Mar 26, 2022
Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more!
Today we take a historical look at the Battle of Actium, a huge
naval battle off the coast of Greece that determined the future of
what we know as the Roman Empire.
We welcome Cornell University’s Professor Barry Strauss back to the
podcast to bring another epic battle to life (listeners will
remember him from our deep dive into the life of a well known
Spartan warrior named Brasidas).
Barry is a Professor of History and Classics at Cornell University,
Series Editor of Princeton’s Turning Points in Ancient History,
author of eight books, and a military and naval historian and
consultant. Professor Strauss is a recognized authority on
the subject of leadership and the lessons that can be learned from
the experiences of the greatest political and military leaders of
the ancient world (Caesar, Hannibal, Alexander among many others).
This particular battle and the lead up to it involved some of the
iconic names we’ve all heard from history like Cleopatra, Mark
Anthony, Octavian Cesar, and Julius Cesar. We also learn about
Rome’s most decorated Naval Commander, Admiral Agrippa and how he
defeats a numerically superior force. Barry’s newest book “The War
that Made the Roman Empire” brings this battle and the
personalities to life.
Those who appreciate our combat stories will enjoy hearing about
how battles were fought on the open sea at this time and some of
the tactics that each side had to use. While some of the military
tactics have changed, the overarching military, political, and
diplomatic strategy have not, to include the use of information
warfare.
I hope you enjoy this combat story from history as much as I did.
Find Barry Online:
Website https://barrystrauss.com/
Author of The War that Made the Roman Empire: Antony, Cleopatra,
and Octavian at Actium
Facebook
Twitter @barrystrauss
Podcaster, ANTIQUITAS: Leaders and Legends of the Ancient World
Find Ryan Online
Combat Story Merch
Ryan’s Linktree
Instagram @combatstory
Facebook @combatstoryofficial
Send us messages
Email ryan@combatstory.com
Learn more about Ryan
Intro Song: Sport Rock from Audio Jungle
Show Notes:
0:00 - Intro
0:19 - Guest and topic introduction (Barry Strauss)
1:33 - Interview begins
2:27 - Working at Cornell and how this book came to be
4:25 – Background on the time period, the Roman Empire, and the
part of the world the battle takes place
10:51 The historical personalities – Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and
Octavian
26:12 - Can we trust the history books?
27:51 - The important military figure, Admiral Agrippa
31:09 - The naval battle and strategy of Naval warfare
38:16 - Tactical decisions made by both sides
40:26 - How the battle evolved and happened in just one day
46:52 -Surprising findings while doing research
51:04 - Listener comments and shout outs