The Ancients · History Hit

The Origins of Rome's Empire

January 22, 2026·59 min·5 clips
The Gallic sack of Rome in 390 BC shocked the Romans, showing how inconsequential they were and forcing them to unite.
This episode explores the origins of Rome's empire in the 5th and 4th centuries BC, focusing on key events like the sack of Veii and the Gallic sack of Rome. Guest Dr. Jeremy Armstrong discusses how early Rome was a loose alliance of families rather than a state, and how these events shaped a Roman identity intrinsically linked to imperialism.

As heard by us

Rome's early rise is traced through Veii, the sack of Rome, and a slow shift toward collective power.

The episode begins with Veii's destruction in 396 BC, then jumps back to the sack of Rome by the Gauls to show how Roman identity and imperial thinking were taking shape.

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Why you'd press play

You want Rome before Rome feels inevitable.

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