Mary Beard and David Mitchell – On Rulers and Power (Summer Repeat)
Summary
In the final 2023 episode of the How To Academy podcast, host Vas Christodoulou joins classicist Mary Beard and comedian David Mitchell to discuss their new books on Roman emperors and English monarchs. The trio explores how rulers used propaganda and performance to legitimize power, contrasting Roman adoption with medieval primogeniture. They also examine historical reputations, the fear surrounding autocracy, and how these ancient dynamics reflect modern political theater.
Topics discussed
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Introduction: Mary Beard and David Mitchell on rulers
Why men are obsessed with the Roman Empire
Roman Britain: Invasion, occupation, and departure
Public awareness of emperors and kings
Artistic representation of rulers in Rome vs. Middle Ages
Divine right, legitimacy, and the execution of Charles I
Succession crises: Adoption vs. Primogeniture
Certainty versus competence in leadership
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Modern monarchy and the invention of abdication
How assassination shapes historical reputation
Re-evaluating 'bad' emperors and kings like Elagabalus
Judging historical figures by modern moral standards
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Harold Godwinson and the performance of rulership
Modern politicians as actors: Sunak and the Queen
English identity and the role of women in history
Women rulers and the scope of David Mitchell's book
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Anecdotes: Ethelred, Tiberius, and Roman dining habits
Historical sources and the story of Thomas Becket
Audience Q&A and closing remarks
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