Behind Caesar's Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors with Caillan Davenport

Rumours whispered in the forum, graffiti scrawled on walls, and scandalous tales passed between senator and citizen - the Roman emperor was as much a manifestation of gossip as of power. But how far can we trust these tales, and what do they reveal about the imperial system itself?

Joining Zeb Baker-Smith⁠⁠⁠, Editor of ⁠⁠⁠Aspects of History⁠⁠⁠, on the podcast today is Caillan Davenport, professor and historian, whose study, Behind Caesar’s Back, offers a bold, fresh approach to imperial Rome. Moving beyond traditional biographies, his sweeping study reconstructs the “oral world” of the Roman Empire, sharing insight into political talk, public opinion and the delicate relationship between ruler and ruled.

Episode Links

Behind Caesar's Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors

Caillan Davenport Links

Caillan ⁠online⁠

Aspects of History Links

AoH ⁠⁠⁠online⁠⁠⁠

AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠⁠

AoH on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Zeb Links

Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠Twitter /X⁠⁠⁠

Zeb on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠

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