The History of Rome Podcast, a Review

The History of Rome is an podcast by Mike Duncan that provides a good overview of the history of Roman Empire. Being a history buff with a particular interest in the intricacies of the history of the Roman Empire, I have found this podcast to be extremely informative and entertaining. It's more than a simple reiteration of dates and dry fact; Duncan offers an interesting take on these historical events, often inserting dry wit or sarcasm to illustrate a particular point.

Each segment of the show is presented in a 15- to 25-minute bite that fits perfectly into the average commuter's drive time or lunch. The show is updated on a weekly basis, barring Duncan's occasional hiatus. There was one extended break a few months ago, but the podcasts have been on schedule ever since.

Those interested in minute examination of historical datum of the period or a listing or intricate detail of every political figure on the stage during every historical event (a full list of Caesar's assassins for example) might not enjoy the podcast. Duncan's not reading The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire or some history textbook out loud. Instead, he is providing a statement about the basic, commonly accepted chain of events that are the consensus views on the history of the Roman Empire-from Rome's start as a tiny village full of escaped slaves and raiders to the most powerful empire of the ancient world.

From the very beginning the production value of Duncan's material has steadily improved. Today, it is one of the best produced podcasts on the Web. There isn't a background hiss or awkward pauses or stutters, and Duncan actually knows how to pronounce the ancient names and the occasional samples of Latin. There aren't any sound effects or an annoying background of "historic" music. Instead, each episode consists of a short bit of unobtrusive introductory music and then proceeds immediately into the meat of the podcast.

Duncan does an excellent job translating the History of Rome into each podcast, maintaining a consistent style and comfortable pace throughout. The shortness of the piece, while initially off-putting to a detail junkie like me, is actually quite refreshing. The lecture covers the information but doesn't have time to bore the audience or to lose the listener amid the facts and actions of the main players. The lack of ads or requests for funding are also a welcome touch.

Duncan's voice is not the best, nor is it especially well-trained, but it serves the purpose. As I mentioned before, he never missteps in his narration and performs each podcast in a calm, professorial style that engages the listener's interest without slipping into the monotonous drone so common among other podcasts of this sort.

In short, whether you are a professional Romophile or an amateur wondering about the back story of the HBO series, you will find much here to enjoy. Duncan provides a good refresher for the expert and an enjoyable story for the novice.

You can find Mike Duncan's work on iTunes under "The History of Rome" and on the Web at http://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/the_history_of_rome.