
A weekly series about people who have been called “The Great,” where we try to get past the honorific and understand who they were, what they did, and why some people seem to like them so much.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 44 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories | HistorySociety & Culture | ||||

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Herod's last few years were defined by soaring monuments of unsurpassed beauty, scale and sophistication that marked him as one of the greatest builders of all time. Oh, and a bunch of frenzied killing that made him a villain of (literally) biblical ... more
Herod is firmly in control. He quickly becomes hated by his people. Some try to kill him. But then, he also tries to save many through personal and - if I do say so myself - quite thoughtful action. So, is this guy awful? Of maybe misunderstood? Or, ... more
Let's follow along as Herod rises to become king of Judea, a development that seems to have caught everyone off guard, including Herod himself. But gaining the throne didn't end his troubles; in many ways, they were just getting started.
For the final subject of season one, let's meet Herod, and cover about 1,000 years of interesting, chaotic, and, to some, sacred history.
With Gladiator II out, let's switch things up and get to know not a great of history, but one of the very worst ever: Roman Emperor Caracalla (and briefly, his less-bad brother, Geta). Content from this chapter is drawn in part from the book Evil Rom... more
The final (no, really) episode in our sprawling series on the life and career of Pompey Magnus. Let's track the culmination of his war with Caesar, and consider his life and legacy.
The late Roman Republic was chaotic, with violence and bloodshed the norm. As the crisis reached its apex, two factions emerged: one led by Pompey, one led by Caesar. In time, of course, only one would be left standing...
I wouldn't consider myself a history buff, but I have really been enjoying this podcast! Phillip is really good at making this sometimes complicated history very palatable and FUN! His humor, timing and different points of view make this podcast one of my favorites in my rotation!
Thoroughly enjoying the journey of listening to this podcast. The presenter is energetic and so knowledgeable. A pleasure to listen to!
I’ve known Phillip for quite a long time. And, one thing to note is that he brings other views and ideas into everything he presents. So, it’s no surprise that he brings perspicacity, persistence and personality into this “great” podcast. I am thoroughly enjoying the trip through history. All I can say is that this journey through time is worth your…well, time.
Engaging narrative and insightful analysis make history come alive, offering a nuanced understanding of what made these figures remarkable.
I never thought that a history podcast would ever make it into my daily commute, but here we are: after listening only a few minutes of the first episode of Mr. Barlag’s podcast series, I was hooked. Mr. Barlag delivers a great amount of knowledge without making it boring. Thank you, we need more of those!
In this podcast series, Phillip Barlag brings “The Greats” to life. Through masterful storytelling, Barlag brings deep historical knowledge of his subjects to a modern audience. I learned many things about early rulers and civilizations that were new and interesting. Well done!
Amy Hulver
An engaging approach and interesting topic. I love that this podcast acknowledges that there are no absolutes in history and explores how the culture and values of the time period effect the subject.
and give this “great” pod a go. a welcome breath of fresh air, a purely academic pursuit in an age where one might be forgiven for forgetting that such things exist
Crisp, energetic and surprising.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #152 |










Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This series explores the lives and legacies of historical figures who have received the title 'The Great'. In its episodes, the narrative often goes beyond mere accolades, delving into the complex characters and events that define these notable individuals, such as Herod the Great, Mithridates VI, and Pompey. The show presents a blend of storytelling, detailed research, and interpretation that brings to light the intricacies of their reigns and actions. Unique in its approach, the series emphasizes the multifaceted nature of greatness, wrestling with moral ambiguities and recognizing the less favorable aspects of these figures alongside their achievements.
Listeners can expect a thoughtful and challenging examination of history, uncovering... more
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The ’’Greats’’ of History launched 2 years ago and published 44 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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