A Load of B-S

Discover more from A Load of B-S

Editor and podcast host at Aspects of History, Classics Teacher at the 'Eton of Africa', long-distance host of Frome Town FC's podcast. Documenting my tour of duty in Malawi and my African adventures, both actual and literary!

Aspects of History Podcast: Behind Caesar's Back with Caillan Davenport

Rumours whispered in the forum, graffiti scrawled on walls, and scandalous tales passed between senator and citizen - the Roman emperor was as much a manifestation of gossip as of power.

May 15, 2026

Joining me on the podcast this week is Caillan Davenport, professor and historian, whose study, Behind Caesar’s Back, offers a bold, fresh approach to imperial Rome, one of rumour, gossip and how the emperors were perceived.

Moving beyond traditional biographies, his sweeping study reconstructs the “oral world” of the Roman Empire, sharing insight into political talk, public opinion and the delicate relationship between ruler and ruled.

But how far can we trust these tales, and what do they reveal about the imperial system?

Subscribe to the Aspects of History podcast via Apple Podcasts or Spotify!

Caillan Davenport is a professor at the Australian National University and the author of Behind Caesar’s Back: Rumor, Gossip, and the Making of the Roman Emperors , published by Yale University Press.

Zeb Baker-Smith is a Classics teacher based in Malawi, a freelance journalist and Editor at Aspects of History .

Another year, another stint abroad. The intention behind this Substack is to keep my eye in on the writing front and document what promises to be quite the tour of duty, both in Africa and in the world of books (historical, postcolonial or otherwise).

So do come along for the ride and please subscribe (or gift me a coffee!) as I document my travels and reads.