Historian Answers Google's Most Popular Questions On Ancient Rome

We've asked ancient historian and archaeologist Dr. Simon Elliott to answer the most googled questions about the roman empire.

00:00 - Intro
00:42 - When was the Roman Republic?
01:22 - Who ruled the Roman Republic?
02:04 - How healthy were people in the Roman Republic?
04:07 - How big was the Roman Republic?
06:17 - How did the Roman Republic expand?
06:53 - Did the Roman Republic have gladiators?
07:37 - Who were the Roman Republic’s biggest rivals?
08:36 - What was the triumvirate?
09:32 - What were the Punic Wars?
11:14 - Did the Roman Republic fight against elephants?
12:39 - How did Caesar get his name?
14:26 - Was Spartacus a real person?
15:59 - How did elections work in the Roman Republic?
17:11 - How did Julius Caesar come to power?
19:06 - Was Julius Caesar better than Pompey?
20:02 - What were the Optimates and Popularists?
21:20 - Why did the Roman Republic end?
22:19 - Why did Julius Caesar change the calendar?
23:09 - Why was Julius Caesar assassinated?
24:08 - What did SPQR stand for?
24:47 - Was the Roman Republic ever restored?
25:49 - Conclusion

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[tristanhallmark]

Hannibal crossing the alps with his war elephants seem like the craziest military maneuver in history to me

[oddiethefox]

It's always a pleasure to hear Dr. Elliott talk about history. You can hear his passion in his inflection! As a hobby historian, I would absolutely just love to have a conversation with him.

[CentaurMoe]

"Why on Earth would you give it up?"

To grow cabbages, of course. Just ask my boy Diocletian.

[bateman]

Getting a few Roman historians drunk and then asking all of them together when the Roman Empire fell is really, really funny. When they get worked up drop "You could argue it never truly fell." if there isn't anyone arguing that stance.

Anyone that says history is boring has never watched a group of highly educated people get super worked up about long dead people and places.

[jliller]

Never heard the etymology of "Caesar" before. That's amazing.

[kwezicanca]

I'm a simple man, I see Ancient Rome, I click!!

[Bobblenob]

I’m Spartacus and so is my wife, thank you Monty Python.

[roypiltdown]

the key development that led to the fall of the republic were the Marian reforms in the army, when it went from being an amateur (though really effective) force of farmers serving part-time (and whose loyalty was to Rome) to being a professional force of full-time veterans whose only loyalty was to the general who paid them - after that, internecine war was inevitable.

[CarterElkins]

The intelligence and curiosity behind these questions is hilarious when compared to the medieval video, where much of it boiled down to “why were medieval people dirty and stupid” 😆

[Google]

Resisting the urge to make a Roman Empire joke

[jarrodbright]

As a lifelong student of Roman history (literally - started when I read about Hannibal in a book in my dad's study when I was 6) I have to say your knowledge and passion shines through. You managed to teach me something I didn't know at all adjacent to the question you were answering, a real talent for sharing knowledge.

[niklasnoeske]

Find yourself someone who talks about you as enthusiastically as this guy talks about Julius Caesar

[Maazzzo]

Simon was very interesting, thank you. Please bring him back for more.

[daminox]

The orange tier of the pyramid graphic at 1:45 should say "Freemen" not "Freedmen". Only the dark red tier is "Freedmen."

[garydavis]

My best duty assignment while in the USAF was being stationed in Italy for 6 years (38 miles south of Rome: Latina)...traveled all over Italy: fantastic adventure....

[stewrmo]

"Never gave in"? Aye, us north of the river Clyde, in Scotland, are still waiting for them...Bring it on! ✊️😁👍

[matthewa]

Thank you for using AD and BC. The masterminds that laid the ground work for the calendar we use today deserve to be honored regardless of one’s religious beliefs.

[yodudeHQ]

I love how Rome and Carthage just absolutely hated each other for centuries

[IAmWBeard]

9:47 that Hannibal statue looks like my next door neighbor Brad. Just put a Budweiser in his hand.

[feliciasjoberg]

0:07 "Why would you give it up?"
Me: To save my life