Episodes

202
Sept. 10, 2025

Episode III.15 - The Second Punic War I: A Violent Interlude

This episode covers the fragile peace after the First Punic War, focusing on Carthage’s internal rebellions, Hamilcar Barca’s campaigns in Spain, and Rome’s expansion in northern Italy. It introduces key figures like Hamilcar, young Hannibal, Fabius Maximus, and Marcus Claudius Marcellus, and explains how political, military, and social changes set the stage for the Second Punic War.
201
Sept. 5, 2025

Episode XIB.014 - Genesis 20-26: Abraham and Isaac

Abraham and Isaac as types of God the Father and His son, Jesus. The love story of Isaac and Rebecca. The death of Abraham and Sarah.
Aug. 27, 2025

Episode XIB.013 - Genesis 21-22: The Birth of Isaac

Isaac is finally born to Sarah. Almost immediately, Abraham‘s legacy is threatened when God commands him to sacrifice his newborn son.
197
Aug. 14, 2025

Episode XIB.012 - Genesis 18-19

Abraham meets the Holy Trinity by the sacred trees of Mamre. Lot is saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. RECOMMENDED READS:
Aug. 4, 2025

Episode XIB.011 - Genesis 15-17: The Covenant

Abram deepens his relationship with God. Rituals of animal sacrifice and human circumcision seal the covenant. Abram becomes Abraham, the father of nations. RECOMMENDED READS:
193
July 23, 2025

Episode III.14 - The First Punic War III - To the Peace of Catullus

Rome fights on until Carthage must beg for peace. Catullus and Hamilcar Barca. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
192
July 6, 2025

Episode III.13 - The First Punic War II: To the Invasion of Africa

Rome and Carthage come face-to-face for the first time. Carthage sees the war in terms of profit and loss. Rome sees only the matter of honor. The Romans dare to build a fleet to cross the ocean that belongs to their enemy and to bring the war to Carthage.
191
June 27, 2025

Episode III.12 - The First Punic War I: Prelude to War

Hiero of Syracuse is the unknowing third-wheel in an increasingly vicious relationship between two superpowers. By 264 BC, he is already lost in the background, as Rome and Carthage finally square off to decide, not just who controls the Mediterranean, but who owns the future. Every man thinks of Rome at least once per day but once-great Carthage is less than a memory. RECOMMENDED READS - Click on Image for Link:
190
June 24, 2025

Episode III.11 - Carthage

A look at the great counterpart of the Roman Republic: Carthage. How the Phoenicians colonized the Western Mediterranean and what little else we can learn about this ancient culture that the Romans destroyed completely by the end of the Punic Wars. A meditation on child-sacrifice in ancient cultures. RECOMMENDED READS: Click Image for Link
189
June 23, 2025

Episode III.10 - The Conquest of Italy

The Romans expand beyond their central Italian limits. In the 4th and 3rd century BC, they conquer their enemies and allies in central and southern Italy. They are led by consuls like Publius Decius Mus, who sacrificed his own life to give Rome victory. But every Roman soldier shows himself to be both valiant and indomitable. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
188
June 22, 2025

Episode III.09 - The Early Roman Republic

The stories of three heroes of the early Roman Republic: Coriolanus, Cincinnatus and Camillus. The struggle between the social classes is known as the Conflict of Orders. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
187
June 17, 2025

Episode XIB.010 - Genesis 14

Abram rescues Lot. Melchizedek celebrates a type of the Eucharist. A look at Jewish, pagan and Christian ceremonies. The identity of Melchizedek. The long life of Shem, son of Noah. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
185
June 12, 2025

Episode III.11 - Carthage

A look at the great counterpart of the Roman Republic: Carthage. How the Phoenicians colonized the Western Mediterranean and what little else we can learn about this ancient culture that the Romans destroyed completely by the end of the Punic Wars. A meditation on child-sacrifice in ancient cultures. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
May 29, 2025

Episode I.03 - Introduction to Prehistory

The history before history. For most of human existence, there was no such thing as writing. Yet our ancestors did leave records and remains that we can study to learn more about the human past. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
May 21, 2025

Episode I.02 - Introduction to the Ancient World

History and prehistory. Before the dawn of writing, the human past is shrouded in darkness. The episodes of the Ancient World explore events before and just after the rise of civilization. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
180
May 13, 2025

Episode III.10 - The Conquest of Italy

The Romans expand beyond their central Italian limits. In the 4th and 3rd century BC, they conquer their enemies and allies in central and southern Italy. They are led by consuls like Publius Decius Mus, who sacrificed his own life to give Rome victory. But every Roman soldier shows himself to be both valiant and indomitable. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
179
April 30, 2025

Episode III.09 - The Early Roman Republic

The stories of three heroes of the early Roman Republic: Coriolanus, Cincinnatus and Camillus. The struggle between the social classes is known as the Conflict of Orders. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
April 15, 2025

Episode XIB.009 - Genesis 12-13

God establishes a covenant with Abram. The journey to Egypt. Altars in Canaan. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
176
April 1, 2025

Episode III.08 - Introduction to the Roman Republic

In the eighth episode of the Roman series of the Western Traditions Podcast, we embark on a journey back to 509 BC when the Roman Republic was born from the ashes of monarchy. Discover how the Senate, patricians, and consuls shaped the nascent Republic amid a tumultuous landscape of political intrigue and warfare. We delve into the military might of early Rome, its societal structure, and the legislative foundation laid by the Twelve Tables. Brimming with tales of valor, justice, and social evol...
March 21, 2025

Episode XII.05 - The First Lesson

How to teach the first lesson of the Western Traditions curriculum.
173
March 20, 2025

Episode I.01 - The General Prologue

The introduction to the Western Traditions podcast. The Great Books of the Western World and the Bible. The great men and women of western civilization. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
March 11, 2025

Episode III.07 - The Roman Kingdom

The seven kings of Rome. Numa Pompilius succeeds Romulus. The line of kings ends with Tarquinius Superbus. Some background on Roman institutions, practices and vocabulary. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
March 3, 2025

Episode III.06 - The Foundation of Rome

The story of Romulus and Remus. With the capture of the Sabine women, Rome expands territorially and biologically. The birth of the glory of Rome. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link:
Feb. 18, 2025

Episode XIB.008 - Genesis 10 and 11

The Table of Nations. The Tower of Babel. Introduction to Abram. Genealogy and numerology in the Bible. God brings diversity to humanity. RECOMMENDED READS - Click Image for Link: