Let's track Pompey as he pushes in his chips and chooses sides in Rome's first major civil war, -- already! -- gets the name "The Great," and becomes the indispensable man of Rome, all before age thirty.Phillip Barlag

So, if you haven't figured this out yet, I am a nerd. Nothing brings out my inner nerdery like Rome. Buckle up; we're going to be here for a while!Phillip Barlag

The story of The Poison King reaches its violent apex. We've spent lots of time with this guy. Would you consider him to be "Great?"Phillip Barlag

HI. If you've already listened to this, then you realized that I messed up the RSS feed, and published part three BEFORE part one. So, yeah. Six months in and this is my first major flub. But the story is awesome so hopefully you will forgive me.Phillip Barlag

The king is back from his self-imposed exile in the wilderness. Let's see what he does now that he is back in control of his kingdom.Phillip Barlag

Part one of our series on Mithridates, a larger than life figure and the deadliest enemy of those obnoxious Romans. You're going to love this guy.Phillip Barlag

Wu is firmly in control. Let's follow him across his long reign to see if he earns his epithet of "The Great."Phillip Barlag

We shift our attention to the unification of China under its first Emperor, the spectacular fall of his short-lived dynasty, and the rise of the powerful Han and their greatest of rulers, Wu the Great.Phillip Barlag

Today moves us to China, where we meet all sorts of fun people, like Yu the Great, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu, and many more! Ancient China was an amazing place.Phillip Barlag

The conclusion of our look at Ashoka, considered by many to be the greatest ruler in India's history, even if it didn't start out that way.Phillip Barlag

We finally meet Ashoka and find out that far from great, he was, at first, pretty awful. So why is he considered by many to be India's greatest ruler? Also, pay not attention to a verbal flub; I was sick when I recorded this!Phillip Barlag

In which we review the outlines of Indian history, including rediscovering one of the great lost civilizations in human history (only about a century ago).Phillip Barlag

The final chapter in our story about Alexander of Macedon. Spoiler alert: he dies in the course of this episode. Let's look back and judge if he really was the GOAT of GOATS.Phillip Barlag

Alexander is closing in on conquering the once-mighty Persian Empire. And you'll never believe the last words of Darius III...Phillip Barlag

Time to get Alexander out of the Hellenic world and have him square off with his Persian counterpart, Darius III.Phillip Barlag

Let's get Alexander on the throne, and track his early years as king. Also, I make a killer dad joke about a psychic.Phillip Barlag

Let's set the stage for the most famous "Great" of them all.Phillip Barlag

You'd think that by now, I would be able to spell Nebuchadnezzar on the first try. Here's a quick look back at an old friend, and a few new things I've learned since his episodes aired a little while back.Phillip Barlag

So Darius managed to become King of Kings. Now what? Let's find out, and while we are at it, we'll take a look back at the meaning and importance of the Persian Empire. (P.S. Get over yourself, Greece.)Phillip Barlag

Confession time: I didn't want to do this one. Have a listen to find out why. (Oh, and I am glad I did.)Phillip Barlag

I have a few new things about Ramesses II to share since his episode aired a little while back. Have a listen, and let's keep learning together. After all, Ramesses would expect, or even demand, that we keep paying attention to him.Phillip Barlag

Let's find out what Cyrus is up to. Spoiler alert: it's a lot, and much more than simple conquest and martial glory.Phillip Barlag

A brief announcement about the show and a way we can help each other out.Phillip Barlag

The successors of Nebuchadnezzar weren't quite up to the task; Neo-Babylonians might be in trouble. But there is about to be a new, new sheriff in town. Time to say hello to the Persians.Phillip Barlag

Because learning a few new things about Sargon of Akkad was so much fun, I thought I would explore whether or not there were any fun new facts about Thutmose III that we could uncover together. Turns out, there are!Phillip Barlag

Let's spend some time with a ruler who preferred hanging out at home to marching on campaign, and who built what might be the greatest city in human history.Phillip Barlag

Let's meet and, hopefully, say goodbye to one of the most terrifying civilizations in human history. While we're at it, let's track the rise of someone who might just be the greatest builder in the ancient world.Phillip Barlag

Just because we have already published an episode about Sargon, does not mean we've stopped learning about him. In fact, I wanted to share three new things that I have learned since his episode aired. These serve as an extension of the episode about our first "Great" in this series. He lived more than four millennia ago, but his story is still bein…

You know who thought that Ramesses II was Egypt's greatest pharaoh? Ramesses II. You get to decide for yourself!Phillip Barlag

Let's catch up on our friends the Egyptians, in between the death Thutmose III and the rise of our next great, Ramesses II.Phillip Barlag

Part two of our episode of Thutmose III. I'm not going to lie; I am really starting to like this guy.Phillip Barlag

Let's meet Thutmose III, either the first, or something like the hundredth pharaoh of the mighty Egyptian civilization.Phillip Barlag

We meet our first "great" of the series, Sargon of Akkad, whom history records as the first person to rule an Empire. In a related note, "Lugalzaggisi," is not an easy name to pronounce.Phillip Barlag

Alexander the Great. Pompey the Great. Catharine the Great. For nearly all of recorded human history, people have been called “great.” But what does it mean to be great? To be called “great?” In this introduction, we set up the series and frame out its exploration of these people, and what they did - or didn't do - to be called "great."…