Happy Hardcore History Day everyone! I was really hoping to get this one released before 2024 ended, but it simply wasn't ready.
Mania For Subjugation II, as the name implies, is the second installment of our long-awaited Alexander saga. It deals with the stage in the Macedonian conqueror's career when he first assumes the kingship after his father's assassination. This is a part of the Alexander story that often gets shortchanged in accounts of his life. In some ways though, it is the most important. As a twenty year old he's suddenly thrust into the cutthroat royal politics of Macedonia while also having to immediately pacify rebellious Greeks and dangerous northern tribesmen (virtually simultaneously). All while preparing to invade the Persian empire. It's a literal baptism of fire.
Why is he doing all this? Well, we try to grapple with that motivational question, while also wrestling with the contradictory historical sources and the different takes they have on Alexander and his actions. There's more than one version of Alexander the Great. We'll examine at least a couple of them.
Here's the official show description:
“Is it safe to hand control of the deadliest army in the world to a 20-year old? If you are Thracian, Triballian, Illyrian or Theban, the answer is definitely no. Alexander becomes king and fights off threats to his rule in all directions.”
A note about the album art for this show: As many of you know, our longtime artist, the fabulous Nick Lay, passed away unexpectedly in September (Nick Tribute). Nick is the only person to ever handle our show art and we had to put out a call for assistance to our listeners in order to find an artist to step into the breech. We were lucky enough to have a bunch of talented people offer to help us. The very talented Erich Sayers, on short notice and having to quickly adjust himself to our quirky ways, created what we think is a wonderful piece of cover art for this show. He even kept the series color palette vibe/style that Nick had established for this series with the first show's art. I think Nick would approve.1
Mania For Subjugation II is available here:
It shouldn't be too long before you hear from us again. We just finished an interview for an upcoming Hardcore History Addendum that deals with a subject I've long wanted to talk about. It will probably be released around mid-January.
Finally, in a effort to stay in touch with you guys as you balkanize across an ever-widening array of social media outlets we’ve added BlueSky and Instagram accounts. The latter after a relentless and totally uncalled for assault on me by my kids over my pig-headedness.
Erich Sayers’ website is https://www.erichsayers.com/ and his Instagram account is @eisayers . Go check out his work!