French People Arr. Rude Podcast Show Notes
S1, E17: How Rome Rose, Fell, and Changed the World
In this episode of French People Arr. Rude, Sean and Brandon trace Rome’s journey from wolf-raised twins to imperial collapse. They untangle the messy history, bust lingering myths, and explore how Rome reinvented itself again and again. If you want the real story behind the Colosseum’s bloody games, power-hungry emperors, and how Christianity quietly rose while Rome crumbled, this is the episode for you.
What We Cover in This Vatican City History Episode
- Rome History Stereotypes
- Early Days of Rome
- From Republic to Empire
- Emperors and the Rise of Christianity
- Colosseum, Gladiators, and the Flavian Dynasty
- Golden Age and the Beginning of the End
- Rome’s Legacy
Resources Mentioned in This Vatican City History Episode
- 7 “Off the Beaten Path” Places in Rome for the Cultured Traveler
- Best Underrated Museums in Rome
- Compare Colosseum Tours
- Things to See at the Colosseum
- Best Tours in Rome
History of Rome: Podcast Show Notes
History of Rome Stereotypes
What do you think, True or False? Click the arrow to check if you’re right!
Julius Caesar was murdered in the Roman Forum.
False. He was killed in the Theatre of Pompey.
Romans wore togas only as adults.
True. Boys switched from tunics to togas around age 14.
Julius Caesar was an emperor.
False. He was a dictator; the Roman Empire didn’t officially exist yet.
Every emperor was named Caesar.
False. “Caesar” became a title, but not every emperor used it.
All Roman citizens were wealthy.
False. Most were working class; wealth was concentrated among a small elite.
Early Days of Rome
Legend says Rome began in the 8th century BC when Romulus killed his twin brother Remus on Palatine Hill and founded the city in his own name.
For roughly 200 years, Rome was ruled by kings, ending with the tyrant Tarquin the Proud (Superbus). After he assaulted a noblewoman, Romans revolted and tossed him from power, ushering in the Republic.
Over the next five centuries, Rome expanded across Italy, North Africa, Greece, and Gaul through constant conquest. Spartacus, a gladiator, led one of the biggest slave revolts in history—but Rome’s response was brutal: thousands of rebels were crucified along the Appian Way as a warning.
From Republic to Empire
The Republic ended when Julius Caesar crossed the Rubicon River (a clear act of war) and seized power. He was assassinated only a few years later. His adopted son, Octavian (later Augustus), outmaneuvered rivals like Mark Antony and Cleopatra to become Rome’s first emperor.
Augustus ruled for decades, establishing the Empire’s foundation. According to historians, Augustus’s wife likely poisoned him to ensure her son Tiberius would succeed him. Tiberius proved erratic, eventually fleeing Rome to rule from the island of Capri, leaving much of the day-to-day work to others.
Top Tours in Rome
Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums
7 Hours | €€€
Enter the Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum, and see St. Peter’s Dome, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and more!.
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Special Access Colosseum Arena Floor Tour through the Gladiator’s Gate
3 Hours | €€
Walk in the footsteps of gladiators on the Colosseum floor and see the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill.
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Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
3 Hours | €€€
Skip the line and gain direct access to the Raphael Rooms, Creation of Man & Scala Regia passageway.
Book Now!Emperors and the Rise of Christianity
Tiberius’s successor, Caligula, became infamous for bizarre cruelties, from executing rivals to appointing his horse a senator. Claudius followed, favoring his wife’s son, Nero, over his own heir.
Nero, often blamed for Rome’s Great Fire, oversaw the execution of Peter and Paul and ramped up persecution of Christians. Yet he was popular among the people, spending lavishly on public works and spectacles.
By the 4th century AD, Constantine saw Christianity’s spread as inevitable. He legalized the faith but waited until his deathbed to convert himself.
Colosseum, Gladiators, and the Flavian Dynasty
Rome reached staggering wealth under the Flavian dynasty. Spoils from conquering Jerusalem funded the building of the Colosseum, where mornings featured animal fights, midday brought gruesome executions, and afternoons hosted gladiator combat. Admission was free—an emperor’s gift to the people.
The Flavian emperors also expanded public baths, aqueducts, and built massive forums.
Golden Age and the Beginning of the End
The second century AD, under emperors like Trajan and Hadrian, saw peace, expansion, and prosperity. These “Five Good Emperors” chose competent successors rather than heirs. But after Marcus Aurelius died, Rome fell into chaos: civil wars, short reigns, and a shrinking population weakened the city.
By the 3rd century, Rome built defensive walls, anticipating threats. By the 6th century, the population had dwindled to a fraction of its peak.
Top Hotels in Rome
Bio Hotel Raphael ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Piazza Navona • Terrace
Luxury hotel with a rooftop restaurant plus spacious and calming suites near Piazza Navona.
Hotel de Russie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Timeless Luxury • Spanish Steps
Popular hotel for VIPs like Bruce Springsteen with a classic Italian style and a dreamy courtyard.
Palazzo Manfredi ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Luxury • Near Colosseum • Terrace
Wake up to views of the Colosseum and enjoy meals on a stunning terrace in this top hotel in Monti.
Rome’s Legacy
At its largest, the Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic to modern-day Iran, and from Scotland to North Africa. Many argue the most impactful moment in Rome’s history was Constantine’s legalization of Christianity, a move that changed Western civilization forever. While the Empire fell, Rome’s influence echoed through architecture, law, language, and religion.
Eager For More?
Keep planning with these resources:
7 “Off the Beaten Path” Places in Rome for the Cultured Traveler
Best Underrated Museums in Rome
Things to See at the Colosseum
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