When Rome Burns
History
About
Fifteen years of making teenagers care about dead people taught Michael Stevens one thing: the best history lessons happen when everything's falling apart. The former high school teacher turned podcaster after realizing his classroom walls were holding him back from the stories that really matter. When Rome Burns isn't your typical history show. Stevens digs into the moments when civilizations, leaders, and entire ways of life completely imploded. Think the fall of empires, political meltdowns, cultural collapses, and the kind of disasters that reshape everything. But here's the thing: these aren't just stories about the past. Stevens connects each historical catastrophe to what's happening right now, showing how the patterns repeat and why understanding them actually matters. Every episode feels like getting the real story from that teacher who actually made class interesting. Stevens breaks down complex historical events into the human moments that drove them, the mistakes that made them inevitable, and the lessons we're still ignoring today. No dry textbook recaps or academic jargon, just compelling storytelling about how things go wrong and what we can learn from the wreckage. Multiple new episodes drop daily, so there's always fresh content. Follow now and discover why history's biggest disasters are the best teachers we have. Multiple new episodes daily—follow now!
Episodes
- The $2 Trillion Banking Mistake That Nearly Destroyed Paper Money
This episode details the 1907 financial panic, where J.P. Morgan averted economic collapse by acting as a central bank. It covers the historical chaos of 30,000 types of paper money and explores early central banking innovations from Swede…
- The Jesus Question That Split Christianity Into 50+ Warring Factions
This episode delves into the theological debates surrounding the identity of Jesus that led to the fragmentation of early Christianity into over 50 sects. It examines the Marcionites, Gnostics, and Montanists, highlighting how political po…
- Why Strategic Bombing Failed for 4 Years (And What Finally Worked)
This episode examines the Allied strategic bombing campaign in WW2, detailing its ineffectiveness for four years despite massive bomb tonnage. It covers the surprising increase in German fighter production, the limited impact of the Hambur…
- The Dark Truth About Suleiman the Magnificent (Not What You Think)
This episode deconstructs the myth of Suleiman the Magnificent, revealing his role in his son's execution, a controversial marriage, and the military failures that weakened the Ottoman Empire. The host connects these historical events to m…
- Why Hitler Lost WW2 Before It Started: The Factory War Nobody Talks About
This episode explores how World War II's outcome was determined by industrial capacity rather than just military strategy. It details America's rapid warship and tank production, the Soviet Union's remarkable feat of relocating factories,…
- How Suleiman Became Leader of 1.6 Billion Muslims (The Move That Changed Islam)
In 1517, Suleiman the Magnificent became the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a strategic move that made him the spiritual leader of 1.6 billion Muslims and transformed the Ottoman Empire into Islam's spiritual center. The episode detail…
- How America Built 300,000 Planes in 4 Years (The Secret Arsenal Nobody Talks About)
This episode of When Rome Burns details America's rapid industrial mobilization during WWII, focusing on the transformation of car manufacturers like Ford and General Motors into massive war production facilities, enabling the US to outpro…
- The Son Who Destroyed Suleiman's Empire: Why the Sultan Killed His Own Heir
This episode explores how Suleiman the Magnificent's paranoia resulted in the execution of his capable heir, Mustafa, and details the subsequent family conflicts and palace intrigue that contributed to the Ottoman Empire's collapse. The ep…
- The 17-Day Battle That Broke Hitler's War Machine Forever
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses the Battle of Kursk, examining how this 17-day battle affected Germany's war efforts. It covers strategic errors and the long-term impact on German offensive capabilities during World War 2.
- The Sultan Who Beat Europe's Greatest Army (And Changed History Forever)
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Suleiman the Magnificent, a sultan who built a vast empire. It covers his military strategies, cultural advancements, and legal code, focusing on how the Ottoman Empire achieved dominance and nearl…
- Hitler's $50 Billion Gamble: Why Operation Citadel Doomed Nazi Germany
This episode examines Operation Citadel, a large-scale military offensive by Nazi Germany in July 1943. It discusses how Hitler's gamble in this operation ultimately impacted the course of World War II and the fate of Nazi Germany.
- The Sultan Who Terrified Europe: How Suleiman Built History's Greatest Empire
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Suleiman the Magnificent and the Ottoman Empire. It covers his military conquests, the legal code he established, and his empire's naval dominance.
- From Brothel to Byzantine Throne: How Theodora Became History's Most Feared Empress
This episode of When Rome Burns explores Empress Theodora's journey from poverty to power in the Byzantine Empire. It covers her marriage to Emperor Justinian, her role in the Nika Riots, and the lasting impact of her political strategies.
- The Emperor Who Almost Lost His Throne: Justinian's Greatest Enemy Revealed
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Emperor Justinian and a political miscalculation that led to the Nika riots in Byzantine history. It covers the destruction in Constantinople and the role of Hypatius as a rival emperor.
- Justinian's $10 Billion Church Mistake That Destroyed an Empire
This episode discusses Emperor Justinian's $10 billion church construction obsession and how it led to the decline of the Byzantine Empire. It covers the Three Chapters Controversy, the kidnapping of Pope Vigilius, and the long-term conseq…
- Why Justinian's Empire Started Cracking After His Greatest Victory
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses how Justinian's military victories, particularly the reconquest of half the Mediterranean, led to the cracking of his empire. It examines the financial collapse triggered by military spending, the…
- The Black Woman Britain Tried to Erase From War History
This episode of "When Rome Burns" tells the story of Mary Seacole, a Jamaican-British nurse who funded her own war relief mission during the Crimean War after being rejected by officials. It explores her contributions, the soldiers' admira…
- The Mixed-Race Nurse Who Outsmarted Victorian England's Medical Elite
This episode features Mary Seacole, a mixed-race nurse from Jamaica. It explores her medical knowledge, her rejections from British nursing positions, her business model for war relief, and her work treating various ailments.
- The Water Pump That Killed 600 People (And How One Doctor Proved Everyone Wrong)
This episode discusses how a doctor in 1854 challenged prevailing medical theories about cholera by mapping deaths to identify the source of an outbreak. It covers how his methods contributed to the development of modern epidemiology.
- The London Water Pump That Killed 616 People (And Started Modern Medicine)
This episode explores a cholera outbreak in London in 1854 linked to a water pump. It details how a doctor's research into the incident helped to establish modern medicine and public health practices.
- The Victorian Doctor Who Cracked London's Deadliest Mystery With One Map
This episode recounts how Dr. John Snow used a map to identify the source of a cholera outbreak in 1854 London, thereby establishing modern epidemiology. His work challenged conventional wisdom and saved countless lives by linking the dise…
- The Doctor Who Solved London's Deadliest Mystery (And Created Modern Medicine)
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Dr. John Snow's investigation into the 1854 London cholera outbreak. It explores how his methods in tracking the disease, including mapping cases and identifying contaminated water, contributed to…
- The Doctor Who Saved London by Removing One Water Pump (And Changed Medicine Forever)
Dr. John Snow saved London from a cholera outbreak in 1854 by proving contaminated water, not "bad air," was the cause. He achieved this by mapping cholera deaths and identifying the Broad Street water pump as the source of the epidemic, l…
- The Untold Story of How One Korean Admiral Destroyed 300 Ships With Just 12
This episode of When Rome Burns covers the story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a Korean admiral who, with 13 ships, defeated a 300-vessel invasion force. It explores his undefeated naval record, strategic use of turtle ships, and the political ch…
- Admiral Yi's 13 Naval Battles: The Korean Hero Who Never Lost a Single Ship
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Admiral Yi Sun-sin's naval battles. It covers his tactical genius, including the use of tidal currents, and his impact on Korean history.
- Admiral Yi's Death Trap: How Korea's Greatest Hero Died at His Moment of Victory
This episode of "When Rome Burns" details Admiral Yi Sun-sin's final battle. It covers his tactical genius in leading 82 ships against 500 enemy vessels and his death during the victory.
- This Game Uses Real CIA Techniques to Recruit Players (And It's Working)
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses "The Black Watchmen," an alternate reality game that uses real intelligence techniques to recruit players. It explores how the game employs OSINT techniques and examines its connections to historic…
- How 1 Korean Admiral Crushed 330 Japanese Ships With Just 56 (The Hansando Masterclass)
This episode discusses Admiral Yi Sun-sin's victory at the Battle of Hansando. It details how the admiral, with 56 ships, defeated 330 Japanese vessels using strategic formations and exploiting enemy aggression.
- This $2 Horror Game Scared Me More Than Any $60 AAA Title
This episode explores how the indie horror game Stray Cat Crossing achieves psychological terror more effectively than many big-budget AAA games. It discusses how creative limitations and psychological techniques contribute to a deeper and…
- From Disgrace to Glory: How Admiral Yi Became Korea's Greatest Naval Hero
This episode of When Rome Burns tells the story of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, focusing on his journey from a tortured prisoner to Korea's greatest naval commander. It explores how he rebuilt Korea's navy and his philosophical approach to leadersh…
- This Indie Game Cured My Grief (And It Could Cure Yours Too)
This episode of When Rome Burns features Michael Stevens discussing the indie game "In Between." He explores how the game uses gravity manipulation and surreal visuals to represent and help players process the five stages of grief.
- The One Admiral Who Saved Korea with 13 Ships Against 330 Japanese Warships
This episode of "When Rome Burns" discusses Admiral Yi Sun-sin's victory against a Japanese invasion force. It covers the tactics employed by Yi Sun-sin, including the use of "turtle ships" and tidal timing strategy, in a battle where his…
- Why Everything You Know About the First Crusade Is Wrong
This episode debunks myths surrounding the First Crusade, examining the motivations, challenges, and outcomes of the 1096 march to Jerusalem. It discusses discrepancies between popular understanding and historical evidence.
- Why Digital Board Games Fail (And How Armello Breaks Every Rule)
This episode explores the reasons behind the failure of many digital board games and examines how the game Armello achieved success by effectively integrating strategic depth, diverse mechanics like dice and cards, and a distinctive art st…
- Armello - Making a Digital Board Game Stand Out
This episode features Michael Stevens discussing how League of Geeks developed Armello. It covers the game's evolution from a tabletop concept to a digital phenomenon, its successful Kickstarter campaign, and the strategies that made it st…
- The Jerusalem Siege That Changed Christianity Forever: 40,000 Dead in 3 Days
This episode of When Rome Burns examines the 1099 Siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade. It covers the tactics used, the number of casualties, and the long-term impact on Christianity and medieval warfare. The episode also discusses…
- The 8-Month Siege That Nearly Broke Christianity's Greatest Army
This episode of "When Rome Burns" discusses the Siege of Antioch during the First Crusade. It explores how a prolonged siege led to starvation and desperation among the crusaders, and how a betrayal ultimately impacted the outcome of the c…
- The Iron Secret That Turned Pilgrims Into Medieval War Machines
This episode of When Rome Burns, titled "The Iron Secret That Turned Pilgrims Into Medieval War Machines," details how medieval pilgrims became an effective fighting force due to their advanced military technology. It covers the impact of…
- Europe: The First Crusade - Men of Iron
This episode examines the First Crusade, including the siege of Antioch and the engineering and brutality of medieval siege warfare. It also covers the casualty rates of the crusaders.
- The First Crusade: Why Historians Can't Agree If It Was Actually Good
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses the First Crusade. It explores the historical debate surrounding whether the crusade, despite its military success, was also a humanitarian disaster. The host examines the contradictions and comple…
- The $50 Million Trading Card Disaster That Killed Dragon Wars in 6 Months
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses the failure of the trading card game "Card King: Dragon Wars." The episode details how the company spent $50 million in six months, attributing its collapse to high pricing, rapid expansion release…
- Card King: Dragon Wars - Exploring a Bad Patch
This episode of When Rome Burns explores the failure of the game Card King: Dragon Wars after a patch. It discusses the reasons behind the failure and lessons for digital product development.
- Europe: The First Crusade - Peter the Hermit
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Peter the Hermit and the First Crusade. It examines how his religious vision convinced thousands to join a crusade and the subsequent catastrophic events that unfolded due to his leadership.
- Why Peter the Hermit's 40,000 Person Army Never Made It to Jerusalem
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses Peter the Hermit's People's Crusade. It covers how a large army was assembled, the massacres that occurred in the Rhineland, and the decisive defeat at Civetot.
- Europe: The First Crusade - The People's Crusade
This episode of When Rome Burns examines the People's Crusade of 1096. It details how Pope Urban II's speech inadvertently led to a peasant army attempting to conquer the Holy Land, and the subsequent challenges faced by these untrained ci…
- Michael's 4X Game That Ditches War for Diplomacy (And Why It's Genius)
This episode of When Rome Burns discusses a 4X strategy game called The Viceroy. The game focuses on diplomacy and resource management instead of traditional conquest and warfare, offering a new approach to the genre.
- Byzantine Empire: Justinian and Theodora - Lies
This episode explores Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora of the Byzantine Empire. It examines Theodora's past, her impact on women's rights, and her role during the Nika riots of 532 AD. The episode also discusses Justinian's legal cod…
- The Lies Historians Tell About Justinian and Theodora
This episode exposes historical propaganda surrounding Byzantine Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. It examines how their story has been shaped by contradictory accounts and reveals their impact on the Byzantine Empire and European la…
- Byzantine Empire: Justinian and Theodora - Fighting for Rome
This episode discusses Justinian and Theodora's efforts to reunite the Roman Empire. It covers their military campaigns, the Justinian Code, and the Hagia Sophia.
- Michael Breaks Down Sisters of the Amniotic Lens: When Great Stories Meet Bad Controls
Michael Stevens discusses how a great story can be undermined by poor gameplay, using the indie horror game 'Selfie: Sisters of the Amniotic Lens' as an example. He examines the disconnect between the game's visual design and its repetitiv…