Podcast on Germany

We are back! So is Henry IV much to the anger of the Pope, the rebels, and basically all of Northern Italy.  Join in as we see how Emperor Henry IV continually makes more and more enemies!

I read out the letter that gave us the title of Episode 90 and Henry's accusations against Pope Gregory VII.

It is the cage match of the century! Who will win?  Pope Gregory VII vs King Henry IV.  Join us as we figure out just how this multi-excommunicated king finally becomes the Holy Roman Emperor.

Join in as we finally let good old teen Henry IV rule in his own right.  Well sort of in his own right.  After all his mom and the archbishop that held him hostage still are around and would really like to stay in control.

Please note: there was an issue with the music and I was forced to leave it off.

You know what is worst than a monarchy?  A Regency!  Join today as we look at the regency for Emperor Henry IV.  By the end of it all the 15 old kid will be able to thank his mother for not only putting an arch nemesis on the throne of another country but allowing another to become his regent.

Join us today as we look at Henry III as he brings the Holy Roman Empire to its height in the mid 1000s. When your dad sets everything up for you it makes life that much easier it seems.  But don't worry we have our own problems to deal with.  From a classic tell of revenge for slights of the past  to 3 popes living next to each other there is something for everyone.

Welcome to this month's episode as we deal with Conrad II a man who can be described as ambitious and stubborn in all things.  Coming from the wrong branch of the family tree? It won't stop him.  People complaining about his wife being his cousin? Good luck telling him to get divorce.

Join in as we look at the life of Henry II now Emperor of the Holy Roman empire.  But don't think we get to spend too much time in Germany not when we have a war in Poland and the Byzantines to deal with.  Also who doesn't like meddling in the church and causing some much needed reforms?

Today we look at Henry of Bavaria who decides the rules aren't for him when it comes to being elected emperor.  Get crowned in Aachen? nah.  Get selected by the electors to become king? Nah.  Run a fair election and dont murder your opponents?.....Nah.

When you got only a few years to live but all the power what are you going to do?  Well this Otto decides to remake the Roman Empire.

Welcome to a special episode with Dr. Beorn where we discuss his research into the Holocaust on the eastern front specifically looking at the Janowska camp in Lviv. 

As a surprise final episode for the Month of Germany please enjoy a brief look into the werewolf folklore of Germany.  Make sure to lock up your sheep, get some silver, and memorize your neighbor's names as you never know which one will be a wolf.

Join us for our last interview of the month of Germany!  It is a topic well suited for Halloween it seems. Today we are joined by Dr. Nisrine Rahal who discusses a service so dangerous, so scary, that the Prussian Government banned it and forced most of the supporters to flee the country.  That's right, we are discussing KINDERGARTENS *clutches pearls.*

Join us today as we continue our string of interviews for the Month of Germany.  Today we discuss the Lockheed Starfighter which not only became the first plane West Germany ever produced but represented, in all its success and failure, West Germany's arrival as a player in the cold war.

Please join us for our 100th anniversary episode with Mike Cote!  Explore the diplomatic complexities of Pre World War I Europe and find out why Britain and Germany were on the way to war with one another in 1914.

Hello! Join in as we begin the month of Germany with a look at Charles William Ferdinand the unsung hero of the French Revolution.  Why is he unsung? Well because he is the one that made the fateful decision to retreat at the battle of Valmy, accidentally saving the Revolution.  Find out about the legendary general who made 2 really important decisions in his life that changed the course of history.

Join in as we discuss the musical chairs of Otto III's regent as they wait for the 2 year to be old enough to actually rule.  But when you got a mother vs her loathed mother in law vs a guy who tried to overthrow the last Emperor a few times trying to take over it isn't going to be a boring transition.

Are you ready to see a realm at peace?  Are you ready to see a leader who doesnt have a dad complex?  Are you ready to not have to deal with Rome?  Well this is not the episode for you.  

Otto has finally secured Germany it seems but now Italy is calling to him.  But taking Italy is one thing.  Holding Italy and the crowns that come with it is another.

Otto the great is not going to have such a great start.  Join in as we see him deal with threats on the border, disruptive nobles, and treacherous relatives.

In today's episode we are officially done with the Carolingian rule in Germany.  Now is the time of the Saxons.  Problem is what do you do when everyone wonders why they should even bother paying respects to the guy who is not related to the old boss?

Join us today as we discuss Dr. Blackler's new book An Imperial Homeland: Forging German Identity in Southwest Africa.  Dr. Blackler provides us with a wonderful overview of Germany's often over look southwest colony and how it's dark history there helped shaped Germany's future.

What happens when you put a control freak, a child, and a guy no one had heard of on the throne of the Empire one after the other?  Pure chaos.

In this episode we look at life among the villages of the Carolingian Empire.  Join in as we see them deal with new challenges such as land ownership, growing cities, and the church!  

Join in as we talk to Jesse Alexander and Cathérine Pfauth who work on the absolutely fantastic project called Glory and Defeat.  This project provides a needed indepth study of the Franco Prussian war including a week by week study of the war.  You can find their channel at:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB1eDEd1AYG3YrRIJSZzMOQ

In our first interview for the 3 year anniversary of the Podcast we are join by Dr. Rubble who takes us through the roller coaster that was women's rights in Germany during the 20th century with an eye opening discussion of family law and the competition that suddenly arises over it during the creation of East and West Germany.

Join in as we see the last unification of the Empire under Charles the fat.  A man who when push came to shove gave up every time.

Louis the German is dead but a golden age for the Carolingians seems right around the corner as Carloman and his brother Louis III both look like amazing leaders to reunite the empire.  Just as long Charles the Fat doesn't get the crown things look like it will be grand!

In today's episode we deal with King Louis's family issues which range from his conniving brother, his ambitious daughter in law, and his cousins who have risen to power with the death of Emperor Lothair.  

Join in as we take a break from the internal strife of the Empire and deal with those pesky outsiders who dare to challenge King Louis's reign.  Obotrites, Sorbs, and Vikings oh my!

In today's episode we explore the reign of Lothar who decided not only did he want to rule by himself but if he couldn't do it then he would bring the entire empire down with him.

In today's episode we look at the creation of the Holy Roman Empire under Charlemagne and how his son Louis did not earn the title 'the Great.'

Join in as we look at the minor brush fire war of Charlemagne's reign that will take 30 years to put out and watch the collapse of the last of the old Germanic tribes.

Join in as we see how the Franks and Saxons get along as neighbors and how 'welcomed' this Christian religion is in the regions outside of Frankish control.

 Join in as we cruise through nearly 300 years of those that lived in central and western Germany and why siblings can never be trusted to work together.

Hello all! Welcome back to the show as we wrap up the barbarian invasions and the fall of the western Roman empire with a look of that island on the other side of the channel from modern day France.

We are in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.  A grumpy old man is being crowned as the leader of the newly formed German nation.  Listen to this episode to find out how we got to this day!

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the German Empire we have Katja Hoyer discussing her new book! https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Iron-German-Empire-1871-1918-ebook/dp/B08R9DKRV1

Finally going to talk about those Huns.  Enough people told me to do it so here we go! Final thoughts on them: Over rated.  Listen to the episode to find out why.

Join in as we look at the disappearance of one of America's largest minority groups within the span of 4 years.  A special episode recorded with American History Podcast.

Join in as we look at the Visigoth kingdom set up in southern France!  The Visigoths who have been center stage for Rome's attention now seem to be settling.  But when you got an inspiration for JRR Tolkien's work about to become king of the tribe it definitely is not going to be a quiet time in the region.

Join in as we look at the Suevi who go from one of the smallest Germanic tribes in the Iberian Peninsula to nearly driving the Romans out!  Will they leave a lasting legacy in the conquered lands unlike the Vandals or will they disappear into the dustbin of history?

Join in as we look at the kings after Geiseric of the Vandals and how, despite lasting 100 years, they leave nothing behind besides their name and a few scraps of metal.

Join in as we look over the Netflix new show called Barbarians and how historically accurate it is! (hint: it is not).

For our final interview we have Michael Kaelin from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Join in as we discuss German immigration into the US during the 1800s and how these immigrants played a role in controlling who and who could not come to the US from their home countries and informed the US immigration policy that would form in the lead up to 1900.

For our 3rd interview of the Month of Germany we have Ezra Gerard at the University of Wisconsin who is working on German Homosexuality.  Join in as we look at the 1800s and 1900s study of Homosexuality in Germany and how it shaped our view of it today.

Geiseric decides that Europe does not agree with him or the Vandals and Alans so they are going sailing!  Join in as we look at the long life of one of the biggest threats to Rome that does something that no barbarian has ever been able to do before, force the West to accept their terms.  Find out how he brings the Western Empire to the peace table time and time again.  If you would like to learn more about Pope Leo I's check out Pontifacts episode 47: Leo I (the Great).
https://pontifacts.podbean.com/e/47-leo-i-the-great/

Join in as we continue the month of Germany with another graduate interview!  Kilian Harrer a PhD graduate from University of Wisconsin-Madison shows us how the introduction of the French Republic led to complications in the traditional rival between the Catholics and the Protestants of Western Germany and would form the roots of future conflict that would plague Germany in the 1800s.

To celebrate our 2 year anniversary we have released the 1st of 4 interviews conducted with Graduate students within the field of German History.  Chad Gibbs, a George L. Mosse Fellow from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explores the horrors of Treblinka camps during the height of  Nazi Germany and how the prisoners of this camp were able to use the camp to their advantage to launch a revolt and attempt an escape on August 2nd 1943.

It is time to move off the Italian peninsula.  Tribes are trying to settle in Spain and Gaul and make deals with the Roman empire or the rebel leaders who keep popping up. But how can you expect things to go easy if your leader can't even take a bath without being killed?

Join in as we look at the culminating event of the decade!  The highlight of these past few episodes we have been hinting at!  It is going to be epic! It is the highlight of the century! I am lying!  But listen to the episode to find out why.

Hello everyone!  To signify our return to normal episodes we are doing a special episode on Bertha von Suttner's Lay Down Your Arms.  Join in as we explore the book that was considered the championship of the pacifist movement, one of the greatest works in the late 1800s and attacked every fiber of a society that was built around war.  

Olympius is now on top!  Olympius now needs to pay the piper and deal with three groups who he owes for his rise to power.  Join in as we look at the disaster that befalls the divided empire as Olympius releases his own secret agenda.

Hey everyone so Stilicho the man the vandal the legend is about to leave our story.  Join in as we discuss the fall of the man who dreamed of uniting the empire under his rule and the rise of a man who would see Rome sacked for the first time in 800 years.

Hey everyone welcome to our special episode where we discuss the creation of one of the largest Jewish communities in modern day Europe, Germany.  Brad Pomerance from Jewish Life TV shares the stories of those who have started a new life in central Europe and why Germany, despite its past under the Nazis and the Holocaust, has now become a major center for Jewish settlement.  Explore with us the history of Jewish life in Germany.

Brad Pomerance's show Air, Land, and Sea looks at the past and present for Jewish communities throughout the world and can be found on Jewish Life TV. http://jltv.tv/page.php?id=141&play=29

Stilicho goes from things are bad to things are worse to can I get a break!  Highlights include the Spanish collapse, the Senate gaining power, Emperor of the East is dead and oh yeah Alaric decides it is time for Stilicho to pay up for abandoning him in Illyricum when he shows up with an army in Northern Italy once again. Stilicho is in for a terrible year.

Join us as we look as Stilicho at the height of his power suddenly get the wind knocked out of him when his planned Civil war falls flat and another unplanned one losses him half the empire.  Chaos ensues as German tribes take over Gaul and news leaks that Alaric, King of the Goths, is dead....or is he?

In today's shorter episode we look at the two invasions that shook Italy and Rome to its core in the first few years of the 400s. The first by Alaric who had enough of the shenanigans of the East and decided to move westward.  The second was a clear sign that Rome was the lesser of two evils now that the Hunnic empire had appeared on the scene.

Join in as we talk with Dr. Gennari about the role of one of Europe's great powers in Germany, Sweden!  Dr. Gennari provides us amazing insight into how this Scandinavian nation became a major power that dominated northern Germany and how it came to pass that the small upstart of Brandenburg became Sweden's major rival within Prussia.

 In today's episode we deal with the years leading up to one of the worst decades in the history of the Roman Empire and introduce two of the important players of the upcoming decade; Alaric and Stilicho. 

We wrap up the end of the Goth war after the death of Valen with another disaster.  Though this time the disaster is the sources as very little survived to provide us with a coherent story.  So join in for this brief discussion of what we do know about the end of this one of many Goth wars.

 378 was suppose to be the Roman's year and it started out that way.  But follow along as we see how 378 went from Rome's turn to glory to a nightmare. 

Follow along as we continue with the Goth War as all of Thrace is thrown into chaos with rebellions suddenly sparking as slaves and soldiers abandon the Roman Empire and join ranks with Fritigern and Avivus. While his own capitol grows nervous, Emperor Valens sets up a plan to trap the Goths.  Will it work?

Goths show up on the Danube and the Eastern Roman Empire has only one one question. Why?  Well find out in this episode what brought these Goth tribes to the Romans begging for sanctuary and how Rome's abuse leads to the disastrous Goth Wars and the death of Emperor Valens.

For the first episode of the show of 2020 we have a short overview of the 26 years before the arrival of the Goths at the Danube begging to be let in.  In this episode we discuss how the Romans developed a system for dealing with the Germans who were a source of pesky annoyances and unlimited manpower and will help us answer the question of what the Romans will do with the Goths in 376.

In the 2nd half of the special episode with the Cult of Domesticity we deal with Jacob's story from his hometown of Memphis Tennessee.  Here from the 1920s-1950s a single woman would change the United State's relationship with adoptions forever and leave over 5,000 victims in her wake alive or dead.  Join in as we look into the story of Georgia Tan a woman who saw the misfortunes of children as her ticket to a life of luxury.

Hey everyone! Happy New Year!  To start off 2020 we have 2 special episodes with Cult of Domesticity.  In Episode 1 Courtney presents the fate of Sophie Scholl, a 21 year old who decided to stand against the Nazi government at the height of their power.  

Hey everyone! Welcome to the last episode of 2019! Last episode we looked at the physical evidence and the frontier of Rome and Germania for the 1st century AD to the 3rd century.  Today's episode is discussing the actual written history and what we have to build off of it.  Which is not much. Despite the lack of evidence we do get a picture that the northern frontier, the border that should be easily secured, is breaking apart.  Along with the failure of the Roman Empire we get to meet some new players like the Saxons, Franks, Alamanni and the new guys from the east; the Goths.

 Hey everyone! New episode is out and we are breaking away from our written sources to study the frontier that is built to separate the northern boundaries of the Roman Empire and the barbarous Germans.  Is this a solid wall of defenses to keep the ever dangerous horde back or a second rate line?  What, if any, is the interaction between the two neighbors now that things have settled?  And why are we covering several centuries worth of history in this one episode?! Listen to find out! 

 Hello everyone! Despite the title of the episode we will wrap up the lives of Germanicus, Maroboduus, and Arminius.  Three important characters who played a significant role in the reestablishment of the Roman Northern border and only one of them will live 10 years afterwards.  We will be discussing the price paid by these three and the immediate aftermath within Germania after the Roman threat is no more.  

Hello so we are doing a special episode with this week in honor of Armistice day in which myself and Chris from the Number 10 Podcast discuss the British and German reactions to the day, what led to November 11th, and how the countries both view the event today.  We also love to get side tracked a little and discuss other topics but with so many fascinating subjects, can you blame us?

 Hello everyone! In today's episode join in as we look at the series of campaigns that are launched by Tiberius and Germanicus in revenge for the 3 lost legions.  Covering the span of 6 years we will discuss one of the most devastating series of campaigns ever launched by the Romans which will leave Germania depopulated and war weary.  The Roman's goals are to punish the tribes that dared to attack the empire, restore Roman authority within the territory, and bring the most hated man within the Empire, Arminius, to justice.  Will Rome be successful or will the Germans be able to outlast Rome's fury and reestablish the Rhine as the border of the Roman Empire? 

Join in as we discuss the immediate aftereffects of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest.  From the German tribes' reactions deep in the heart of Germania all the way to Rome where an unsuspecting Augustus will reach the breaking point.  In this episode we cover Arminius campaign to conquer all of Germany and how for the first time, since the arrival of Drusus, the Germans are able to release their rage upon the Roman soldiers and citizens alike.

Hey guys! In today's episode we look at the very first Oktoberfest and how a wedding became an event celebrated throughout the world!  So grab a stein full of beer and join me in the year 1810 during the height of the Napoleonic Wars.

Join in as we discuss how Arminius enacts a daring plan to bring Varus and 3 Roman legions into the Teutoburg Forest in order to deliver such a blow that it convinces Rome that Germania is just not worth the trouble. 

In today's episode we discuss what Varus did in the 3 years that he was a governor of Germania. As governor he figures that if this is suppose to be a province of the empire then Germany needs to get to it! Varus decides to launch an aggressive campaign of Romanization within the province.  A process that takes decades Varus was trying to fit within a few years and was causing the region to turn against the Roman Empire.  Within all of this turmoil steps Arminius who spends the next few years building a network of co-conspirators and allies to eliminate Rome's influence within the province.  However will he be able to set up his conspiracy without Varus finding out?  Will anyone join him?  Tune in and find out!

Chaos abounds for the Romans as the Marcomanni gather a massive army in Bohemia and the once peaceful realm of Illyricum is caught in the flames of rebellion.  In this time of crisis Augustus turns to Publius Quinctilius Varus to rule as governor of Germania.  Was this a choice based on careful thought or rashful acts?  What will this new governor do within the realm and what will he do with the dashing war hero Arminius who has just returned from the fighting in Illyricum?

 Today we step away from the timeline focus of the podcast so far to look at the Romans who would have been involved in the conquest and pacification of Germany.  As part of our discussion we look at the Roman's construction of roads and the forts within the province and what role they could have played in the transformation of the Germany into perfect Roman provinces. 

 Drusus dies in 9 BCE and now it is up to his brother Tiberius to finish the job and pacify Germany.  However the mission is by no means easy as we discuss the 3 years that Tiberius spent to bring the region to heel.  Now that peace has been established we have the arrival of Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, who for the next 6 years will rule Germania.  The question is how will this man with a wealth of experience, but a personality rivaling the world's worst tyrants, handles the newest addition to the Roman empire and what does this mean for Germany as we reach the end of 1 BCE. 

 Drusus lies dead after 30 days of pain and misery in the forests of Germany.  Tiberius, his brother, stands looking over his beloved brother's body and mourns his loss.  However Tiberius can not grieve for too long because he is in a crisis.  He needs to get his brother safely back to Rome so he can be given a proper funeral. However he is deep in the heart of Germany, surrounded on all sides by hostile tribes, and is relying on an army who is on the verge of breaking down completely.  Things have never seemed so dire for the Roman army in Germany before.  So join in as we discuss the final trip of Drusus, soon to be, Germanicus as his brother tries to bring him home to rest. 

 In today's episode we look at Drusus's fourth and final campaign into Germania. This campaign has the typical battles and setbacks that the Romans are use to but it comes with an extra twist.  This time Drusus has gone too far and spirits have intervened.  Ghosts walk through the camps delivering omens, wolves howl and women scream throughout the night on all sides in the dark forest, and the sky itself is streaked with the stars racing towards the earth. Meanwhile the Roman army sit in their tents praying for daylight and the safety of the Rhine.  Explore with us as we discuss the nightmare that the Roman army goes through this fourth campaign and how Drusus, the conquering hero of the Roman Empire, dies in the never ending forests of Germany.  

We have our new logo! Send us a message if you would like a t-shirt with the logo on it!  For this week's episode we look at Drusus's third campaign and how it was slowed to a crawl thanks to the efforts of the Sugambri and their allies/former enemies the Chatti.  However life is not all that bad for Drusus as he receives word that he is going to be made consul and heads home to celebrate with his family.  While celebrating the gods send a reminder that Drusus should stop invading Germania.  Will he listen to them?  

In today's episode we explore Rome's reaction to Drusus returning from his first exploration into Germany and how Augustus seems to believe that Germany could be the future.  Despite his popularity, Drusus is not done with Germany and has plans for a 2nd campaign the following year.  Listen in as we discuss the radically different second trip through Germany where Drusus will have to face some large and hostile Germanic tribes and a foreboding message from the gods' own winged messengers; the bees.  

Drusus goes out on his first cruise of Germany and explores the mysterious land.  For Drusus this is an adventure of a life time.  The question is will this be the adventure to end his life?  In this campaign he will make allies, fend off enemies and will be ambushed by trees!  So much is at stake for Drusus because if he fails or is halted, Augustus may not give him a second chance.  Join in as we ride along with this young warrior and see the surprises that await him in Germania.

 Hey everyone! I hope you enjoyed last week's episode!  If you would like more send me a message on Facebook, Twitter or email podcastongermany@gmail.com!

Today we are back on to our timeline as we discuss  Drusus and everything that stands between him and a cruise of a lifetime!  So join in and find out how Drusus deals with pesky Gaullic rebels, crushes Sugambri raiders, and figures out where exactly he wants to go on his sightseeing adventure into Germany.  Make sure to bring your swim trunks, flip-flops and gladius as we begin Drusus's quest for glory!

Hello everyone! Welcome back to the Podcast on Germany.  This week we took a break from our discussion of Rome's invasion of Germany and instead discussed Ludwig II of Bavaria with Skye from Histories, Mysteries, and Conspiracies.  Ludwig is known for a few things. 1. Creating the most beautiful castles in Europe and one of the largest tourist attractions in Germany. 2. Possibly being crazy. 3. Found dead in a lake just the day after he was forced off the throne by a coup d'etat. In this episode we discuss Ludwig's life and the mysterious that surround it and his death. So join in and ponder the mysteries of the Swan King with us!   As a reminder, you can support the show by donating on our website www.podcastongermany.com and we will be back to Drusus crossing of the Rhine next week!

In this episode we look at Augustus's indecision on crossing the Rhine.  While Marcus rectified his mistake by pushing the Sicambri back across the Rhine, Augustus starts to build up Gaul.  For the next 3 years he will stay in Gaul and the Rhine stays on his mind.  While Augustus pauses before making the leap, his stepsons Tiberius and Drusus make a name for themselves clearing the Alps of enemy tribes.  Drusus (young, dashing, and highly charismatic) sees Germany as his Gallic campaign to prove himself worthy.  Meanwhile his older brother is not a fan.  The question is who will convince the Emperor? 

Covering from the end of the Gallic Wars 50 BC to 16 BC, this episode explores the silence of the German frontier and what we can glean from the few mentions we have during a period of crisis for Rome involving 3 different civil wars.  As we explore the few sources we have, it is clear that the Germans are still a threat to Rome and its newly acquired provinces in Gaul. Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome and grandnephew to Julius Caesar, turns his eyes north and ponders if he should maintain the border his great uncle created and solidify Roman dominance on the Rhine, the Danube, and in the Alps;  or should Augustus invade Germania, wipe out and enslave his enemies hiding in the never ending forest, and continue to spread the reach of the Roman Empire. Join in as we set up the scene for Augustus’s decision for Rome’s invasion and conquest of Germania.

 Today we wrap up Caesar's campaigns in Gaul and discuss the aftermath of the Rhine expedition.  This episode first deals with the failure of Caesar's punitive campaign across the Rhine and his eventual decision to try again. Will Caesar's campaign across the Rhine begin the establishment of Roman control in the region?  Will the dreaded Suevi be brought to their knees and cower before the all powerful Caesar? Or are we going to see a repeat of the previous expedition?  During the second half of the episode we discuss how the thorn in Caesar's side, the Germans, become his saviors as all of Gaul rises in rebellion under the charismatic Vercingetorix and threats to overthrow everything that Caesar has been building these last few years. 

So for the first time, the Romans are going to bring the fight to the Germans. Fires will ravage the lands and the Germans brought to heel!  However, through trickery, the Roman army is surrounded and cut off from their supplies.  They are left wondering if they can survive the upcoming winter and the hordes baying for their lives! Meanwhile, Caesar struggles with true love as a Suebi woman catches his eye and his heart.  Will he learn to love and accept the Suebi or will he continue on his quest for conquest?  Find out April 30th 2019 in "The Broken Haven."

Well that is how the Hollywood version of the story would go.  However historically this trip takes 18 days with a short sprint to the Ubii and back with a couple of burnt up homes along the way. Kind of anti-climatic I know, but Caesar did not want to stay in this foreign land for long.  Find out what brought him there in the first place, why the incursion was so short, and if we should consider Caesar's first German campaign a success or failure.

Hello everyone today we are talking about a black mark in Caesar's career.  This episode will discuss the arrival of Tencteri and the Usipetes and then their massacre at the hands of the Romans.  Caesar has been fighting for 3 years now and has dominance in Gaul.  His problem is that the Gauls are unwilling to let him keep it.  Stressed by the continuous fighting and raiding in the region, Caesar now faces the problem that two tribes, with elite cavalry, have broken through his static defense of the Rhine and are trying to settle in Gaul.  Caesar must gather his forces and end this threat to his precarious kingdom.  The clash that will end this invasion is closer to murder and eradication than traditional battle.  Join in as we discuss how the two tribes crossed the Rhine and the road that led to one of the most malicious moments in Caesar's career of conquest and subjugation..

Hey everyone!  This episode is a rather short one as my nose is still a little stuffed however it still is a goody!  Right now there is a war going on in Gaul.  Chaos is spreading as Julius Caesar enforces his dominion over Gaul.  In this time of chaos there is a need for troops and there are a lot of homes that are right for the picking.  Well sitting just across the Rhine are bored young men and chiefs who have something to prove.  For both Caesar and Gaul the Rhine borderland has become a source of allies and pesky bandits that will force them to adapt in this time of crisis.  Listen in as we discuss what the Rhine began to signify for the Germans and Caesar's response to the threat to his growing empire!

Hey everyone welcome back to the Podcast on Germany!  So last we left off Julius Caesar was outflanked by Ariovistus.  However Caesar is not worried he expects that Ariovistus will attack before this becomes a problem.  For the next 5 days Caesar will sit there waiting for an attack and wondering what game Ariovistus is playing at.  Join in as we discuss the possibilities for Ariovistus's delay, Caesar's attempts to goad out a battle, and the eventual clash that decides who will rule eastern Gaul.

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Hey everyone welcome back to the Podcast on Germany!  This episode deals with the set up of the battle of Vosges.  Julius Caesar and Ariovistus have decided that passing messages to one another is not good enough.  Both sides first try to race for control of the territory between them followed by some more smack talk! In the end I think Ariovistus got the better of it.  Leave a comment on our twitter or facebook page on who you think had better smack talk!

Germans have invaded Alsace! For France this would typically be a 'oh not again' moment if this was modern history.  However this is in the final years of the Roman Republic.  Caesar is considered a hero and savior to the Gauls for destroying the Helvetti.  Now he watches as the Sequani and the Arverni plot to over throw Rome's old ally the Aedui and control Eastern and Central Gaul.  To succeed in this plan the two tribes call on German mercenaries from the Suebi tribe across the Rhine under the leadership of Ariovistus.  Listen in to find out what happens when this clever Germanic king agrees to help destroy the Aedui and discovers the wealth of the Gauls.

Hello everyone! In today's episode we discuss the years in between the destruction of the Cimbri and the start of Julius Caesar's campaign into Gaul.  This episode is focused primarily on discussing why German tribes and the Romans try to conquer Gaul. What brought large and powerful tribes across the Rhine to establish homes in modern day Alsace and Belgium?  How does Julius Caesar get Rome involved in Gaul despite their focus in the East?  All of this we explore within the episode as we prepare for the eventual confrontation between Caesar and Ariovistus, the leader of the Suebi tribe that has overrun several tribes in Eastern Gaul.

Marius has just defeated the first half of the Grand Alliance army in southern Gaul. As he is celebrating his victory he receives word.  He has been reelected as consul and the Cimbri have broken through the Alps and are threatening the city of Rome itself.  The Roman Republic hangs in the balance as the Cimbri flood into Northern Italy and the Roman army quakes in fear behind the Po River. For the first time in over a century, a 'barbarian' army has control of the Alps and can conquer Rome. Will Marius have enough time to unite the Roman armies or will Cimbri march in and sack Rome? Join in as we discuss the final battle of the Cimbri wars and a point in history that decided the fate of western civilization as we know it. 

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Join us as we continue our discussion of the third phase of the Cimbri Wars!  In today's episode we look at the lead up to and the battle of Aquae Sextiae.  Marius and his green army sit at the banks of the Rhone river probably not far from the fields of Arausio.  He has waited for 2 years for the Cimbri to come back and fight.  However, the Cimbri are not coming alone.  They have formed an alliance with the Teutones, Ambrones, Tigurini, and Toygeni along with several other tribes with the one goal of crushing the Roman army and settling in Northern Italy.  As this alliance marches towards the Alps, Marius must figure out a way to defeat a force that out numbers his own and has shattered his men's will to fight.  

Who will win on the plains of Aquae Sextiae? 

Rome has lost four legions to the Cimbri.  There is nothing standing in the way between Cimbri and the city of Rome.  Panic spreads throughout the peninsula and an empire that had defeated Carthage now looks like it will crumble to a roaming tribe from the north. The senate and the Consul Rutilius Rufus have to scramble to save the Republic from collapsing.  In today's episode we look at the Roman's response to the aftermath of the disaster at Arausio and discuss what happens to the Cimbri as they decide to move into Spain and try to set up a new home.