Share

cover art for What's New in History With Alex Petkas

Fan of History

What's New in History With Alex Petkas

From Republic to Autocracy, How Ancient Rome Warns Us About Democracy’s Fragility


Alex Petkas is a writer, entrepreneur, and the host of Cost of Glory, a podcast celebrating Western Civilization's eminent heroes. With a PhD in Classics from Princeton University, he transitioned from academia to alternative media, where he empowers professionals and entrepreneurs through educational programs and leadership retreats. Alex’s mission is to translate profound insights from Greco-Roman leaders and philosophers into actionable wisdom for contemporary achievers, fostering a deeper appreciation for historical greatness among today’s innovators.


He talks to Bernie today about a topic on many people's minds these days... How similar are current events to the final days of the Roman Republic?


The answers might surprise you! Tune in to find out!


Hook a hard-working podcaster up!

https://buymeacoffee.com/whatsnewinhistory


Custom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% off


Links:

Alex's website

https://www.costofglory.com/


Arnold J. Toynbee is the historian I reference in the episode

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Study_of_History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gzkHhSMHIA


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/755218.Catiline_s_War_The_Jurgurthine_War_Histories


JUST READ! It's good for you

https://kwikbrain.medium.com/10-brain-reasons-to-make-reading-a-habit-aa628d4b498c


This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.


If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistory


Contact information:

E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.com

http://facebook.com/fanofhistory

https://twitter.com/danhorning

https://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/


Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.


Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020

More episodes

View all episodes

  • History of Rome from the beginning until 590 BC

    36:54|
    In order to prepare for episode 219 we are rereleasing all our Roman History episodes.This episode covers the legendary beginnings of the Roman Kingdom. We focus on the fifth king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus.If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistoryKings of Rome, Romulus, Servius Tullius, Numa Pompilius, Tullus Hostilius, Ancus MarciusContact information: http://facebook.com/fanofhistoryE-mail: zimwaypodcast@gmail.comhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse. Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • Rerelease of all the Roman history episodes

    01:08|
    In preparation for episode 219 we have decided to release remastered episodes of all the Roman history we have covered. This will be episode 147, 163, 168, 172 and 199. These episode cover all of Roman history until right before the Roman Kingdom falls in episode 219.We hope that you enjoy this series. Our very detailed coverage of Rome will continue.
  • 218. 500's BC part 1 - Greece The Decade That Made Democracy

    34:30|
    The year is 508 BCE, and Athens is a mess. Tyrants have fallen, Sparta’s been meddling, and the aristocrats can’t agree on lunch—let alone a constitution. Enter Cleisthenes with a bold idea: hand power to the people. In this episode, Bernie and Dan walk through the real, chaotic, and sometimes violent birth of Athenian democracy.This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistoryCustom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offContact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • What´s New In History - Not Just for Museums: The Surprising Ease of Ancient Coin Collecting

    54:20|
    Dean Kinzer of Kinzer Coins joins Bernie to talk about the world of ancient coin collecting—how surprisingly accessible it is, what to look for, and why these tiny pieces of metal are gateways to massive historical stories. You don’t have to be a museum to hold the past in your hand.https://www.kinzercoins.com/You will put the Buy me a Coffee and rest in right?If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistory or https://buymeacoffee.com/whatsnewinhistoryCustom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offThis is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.Contact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • 217. 510s BC part 7: Greece: Cleisthenes and the Struggle for Athens

    31:03|
    Athens in the 510s BCE was on the edge of transformation. As tyranny collapsed, rival aristocrats scrambled to shape the city’s future. In this episode, we follow the dramatic events that set the stage for democracy—including one unexpected turning point that changed everything.This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistoryCustom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offContact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • What´s New In History: The 40,000-Year-Old Maritime Revolution

    16:16|
    Long before the Greeks launched triremes or the Egyptians built reed boats, ancient Southeast Asians were already mastering the sea. In this episode, Bernie and Dan dive into new archaeological findings that challenge the entire timeline of technological progress. Stone tools, deep-sea fish bones, and microscopic plant fibers tell the story of a forgotten seafaring culture—one that may have built boats, caught tuna, and navigated open waters 40,000 years ago. Were the world’s first sailors islanders?Article Links:https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/archaeology/a63870396/ancient-boats-southeast-asia/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352409X25000525?via%3DihubIf you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistory or https://buymeacoffee.com/whatsnewinhistoryCustom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offThis is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.Contact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • 216. 510s BC part 6: Legends Fall, Cities Burn, Tyrants Die

    32:58|
    It’s a wild ride through the 510s BCE in Greece—where legends fall and the ground starts to shift beneath the ancient world. We kick things off at the Olympics of 512, where a new champion takes all three footraces and Milo of Crotone suffers his final Olympic defeat. But Milo isn’t done—he goes to war, becomes a symbol of Crotone’s might… and eventually meets a famously gruesome end. Meanwhile, Pythagoras is tossed from the city he helped shape, and over in Athens, murder sets democracy in motion. This is the storm before the storm.This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistoryCustom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offContact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • What´s New In History - Into Persia with Xenophon and Alex Petkas

    01:03:32|
    We march into the Persian Empire with Xenophon and Alex Petkas to break down the opening of Anabasis—a story of betrayal, survival, and leadership born from failure. This isn't just ancient military drama; it’s a mirror for modern challenges: how to lead when no one else will, how to make decisions in chaos, and how to earn trust in a world of uncertainty.https://www.costofglory.com/Retreat infohttps://greece.costofglory.com/This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistory or https://buymeacoffee.com/whatsnewinhistoryYou can also get all the old episodes if you subscribe to Fan of History+ at https://fanofhistory.supercast.com/Custom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offContact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020
  • 215. 510s BC part 5 "Oye! Greeks!"

    40:06|
    “If they are free men, they are the basest cravens in the world; but if they are slaves, none would love their masters more.” — Herodotus, on the IoniansA Persian army on the run. A desperate warning from the Scythians. And a group of Greek tyrants who choose despotism over defiance. In this episode, we follow the moment Darius I almost lost it all—plus Megabazus’ ruthless conquest of Thrace and the Persians’ first awkward dinner with Macedon and a guy named Alexander.Great episode... don't miss it!This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski.If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistoryCustom Printed Shirts in 3 days! Go to graveyardprinting.com and enter coupon code FANOFHISTORY2025 for 11% offContact information:E-mail: zimwaupodcast@gmail.comhttp://facebook.com/fanofhistoryhttps://twitter.com/danhorninghttps://www.instagram.com/dan_horning/Music: “Tudor Theme” by urmymuse.Used here under a commercial Creative Commons license. Find out more at http://ccmixter.org/files/urmymuse/40020