Class Struggle from Roman Times to Today
A constant throughout history from Ancient Rome to today is the rich and powerful seek ever more wealth and control. If a popular leader innovates reforms that help the poor they come under sustained attack or worse they are killed. Go back to Caesar in Rome. The standard view is he was a power-hungry tyrant who was slain by the “noble” Brutus and his cohorts to save the Roman Republic. These were some of the measures Caesar implemented which so infuriated his enemies. He distributed land to thousands of veterans and poor Roman families. He began a program of public works. He pushed through rent reductions, reduced debt burdens, and granted Jews the right to practice their religion. These reforms, Michael Parenti says, were unacceptable to the ruling class. Thus, Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March 44 B.C.
Speaker
Michael Parenti
Michael Parenti is a leading independent political analyst and scholar. Cornel West calls him, “a towering prophetic voice.” He has taught at major colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. He is the author of numerous books including Democracy for the Few, Power and the Powerless, Superpatriotism, Against Empire, and The Assassination of Julius Caesar.
From a listener in the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado –
I have been a big fan of Alt Radio for decades. My Sunday afternoon always includes the AR program at 5. Michael Parenti was great yesterday. A brilliant historian with a sense of humor.
Tracy Frisch –
This is a classic — one of the best Alternative Radio programs ever. Thanks for playing it.
Listener in northern NM. –
Parenti rocks!!
Douglas Williams –
Exquisite corrective to Shakespeare’s and standard history of Julius Caesar. We are ruled by the same kind of ruthless monsters. Thanks for making Parenti available.
Ed –
I found this broadcast to be quite enlightening and had to look it up to share it!
Thank you.
Listener near Camarillo, CA –
Thank you so much for bringing back the voice of Michael Parenti to me. It has been a long time since I have heard him speak. There is no one that I can think of to compare him with today in the way that he educates people by awakening the past and how it still affects our lives today. Parenti’s scholarship and clear regard for the history that lies beneath history are always impressive, and with his understated humor, he makes us so much wiser about today’s unfortunate political follies. These morning hours are good for more people to hear him. This program shows that he is a Master historian and a great commentator.