Introducing History Daily

SPEAKER_1 (0:01)

Are you interested in the parts of history that remain a mystery? Do you want to learn more about the historical myths and misconceptions used to prop up belief today?

I'm Nathaniel Lloyd. In my podcast Historical Blindness, I delve into all of these topics, sharing puzzling tales from the past, and examining hoaxes, conspiracy theories, and misremembered events that provide insight into modern politics and religion. New episodes every two weeks find historical blindness on most podcast players and platforms.

Dan McClellan (0:36)

Hey everybody, I'm Dan McClellan.

Dan Beecher (0:37)

And I'm Dan Beecher.

Dan McClellan (0:39)

And are you listening to the Data Over Dogma podcast?

Dan Beecher (0:43)

There is some question this week. There is some question.

We are actually going to introduce you to our friends over at History Daily, which is a totally other podcast from us.

Dan McClellan (0:57)

It is hosted by a gentleman named Lindsay Graham. I had the opportunity to chat with him for a bit last year when we were at a podcasting convention in Denver.

He is a great guy and a wonderful podcast host. And I am hoping that you enjoy two episodes from History Daily.

Dan Beecher (1:16)

Yeah, what they do is awesome. They literally every weekday, they put out a different show.

I mean, you're going to hear it's going to be sort of a 20 minute thing about something that happened that day in history. So you could start each day with a different fun little history story from that day. So enjoy these things. We'll be back with a regular us show next week. But yeah, sit back, relax and enjoy History Daily.

Dan McClellan (1:51)

Bye everybody.

Lindsay Graham (1:55)

This always fashionable episode of History Daily originally aired on January 10, 2022

It's March 17th, 45 BC. In the Roman province of Hispania, in what is now southern Spain, two armies are locked in a fierce battle. On one side are 70,000 Roman soldiers loyal to the late General Pompey. These men want Rome to remain a republic, a representative democracy, with power resting in an elected Senate. On the opposing side is an army of a maverick general named Julius Caesar, man many consider a threat to the republic, Four years ago, Caesar launched an attempt to bypass the democratic process and establish himself as dictator of the Roman Empire. Pompey stepped forward as the defender of the republic, the man who would protect Roman democracy from the power-hungry Caesar. But a year after his armies marched on Rome, Caesar defeated Pompey on the field of battle. With his great rival dead, Caesar considered the civil war won and the path to uncontested power clear. But more resistance soon emerged in the shape of Pompey's two sons. Intent on avenging their father's death, they assembled an army in Hispania to overthrow Caesar.

Determined not to be outmaneuvered, Caesar sailed west with his legionnaires, sweeping across Hispania and pushing the republican forces back until eventually the two sides met here outside the town of Munda. Now, amid the clashing of swords and the constant rain of deadly arrows, Julius Caesar is struck by a rare moment of self-doubt. If he loses this battle, every victory so far will count for nothing. The future of the Roman Empire is at stake and Caesar can feel it slipping through his fingers.

His army is outnumbered by 30,000 men. Positioned at the foot of a hill, Caesar and his soldiers are in a strategically weaker position. They have no choice but to grit their teeth and fight for their lives.

The Battle of Mundo will be the final conflict in Julius Caesar's campaign to become the undisputed ruler of the Roman Empire. But Caesar's fate and the fate of Rome was decided long before these two armies collided. That moment came four years earlier, on January 10th, 49 BC, when Julius Caesar breached Roman law by marching his army across the Rubicon River, setting in motion a series of events that would change the course of Western civilization.

From Noiser and Airship, I'm Lindsay Graham, and this is History Daily.

History is made every day. On this podcast, every day, we tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world. Today is January 10th, 49 BCE, Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon.

It's April, 59 BC, 14 years before the Battle of Munda. In Rome, a wedding is underway. A bride and groom stand before an altar of Jupiter, and a priest makes an offering. Once their union has been sealed, the guests rush forward to congratulate the newlyweds.

Standing slightly apart from the crowd is 40-year-old Julius Caesar. Dressed in a crimson toga, the renowned general looks on as the attendees shower the bride and groom with gifts. His stern expression is hard to read, but in Caesar's steel gray eyes there gleams an unmistakable look of triumph.