History Rage

• Blood and Bravery: Rethinking the Gladiator Mythos with Alexandra Sills

  In this riveting episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill welcomes ancient historian and author Alexandra Sills to explore the captivating world of gladiators in ancient Rome and Greece. Together, they cut through the myths and misconceptions surrounding these iconic figures, offering a fresh perspective on their roles in society and the true nature of the games. Setting the Record Straight:- Alexandra passionately debunks the Hollywood portrayal of gladiators as mere mindless killers, arguing instead that the reality was far more complex and nuanced.Gladiators: More Than Just Fighters:- Discover how gladiators were not just slaves, but often free citizens and even members of the elite, challenging the stereotype that has long persisted in popular culture.The Spectacle of the Games:- Learn about the diverse forms of entertainment in ancient Rome, from chariot races to naval battles, and how gladiatorial combat was just one part of a larger spectacle designed to engage and enthral the audience.Trauma and Entertainment:- Explore the idea that gladiatorial games were a form of mass trauma response, a way for Romans to cope with the psychological impact of military defeats and societal upheaval.Women in the Arena:- Alexandra reveals the scant evidence of female gladiators, discussing their portrayal and the cultural implications of their presence in the arena.Join us for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges preconceived notions and sheds light on the true nature of gladiatorial combat and its significance in ancient society. Follow Alexandra on Bluesky at @belovedofoises for more insights into her research. Support History Rage on Patreon at patreon.com/historyrage for exclusive content, early episode access, and the chance to engage with future guests.Stay connected with History Rage on social media:Twitter: @HistoryRageInstagram: @historyrageFacebook: HistoryRageBluesky: historyrage.bsky.social Stay curious, stay passionate, and most importantly, stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Shadows and Swords: The Real Story Behind Assassins and Templars with Dr. Steve Tibble

  In this captivating episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill is joined by medievalist and author Dr. Steve Tibble to dissect the mythos surrounding two of history's most notorious groups: the Assassins and the Templars. With a blend of scholarly insight and engaging storytelling, Steve explores the realities of these enigmatic factions, challenging the misconceptions that have arisen over centuries. The Origins of the Assassins:Steve delves into the historical context of the Nizari Ismailis, known as the Assassins, revealing their roots as a persecuted religious minority during the tumultuous period of the Crusades. He explains how their survival strategy involved the projection of power through targeted assassinations, countering the myth that they were merely drug-crazed fanatics.The Templars: Myth vs. Reality:Examining the Templars, Steve illuminates their role as a military order within the Christian community, highlighting their fierce commitment to their cause and the complexities of their interactions with the Assassins. He draws parallels between the two groups, showcasing their similarities in tactics and the shared experience of being outnumbered in a violent world.Notable Assassination Attempts:Listeners will be enthralled by recounts of failed assassination attempts, including the botched attack on Prince Edward, which underscores the human side of these historical figures and their often chaotic methods. Steve's anecdotes bring to life the drama and unpredictability of medieval politics.The Legacy of the Assassins and Templars:As the discussion unfolds, Steve reflects on the enduring legacy of both groups and their impact on contemporary perceptions of loyalty, commitment, and the nature of power. He invites listeners to consider the broader implications of their stories in today's world. Join Paul and Steve for an engaging exploration that promises to challenge your understanding of these legendary figures. This episode is a reminder of the complexities of history and the individuals who shaped it.Guest Information:Follow Dr. Steve Tibble on Twitter: @drstevetibble and on Instagram @stevetibblePre-order Steve's upcoming book, Templars and Assassins, launching on September 9th, through the History Rage bookshop:https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300282122Support History Rage on Patreon for exclusive content and early access to episodes and the History Rage Mug at www.patreon.com/historyrage.You can also subscribe on Apple for £3 per month to get ad-free access and early releases. Follow History Rage on Social Media:Twitter: @HistoryRageFacebook: History RageInstagram: @historyrage Stay curious, stay informed, and keep the rage for historical truth alive! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• GPS Was Never Military-Only: Debunking the Myths with Richard Easton

  Forget Korean Air 007: GPS was always meant for civilians.What if everything you thought you knew about GPS was wrong? Far from being a secret military tool reluctantly unlocked after tragedy in 1983, GPS was designed with civilian use in mind from the very beginning — and surveyors were using it years before most of us had heard of it.Paul Bavill welcomes writer and researcher Richard Easton, co-author of GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones. With a unique perspective — his father, Roger Easton, is one of GPS’s credited inventors — Richard debunks the biggest misconceptions about GPS and reveals the surprising story of its development.You’ll discover:The Civilian Myth: Why GPS was never “military-only” — and who used it first.The Korean Airliner 007 Story: Why the 1983 tragedy did not open GPS to the world.The Lonely Halls Meeting: How the tale of GPS being “invented over a weekend” simply doesn’t hold up.Selective Availability: Why the US government deliberately degraded civilian signals — and why that ended.The Bigger Picture: How GPS fits into a global system alongside GLONASS, Galileo, and Beidou.Join us for a myth-busting conversation that rewrites the story of GPS, replacing legends with the truth of politics, persistence, and surprising civilian allies. To dive deeper, grab Richard’s book GPS Declassified: From Smart Bombs to Smartphones.👉 https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781640123076Support the show on Patreon for early access, exclusive content, and of course, the iconic History Rage mug: patreon.com/historyrageFollow the Rage: Twitter: @HistoryRage Facebook: History Rage Instagram: @historyrageFrom all of us at History Rage: stay curious, stay passionate, and above all — stay angry! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Spying Wasn’t Just Walsingham and the Boys with Nadine Akkerman & Pete Langman | Gloucester History Festival

  Discover how invisible ink, codes, and women shaped early modern espionage.Paul Bavill is joined by historians Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman, co-authors of Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, to expose the myths and realities of Tudor and Stuart espionage. In partnership with the Gloucester History Festival, they explore the hidden world of spies, secret codes, and the overlooked women who shaped Britain’s first intelligence wars.Breaking the Myth:Spying wasn’t a men-only game. Nadine and Pete challenge the enduring assumption that espionage in this period was dominated by Walsingham and Cecil, revealing the crucial roles played by women—often underestimated, unseen, and therefore the perfect agents.The Tricks of the Trade:Listeners are taken deep into the techniques of early modern spycraft. From invisible inks and counterfeit seals to origami-like folded letters and even messages swallowed in wax balls, the sophistication of Tudor and Stuart espionage is laid bare.Plots and Intrigue:From the Babington Plot and the downfall of Mary Queen of Scots to the near-success of the Gunpowder Plot, Nadine and Pete uncover how these intelligence networks worked—and how luck, deception, and paranoia often decided the fate of monarchs.Forgotten Figures:Far beyond the famous “spymasters,” we meet Arthur Gregory, an inventive genius who poisoned himself in pursuit of better forgery methods, and Lady Carlisle, a double agent whose true loyalties remain mysterious. These overlooked individuals demonstrate the real breadth of Britain’s first intelligence wars.This episode reveals espionage not as a primitive sideline to Tudor politics, but as a dangerous, ingenious, and often deadly world—where women played a far greater role than history usually admits.Guest Information:Catch Nadine Akkerman and Pete Langman at the Gloucester History Festival on Wednesday, 17th September at 8:00 pm. Tickets are available at 👉 https://www.gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk/events/spycraft/Buy their book Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9780300267549Follow Nadine on X (Twitter): @misswalsinghamFollow Pete on X (Twitter): @elegantfowl🔴 If you’re enjoying this then you can support the rage on Patreon. For £5 per month you will get ad-free episodes, early releases 3 months early, access to the monthly livestream, the invite to put questions to future guests and the coveted History Rage mug. Subscribe at 👉 www.patreon.com/historyrageFollow History Rage on Social Media:Twitter: @historyrageFacebook: History RageInstagram: @historyrageStay informed, stay passionate, and let the rage for historical truth burn on! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• James VI Didn’t Inherit – He Stole the Throne with Tracy Borman

  The smooth Tudor–Stuart handover? One of history’s biggest lies..In this fiery live episode of History Rage, Paul Bavill is joined by Tracy Borman, chief historian of Historic Royal Palaces, to tear apart the enduring myth of a smooth Tudor–Stuart succession. With her explosive new book Stolen Crown about to be released, Tracy reveals how one of the most famous “peaceful handovers” in English history was anything but. Behind the curtain lay conspiracy, forgery, rival claimants — and a king desperate enough to rewrite history itself.You’ll hear how:The myth of a smooth transition was a fabrication — James VI had no legal right under Henry VIII’s laws, and Elizabeth never named him heir.Conspiracies brewed in secret as Robert Cecil and Elizabeth’s councillors struck clandestine deals with James to secure his crown.Rival claimants circled — from Arbella Stuart (who fatally offended Elizabeth by copying her dress and flirting with Essex) to the Infanta of Spain with her navy poised to strike.Drama unfolded like a thriller: Robert Carey’s desperate, bleeding ride to Scotland to deliver news of Elizabeth’s death; the Valentine Thomas scandal that linked James to a plot to assassinate Elizabeth.The dark legacy of James I — witch hunts, brutal persecution of Catholics, and the Gunpowder Plot — showed how costly that stolen crown would become.History itself was rewritten when James forced William Camden to alter Elizabeth’s biography, fabricating her supposed deathbed blessing of the “King of Scots.”This is not the story of a smooth succession, but of a stolen crown and the dangerous lies that cemented a dynasty.📚 Connect with Tracy BormanPre-order her book: Stolen Crown: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781399732888Follow Tracy on Instagram/Threads: @tracy.bormanFollow Tracy on Twitter/Bluesky: @tracyborman❤️ Support the ShowIf this episode fired you up, join the Angry Mob on Patreon for exclusive content, early access, and the iconic History Rage mug. Subscribe at www.patreon.com/historyrage or join through Apple Subscriptions🔗 Follow the RageTwitter: @HistoryRageInstagram: @historyrageFacebook: History RageStep inside the storm of 1603, where crowns were stolen, rivals silenced, and history itself forged to suit a king. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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