“They Make a Desert and Call It Peace” – Tacitus' Agricola

“They Make a Desert and Call It Peace” – Tacitus' Agricola

Author: It's All Greek (and Latin) To Me June 10, 2025 Duration: 22:55
“They make a desert and call it peace.” It’s one of the most brutal lines in ancient history – but was it ever actually spoken? 

Jimmy and Armand unpack the sharp, unsettling world of Roman historian Tacitus, who often slipped his most biting critiques of Ancient Rome into the mouths of her enemies. We explore the fine line between history and drama, how Roman speeches were crafted rather than recorded, and what that says about truth, narrative, and power.

Also in this episode: collapsing assassination boats, Roman mothers who just won’t die, the surprising origin of the phrase “parting shot” (which isn’t actually ‘parting shot’ at all!) and why Chelmsford was once (sort of) the heart of the Roman Empire.

The main texts explored were: 
Agricola, Tacitus
Annals, Tacitus
Histories, Tacitus

Presented by Armand D’Angour and Jimmy Mulville
Produced by Diggory Waite
A Hat Trick Production

For more on the charity Classics For All, who support state schools to introduce or develop the teaching of classical subjects sustainably on the curriculum or as an after school activity, visit www.classicsforall.org.uk

Ever wonder why a "mortgage" feels like a "death pledge" or how a "decimated" army lost exactly one in ten soldiers? It's All Greek (and Latin) To Me digs into the ancient roots of the words and ideas we use every day, revealing the stories buried in our language. This isn't a dry grammar lesson; it's a series of deep dives into how Greek and Latin have shaped modern thought, law, science, and culture. Each episode focuses on a specific term or concept, tracing its journey from antiquity to the present, and in the process, we explore surprising connections across history and society. You'll hear how philosophical debates from Athens influence contemporary ethics, or how Roman engineering terms are still embedded in our infrastructure. The goal is to make the classical world feel immediate and relevant, showing that these ancient languages are far from dead-they're actively whispering in our ears. Tune in to this podcast for a blend of etymology, history, and cultural analysis that transforms the way you listen to the news, read a book, or even have a casual conversation. It’s for the curious, for those who love a good story behind a word, and for anyone who’s ever suspected there’s more to our modern vocabulary than meets the eye.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 21

It's All Greek (and Latin) To Me
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 30:40
In this episode we take the oft quoted idea of the Oedipus Complex and find out its origins in Sophocles’ tragedy Oedipus Rex.Armand and Jimmy first present a handy guide to the key points of the story, then explore how…
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Duration: 30:44
We kick off the series with an expression that is often heard; but what do we know about who wrote it and from which literary work it is plucked?Armand and Jimmy discuss possible translations of the phrase, what the writ…
Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:53
Join Armand D'Angour (Professor of Classics at Oxford University) and Jimmy Mulville (Comedy Producer, Chairman of charity 'Classics For All' and lifelong classics devotee) as they explore the ancient world through expre…