Harry Sidebottom on Gladiators, Rome, and Those Who Are About To Die
What did it really mean to face death in the Roman arena? 🏛️In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill talk with historian and bestselling author Dr Harry Sidebottom about his new nonfiction book, Those Who Are About To Die: Gladiators and the Roman Mind.Drawing on archaeology, ancient texts, and years of research, Harry reveals the brutal truth behind the Roman obsession with violence — and what gladiatorial combat tells us about their society, politics, and psyche.🔥 In this episode:⚔️ Who the gladiators really were — and what drove them to fight.🏛️ How Rome’s arenas shaped identity, power, and the idea of civilisation.📖 The difference between myth and reality in our understanding of gladiators.🗡️ What modern audiences can learn from Rome’s fascination with death and spectacle.If you’re fascinated by ancient Rome, gladiators, or the mindset of empire, this episode is essential listening.📚 Get the book Those Who Are About To Die here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781529154009🔗 All podcast links: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords
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Beth + Boyd Morrison: Medieval Thrills, Templars & The Tales of the Lawless Land | Rock Paper Swords
What happens when a medieval manuscripts scholar teams up with a bestselling thriller writer? You get The Tales of the Lawless Land — a gripping historical adventure series set in the chaos of the 14th century.In this episode of Rock, Paper, Swords!, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill sit down with Beth and Boyd Morrison, the brother–sister duo behind the swashbuckling adventures of Gerard Fox and Willa.We talk about:⚔️ Writing medieval action with thriller pacing📜 The impact of the Black Death & the Hundred Years’ War⛪ Excommunication, faith, and survival in the Middle Ages🔎 Researching manuscripts, relics, and real historical locations🗡️ Why Gerard Fox is like a “medieval Jack Reacher”If you love historical adventure, medieval history, or the thrill of Templar secrets, this one’s for you.🎧 Listen & subscribe everywhere: Rock, Paper, Swords Podcast LinksSupport the podcast:https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswordshttps://www.patreon.com/c/RockPaperSwordsPodcast
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Tacfarinas: African Rebel Against Rome | Dr Joanne Ball on Roman History & Rebellion
🔥 Meet Tacfarinas — the forgotten African rebel who defied Rome under Emperor Tiberius.⚔️ Archaeologist Dr Joanne Ball reveals how his guerrilla war shook the empire and rivals Arminius and Spartacus.https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwordsSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast🍺 Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswordsWas Tacfarinas Rome’s forgotten rebel? In this episode of Rock Paper Swords, hosts Matthew Harffy and Justin Hill are joined by Dr Joanne Ball (archaeologist, historian, and author of Tacfarinas: An African Rebel Against Rome).We explore the extraordinary story of Tacfarinas, a Numidian soldier-turned-rebel who defied the Roman Empire under Emperor Tiberius. From guerrilla warfare in North Africa to comparisons with figures like Arminius and Spartacus, Tacfarinas nearly destabilised Rome’s control of the region for nearly a decade.Dr Ball reveals how archaeology, ancient sources, and modern research bring his story to life — and how Rome underestimated this desert fighter again and again.🔹 Topics covered:Tacfarinas and his revolt against RomeRoman North Africa under TiberiusComparisons with Arminius, Verus, and SpartacusGuerrilla tactics vs Roman legionsFolk memory and the legacy of Tacfarinas todayIf you love Roman history, rebellions, and the untold stories of Rome’s enemies, this episode is for you.📚 Guest: Dr Joanne Ball – archaeologist, Roman battlefield specialist, author of Tacfarinas: An African Rebel Against Rome🎙 Hosts: Matthew Harffy (Bernicia Chronicles) & Justin Hill (Shieldwall, Viking Fire)👉 Subscribe for more on Rome, Vikings, medieval warfare, and historical fiction. Support us on Patreon for bonus episodes!#Tacfarinas #RomanHistory #AncientRome #JoanneBall #Arminius #Tiberius #Spartacus #RomanEmpire #NorthAfrica #RockPaperSwords
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Simon Tolkien: Spanish Civil War Novels, Rings of Power & J.R.R. Tolkien’s Legacy
Author Simon Tolkien (grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien) joins the Rock, Paper, Swords! podcast to talk about his powerful historical novels, his research into the Spanish Civil War, and his work with Amazon’s Rings of Power.https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwordsSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast🍺 Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswordsIn this interview, Simon shares how he moved from courtroom thrillers to sweeping historical fiction, why the 1930s still matter today, and how his grandfather’s influence shaped his own writing journey.Highlights:Writing The Palace at the End of the Sea & The Room of Lost StepsResearching the Spanish Civil War and 1930s New YorkInsights on J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, and the First World WarSimon’s involvement in Amazon’s Rings of PowerWhy history, memory, and storytelling still resonate todayIf you love history, Tolkien, or epic storytelling, don’t miss this episode!Buy the books from our bookshop.org store:📚The Palace at the End of the Sea - https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781662528644📚The Room of Lost Steps - https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781662528668#SimonTolkien #SpanishCivilWar #Tolkien #LordOfTheRings #RingsOfPower #HistoricalFiction #Podcast
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Angus Donald talks about his novel, Templar Traitor - Mongols, falling off horses, Conan the Barbarian and more!
Our guest today is Angus Donald, author of the Outlaw Chronicles, about a medieval gangster called Robin Hood, a 17th-century series about an unusual but rather brilliant chap called Holcroft Blood. And writing as Angus Macallan, he has also tried his hand at fantasy with the Gates of Stone.We previously had Angus on the podcast to talk about his Fire Born series, set in 8th century Europe. His newest book, out at the end of August, is Templar Traitor, the first in a trilogy based on the true story of an Englishman who fought with the Mongols on the side of Genghis Khan.Welcome to RPS, Angus.https://angusdonaldbooks.com/Buy Templar Traitor from the RPS Bookshop (affiliate link): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/14768/9781835980903Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast Buy us a beer and get a shoutout by heading to https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords Tips for Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Novel: How we sold over 750,000 books!https://mybook.to/RPSTipsForWriting
Sobre Rock, Paper, Swords! - the Historical Action and Adventure Podcast
The Historical Action and Adventure Podcast - making history come alive!
Bestselling authors chat about writing action and adventure stories, diving into some of the more quirky and unusual aspects of history, with a detour through music and its role in their process.
Each episode covers different exciting themes, often with brilliant guests.
Get bonus episodes and more by supporting the podcast on Patreon- https://www.patreon.com/RockPaperSwordsPodcast or Buy Us A Beer at - https://ko-fi.com/rockpaperswords
https://linktr.ee/RockPaperSwords
Ouça Rock, Paper, Swords! - the Historical Action and Adventure Podcast, Marília: O outro lado da sofrência e muitos outros podcasts de todo o mundo com o aplicativo o radio.net
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