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Napoleon (2023) is a historical epic biopic that despite its many failures, surely does not fail to provoke a reasonably strong reaction for even the casual observer or student of history. Ridley Scott - Napoleon's director and producer - is no stranger to this genre of film throughout the stretch of his legendary career. Napoleon may well be Scott's most controversial, and for those who desire a modicum of historical accuracy in their historical films, Scott's most disappointing. Indeed, Ridley Scott's depiction of Napoleon Bonaparte in this movie could in all fairness be deemed unambiguous character assassination. Join Field Marshal Odo's A.D.ophyte Army on Patreon!: patreon.com/adhistorypodcast

After nearly four centuries of Roman rule, the Roman Empire decides to abandon Britain in circa 410AD, initiating the near century long chaos of "Sub-Roman Britain." Sub-Roman Britain is known best for the vacuum of power it created, as well as the rise of the Anglo-Saxsons in Britain. We also meet a most singular figure, the notoriously charismatic Alaric I: The Scourge of Rome, that would go on to sacking the city of Rome itself! **JOIN ODO'S ADOPHYTE ARMY ON PATREON!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

Alaric I – the first king of the Visigoths – is maneuvering for what is his impending sacking of Rome – the first time in over eight centuries! While Sub-Roman Britain is experiencing the chaos that the newest power vacuum creates with the Roman Empire no longer present to administer order. Alaric I & The Sacking of Rome In the apogee of Alaric I’s story, he is awaiting his moment to strike. For years now, this Roman trained Goth warrior has awaited what is long overdue to him, receiving his station of “Master of Soldiers.” Alaric I and his Goth army served the Roman military with tremendous battlefield distinction at tremendous cost. In doing so, Alaric was both promised this office and clearly earned it in spades. At every turn Alaric was denied his due – the product of Roman insider political squabbles. Alaric’s patience has run short, and the city of Rome will settle the outstanding debt. Alaric I in his quest to receive the title of “Master of Soldiers” is not a matter of individual glory. It is that billet’s benefit to his army that he holds so dear. Alaric becoming Master of Soldiers entitles him to receiving large quantities of grain and gold at the expense of the Roman government. This bounty both feeds and pays the forces under his command. It is no small prize. Alaric will achieve both ends – even if that requires invading and plundering the Eternal City itself. Alaric is biding his time in the Balkans, taking great care to choose his moment well. The city of Rome is clear in his crosshairs. The Western Roman Empire’s leadership, despite feeling the tip of the sword of Damocles just above their heads, is still seemingly more interested in fighting each other. In doing so, they’re throwing open the city gates of Rome to Alaric I. With this unfathomable state of affairs, Alaric is poised to do something that hasn’t been done in over eight centuries. * Meet the Huns: History’s Perfect Enigma | 351AD-360AD * How Did The Library of Alexandria Actually Burn Down? | 391AD-400AD * Why Did The Roman Economy Fail In The Third Century? | 251AD-260AD Sub-Roman Britain: Here Comes the Angles, Saxons & Jutes! In returning to Sub-Roman Britain, we are encountering the knowledge black hole that period represents for historians. Patrick explores the salient historical legends originating from that period, reflecting what historians know to be the paramount conflict in this newest chapter of Britain’s history.  The Angles, Saxons and Jutes are making their way from the continent. With the Romans having recently abandoned Britannia, the native Britons are not pleased to welcome these newcomers… How Can You Help Create More A.D. History? Join Odo’s ADophyte Army on Patreon! Joining A.D. History on Patreon is a tremendous way to help support the show going forward. If you donate to A.D. History on the $5 per month tier or higher – you’re eligible to submit a question for us to answer in the show’s middle segment. Send us your question, and we will feature YOUR question in an upcoming middle segment! Creating and producing A.D.

Attila the Hun, as infamous and mysterious as the Huns themselves, is now coming onto the historical scene. Though Attila certainly did not emerge out of nowhere. His youth and initial rearing playing a significant role for the figure history has come to know. Attila the Hun Formative Years & Emperor Honorius We also take a look at someone who went down as Rome’s worst emperor, one Emperor Honorius. Was Honorius truly deserving of this historical stigma? When you consider some of Honorius’ predecessors, that is one hell of a statement. We will explore if indeed he is deserving of that title. How Can You Help Create More A.D. History? Join Odo’s ADophyte Army on Patreon! Joining A.D. History on Patreon is a tremendous way to help support the show going forward. If you donate to A.D. History on the $5 per month tier or higher – you’re eligible to submit a question for us to answer in the show’s middle segment. Send us your question, and we will feature YOUR question in an upcoming middle segment! Creating and producing A.D. History is a major undertaking, and in doing so we aim to create the highest quality show that is within our capabilities. In short, with every episode week seek to produce the A.D. History Podcast you deserve. It is through listeners and viewers like yourself contributing to the show on Patreon that make meeting that standard possible. By joining the ranks of Field Marshal Odo’s A.D.ophyte Army on Patreon, not only can you help us make more new episodes of increasing quality – you also enjoy countless amazing benefits as a show Patron. Learn more about how your contributions help produce the show, how you can join this amazing historical journey, and the awesome exclusive perks for doing so. Make A One-Time Contribution to the A.D. History Podcast on PayPal! Contact the A.D. History Podcast Write to the A.D. History Podcast at [email protected] Write to Paul K. DiCostanzo at [email protected] Write to Patrick Foote at [email protected] Anna Domini is performed by Anna Chloe Moorey

Oppenheimer (2023) is one of the few exceptions of Hollywood getting the history right in a major blockbuster. How did Christopher Nolan do it, and what did he miss? We sit down to break down this mammoth cinematic experience, and the historical ground breaking events it seeks to depict. **Join the A.D. History Podcast on Patreon!: patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

Attila the Hun, for all of his known military prowess, little discussed is how he conducted himself as a political entity. What was he like as king? How did he present himself to his people and foreign envoys alike? What message was he trying to convey about himself as ruler? We also look at the tip of his military innovations in this episode. Saint Patrick, aside from Saint Nicholas, is perhaps the most widely recognized saints on the popular level in the Western world by Roman Catholics and non-Roman Catholics alike. Yet, what did he do in Ireland that has since won him such notoriety on such a wide scale? There is no question that the future of Ireland itself continues to be deeply influenced by Patrick all of these centuries later. ** Join Field Marshal Odo's A.D.ophyte Army on Patreon!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

In this first episode of season four of the A.D. History Podcast, we begin laying the foundations for the monumental leap forward Christianity is about to experience under the rule of Constantine. However, Constantine is not in power yet... Indeed before Christianity is to enjoy the fruits of it's most powerful benefactor thus far in our show, much darker times are ahead. Namely in the form of an individual we have become very familiar with in our show, one Emperor Diocletian who undertakes perhaps the most systematic repression against Christianity throughout the history of Rome itself. We also have the opportunity to travel subject wise into a history of a country many of us at least know exists, but in general know very little about. In our final segment for this episode, Patrick discusses the history of the micro state San Marino, whose history in fact initially hails from this very decade in question.

How Roman Emperor Constantine became Christian, and his experience at the Battle of Milvian Bridge is a historical enigma we seek to solve. *DONATE to A.D. History on Patreon!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

The First Council of Nicaea in 325AD is perhaps the ecumenical council many people know best, however due to the work of Dan Brown many have strong misconceptions of what actually happened there. The First Council of Nicaea was a three month show down formally called by the newly converted Emperor Constantine. The most important question wrangled with during that meeting was determining the exact divine nature of Jesus. Was Jesus God? Or was he separate from God? It is a point not all of Christianity even agrees upon today. In our final segment, Patrick discusses with us the first major steps of founding the Gupta Empire on the Indian subcontinent. The Guptas would become an eminent power on the subcontinent for the next three centuries. Moreover, many people consider this Gupta period as the great golden age of Indian civilization. We learn more. **DONATE to the A.D. History Podcast on Patreon!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

Emperor Constantine has long been called “The Great,” but why? How is it that a Roman Emperor who died 1,700 years ago still has his fingerprints all over our modern world? **DONATE to the A.D. History Podcast on Patreon!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

Saint Nicholas is the main, real life individual upon which the figure of Santa Claus is based - who dies in 343AD. But who was he? What made Nicholas so special that we live with his legacy to this day within the fictional character of Santa Claus? Did he even exist? The real life Nicholas knew the beaches of the Eastern Mediterranean far better than the North Pole. He is credited with what we might call modern miracles, and was second to none when it came to his beard. We look to find the actual saint from the popular fictional character, and find the man in the saint. *DONATE to A.D. History on Patreon!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/

Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator (2000) starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix is an era defining film, but as history goes it is totally off the rails. Is it historical fiction? Speculative history? Alternate History? Total bullocks? Does it even matter? As a popcorn epic, Gladiator is only concerned with one question: "Are you not entertained?!" *Join Field Marshal Odo's ADophyte Army by Contributing to A.D. History on Patreon!: https://patreon.com/adhistorypodcast/