Caesar Wasted His 20s. Here’s How He Made Up for It - Alex Petkas

The divine tutelary goddess of Rome, whose image appeared on Hadrian's coin.

Roman divine hero, son of Jupiter and Alcmena, whose temple Caesar visited in Spain, a place used as a museum for statues and dedications.

Hero of Homer's Iliad, depicted as openly weeping and throwing ash on himself after the death of his friend Patroclus, contrasting with Roman stoicism.

Mythic founder of Rome, son of Venus, from whom Julius Caesar's family, the Julius clan, claimed descent over 1200 years of history.

Roman goddess of love, beauty, desire, sex, fertility, prosperity, and victory, identified as the mother of Aeneas, tying Caesar's family to divine origins.

Egyptian goddess, whose living embodiment Cleopatra was considered to be by Egyptian tradition, emphasizing her high status.

An early book by Nietzsche, which explores the dual nature of history: its potential to cripple with knowledge or quicken and enliven.

A philosophical text by Plato, where characters pour water in wine for moderation, indicating a desire for meaningful conversation.

A book by Xenophon about the education of Cyrus the Great, read by Caesar, which described Cyrus's death arrangements.

Roman general and statesman, whose life and career are the central focus of the discussion, examined for lessons in ambition, loyalty, and political strategy.

Roman general and statesman, initially Caesar's friend and rival, a moderate populist who joined the First Triumvirate but later became Caesar's mortal enemy in the Civil War.

King of Pontus, defeated by Pompey during his glorious eastern campaign.

Queen of Egypt, who, at 20 years old, charmed Caesar into supporting her claim to the throne against her brother, Ptolemy XIII, and became his lover and mother of his child.

Cleopatra’s younger brother and co-ruler of Egypt, who orchestrated Pompey's murder and opposed Caesar's mediation efforts, ultimately drowning in the Nile.

Spanish surrealist artist whose parents named him after a deceased older brother, instilling a sense of being a 'reincarnation' from a young age.

A trusted friend of Caesar, at whose house Caesar had his last supper before his assassination.

The last king of Rome, whose tyrannical rule led to the founding of the Roman Republic, serving as a historical warning against monarchy for Romans.

Italian poet who, in his 'Inferno', places the assassins of Caesar (Brutus and Cassius) in the ninth circle of hell for betraying a friend.

Host of the Cost of Glory podcast, historian focusing on ancient Rome and Greece.

German philosopher whose early book, 'On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life,' discusses how history can either drain or enliven a person.

German writer and statesman, quoted by Nietzsche saying, 'I hate all knowledge that does not quicken and enliven me, away with it.'

King of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon, whose statue inspired a young Julius Caesar to tears due to his own lack of achievement at Alexander's age.

A great populist figurehead in Roman history and Julius Caesar's uncle by marriage, an outsider who forced his way into Roman power elites through talent and military victories.

Roman general and dictator, leader of the Optimate faction, who won a brutal civil war against the Populists and instituted proscriptions, targeting Caesar's family connections.

The richest man in Rome, who financed Caesar's early career and was a key member of the First Triumvirate, balancing Caesar and Pompey until his death.

Stoic philosopher and a staunch conservative, who became Caesar's worst nemesis, representing the Optimate establishment that opposed Pompey and Caesar.

Actress famous for her role as Cleopatra in the movie 'Cleopatra', which depicted her dramatic entrance to Caesar in a rolled-up rug.

A close friend and lieutenant of Caesar in Gaul, included in his will, who was present at Caesar's last dinner and persuaded him to attend the Senate on the day of his assassination.

Playwright whose play 'Julius Caesar' is mentioned for its depiction of Brutus and the omens surrounding Caesar's death.

The more famous Brutus in Shakespeare's play, son of Caesar's girlfriend Servilia, who was one of the ringleaders of the assassination.

Founder of the Persian Empire, whose arrangements for his death, as described by Xenophon, contrast with Caesar's desire for a sudden, swift, and unexpected end.

Roman politician and general, mentioned in the context of a dispute with Dolabella that Caesar was scheduled to resolve on the Ides of March.

Roman politician, involved in a dispute with Mark Antony that Caesar was scheduled to resolve on the Ides of March.

An electrolyte drink with a science-backed ratio of sodium, potassium, and magnesium, designed to reduce muscle cramps, fatigue, optimize brain health, and regulate appetite.

A daily nutritional supplement containing 75 vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and whole-food ingredients, backed by clinical trials.

A three-in-one fiber formula designed to support digestion, gut barrier strength, and blood sugar stability, addressing common fiber deficiencies.

Empire that defeated Crassus and captured Roman eagles, whose defeat Caesar sought to avenge.

City in northern Italy where Caesar was camped before crossing the Rubicon, negotiating with the Senate.

Ancient civilization known for its deep history, where even in 2500 BC, people were studying periods as far back as 5000 BC, illustrating a sense of historical awareness.

Ancient region of Western Europe, roughly equivalent to modern France, which Caesar conquered over eight years in a world-changing campaign.

An insignificant stream near Ravenna, northern Italy, that formed the legal border between Cisalpine Gaul and Italy proper. Caesar's crossing of it with his army was an act of war.

A Roman client kingdom rather than a province at the time, governed by the Ptolemaic dynasty, which became a key location in Caesar's civil war and campaign.

The capital of Ptolemaic Egypt, a great Greek city founded by Alexander the Great, known for its marble, culture, library, and Alexander's tomb.

A defensive fortification in Great Britain, built by Roman Emperor Hadrian, visited by the host.

A source for ancient coins, from which a Hadrian coin was gifted to the host.

A wearable health tracker providing insights into sleep, workouts, recovery, breathing, heart rate, and steps; the 5.0 version is smaller, has longer battery life, and health span tracking.

Alex Petkas's podcast, focused on Roman history and biographical accounts of figures like Crassus.

The most expensive movie ever made at its time, featuring Elizabeth Taylor, which accurately portrayed Cleopatra's dramatic entrance to Caesar in a rolled-up rug.

The Greco-Macedonian ruling class of Egypt, whose civil war between Ptolemy XIII and Cleopatra VII coincided with Caesar's arrival.

Also known as the 'cup of greed', an ancient Greek drinking cup designed to empty completely if filled past a certain level, teaching moderation.