Documents That Changed the World

About Documents That Changed the World

A look at documents that have had a profound effect on the world. Telling the stories of these information objects, their genesis, contexts, impacts, and fates also tells the story of human society and its never ending evolution.

Publisher

Joe Janes

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

15 Jul 2012

Latest episode

11 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

6 of 75 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   11 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   77. Roman Citizenship Extension Decree ("Edict of Caracalla"), 212 CE

   Host [Host Name] explores Emperor Caracalla's 212 CE Roman Citizenship Extension Decree, revealing its profound impact on imperial transformation and individual rights.

2. 

   9 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   76. Documents of 9/11: A Special Episode

   Host [Host Name] explores the profound documents and artifacts that preserve the memory of 9/11, offering a unique perspective on remembrance.

3. 

   12 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   75. Canadian Plan for Invasion of U.S. (Defence Scheme No. 1), 1921

   Historian Tim Cook explores Canada's "Defence Scheme No. 1," a 1921 plan for invading the U.S. to preempt a potential American invasion.

Inside a recent episode

77. Roman Citizenship Extension Decree ("Edict of Caracalla"), 212 CE

Published 11 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] A document that changed the world, an edict issued by the Roman Emperor Caracalla, often known as the Constitutio Antoniniana or Antonine Constitutions, 212 CE. I'm Joe Janes of the University of Washington Information School. Civis Romana Sum, I am a Roman citizen, was one of the most important phrases of the Mediterranean world for the better part of a millennium. Over time, it variously included the right to vote, hold civic offices, own property, enter into contracts, appeal court decisions, sue, and have a legal trial, along with inheritance and the ability to pass citizenship to your children. […]

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

28 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 12 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

4

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

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