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Artwork for Cost of Glory

Cost of Glory

Alex Petkas
Julius Caesar
Pompey
Cato the Younger
Gallic Wars
Rome
Plutarch
Civil War
Lucullus
Cicero
Mithridates
Stoicism
Roman Republic
Gaul
Tigranes
Caesar
University Of Austin
Higher Education
Lucius Licinius Lucullus
Roman Senate
Nervii

The most influential biographies ever written, admired by leaders, creators, soldiers, and thinkers for nearly 2,000 years: Plutarch’s Parallel lives. Essential listening for anyone striving after greatness. Alex Petkas, former professor of ancient philosophy and history, revives and dramatically retells these unforgettable stories for modern audiences. The subjects are statesmen, generals, orator... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes122Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistorySelf-ImprovementEducation

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Artwork for Cost of Glory

Latest Episodes

My conversation with author, soldier, and scholar, Nicholas Tobias.

This is the first public interview with Nicholas, and he agreed to speak on condition that we'd preserve his alias and therefore his anonymity. 

Hence there is no video of him, and... more

On how the Spartans achieved emotional mastery, long before Stoicism was invented.

-Lessons both personal and political from the life of Caesar.  

-The Net Worth of Caesar's Estate

-Also, could he be in heaven? What should a Christian's, or any modern man's attitude be toward Caesar?

-Thanks to sponsors Shokworks and Dr. Richard J... more

A conversation with American classicist, military historian, and conservative political commentator Victor Davis Hanson.

We discuss:

• Why Epaminondas remains one of the most underrated commanders in Greek history, and how the loss of Plutarch's Li... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Nicholas Tobias
Author of Monastery of the Damned; former French Foreign Legion legionnaire and US Army officer
Author, Monastery of the Damned
Episode: 120 - The Modern Roman Legion? w/ "Monastery of the Damned" author Nicholas Tobias
Barry Strauss
Best-selling author and classicist specializing in military and naval history
Hoover Institution, Cornell University
Episode: 114 - Julius Caesar and the Jews, w/ Barry Strauss
Johnathan Bi
A scholar with a deep interest in Stoicism and host of The Great Books podcast YouTube channel.
The Great Books Podcast
Episode: 113 - Cato and his Stoicism: w/ Johnathan Bi
Rob Henderson
A former soldier in the US Air Force and a best-selling author.
Best-selling author of Troubled and Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute
Episode: 112 - The Psychology of Envy and the Fall of Caesar: w/ Rob Henderson
Dr. Brent Seales
Computer scientist and computer imaging specialist at the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Episode: 106 - The New Indiana Jones - w/ Dr. Brent Seales
Kevin Dolan
Founder of the Exit Group and organizer of the Natal Conference, commentator on issues of birth rates.
Exit Group
Episode: 105 - Breeding Future Statesmen: Interview w/ Kevin Dolan on the EXIT podcast
Doyle Glass
Author, former state prosecutor, and accomplished sculptor.
Episode: 104 - Heroic Struggles in Vietnam, w/ Doyle Glass
Johnny Burtka
President and CEO of Intercollegiate Studies Institute, author of Gateway to Statesmanship
Intercollegiate Studies Institute
Episode: 89 - A Manual for Greatness — with Johnny Burtka
Nat Friedman
Entrepreneur and former CEO of GitHub
Vesuvius Challenge
Episode: 88 - Mysteries of the Scrolls — with Nat Friedman

Host

Alex Petkas
Host of the show

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.3k ratings
  • Superb

    This podcast is the best I found in years. I’m really so grateful to Alex. There is not one episode that I would not re listen to

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tosvarsan
    Swedena month ago
  • Outstanding

    My favorite new media content

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    soonerdude11
    United Statesa month ago
  • Amazing podcast for Greek and Roman history.

    Most engaging media on Greek and Roman history I’ve engaged with. My son loves it too. On the drive to drop him off at school if I ever have anything else playing he will ask if I can turn the “stories” back on:

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Polygamistmafia
    United States5 months ago
  • Alex Petkas should write screenplays

    Alex Petkas has knack for storytelling. He is able to paint a vivid image of the past, create high intensity drama while narrating highly complicated stories with thousands of side characters living in a long forgotten places, yet it all still makes sense.

    I knew that Caesar was one of the best leaders of the ancient past, but through this podcast, I fell in love with this superb leader. Not because is was perfect but because he was unbeatable, yet still kind and generous.

    Can’t wait to liste... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zitaatiz
    United States5 months ago
  • That’s right: Of All Time, without exception. Going with Plutarch was a great choice and it anchors the podcast well.

    Audible
    5
    carl
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Conversations lift Plutarch's biographies into practical wisdom for modern life.
Clear, vivid storytelling that makes ancient figures feel immediate and relevant.
The host's voice and narrative style are incredibly engaging and cinematic.
A must-listen for history lovers who want both context and applicable lessons.
Deep dives with thoughtful takeaways on leadership and virtue.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#168
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#94
South Africa/History
Apple Podcasts
#144
South Korea/History
Apple Podcasts
#153
Brazil/History
Apple Podcasts
#172
New Zealand/History
Apple Podcasts
#203
Spain/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

120 - The Modern Roman Legion? w/ "Monastery of the Damned" author Nicholas Tobias
Q: There seems to be a shift toward a post-heroic era; when did this happen and what does it mean for modern warfare and national identity?
The guest suggests demographic trends, cultural secularization, and institutional changes have reduced the prominence of heroic sacrifice, while technology and media shape a world where morale and governance play outsized roles in determining outcomes, rather than sheer battlefield heroism.
113 - Cato and his Stoicism: w/ Johnathan Bi
Q: How did you first encounter the Stoics?
Johnathan shares his journey from being an angsty kid turning to Stoicism due to personal struggles, reflecting how it initially resonated with him during difficult times.
112 - The Psychology of Envy and the Fall of Caesar: w/ Rob Henderson
Q: What do you like to read from the past, and especially why?
I think reading history reveals patterns that can inform understanding of human nature.
106 - The New Indiana Jones - w/ Dr. Brent Seales
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced in bringing this technology to effectively read the Herculaneum Scrolls?
Building credibility and understanding that the scanning process is completely non-invasive were significant challenges. Additionally, making the case for handling these priceless artifacts was a gradual process that involved careful, incremental work on smaller fragments before moving to larger and more valuable scrolls.
81 - Spartacus — with Barry Strauss
Q: What inspired you to write a book about Spartacus in particular?
Professor Strauss mentions Hollywood and the 9-11 aftermath as influences for his interest in irregular warfare reflected in Spartacus's story.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Cost of Glory

What is Cost of Glory about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Cost of Glory brings ancient biographies to life by dramatizing Plutarch's Parallel Lives with rigorous storytelling and modern leadership reflections. Each episode explores virtuous and flawed greats—from statesmen to generals—drawing practical lessons on courage, strategy, and character that resonate beyond history. The host's narrative craft, combined with thoughtful analysis of leadership, ethics, and the human condition, creates a compelling bridge between classical wisdom and contemporary personal and professional growth. A standout feature is the blend of rigorous historical context with accessible philosophy and actionable takeaways for listeners seeking to elevate their thinking and performance.

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How many listeners does Cost of Glory get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Cost of Glory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cost of Glory:

1. How to Take Over the World
2. The Pete Quiñones Show
3. The J. Burden Show
4. The Auron MacIntyre Show
5. History on Fire

How many episodes of Cost of Glory are there?

Cost of Glory launched 5 years ago and published 122 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cost of Glory?

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What guests have appeared on Cost of Glory?

Recent guests on Cost of Glory include:

1. Nicholas Tobias
2. Barry Strauss
3. Johnathan Bi
4. Rob Henderson
5. Dr. Brent Seales
6. Kevin Dolan
7. Doyle Glass
8. Johnny Burtka

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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