soon finds himself in peril - without Caesar around to save him.
Sitting in his country villa, Cicero struggles to choose a side; Julius Caesar or Pompey and the Optimates. From his vantage, neither option looks appealing. Meanwhile, Julius Caesar makes his much anticipated (and dreaded) return to Rome after a 10 year absence from his mother city. There, Caesar soon finds himself butting heads with a troublesome Tribune of the Plebs over the fate of the Roman treasury. In a flash of temper, Caes...
Julius Caesar pursues Pompey to the port city of Brundisium. There, the two face off in the first great engineering contest of the civil war as Caesar attempts to blockade the port and Pompey works to slow Caesar’s progress until his fleet can arrive. There is also a special segment at the end of the episode regarding the Gladiator films so make sure to listen all the way through or you will miss out.
Julius Caesar makes the greatest gamble of his life and crosses the Rubicon to march on his political enemies. The civil war has begun. The unprepared Pompey and the Optimates are thunderstruck by Caesar's swift advance. Most Romans fear Caesar will behave like Sulla or Marius. Caesar has other plans. He soon unveils his clemency to the world in dramatic fashion.
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With Caesar’s conquest of Gaul complete, focus now turns to his much anticipated return to Rome. Caesar envisions the triumphant return of a conquering hero. The Optimates envision a criminal being dragged before a court controlled and guarded by the armed soldiers of Pompey. With both sides claiming to want peace yet refusing to back down, an ancient arms race begins.
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The final year of the Gallic Wars; Vercingetorix meets his fate.
What is the significance of Alesia for Julius Caesar and what is the legacy of his conquest of Gaul?
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Alesia is Julius Caesar’s greatest battle and one of the most famous battles in history. Caesar has now surrounded Alesia with two rings of ramparts, towers, traps and ditches. But with a massive Gallic relief army bearing down upon them, Caesar and his army find themselves surrounded. Fighting now on two fronts and heavily outnumbered, the Romans will be pushed to their breaking point.
YouTube exploring the battlef...
Alesia is Julius Caesar’s greatest battle and one of the most famous battles in history. With Vercingetorix and his men held up in the hilltop town of Alesia, Julius Caesar and the Romans start a monumental project of fortifications to wall Vercingetorix in.
YouTube exploring the battlefield of Alesia:
https://youtu.be/oeqVc9rG7Ik?si=86V1Mpec3Ok-XkNg
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Julius Caesar’s Gallic allies are defecting at an alarming rate. Soon he is surrounded in enemy territory and cut off from his provinces which are under attack. As Caesar and his army march to the rescue of Transalpine Gaul weighed down by their baggage train, Vercingetorix smells an opportunity.
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With allies wavering in loyalty Julius Caesar fears being surrounded at Gergovia. But before he can begin a strategic retreat he must win some sort of face saving victory. The result, is the Battle of Gergovia, Caesar’s single biggest defeat in the Gallic Wars.
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Julius Caesar takes the fight to Vercingetorix’s homeland. Meanwhile elements of one of Rome’s Gallic allies, the Aedui, try to push their tribe into joining Vercingetorix’s rebellion.
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Julius Caesar finally finds a worthy rival in Gaul in the form of a young charismatic nobleman by the name of Vercingetorix. With Caesar distracted by the anarchy in Rome, Vercingetorix seizes his chance to rouse all of Gaul into rebellion. Caught off guard, Caesar needs to find a way to reunite with his army and take back the initiative.
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