Pompeii: The Buried City
Sun, 01 Jun 2025
Buried in ash, frozen in time—Pompeii offers one of the most extraordinary windows into everyday l...
Origins of Astronomy
Thu, 29 May 2025
Long before telescopes or space agencies, ancient Mesopotamians were decoding the secrets of the cos...
Successors of Alexander the Great
Sun, 25 May 2025
What happened after Alexander the Great died?On June 11, 323 BC, at just 32 years old, Alexander lef...
The Saxons
Thu, 22 May 2025
Saxon mercenaries, collapsing Roman order, and a new chapter for Britain. Tristan Hughes is joined b...
The Council of Nicaea
Sun, 18 May 2025
1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Constantine called an unprecedented meeting of early Christian lea...
The Last Roman Emperors
Thu, 15 May 2025
No grand battle. No final blaze of glory. In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed not with a r...
Did Plague Destroy the Roman Empire?
Sun, 11 May 2025
War, invasion, civil unrest… or plague? Could a series of deadly pandemics have helped bring down ...
Barbarian Invaders: The Sacks of Rome
Thu, 08 May 2025
How did the Huns, Goths, and Vandals help bring down the Roman Empire - and sack the city of Rome it...
The Fall of Rome: Origins
Sun, 04 May 2025
The Roman Empire, once an ancient powerhouse, experienced a dramatic fall from its golden age to eve...
Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange
Thu, 01 May 2025
An astonishing ancient tomb is Ireland's most famous prehistoric monument; Newgrange. Tristan Hughes...
Jason and the Argonauts
Sun, 27 Apr 2025
From clashing rocks to golden treasure, Jason and the Argonauts is the ultimate Greek mythological a...
The Birth of Indo-European
Thu, 24 Apr 2025
From the steppes of prehistoric Eurasia to the languages we speak today, the story of Indo-European ...
The Praetorian Guard: Rise to Power
Sun, 20 Apr 2025
From Gladiator to Rome Total War to I, Claudius, today the Cohortēs praetōriae are one of the most...
John the Baptist
Thu, 17 Apr 2025
From the wilderness of ancient Judea to the pages of the New Testament, John the Baptist is one of t...
Cassandra: Priestess of Troy
Sun, 13 Apr 2025
*This episode discusses sexual assault*Cursed by Apollo to always speak the truth but never be belie...
The Great Jewish Revolt
Thu, 10 Apr 2025
70 AD. Tens of thousands of Roman troops surround Jerusalem. What follows is one of the most brutal ...
Rise of Humans
Sun, 06 Apr 2025
How did we go from ancient apes to the dominant species on Earth? The story of human evolution is on...
Herculaneum
Thu, 03 Apr 2025
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius unleashed devastation on the Roman world, burying entire towns beneath volc...
Prehistoric Nigeria: The Nok
Sun, 30 Mar 2025
In the heart of ancient Nigeria, a mysterious civilisation flourished - known today only through arc...
Jurassic America
Thu, 27 Mar 2025
Tristan Hughes explores Ancient America's true age; how 19th-century fossil discoveries across North...
The Fall of Athens
Sun, 23 Mar 2025
In 404 BC, Athens faced total defeat. Once the dominant power of the Greek world, their navy was sha...
The Iliad
Thu, 20 Mar 2025
A story of war, honour, and destiny, The Iliad is one of the greatest epics in history. Written by H...
Rise of Julius Caesar
Sun, 16 Mar 2025
Julius Caesar is one of history’s most famous figures. But before his legendary conquests and roma...
Obelisks
Thu, 13 Mar 2025
Ancient Egyptian obelisks stand as towering symbols of power and engineering brilliance, scattered a...
Sodom and Gomorrah
Sun, 09 Mar 2025
What really happened to the damned cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? Tristan Hughes and Dr. Dylan Johnso...
Göbekli Tepe: The First Temple?
Thu, 06 Mar 2025
Long before Stonehenge, ancient builders in southeast Türkiye were creating some of the world’s f...
Elektra: Revenge in Ancient Greece
Sun, 02 Mar 2025
Few figures in Greek mythology embody vengeance like Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra...
The Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and Salamis
Thu, 27 Feb 2025
In 486 BC, King Xerxes ascended the Persian throne, inheriting its vast and glittering world empire....
End of Ice Age Britain
Sun, 23 Feb 2025
As Ice Age Britain thawed, temperatures surged, sea levels rose, and humans and animals faced a figh...
The Persian Wars: Darius, Athens and the Battle of Marathon
Thu, 20 Feb 2025
490 BC. On the plains of Marathon, Athens faced down a mighty army of the Persian Empire - the super...
The Last Neanderthals
Sun, 16 Feb 2025
For hundreds of thousands of years Neanderthals have roamed the lands of what is today Europe and we...
The Scythians
Thu, 13 Feb 2025
Known as the barbarians of the north, the Scythians were expert horsemen that roamed the great stepp...
Ice Age Australia
Sun, 09 Feb 2025
Giant kangaroos. Killer wombats. Carnivorous lions. These beasts once roamed the barren landscape of...
Hieroglyphs
Thu, 06 Feb 2025
From twisted flax to one-legged ibises, Egyptian hieroglyphs offer a window into the heart of ancien...
Woolly Mammoths
Sun, 02 Feb 2025
Towering over 11 feet tall and weighing 6 tonnes, the Woolly Mammoth ruled the Ice Age. But how did ...
The Chinese Zodiac
Thu, 30 Jan 2025
The Year of the Snake is here! But how did a legendary tale of twelve animals shape Chinese astronom...
The Kingdom of Kush
Sun, 26 Jan 2025
Beyond the ancient Nile’s fertile banks lay a civilisation that rivalled Egypt in power and presti...
Babylon's Epic of Creation
Thu, 23 Jan 2025
The biblical story of creation is famous - but did you know an even older myth may have influenced i...
The Franks
Sun, 19 Jan 2025
How did the Franks rise to power in the fragmented Western Roman Empire?Tristan Hughes explores the ...
The Roman Invasion of Britain
Thu, 16 Jan 2025
43 AD. A large Roman armada sails across the perilous English Channel intent on conquest. It is the ...
Sargon of Akkad
Sun, 12 Jan 2025
Over 4,000 years ago, Sargon of Akkad carved his name into history by forging what many consider the...
Rome's Crisis of the Third Century
Thu, 09 Jan 2025
What happens when emperors are murdered more often than they die of natural causes? Tristan Hughes i...
Atlantis
Sun, 05 Jan 2025
The story of Atlantis is one of history's enduring legends. So what’s the actual, ancient tale of ...
Who Was the Real King Arthur?
Thu, 02 Jan 2025
Was King Arthur a real historical figure or merely a mythical hero?Tristan Hughes and Dr. Miles Russ...
Emperor Constantine
Sun, 29 Dec 2024
How did Constantine the Great conquer his rivals and shape the Roman Empire?Tristan Hughes discusses...
Tomb of King Herod
Thu, 26 Dec 2024
Did Herod really order the massacre of thousands of infants? Tristan Hughes revisits the scandalous ...
Druids
Sun, 22 Dec 2024
Aligning with the winter solstice of 2024, Tristan Hughes and Professor Ronald Hutton delve into the...
The Birth of Money
Thu, 19 Dec 2024
Gold has shaped human history for several millennia. But how and when did it first turn into currenc...
The Thracians
Sun, 15 Dec 2024
They were ancient masters of cavalry, creators of dazzling treasures, and the ancestors of the legen...
The Wise Men
Thu, 12 Dec 2024
The Three Wise Men were kings, magicians, more than three, on camels, walking across deserts and the...
Hanukkah & the Maccabees
Sun, 08 Dec 2024
It's perhaps the best known Jewish festival of the year, but what exactly are Hanukkah's origins, an...
Origins of the Wheel
Thu, 05 Dec 2024
It is one of the most pivotal inventions in human history - the wheel.New research suggests that the...
The First South Americans
Sun, 01 Dec 2024
The prehistoric archaeology of South America is fascinating and constantly developing.Tristan Hughes...
Fall of the Etruscans
Thu, 28 Nov 2024
Before Rome came the Etruscans - they were the dominant culture in ancient Italy in the centuries be...
Tower of Babel
Sun, 24 Nov 2024
The Tower of Babel story is iconic. Featured in the Book of Genesis, it explains how different langu...
Ice Age America
Thu, 21 Nov 2024
A group of hunter-gatherers encounter diverse habitats full of creatures they’ve never seen before...
Emperor Macrinus: Usurper of Rome
Sun, 17 Nov 2024
Denzel Washington stars as Emperor Macrinus in the epic new movie Gladiator II, but who exactly was ...
Caracalla & Geta: The Real Emperors of Gladiator II
Thu, 14 Nov 2024
The new Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator II features two of Rome's most villainous emperors - the bro...
The Minotaur
Sun, 10 Nov 2024
Half man and half bull, the Minotaur is one of the most famous, and scariest, monsters of Greek myth...
The Ancient Amazon
Thu, 07 Nov 2024
Today, we often see the Amazon basin as an endless expanse of trees and rainforest. But 2,000 years ...
Prehistoric Japan
Sun, 03 Nov 2024
From the arrival of the first humans reaching the Japanese archipelago some 50,000 years ago to the ...
Dead Sea Scrolls: The Copper Scroll
Thu, 31 Oct 2024
When they were discovered in the Qumran Caves in the mid-20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls revoluti...
Pyrrhus: Warlord of Ancient Greece
Sun, 27 Oct 2024
It’s 279 BC. On a large plain in Southern Italy near the town of Asculum, a famous Greek warlord l...
Origins of the Inuit
Thu, 24 Oct 2024
In this instalment of The Ancients we're going north of the Arctic circle to uncover the incredible ...
Ptolemy I: The First Greek Pharaoh
Sun, 20 Oct 2024
In the aftermath of Alexander the Great’s death his former generals carved out their own kingdoms ...
The Circus Maximus
Thu, 17 Oct 2024
What was the most popular sporting spectacle in ancient Rome? Gladiator bouts? Beast hunts? It was i...
The Edomites
Sun, 13 Oct 2024
The Edomites are in the Old Testament, an ancient people who lived around Petra, Jordan before the N...
Anubis and the Underworld
Thu, 10 Oct 2024
Tristan Hughes and his guest Dr. Joyce Tyldesley OBE are heading to the Underworld for the final ins...
Darius the Great, Persian King of Kings
Sun, 06 Oct 2024
One of the most famous and recognisable Persian kings of antiquity, Darius the Great was an Achaemen...
The Legend of Osiris, King of the Dead
Thu, 03 Oct 2024
The story of Osiris and how he became King of the Dead is a gruesome tale and one of the most famous...
The Fall of Carthage
Sun, 29 Sep 2024
It’s 146 BC. Fire rises high over the North African coast. The once-thriving port city of Carthage...
Isis and the Goddesses of Egypt
Thu, 26 Sep 2024
Isis, Hathor, Sekhmet and Bastet were adored and honoured in Ancient Egypt, with their stories passe...
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Sun, 22 Sep 2024
67 million years ago the most famous meat-eating dinosaur prowled the earth - the Tyrannosaurus Rex....
Ra and the Sun Gods
Thu, 19 Sep 2024
Of all the Egyptian Gods it is Ra, the God of the Sun, who is perhaps most well known in the popular...
The Fall of Roman Britain
Sun, 15 Sep 2024
In the early 5th century AD, after almost four centuries of iron-fisted Roman rule, the empire in Br...
Origins of the Egyptian Gods
Thu, 12 Sep 2024
The legends of Ra and Hathor, of Osiris and Isis, of Anubis and Set have been passed from mouth to e...
Massacre at Teutoburg Forest
Sun, 08 Sep 2024
2000 years ago, in the year 9 AD, a Roman Army walked into a trap deep in wilds of Germania. Over 15...
The Romans and India with William Dalrymple
Thu, 05 Sep 2024
Ancient India was the single greatest trading partner of the Roman Empire. For centuries, Indian sai...
Battle of Teutoburg Forest: The Roman Invasion
Sun, 01 Sep 2024
Tristan Hughes travels to the site of the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, one of the most epic defea...
Petra: Ancient Wonder of the World
Thu, 29 Aug 2024
Despite being one of the most visited historic spots on the planet today, Petra was once a so-called...
The Sirens
Sun, 25 Aug 2024
The word 'Sirens' conjures up many images, possibly of beautiful mermaid-like creatures luring sailo...
Origins of Beer
Thu, 22 Aug 2024
It's one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world. But did you know that beer is also one o...
The First Cats
Sun, 18 Aug 2024
Cats! These much loved furry friends have brightened people’s lives for millenia. And it was the s...
The Parthenon: Wonder of Athens
Thu, 15 Aug 2024
It is the most famous monument of ancient Greece. Its remains standing tall above modern Athens toda...
Mycenae: Cradle of Bronze Age Greece
Sun, 11 Aug 2024
Overlooking the Argolid Plain in the eastern Peloponnese, Mycenae was once the envy of the Mediterra...
Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor
Thu, 08 Aug 2024
Known as one of Rome's worst emperors, Commodus is famed for both his infamy and bravado. Ascending ...
Origins of the Olympics
Sun, 04 Aug 2024
The Olympics. It’s the most famous sporting event in the world, and the 33rd Olympiad is taking pl...
Hestia: Goddess of Hearth & Home
Thu, 01 Aug 2024
As both the eldest and youngest child of the great titan Kronos, and the Greek goddess of hearth and...
The Maya Collapse
Sun, 28 Jul 2024
Just over 1,000 years ago, the ancient Maya world in Mesoamerica was turned upside down. Prominent c...
The Roman Gladiator
Thu, 25 Jul 2024
The ferocious, professional fighters who fought in great arenas all across the Roman Empire for the ...
Neanderthal Britain
Sun, 21 Jul 2024
For more than 100,000 years, Neanderthals made their home in Ice Age Britain, right on the edge of t...
Pyramid of the Sun
Thu, 18 Jul 2024
The Pyramid of the Sun is ancient America’s Great Pyramid of Giza. Built in the legendary city of ...
Roman Roads
Sun, 14 Jul 2024
Do all roads lead to Rome? We find out in today's episode all about one of the Roman Empire's greate...
Birth of the Iron Age
Thu, 11 Jul 2024
It’s the end of the 12th century BC, and a once remarkable Near eastern world lay in ruin. Drought...
The Bronze Age Brotherhood of Kings
Sun, 07 Jul 2024
More than 3,000 years ago, a coalition of Bronze Age rulers existed across the Near Eastern world. K...
Domina: Women Who Shaped Rome
Thu, 04 Jul 2024
The crisis of the Roman Republic is a period littered with iconic male power players. Julius Caesar,...
Temple Mount
Sat, 29 Jun 2024
Temple Mount is one of the most sacred places in Jerusalem. A rocky outcrop that has become importan...
The Biblical Kingdom of Israel
Wed, 26 Jun 2024
The story of the ancient kingdom of Israel is a central part of the Old Testament. Famous for its ki...
Heracles
Sun, 23 Jun 2024
Tristan Hughes continues the Greek Gods and Goddesses series with today’s deity; the most popular ...
The Ark of the Covenant
Wed, 19 Jun 2024
The Ark of the Covenant is one of the most famous, yet mysterious, objects mentioned in the Hebrew B...
Origins of the Celts
Sun, 16 Jun 2024
The Celts are an ancient people shrouded in mystery and intrigue. In the minds of most people the wo...
Moses & The Exodus
Wed, 12 Jun 2024
The story of Moses and the Exodus is one of the oldest and most well known in history. It is full of...
The Parthians
Sun, 09 Jun 2024
The Parthians were heavyweights of ancient Mesopotamia. Hailing from what is now modern day Iran, th...
Noah's Ark and the Flood
Wed, 05 Jun 2024
The Ancients launches a new miniseries exploring the stories, people, objects and kingdoms central t...
The Fall of Mark Antony: From Caesar to Cleopatra
Sun, 02 Jun 2024
After the death of his patron Julius Caesar, the Roman world was Mark Antony’s for the taking. His...
The Rise of Mark Antony
Thu, 30 May 2024
Mark Antony; the headstrong bad boy, a feared commander, lover and traitor memorably depicted by Ric...
Hadrian's Wall
Sat, 25 May 2024
It's the most famous Roman frontier in the world. A massive c.13-foot high wall that spanned the len...
Spartacus: Life or Legend
Wed, 22 May 2024
‘I am Spartacus!’ In the field of epic film making, the 1960 historical drama ‘Spartacus’ is...
Dionysus: God of Wine
Sun, 19 May 2024
Dionysus. He's known as the party God of ancient Greece who you never wanted to cross. Associated wi...
Caligula
Wed, 15 May 2024
Caligula. One of the most infamous Roman emperors of them all. He didn't rule Rome for long, but he ...
The Cleopatras: A Dynasty of Rule Breakers
Sat, 11 May 2024
Cleopatra. It is one of the most recognisable names in ancient history, made famous by the exploits ...
Nineveh
Wed, 08 May 2024
Nineveh was one of the great cities of ancient Mesopotamia. Situated on the eastern bank of the Rive...
Origins of the Silk Road
Sat, 04 May 2024
The Silk Road was a pivotal ancient exchange network that connected the grassy steppes of Asia and t...
The Roman Auxiliary
Thu, 02 May 2024
Auxiliaries were some of the most important troops in the all-conquering Roman Army. Unlike legionar...
The Beaker People
Sat, 27 Apr 2024
The Beaker People were a Bronze Age culture that revolutionised prehistoric Britain. They were respo...
The Library of Alexandria
Thu, 25 Apr 2024
The Library of Alexandria was one of the most important and most celebrated buildings of the ancient...
Apollo: God of the Sun
Sun, 21 Apr 2024
Apollo, the favourite son of Zeus and twin brother of Artemis, was a Greek God with many faces. Perh...
The Goths
Wed, 17 Apr 2024
The Goths are renowned for many things, not least sacking Rome in 410 AD and helping to bring about ...
Looted Artefacts: Black Market of Archaeology
Sat, 13 Apr 2024
Have you ever wondered about the dark side of archeology? The illegal seizing of ancient artefacts? ...
The First Europeans
Thu, 11 Apr 2024
Europe’s earliest known humans lived over 1.2 million years ago. After initially roaming the plain...
How to Survive in Babylonia
Sat, 06 Apr 2024
Would you be able to survive in ancient Babylonia?In this episode, Tristan is joined once again by A...
The Great Sphinx
Thu, 04 Apr 2024
The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the most iconic monuments from ancient history. 73 meters in leng...
Pontius Pilate
Sun, 31 Mar 2024
Pontius Pilate was the Roman Prefect of Judea during the reign of Emperor Tiberius and is most famou...
The Pantheon
Wed, 27 Mar 2024
The Pantheon is one of the greatest Roman monuments still standing. First built as a pagan temple by...
Britain After the Ice Age: Star Carr
Sun, 24 Mar 2024
Over 13,000 years ago, Britain emerged from the ravages of the Ice Age as a changed land. Mesolithic...
Great Wall of China
Wed, 20 Mar 2024
It's one of the most iconic structures in the world: The Great Wall of China.But is it just one wall...
Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt
Sat, 16 Mar 2024
Artemis is best known as the goddess of the Hunt. But she is far more than just the famed huntress o...
The Walls of Babylon
Wed, 13 Mar 2024
The ancient metropolis of Babylon was famed for its wonders like the Tower of Babel and the mysterio...
The Origins of Wine
Sun, 10 Mar 2024
Wine is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in the world. But its popularity dates back thou...
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Wed, 06 Mar 2024
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only ‘Wonder of the Ancient World’ still standing. Built over 4...
Zenobia: Queen of Palmyra
Sat, 02 Mar 2024
Zenobia, queen of the glittering city state of Palmyra, was a titan of the third century Near-East. ...
The Silver Pharaohs
Wed, 28 Feb 2024
The Silver Pharaohs refers to a lesser-known set of ancient Egyptian rulers of the 21st Dynasty, nam...
Roman Special Forces
Sun, 25 Feb 2024
The Romans were renowned for their military prowess and skill. Their legions successfully conquered ...
Origins of Carthage
Thu, 22 Feb 2024
Famed as one of Rome’s fiercest enemies, the city of Carthage was one of the jewels of the ancient...
Ice Age Britain: Finding the First Homo sapiens
Sat, 17 Feb 2024
Roughly 40,000 years ago, Ice Age Britain was undergoing a transformation. The first modern hum...
Sulla
Thu, 15 Feb 2024
Lucius Cornellius Sulla Felix is one of the most important Roman statesmen of antiquity. An inspirat...
Persia Reborn: Rise of the Sasanians
Sun, 11 Feb 2024
The Sasanians are renowned as one of Rome's most feared enemies. Founded in third century Persia by ...
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Quest for Immortality
Thu, 08 Feb 2024
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of storytelling in history. It begins wit...
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Rise of Enkidu
Sun, 04 Feb 2024
The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of storytelling from history. Written in ...
The First Dogs
Thu, 01 Feb 2024
For millennia dogs have been undoubtedly man’s best friend. But when did humans first start keepin...
Hermes: Messenger of the Gods
Sun, 28 Jan 2024
Famed as the herald of the Greek gods, Hermes is the ‘jack of all trades’ when it comes to the p...
Alexander the Great
Wed, 24 Jan 2024
This is everything you need to know about the famed conqueror Alexander the Great. Alongside Dan Sno...
Lascaux Cave: Ice Age Art
Sun, 21 Jan 2024
Lascaux Cave is an Ice Age wonder. Its walls and ceilings are adorned with stunning depictions of bi...
Cicero
Wed, 17 Jan 2024
Marcus Tullius Cicero is one of the most famous orators in ancient history, and a central figure dur...
The Bronze Age Collapse
Sat, 13 Jan 2024
The Bronze Age Collapse was one of the most cataclysmic events in human history. Over just a few dec...
The First Irish
Wed, 10 Jan 2024
Over 10,000 years ago, many believe Ireland was a place where hunter-gatherers roamed. A place where...
Jericho
Sat, 06 Jan 2024
The ancient city of Jericho is often thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in t...
How to Survive in Ancient Rome
Thu, 04 Jan 2024
This episode contains a reference to animal crueltyWould you be able to survive in ancient Rome?Toda...
Zeus
Sun, 31 Dec 2023
Zeus, the chief deity in Greek mythology, is the Olympian god of sky and thunder, and is king of all...
The Assassination of Julius Caesar
Wed, 27 Dec 2023
March 15th 44BC is perhaps the most notorious date in all of ancient history. On that fateful day, t...
Rise of Hannibal
Sat, 23 Dec 2023
He was one of the greatest enemies the Romans ever faced. An excellent general and a larger-than-lif...
Sex & Sparta
Thu, 21 Dec 2023
This episode contains graphic references to sex, infant mortality, and sexual assault.While Spartans...
Sparta vs Athens: The Greek World War
Sat, 16 Dec 2023
Marked by shifting alliances, chaotic power struggles, and devastating consequences - the Peloponnes...
Jesus of Nazareth
Wed, 13 Dec 2023
Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous figures in history. Believed to be the Son of God in Chr...
The Spartan Warrior
Sat, 09 Dec 2023
One of the most famed classes of soldiers from antiquity, the Spartan warrior has been immortalised ...
Demeter with Natalie Haynes
Thu, 07 Dec 2023
Demeter is the Goddess of the Harvest and Agriculture in Ancient Greek mythology.Mother of Persephon...
Origins of Sparta
Sat, 02 Dec 2023
Considered one of Athens' biggest rivals, and known for their bloodthirsty and brutal nature - there...
The Roman Secret Service
Thu, 30 Nov 2023
When you think of spies, images of suave men in suits sipping martinis tend to come to mind - not, w...
The Vandals
Sun, 26 Nov 2023
Known for bringing about the fall of the Western Roman Empire - the Vandals have a reputation of vio...
Keros: Bronze Age Mystery
Wed, 22 Nov 2023
While a small, uninhabited island today, Keros held significant importance during the Bronze Age. As...
Treasures of Pompeii
Sun, 19 Nov 2023
Despite being uncovered in the 16th Century - new finds are still being discovered daily in Pompeii....
Kazakhstan's Valley of Kings
Thu, 16 Nov 2023
Gold and horses! Few ancient civilisations were greater masters of metalworking and horse riding tha...
Persephone: Queen of the Underworld
Sat, 11 Nov 2023
This episode contains references to death and sexual assault.Persephone is Queen of the Underworld i...
The Illyrians: Pirates of the Adriatic
Wed, 08 Nov 2023
Inhabiting the Balkans in antiquity, the Illyrians played a vital role in Ancient History. From thei...
Origins of Gaza
Sat, 04 Nov 2023
Throughout history, the area today known as Gaza has often been a contentious site. Its historical s...
Human Evolution: Dragon Man
Wed, 01 Nov 2023
Homo longi, also known as Dragon Man, is an extinct archaic human species - with a nearly complete s...
Witches
Sun, 29 Oct 2023
From seductive sorceresses to withered necromancers, witches play a varied - and vital - role in anc...
The Sahara: Traders and Travellers
Thu, 26 Oct 2023
Stretching across from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, Northern Africa is dominated by the Sahara...
The Murders of Alexander the Great
Sun, 22 Oct 2023
This episode contains strong language, and references to sexual assault.Alexander the Great - conque...
How to Survive the Ice Age
Thu, 19 Oct 2023
When you think of the 'Ice Age', tales of saber-toothed predators and hulking megafauna probably com...
Hades: King of the Underworld
Sun, 15 Oct 2023
This episode contains references to death and sexual assault.Hades is King of the the dead and the U...
Ötzi the Iceman
Thu, 12 Oct 2023
Ötzi, otherwise known as the Iceman, is a renowned glacial mummy uncovered in 1991 in the Tyrolean ...
Tyre: Jewel of Phoenicia
Sun, 08 Oct 2023
One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Tyre was a jewel of the Ancient World. A Phoenician...
Gladiators in Britain
Thu, 05 Oct 2023
When you think of Gladiators you tend to think of Roman Amphitheatres, Hollywood films, and probably...
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Jesus, John the Baptist & Essenes
Sun, 01 Oct 2023
Part 2/2. Of unknown authorship, the Dead Sea Scrolls - also known as the Qumran Scrolls - are some ...
Roman Emperors with Mary Beard
Thu, 28 Sep 2023
When examining the role of the Emperor within the Roman Empire, it is often easier to focus on the i...
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Mysteries of Qumran
Sun, 24 Sep 2023
Part 1/2. Potentially one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever, the Dead Sea Scroll...
Ramesses the Great
Thu, 21 Sep 2023
One of the greatest Pharaohs from Ancient Egypt, Ramesses II is renowned for commissioning some of t...
Harappan Civilisation
Sun, 17 Sep 2023
The Harappan civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley civilisation, was an ancient urban civilis...
The Roman Legionary
Thu, 14 Sep 2023
When you picture ancient Roman Soldiers, an image of battle-hardened warriors equipped with iron bre...
Liangzhu: Cradle of Chinese Civilisation?
Sun, 10 Sep 2023
Where do you begin to understand the origins of Chinese civilization? Located near the Yangtze River...
Medusa
Thu, 07 Sep 2023
This episode contains references to sexual assault.Medusa stands as one of the most iconic yet misco...
Origins of Olive Oil
Sun, 03 Sep 2023
When you think of inventions that helped change the course of history, it's doubtful Olive Oil makes...
Pompeii: The Eruption of Vesuvius
Thu, 31 Aug 2023
This episode contains references to scenes that some listeners may find distressingIn 79 AD, ancient...
Maya Sacrifice & Warfare
Sun, 27 Aug 2023
With a history stretching back thousands of years, it’s about time that the Ancients started looki...
Homo floresiensis: Early Human ‘Hobbit’
Thu, 24 Aug 2023
An extinct species of archaic human, Homo floresiensis has been discovered solely in one, very speci...
Sex Work in Pompeii
Sun, 20 Aug 2023
This episode contains some strong language references to sexual content.Pompeii is shrouded in myths...
Attila the Hun: Terror of Rome
Thu, 17 Aug 2023
Returning to one of the most infamous names in history, what happened to Attila the Hun after the de...
Gladiators of Pompeii
Sun, 13 Aug 2023
This episode contains some references to graphic violence.Gladiators are one the most enduring symbo...
Attila the Hun: Scourge of God
Thu, 10 Aug 2023
One of the most powerful, and feared, leaders of history - Attila the Hun's legacy has persevered ov...
Pompeii: Life Before the Eruption
Sun, 06 Aug 2023
The ancient city of Pompeii is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries on earth. Frozen in ti...
Cyrus the Great
Thu, 03 Aug 2023
The ancient Persian ruler who founded the Achaemenid Empire, known for his benevolent governance and...
Chichén Itzá
Sun, 30 Jul 2023
One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is home to monumental pyramids, temples, and...
Poseidon: God of the Sea
Thu, 27 Jul 2023
God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, Poseidon is one of the most iconic Olympians.In this episod...
Stonehenge
Sun, 23 Jul 2023
Stonehenge. The most iconic prehistoric monument in the world. And yet its story is still so enigmat...
Homo Naledi: The First Burials?
Thu, 20 Jul 2023
Uncovered a decade ago in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa, Homo Naledi's discovery has i...
Jersey: Ice Age Island
Sun, 16 Jul 2023
The largest of the Channel Islands, when you think of Jersey, it's doubtful that Neanderthals, Wooll...
Helen of Troy with Natalie Haynes
Thu, 13 Jul 2023
Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships - but is there more to her than a beautiful f...
Chandragupta Maurya: Hero of India
Sun, 09 Jul 2023
Evolving from an obscure ancient ruler to a contemporary national icon, Chandragupta Maurya's story ...
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
Thu, 06 Jul 2023
The last monument to be added to the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse ...
Lion Man: The First Myth?
Sun, 02 Jul 2023
Discovered in a German cave, days before the Second World War broke out, the Lion Man statue remaine...
Persia and the Bible
Thu, 29 Jun 2023
As the Babylonian Empire fell into decline, and it's power faded, the Persian Empire stepped in to f...
Achilles
Sun, 25 Jun 2023
This episode contains themes of a sexual natureAchilles is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mytho...
Origins of Water
Thu, 22 Jun 2023
When you envision what Earth was like 4.5 billion years ago, shortly after its creation, images of d...
The Picts
Sun, 18 Jun 2023
Emerging around the 3rd century CE and later designated official adversaries of the Roman Empire, th...
The First Spears
Thu, 15 Jun 2023
According to the work of today's guest, Dr Annemieke Milks, humans were using spears approximately 4...
Human Origins: Australopithecus
Sun, 11 Jun 2023
For millions of years, Australopithecus thrived in Africa's vast landscapes, laying the groundwork f...
Ravenna and the Fall of Rome
Thu, 08 Jun 2023
The fall of the Western Roman Empire stands as one of the most monumental moments in ancient history...
Boudica's Battle of Britain
Sun, 04 Jun 2023
The Celtic queen who led a major uprising against the Roman Empire in ancient Britain, Boudica, is a...
Origins of Horse Riding
Thu, 01 Jun 2023
Human and Horse relationships have long be intertwined; from the ancient Eurasian plain, through to ...
Babylon and the Bible
Sun, 28 May 2023
When looking at the Hebrew Bible, the city of Babylon plays a prominent role - especially in the Old...
The Cyrus Cylinder
Thu, 25 May 2023
An ancient clay artefact that dates back to the 6th century BCE, the Cyrus Cylinder is often conside...
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Sun, 21 May 2023
A legendary, ancient architectural wonder, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the most famed ...
Poverty Point: Centre of Ancient America
Thu, 18 May 2023
An ancient, colossal site in Northeastern Louisiana, Poverty Point is a mystery amongst archaeologis...
Nebuchadnezzar
Sun, 14 May 2023
One of the most famous Babylonian Kings - Nebuchadnezzar II was a legendary ruler who appears in bib...
Messalina: Empress of Rome
Thu, 11 May 2023
In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes speaks with historian Honor Cargill-Martin abou...
Alexander The Great's Sex Life
Sun, 07 May 2023
This episode contains references and words of a sexual nature.Did Alexander the Great and the Queen ...
King Midas
Thu, 04 May 2023
As Shirley Bassey once said, "He's the man. The man with the Midas touch." But who was the man that'...
Lilith: Mesopotamian Demoness
Sun, 30 Apr 2023
Perhaps a name better known for recent appearances in horror films - Lilith is a woman who's origins...
Athens: Birthplace of Democracy?
Thu, 27 Apr 2023
When we think of democracy in the ancient Greek world, our minds often go straight to Athens, the pu...
Knossos
Sun, 23 Apr 2023
The legend of the Minotaur and its labyrinth has captivated us for centuries, but is there any evide...
The First Toolmakers
Thu, 20 Apr 2023
Invention and innovation are two concepts that have propelled humankind forward for as long as peopl...
Iron Age Scotland: Clachtoll Broch
Sun, 16 Apr 2023
Across northern Scotland, you can still see the skeletal remains of prehistoric skyscrapers known as...
The Great Fire of Rome
Thu, 13 Apr 2023
In July 64AD, the Great Fire of Rome tore across the city, and ultimately burnt two thirds of Rome t...
Athena: Goddess of Wisdom
Sun, 09 Apr 2023
This episode contains graphic references of a sexual nature.Athena is the goddess of wisdom, tactica...
Rise of the Assyrians
Thu, 06 Apr 2023
At its pinnacle, the kingdom of Assyria stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, a ...
Alexandria: The Sunken City
Sun, 02 Apr 2023
The Egyptian city of Alexandria was one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean world. F...
Troy
Thu, 30 Mar 2023
Often thought of as an ancient, mythical idea, immortalised in the works of Homer, it's hard to imag...
Roman Beast Hunts
Sun, 26 Mar 2023
This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and cruelty against animals.The Romans were -...
Sardinia: Mysteries of the Bronze Age
Thu, 23 Mar 2023
Shrouded in mystery, the Nuragic culture was an enigmatic Bronze Age Civilisation that lived on the ...
Shetland: Edge of the Prehistoric World
Sun, 19 Mar 2023
Over 100 miles further than the northern reaches of Britain, beyond Orkney, are a remote group of is...
The Philistines
Thu, 16 Mar 2023
Perhaps best known from the Biblical tale of David and Goliath, the Philistines were an ancient civi...
Ares: God of War
Sun, 12 Mar 2023
Ares is the god of war and bloodlust in Greek mythology.One of the twelve Olympian gods, Ares was of...
Septimius Severus
Thu, 09 Mar 2023
Given his incredible career, you'd perhaps expect the name of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus to be ...
Dinosaurs: The Last Days
Sun, 05 Mar 2023
Around 66 million years ago, an asteroid the size of Mount Everest slammed into our planet, triggeri...
The First Humans
Thu, 02 Mar 2023
Where do humans come from? Or, perhaps more interestingly, who did humans evolve from? A question on...
Shirin: Heroine of Iran
Sun, 26 Feb 2023
Princess, Queen, and political influencer - Shirin should be a name as famed as Cleopatra, but how c...
The Origins of Buddhism
Thu, 23 Feb 2023
One of the oldest religions in the world, Buddhism is practiced by over 400 million people today, bu...
The Bantu Expansion
Sun, 19 Feb 2023
The Bantu expansion was one of the most significant cultural events in human history. Sometime betwe...
The Colossus of Rhodes
Thu, 16 Feb 2023
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes has lived on in legend - with ...
Cleopatra's Daughter
Sun, 12 Feb 2023
Cleopatra VII is one of the most famous individuals from the ancient world. The final Queen of Ancie...
Homo Erectus
Thu, 09 Feb 2023
Before modern humans walked the earth, and even before the Neanderthals, Homo Erectus dominated the ...
Aphrodite: Goddess of Love
Sun, 05 Feb 2023
This episode contains graphic references.Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythol...
The Nazca Lines
Thu, 02 Feb 2023
Carved into the Peruvian landscape over a millennia ago, the Nazca lines are some of the most famed,...
Feathered Dinosaurs
Sun, 29 Jan 2023
Having dominated the earth for millions of years, it's no wonder Dinosaurs have always fascinated us...
Babylon
Thu, 26 Jan 2023
One of the most famous cities in history - Babylon is shrouded in mystery and myth. Located in ancie...
The Great Serpent Mound
Sun, 22 Jan 2023
Located in the US State of Ohio, the Great Serpent Mound is an iconic monument of Ancient America. N...
The Parthenon
Thu, 19 Jan 2023
The unofficial 8th wonder the Ancient World, the Parthenon is still standing today. Located on the A...
Orkney: Centre of the Stone Age
Sun, 15 Jan 2023
Orkney, a group of islands off Britain’s north coast, famed for their stunning, rural scenery. But...
The Kings of Rome
Thu, 12 Jan 2023
This episode contains references to sexual assault and suicide.When you think of Ancient Rome, you d...
Hephaestus: God of Fire
Sun, 08 Jan 2023
This episode contains references to sexual assault and terms for groups which were classified that w...
The First Writing
Thu, 05 Jan 2023
The results of a groundbreaking new study were released today [January 5th] by a group of researcher...
Spartacus
Thu, 29 Dec 2022
‘I’m Spartacus!’ In the field of epic film making, the 1960 historical drama ‘Spartacus’, ...
The First Britons
Thu, 22 Dec 2022
67 million people currently inhabit the United Kingdom - but what do we know about the original, fir...
The Rise and Fall of Crassus
Sun, 18 Dec 2022
Often overshadowed by his more successful peers (anyone heard of Julius Caesar?), Crassus' rise and ...
Hammurabi: Rise of the Babylonians
Thu, 15 Dec 2022
2000 BC saw the famed city of Babylon begin to flourish under the rule of a King called Hammurabi. R...
Hera: Queen of the Gods
Sun, 11 Dec 2022
Hera, the wife and sister of Zeus, goddess of marriage, royalty and women, is the Queen of the Gods ...
Carausius: The Pirate King
Thu, 08 Dec 2022
With ancient Rome often being viewed as a mighty, impenetrable empire - it seems unlikely that one m...
Bethlehem
Sun, 04 Dec 2022
Most famously known as the birth place of Jesus, Bethlehem has been immortalised in texts, carols, a...
Uruk: The First Cities
Thu, 01 Dec 2022
A Mesopotamian metropolis that thrived for millennia, Uruk is even claimed by some to have been the ...
Alexander the Great: Man and Myth
Sun, 27 Nov 2022
Alexander the Great is one of the most famous figures from history. Legends and fantastical versions...
The Legacy of Tutankhamun
Thu, 24 Nov 2022
Since the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings, the phenomenon of “Tutmani...
Rise of the Etruscans
Sun, 20 Nov 2022
Situated in the North of Italy, the Etruscan's were once a powerful civilisation, dominating the Ita...
Valley of the Kings
Thu, 17 Nov 2022
On the west bank of the Nile, across from the ancient city of Thebes, lies the Valley of the Kings -...
Zeus: King of the Gods
Sun, 13 Nov 2022
Zeus, the chief deity in Greek mythology, is the Olympian god of sky and thunder, and is king of all...
The Tomb of Tutankhamun
Thu, 10 Nov 2022
In November of 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter, thanks to benefactor Lord Carnarvon, disco...
The World's Earliest Cave Art
Sun, 06 Nov 2022
200,000 years ago in what is now Tibet, two children left a set of hand and foot prints on a travert...
Tutankhamun
Thu, 03 Nov 2022
Tutankhamun is one of the most famous names in ancient history. Known as the 'Boy King', he ascended...
Ukraine's Ancient Greek City
Sun, 30 Oct 2022
Located in modern day Ukraine, Olbia was the largest ancient Greek settlement on the coast of the Bl...
Colosseum
Thu, 27 Oct 2022
Nicknamed the 8th wonder of the ancient world, the Colosseum still stands in splendour today. Locate...
The First Black Archaeologist
Sun, 23 Oct 2022
Born to slaves in 1863, John Wesley Gilbert was the first student of the Paine Institute, a graduate...
Virgil
Thu, 20 Oct 2022
One of Antiquity's greatest poets, Virgil's legacy is seen across history. Following in the footstep...
End of Stone Age Orkney
Sun, 16 Oct 2022
Around 5200 years ago, during the Neolithic period, when farming first took hold, Orkney was a hugel...
Rosetta Stone
Thu, 13 Oct 2022
In July 1799 a group of French soldiers stumbled upon a stone that was set to change our understandi...
Race in Antiquity
Sun, 09 Oct 2022
History is littered with devastating accounts of prejudice that shines a harsh light on the atrociti...
March of the 10,000
Thu, 06 Oct 2022
Recorded by Xenophon, the 10,000 were a force of Greek mercenaries employed by Cyrus the Younger, wi...
The Rise and Fall of Roman London
Sun, 02 Oct 2022
In 43 AD, the Romans set up temporary forts along the banks of a river to wait for their Emperor, Cl...
The Real King Arthur: Ambrosius Aurelianus
Thu, 29 Sep 2022
A friend of Merlin, the husband of Guinevere, and the inspiration for numerous Hollywood blockbuster...
Top Five Dinosaurs
Sun, 25 Sep 2022
They’re big. They’re fierce. And they’re extinct. This is how today’s guest - palaeontologis...
Karnak: Egypt's Greatest Temple
Thu, 22 Sep 2022
Located on the banks of the River Nile in Luxor, Egypt, the Karnak Temple complex is one of the larg...
Art of Neolithic Orkney
Sun, 18 Sep 2022
Located in the Northern Isles of Scotland, Orkney is a remote and wild environment. With over 5000 y...
Neanderthals
Thu, 15 Sep 2022
Neanderthals are stereotypically viewed as thoughtless savages - but is this an accurate depiction o...
Elizabeth II: The Making of The Queen
Thu, 08 Sep 2022
Queen Elizabeth II has died after 70 years on the British throne. Born in April 1926, Elizabeth Wind...
Treasures of Tutankhamun
Thu, 08 Sep 2022
One of the most famous names in history - who is Tutankhamun? In 1922 Howard Carter discovered one t...
Rise of the Persians
Sun, 04 Sep 2022
The Achaemenid Empire, or better known as the First Persian Empire, was one of the largest empires i...
Prosthetics in Antiquity
Thu, 01 Sep 2022
Prosthetics - an artificial feature or body part commonly used to either help restore functions of l...
Ancient Americas: the South American Stonehenge
Sun, 28 Aug 2022
One of the largest archaeological sites in South America, located near Lake Titicaca in Western Boli...
Ancient Americas: The Moche
Thu, 25 Aug 2022
Known for their iconic ceramics and notable artwork - the Moche people flourished in ancient norther...
Ancient Americas: The Olmec Heads
Sun, 21 Aug 2022
One of the the earliest Mesoamerican civilisations discovered so far - Olmec influences are visible ...
The Origins of Jerusalem
Thu, 18 Aug 2022
One of the oldest cities in history, and revered by religions across the world - what do we know abo...
Ancient Americas: Teotihuacan
Sun, 14 Aug 2022
A jewel of Mesoamerica, Teotihuacan was a vibrant, painted city - but who built it? And who actually...
The Oracle of Delphi
Thu, 11 Aug 2022
"If Croesus goes to war he will destroy a great empire." That was the prophecy the Oracle of De...
Ancient Americas: Debunking The Maya Apocalypse
Sun, 07 Aug 2022
One of the most famous, and sophisticated, cultures of Mesoamerica, why are the Maya known only for ...
Hannibal vs Rome: Hannibal's Greatest Victory
Thu, 04 Aug 2022
One of the most studied military victories in history, and arguably one of the worst Roman defeats -...
Hannibal vs Rome: The Road to Cannae
Sun, 31 Jul 2022
One of the greatest military commanders in history - it's no wonder Hannibal and Rome so frequently ...
Yorkshire's Roman Mystery: The Ryedale Hoard
Thu, 28 Jul 2022
In May 2020, four unique Roman artefacts were unearthed near Ampleforth, North Yorkshire by two amat...
Hannibal vs Rome: Terror at Trasimene
Sun, 24 Jul 2022
Towards the beginning of the Second Punic War on 21 June 217 BC, a Carthaginian force under Hannibal...
The Origins of Rome
Thu, 21 Jul 2022
Known as the Eternal City, ancient Rome was one of the greatest civilisations in human history, but ...
The Sumerians
Sun, 17 Jul 2022
Despite being one of the first civilisations in human history, Sumer is not as well-known as other B...
The Rise of Cleopatra
Thu, 14 Jul 2022
Famed across the ages and around the world - everyone knows the name Cleopatra. But how did she beco...
Rise of Rome: The Fall of the Samnites
Sun, 10 Jul 2022
In the final part of our Samnite Wars episodes, Tristan is once again joined by Dr Kathryn Lomas fro...
Rise of Rome: The First Samnite War
Thu, 07 Jul 2022
In this first episode of a two-parter on the Samnite Wars, we focus in on one of Rome’s greatest r...
Prehistoric Rock Art of Atlantic Europe
Sun, 03 Jul 2022
Dozens of incredible examples of prehistoric rock art have been found across western Europe in recen...
Sparta and the Nazis
Thu, 30 Jun 2022
Ancient Sparta was co-opted by the Nazis as a supposed model civilisation for the Third Reich’s tw...
The First Americans
Sun, 26 Jun 2022
Modern humans thrived in the Americas for thousands of years before the first European colonists arr...
The Rise of Mammals
Thu, 23 Jun 2022
They survived extinction level events and record high global temperatures - how did mammals adapt an...
The Image of God
Sun, 19 Jun 2022
Often pictured with a flowing white beard, looking down from Heaven - why is God always seen as an o...
Mermaids
Thu, 16 Jun 2022
The central Mediterranean is home to a bounty of creatures - fish, dolphins, and... mermaids? In tod...
The Death of Alexander the Great: Explained
Sun, 12 Jun 2022
Alexander the Great’s untimely death at Babylon in 323 BC triggered an unprecedented crisis across...
The Origins of Clothing
Thu, 09 Jun 2022
Clothing has been essential for human evolution. From protection against changing climate, through t...
Roman Treasures of Iron Age Scotland
Sun, 05 Jun 2022
In 1919, excavators working near Edinburgh in Scotland unearthed the largest hoard of Roman hacksilv...
Boudica
Thu, 02 Jun 2022
Boudica has become a hero of British folklore. An ancient queen, her leadership of the Iceni in an u...
Saint Brigid: Turning Bathwater into Beer
Sun, 29 May 2022
Saint Patrick is a household name, celebrated around the globe every March. But what do we know abou...
Greeks vs Romans: Empires at War
Thu, 26 May 2022
Greece and Rome, they are the heavyweights of ancient history. But what happened when they came face...
Iron Age Wales: Before the Romans
Sun, 22 May 2022
The residents of Britain during the Iron Age are often collectively called 'Celts'. However, both be...
Homer
Thu, 19 May 2022
The Iliad and the Odyssey are two of the world’s most famous poems. But who was their author, Home...
The Origins of Homo Sapiens
Sun, 15 May 2022
What do we know about the earliest hominins to exist? With a story spanning one million years and co...
The Birth of Physiology
Thu, 12 May 2022
The treatment of mental health has been rapidly growing and improving over the past few decades, but...
Pandora
Sun, 08 May 2022
According to Greek myth, Pandora was the first human woman - moulded from the earth by Hephaestus on...
The World of Stonehenge
Thu, 05 May 2022
Described as the "most important piece of prehistoric art to be found in Britain in the last 100 yea...
The Christian Destruction of the Classical World
Sun, 01 May 2022
The rise of Christianity in the first few centuries AD is one of the most significant stories in wor...
An Ancient Guide to Healthy Living
Thu, 28 Apr 2022
Poetry, parables, and produce - how did someone live a healthy life in the ancient Greco-Roman world...
Saint George
Sun, 24 Apr 2022
The 23rd of April marks Saint George's Day - but who are we actually celebrating? Is there any truth...
Food in the Greco-Roman World
Thu, 21 Apr 2022
When we think of the modern Mediterranean, delicious and vibrant food is one of the first things tha...
Mary Magdalene
Sun, 17 Apr 2022
Who was Mary Magdalene? Jesus' confidant, a devout follower, or a sex worker?In this Easter special,...
Weapons of the Terracotta Army
Thu, 14 Apr 2022
When someone says the Terracotta Army, you’d be forgiven for instantly thinking of rows upon rows ...
The Rise of Marius: Third Founder of Rome
Sun, 10 Apr 2022
Gaius Marius (157 BC – 86 BC) was one of the first warlords of the late Roman Republic, a gen...
Before Rome: The Truth About Late Iron Age Britain
Thu, 07 Apr 2022
Roman connections with Britain stretch back to (at least) the mid 1st century BC. But what has archa...
The Symposium: How To Party Like An Ancient Greek
Sun, 03 Apr 2022
In Ancient Greece, the symposium was no ordinary after-dinner drinking party, but one in which the H...
Dogs in Ancient Greece
Thu, 31 Mar 2022
Man's best friend has been at our side for thousands of years. Ancient Greece was no exception, and ...
The Legacy of Julius Caesar's Assassination
Sun, 27 Mar 2022
The legacies of the Ides of March stretch from that very afternoon on March 14th 44BC to the modern ...
The Rise of the Dinosaurs
Thu, 24 Mar 2022
Dinosaurs! Spectacular resilient beings who were able to adapt and survive the most terrifying of ev...
Young Caesar vs Marc Antony
Sun, 20 Mar 2022
What happened after the Ides of March? How did the Romans go from co-ordinated assassinations to the...
Saint Patrick
Thu, 17 Mar 2022
Man, myth or legend... who was the real Saint Patrick? Did he really banish all the snakes from Irel...
The Rise and Fall of Brutus
Sun, 13 Mar 2022
Marcus Junius Brutus is best known as one of the conspirators against Julius Caesar, but there's so ...
Helen of Troy
Thu, 10 Mar 2022
Helen of Troy, the face that launched a thousand ships - but is there more to her than a beautiful f...
The Assassination of Julius Caesar: Explained
Sun, 06 Mar 2022
March 15th 44BC is perhaps the most notorious date in all of ancient history. On that fateful day, t...
The Origins of Ukraine
Thu, 03 Mar 2022
It's not often we cover current affairs on The Ancients (the clue is in the name), but in light of P...
Sappho: The Poet from Lesbos
Sun, 27 Feb 2022
Famous throughout antiquity, yet retold only in fragments today - who is Sappho? Her poetry ins...
The Terracotta Army
Thu, 24 Feb 2022
Discovered by local farmers in 1974, the Terracotta Army is one of the most astounding archaeologica...
Eureka! Innovation in Ancient Greece
Sun, 20 Feb 2022
It's often thought that the ancient Greeks were devout in tradition, strict in their ways and belief...
The First Australians
Thu, 17 Feb 2022
Indigenous Australians have lived on the vast continent of Australia for thousands of years - but ho...
The Truth About Saint Valentine
Sun, 13 Feb 2022
St. Valentine of Rome, patron saint of beekeepers and epilepsy, among many other things. But who exa...
The Largest Roman Palace North of the Alps
Thu, 10 Feb 2022
Fishbourne Roman Palace in West Sussex was first constructed just three decades after the empire’s...
The Origins of London
Sun, 06 Feb 2022
London is today one of the greatest cities in the world, and the story of its origins is fittingly s...
The Phoenician World
Thu, 03 Feb 2022
Imagine you are a traveller sailing to the major cities around the Mediterranean in 750 BC. You woul...
Alexander's Successors at War: The Spartan Adventurer
Sun, 30 Jan 2022
It’s here! Today is the publication date of Tristan’s first book, Alexander’s Successors ...
The Scholars of Assyria
Thu, 27 Jan 2022
Tens of thousands of clay tablets containing texts written in the ancient Cuneiform script of the As...
Alexander the Great & The Persian Thermopylae (Part Two)
Sun, 23 Jan 2022
In this second part of Tristan’s explainer, he takes us right into the heart of the battle dubbed ...
Alexander the Great & The Persian Thermopylae (Part One)
Thu, 20 Jan 2022
In January 330 BC, Alexander the Great faced one of his most difficult challenges to date. A small P...
The Birth of the Roman Empire
Sun, 16 Jan 2022
16 January 27 BC is a date sometimes associated with the beginning of the Roman Empire. It was on th...
The Seleucid Empire: In the Shadow of Rome
Thu, 13 Jan 2022
At its height, the Seleucid Empire stretched from Thrace (modern day Bulgaria) to the Indus River Va...
Spinning in the Roman World
Sun, 09 Jan 2022
Spinning held an important place in ancient society, and no, we're not talking about ancient exercis...
Cannibalism
Thu, 06 Jan 2022
It’s a macabre topic to discuss, but also one that has fascinated people for generations. So what ...
Alexander The Great vs Julius Caesar
Sun, 02 Jan 2022
They’ve both been described as the greatest military commander in the ancient world, but who reall...
How Julius Caesar Changed Time
Thu, 30 Dec 2021
We’re finishing off 2021 with what is perhaps Julius Caesar’s greatest legacy. It’s not a mili...
Race & Identity in the Ancient Greek Novel
Sun, 26 Dec 2021
For the first 4 centuries AD/CE, the ancient Greek novel was the most popular literary form in the R...
Hannibal's Winter War
Thu, 23 Dec 2021
It’s fair to say that winter battles weren’t commonplace in the ancient Mediterranean world. The...
King Herod
Sun, 19 Dec 2021
Thanks largely to his feature in the Gospel of Matthew, King Herod ‘the Great’ of Judaea is one ...
How to Party Like a Roman
Thu, 16 Dec 2021
Contrary to popular belief, parties in Ancient Rome were not all depraved wine-fuelled orgies. In fa...
Songlines: Australia's Book of Genesis
Sun, 12 Dec 2021
What the Book of Genesis is to the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, songlines are to In...
Homosexuality & Ancient Greece
Thu, 09 Dec 2021
Frederick the Great, Marie Antoinette and Oscar Wilde. Each of them have talked about, or been talke...
The Bronze Age Burials at Stonehenge
Sun, 05 Dec 2021
Today we’re talking all about science, Stonehenge and what we know about a massive migration into ...
The Origins of Life on Earth
Thu, 02 Dec 2021
Today we’re going back to the beginning – no Romans, Celts, Egyptians or Macedonians in sight. W...
Vindolanda's 2021 Excavation
Sun, 28 Nov 2021
Situated roughly one mile south of Hadrian’s Wall is one of the great jewels of Roman and early me...
Menka: Village of the Breadfruit Goddess
Thu, 25 Nov 2021
It is one of the most remote ancient sites in the world. Situated on the isolated Micronesian island...
Caracalla's Macedonian Phalanx
Sun, 21 Nov 2021
Alexander the Great and Caracalla. One often considered among the most successful military commander...
The Legacy of the Minoans
Thu, 18 Nov 2021
Minoan Crete has kept people captivated for millennia, appearing in countless modern cultural practi...
The Rise of the Praetorian Guard
Sun, 14 Nov 2021
From Gladiator to Rome Total War to I, Claudius, today the Cohortēs praetōriae are one of the most...
Ancient Globalisation? Life and Death at Ai Khanum
Thu, 11 Nov 2021
For decades the discovery of Ai Khanum, ‘the City of Lady Moon’, in Eastern Afghanistan has fasc...
The First Astronomers
Sun, 07 Nov 2021
For thousands of years indigenous Australians, the longest living culture on Earth, have been fascin...
Glasgow's Roman Remains & Hadrian's Wall
Thu, 04 Nov 2021
To align with the COP26 conference in Glasgow, this episode features legendary Roman Britain archaeo...
The Truth About the Roman Orgy (And More!)
Sun, 31 Oct 2021
Was Ancient Rome truly as sexually liberated as we think? How did the Greeks feel about nude statues...
The End of the Severan Dynasty
Thu, 28 Oct 2021
Following two assassinations and two executions, the title of Roman Emperor fell to Alexander Severu...
Mavia: Arabia's Warrior Queen
Sun, 24 Oct 2021
To fight against the Roman empire and then make an alliance with them took a certain courage and ten...
Ancient Kazakhstan: Gold of the Great Steppe
Thu, 21 Oct 2021
Gold and horses! 2,500 years ago, in the area of the Great Steppe that is now Eastern Kazakhstan, an...
Caracalla: The Common Enemy of Mankind?
Sun, 17 Oct 2021
Often up there in the upper echelons of most articles listing Rome's worst emperors, it's fair ...
Ai Khanum: A Greek City in Afghanistan?
Thu, 14 Oct 2021
A theatre, a gymnasium and houses with colonnaded courtyards: these are the hallmarks of an Anc...
Alexander the Great's Greatest Victory
Sun, 10 Oct 2021
In October 331 BC, one of the most important battles of world history occurred on the plain of Gauga...
Nefertiti
Thu, 07 Oct 2021
Very few figures in history are recognizable from their silhouettes, but included in this small grou...
The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great
Sun, 03 Oct 2021
In his lifetime King Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, forged one of th...
The Oldest Human Footprints in North America
Thu, 30 Sep 2021
This week our understanding of when humans first inhabited the North American continent has been tur...
Roman Weapons
Sun, 26 Sep 2021
Legendary leaders and notorious battles, we imagine the sound of clinking armour. But what did the R...
Werewolves and Strix-Witches
Thu, 23 Sep 2021
It’s werewolf time on the Ancients! In this episode Exeter University’s Professor Daniel Ogden h...
Fortress Cilicia: Megastructures in the Near East
Tue, 21 Sep 2021
In the aftermath of Alexander the Great’s death, his empire became the subject of a series of tita...
Clodius: Best Villain of the Roman Republic?
Sun, 19 Sep 2021
Historian and author Dr. Emma Southon returns to the Ancients to shine a light on the life - and mur...
Maya Warfare and Sacrifice
Thu, 16 Sep 2021
With a history stretching back thousands of years, it’s about time that the Ancients started looki...
The Origins of Civilisation
Sun, 12 Sep 2021
The world is constantly changing, and so has the perception of civilisation, but what exactly are th...
Sex in Ancient Rome
Thu, 09 Sep 2021
We’ve covered bloody battles, we’ve covered stunning cities, we’ve covered civilisations far a...
Romans vs Caledonians: The Battle of Mons Graupius
Sun, 05 Sep 2021
In 83/84 AD a battle was fought somewhere in Scotland between the Roman forces of Gnaeus Julius Agri...
Roman Camps in Britain
Thu, 02 Sep 2021
When one mentions Roman military installations you would be forgiven for instantly thinking of their...
Nan Madol: Venice of the Pacific
Sun, 29 Aug 2021
Nan Madol. It is one of the most awesome, enigmatic and unique ancient sites in the World, and yet m...
The Lost Tomb of Cleopatra
Thu, 26 Aug 2021
Among the rulers of Ancient Egypt, Cleopatra VII has long held a place in legend, her story having b...
The Rise of Marseilles: France's Oldest City
Tue, 24 Aug 2021
Today it is the second largest city in France. But Marseilles is also the country’s oldest city. F...
The Rise of Hannibal
Sun, 22 Aug 2021
He was one of the greatest enemies the Romans ever faced. An excellent general and a larger-than-lif...
Colchester: From Bronze Age to Boudica
Thu, 19 Aug 2021
It is the one possible case of urbanisation in Britain prior to the arrival of the Romans, and that ...
Tacfarinas: The Desert Hydra
Tue, 17 Aug 2021
He was one of the greatest rebels of Rome from the 1st century AD, but his name is not one you might...
Palaces in Paradise: Centres of the Persian World
Sun, 15 Aug 2021
Persepolis is arguably the most famous ancient site associated with the Achaemenid Persian Empire, b...
Pompeii’s Indian Statuette
Thu, 12 Aug 2021
Among Pompeii’s great wealth of surviving artefacts is one with a rich globe trotting history that...
10 Key Roman Emperors
Tue, 10 Aug 2021
Love them or loathe them, the Roman emperors were some of the most influential figures in history. I...
Sisters at War: The Rise and Fall of Elagabalus
Sun, 08 Aug 2021
Often found high on the list of Rome’s worst emperors, the short reign of the teenager Elegabalus ...
The Lost Baths of Cleopatra
Thu, 05 Aug 2021
Cleopatra. Hers is one of the most famous names that endures from antiquity. The victor of a civil w...
The Gladiatrix
Tue, 03 Aug 2021
Mention the word gladiator and you would be forgiven for instantly thinking of the 2000 namesake epi...
Alexander the Great’s Corpse & the Greatest Heist in History
Sun, 01 Aug 2021
Alexander the Great is one of the most famous generals and empire builders in history, but the story...
The Sacred Band of Thebes
Thu, 29 Jul 2021
The Theban Sacred Band was one of the greatest military corps of Ancient Greece, thriving from the c...
The Begram Hoard: Treasures of the Silk Road
Tue, 27 Jul 2021
In the mid-20th century French archaeologists came across a remarkable collection of ancient items f...
Decoding the Roman Dead
Sun, 25 Jul 2021
Often known as ‘Britain’s first town’, Colchester is a city rich in ancient history and on 24 ...
Life in Sparta
Thu, 22 Jul 2021
A legendary city-state in Ancient Greece, we associate Sparta with fierce warriors in battle. But wh...
The Oldest Known Shark Attack
Tue, 20 Jul 2021
It’s a crossover with Jaws and Open Water that we never expected, but a 3,000 year old corpse has ...
The Romans in Brittany
Sat, 17 Jul 2021
It was one of the most powerful empires in history, leaving marks and remnants across the globe, but...
Scythed Chariots
Thu, 15 Jul 2021
What could be more terrifying than an army racing towards you? An army on chariots? What if those ch...
Carthage vs Greeks? The First Sicilian War
Tue, 13 Jul 2021
480 BC is a year widely-celebrated in Greek history. When Leonidas' Spartan core and their Hellenic ...
Julius Caesar’s Invasions of Britain
Sun, 11 Jul 2021
On the day of the Euro 2020 final, we’re talking England versus Italy…Ancients style (well, sort...
Begram: Crossroads of the Ancient World
Thu, 08 Jul 2021
Bagram, also known as Begram, has been in the news a lot recently. Over the past couple of days, the...
Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Strait of Messina
Tue, 06 Jul 2021
Dividing Sicily from Italy, the Strait of Messina is a small stretch of water with an incredible his...
Persepolis: Jewel of Persia
Sun, 04 Jul 2021
It is one of the most remarkable ancient sites in the World. Situated east of the Zagros Mountains i...
Divorced, Murdered, Survived: Nero's Wives
Wed, 30 Jun 2021
In the long tradition of categorising famous wives as the good or the bad, Nero’s partners are no ...
The Truth About Spartan Society
Tue, 29 Jun 2021
Sparta. Situated in the southern Peloponnese, this ancient Hellenic city-state has become ingrained ...
Vindolanda: Jewel of Roman Britain
Sun, 27 Jun 2021
Situated roughly two miles south of Hadrian's Wall in the heart of the Northumberland countryside, V...
Artemis of Ephesus: The Great Mother Goddess
Wed, 23 Jun 2021
An incredibly popular goddess, characterised in statues of her by a vest of bee hives, or are they b...
Dirty Love: The Ancient Greek Novel
Tue, 22 Jun 2021
The novel, and in particular the romance genre, is at the heart of a billion dollar industry, but wh...
Ancient Brittany with Sir Barry Cunliffe
Sun, 20 Jun 2021
Stretching out from the north west of France, Brittany has long been as identifiable with the Atlant...
Scotland's Earliest Animal Carvings: An Incredible New Discovery
Thu, 17 Jun 2021
Prehistoric animal carvings, thought to be up to 5,000 years old, have been discovered in Scotland f...
Berenike and the Red Sea Spice Route
Sun, 13 Jun 2021
Situated on the western coast of the Red Sea in antiquity were a series of thriving seaports, bringi...
Nero: Taking to the Stage
Thu, 10 Jun 2021
In popular culture, Nero is thought of as the Emperor who played the fiddle as Rome burned to the gr...
Iron Age British and Roman Racing Chariots
Sun, 06 Jun 2021
How truthful are modern depictions of ancient chariots? In this second episode, Mike Loades explores...
Polynesian Mythology
Thu, 03 Jun 2021
From creation stories to voyager journeys, mythology and oral history are often key to our identitie...
The Golden Age of Chariots
Sun, 30 May 2021
Taxis to the front line or ancient tanks? Through archaeological remains and ancient depictions, we ...
Alexander the Great's First Persian Victory
Wed, 26 May 2021
If there had been a different outcome to the Battle of Granicus, we might never have heard about Ale...
Ancient Polynesia: Pioneers of the Pacific
Sat, 22 May 2021
Despite sporadic food sources and the dangers of the deep sea, the remote islands of the Pacific Oce...
The Truth About King Arthur
Wed, 19 May 2021
The legend of King Arthur has been reworked many times, but is there any historical truth behind the...
Olympia: The Golden Age
Sun, 16 May 2021
For hundreds of years in antiquity, the sanctuary at Olympia was one of the most important religious...
Ancient Afghanistan: The Land of a Thousand Cities
Thu, 13 May 2021
Situated north of the Hindu Kush and south of the Oxus (Amu Darya) River, the history of the ancient...
The Rise of Olympia
Tue, 11 May 2021
Forget the Games, ancient Olympia’s importance stretched much further than simply being the birthp...
How the Romans Treated Eye Infections
Sun, 09 May 2021
Traditionally believed to be ‘windows to the soul’, the health of eyes in the Roman Empire could...
How Corinth Became Christian
Thu, 06 May 2021
Occupied since around 3000 BC, the Ancient city of Corinth is not unique in its transition from a Pa...
The Truth About The Huns
Sun, 02 May 2021
The Huns! The name of this ancient people triggers a multiplicity of responses and evokes a number o...
The Olympic Games
Sun, 02 May 2021
The most famous sporting event in the world is upon us, so it's only right that we consider what do ...
Cicero’s Fight for the Roman Republic
Sun, 25 Apr 2021
Caesar Octavian, Mark Antony, Decimus Brutus and Cicero: the Battle of Mutina, April 43 BC, was a cl...
Roman Prisoners of War
Thu, 22 Apr 2021
We know all about the battles of the Roman Empire: the opposing sides, their weapons and incentives....
Introducing 'Leonardo: The Official Podcast'
Tue, 20 Apr 2021
Here on The Ancients, we think that you will love Leonardo, the official podcast accompanying the mu...
The Legacy of Thermopylae
Sun, 18 Apr 2021
Ever since its occurence in 480 BC, the Battle of Thermopylae has been the stuff of legend. Echoes o...
Edges of Empire: Chesters Roman Fort
Thu, 15 Apr 2021
Described as one of the most complete cavalry forts that survives in Britain, Chesters Roman Fort is...
Lessons from the Antonine Plague
Sun, 11 Apr 2021
A plague which affects people from across society, mass exodus from city centres and numerous opinio...
Persia's Untapped Source: The Persepolis Fortification Texts
Thu, 08 Apr 2021
The Persepolis Fortification Tablets / Texts are the who’s who of the Ancient Achaemenid Empire, a...
Jewish Burial at the Time of Jesus
Sun, 04 Apr 2021
According to the Gospels, Jesus died and was removed from the cross on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath...
The Xiongnu: History's First Nomadic Empire?
Thu, 01 Apr 2021
Between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD, the Xiongnu inhabited the area surrounding Mongol...
Music in Ancient Greece
Sun, 28 Mar 2021
Without recordings, and with notation and instruments long forgotten, how can we possibly know what ...
The Rise of Cicero
Thu, 25 Mar 2021
Cicero is often considered to be one of the greatest orators of Ancient Rome. But how did he reach p...
Boudica: Through Roman Eyes
Sun, 21 Mar 2021
The Iceni warrior who led a revolt against the Roman Empire around 60 AD often stands alone in our m...
Petra: The Rose City
Thu, 18 Mar 2021
A city of caves, temples and tombs, Petra gains its nickname from the pink sandstone from which it w...
The Ides of March
Sun, 14 Mar 2021
In 44 BC, the Ides of March took on a new significance. Previously observed as the first full moon o...
Women and Power in Ancient Egypt
Thu, 11 Mar 2021
Kara Cooney has been studying 6 of the remarkable female pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. In this episode ...
Boudica: Britain's Warrior Queen
Sun, 07 Mar 2021
Boudica has become a hero of British folklore. Her leadership of the Iceni in an uprising against th...
The Origins of Warfare
Thu, 04 Mar 2021
Popular discussions of human history are punctuated with conflict, but when did warfare begin? To di...
Cheddar Man: Science and the Skeleton
Sun, 28 Feb 2021
Cheddar Man is the oldest almost complete skeleton of a Homo sapien ever found in Britain and, for t...
Petra: Rise of the Nabataeans
Thu, 25 Feb 2021
The assumption had once been that they were nomads until the Romans came. But more recent archaeolog...
Lugdunum: The Biggest Battle in Roman History?
Sun, 21 Feb 2021
In 197 AD, the armies of Septimius Severus and Clodius Albinus met at Lugdunum, on the site of prese...
Palmyra: Pearl of the Desert
Thu, 18 Feb 2021
Palmyra features in headlines today as a casualty of IS destruction, but during its heyday it was a ...
Myths of Masada
Sun, 14 Feb 2021
In 73 AD, 967 Jewish rebels against the Romans committed mass suicide atop the Masada Fortress. Or d...
Rome: 'The Eternal City'
Thu, 11 Feb 2021
Rome. The Eternal City. One of the most recognisable names that many associate with the Ancient Medi...
Besieging Masada
Sun, 07 Feb 2021
Dramatically placed on a plateau with drops of 400m to the east and 90m to the west, Masada translat...
Beasts of Battle: Indian War Elephants
Thu, 04 Feb 2021
The four components of the Ancient Indian battlefield: infantry, cavalry, chariots … and elephants...
Edges of Empire: Rome's Northernmost Town
Sun, 31 Jan 2021
Roughly two miles south of Hadrian’s Wall lie the remains of Roman Corbridge, the northernmost tow...
Roman Military Tombstones: Uncovering the Unknown Warriors
Thu, 28 Jan 2021
From Northern Britain to the Near East, Roman tombstones have been uncovered on various far flung fr...
The Mystery of the Ninth Legion
Sun, 24 Jan 2021
The legions of Rome were the nucleus of Rome’s military might for centuries. From campaigning in n...
Edges of Empire: The Sasanian Frontiers
Thu, 21 Jan 2021
For centuries, arguably the greatest external threat the Roman Empire faced came from the East. From...
Indonesian Cave Art: A Dramatic New Discovery
Sun, 17 Jan 2021
It’s a paradox for the ages, breaking news about people who lived and died thousands of years ago....
Tomyris: A Warrior Queen's Revenge
Thu, 14 Jan 2021
Her legend afforded her a place alongside Eve, Cleopatra and Venus, to name just a few of the famous...
Oppian’s Halieutica: Creatures of the Ancient Deep
Sun, 10 Jan 2021
The deep blue sea is the subject of speculation to this day but, in this episode, we have access to ...
Hannibal: Battle by the Trebia
Thu, 07 Jan 2021
It’s 218 BC, and Hannibal has made the mammoth journey across the Alps en route to Italy, accompan...
How Ancient Egypt Stayed Egyptian
Sun, 03 Jan 2021
The length of time between the rule of Cleopatra and the erection of the Pyramids is the same as tha...
El Kurru: Egypt's Nubian Pharaohs
Thu, 31 Dec 2020
In the 8th and 7th centuries BC, Ancient Egypt was ruled by an extraordinary dynasty. This...
Hatshepsut: Egypt's Hidden Pharaoh
Sun, 27 Dec 2020
Hatshepsut – whose name means “foremost of noblewomen” – was an exceptional figure in the hi...
The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?
Thu, 24 Dec 2020
The clichéd Christmas: white snow, hot fires, mulled wine and a feast. This might not be the case w...
Saturnalia: Bonus Episode!
Tue, 22 Dec 2020
In this episode from the History Hit archive, Dan talks to Kevin Butcher about the Roman festival of...
Hannibal: Crossing the Alps
Sun, 20 Dec 2020
In 218 BCE, Hannibal Barca's Carthaginian army, accompanied by horses and elephants, completed one o...
Thucydides: Thoughts on the Athenian Empire
Thu, 17 Dec 2020
From 478 BCE until 404 BCE, a collection of Greek city-states were united under the leadership of At...
The Garamantes: Farming the Sahara
Sun, 13 Dec 2020
Greco-Roman historians including Herodotus, Tacitus and Pliny the Elder would have us believe that t...
Scotland's Enigmatic Ancient Structures
Thu, 10 Dec 2020
Brochs. Early archaeologists believed that they must have been built by the Danish, that the indigen...
Old Testament Warriors
Sun, 06 Dec 2020
It’s probably the most famous book in the world, and it’s also essentially the only literary sou...
Spartacus: Life or Legend?
Thu, 03 Dec 2020
‘I’m Spartacus!’ In the field of epic film making, the 1960 historical drama ‘Spartacus’, ...
Dura-Europos: The Syrian Pompeii
Sun, 29 Nov 2020
When we think of Pompeii, we remember the city which became frozen in time after a natural catastrop...
Pompeii and the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius
Thu, 26 Nov 2020
Pompeii is back in the news. An extraordinary new, touching discovery, found during the Great Pompei...
Linothorax: Kevlar of the Ancients
Sun, 22 Nov 2020
The House of the Faun in Pompeii is known for being one of the largest and most impressive private r...
Volcanic Vineyards of Pompeii
Thu, 19 Nov 2020
An ancient town, buried and preserved beneath volcanic ash, Pompeii is a gift to archaeologists and ...
Terror in the Teutoburg Forest
Sun, 15 Nov 2020
Its been used for nationalist propaganda across the ages and its just been dramatised for Netflix, b...
Agrippa and Augustus: The Golden Age
Thu, 12 Nov 2020
The Romans, an ancient conquering civilisation with an empire that spread from Europe across the Bal...
The Other Alexander
Sun, 08 Nov 2020
Alexander, an Ancient Greek king and a victorious conqueror. No, not that one, not Alexander the Gre...
Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors
Thu, 05 Nov 2020
Alexander the Great. One of the most recognisable names in history. In his short lifetime he conquer...
Catullus: Rome's Most Erotic Poet
Sun, 01 Nov 2020
If you're looking for a raunchy Roman poet, look no further than Catullus. Born into one of the most...
Ancient Ethiopia: The Kingdom of Aksum
Thu, 29 Oct 2020
At its height the Kingdom of Aksum was considered one of the four great powers of the Ancient World....
The Origins of Ancient Vietnam
Sun, 25 Oct 2020
It is one of the most extraordinary ancient archaeological sites in Southeast Asia, albeit one that ...
The Battle of Philippi: Death of the Roman Republic
Thu, 22 Oct 2020
In October 42 BC the Roman Republic committed suicide. Near the town of Philippi in northern Greece ...
Sophocles' Lost Plays
Sun, 18 Oct 2020
The Big Three. In antiquity it could mean a whole host of different things, the triumvirate of Caesa...
69 AD: Rise of Vespasian
Thu, 15 Oct 2020
69 AD was a tumultuous year in Roman history. 4 Romans assumed the title of emperor; only one remain...
Crassus and the Battle of Carrhae: The Defeat of Rome
Sun, 11 Oct 2020
Gareth Sampson, author of Defeat of Rome in the East: Crassus, the Parthians, and the Disastrou...
Septimius Severus in Scotland
Thu, 08 Oct 2020
Dan Snow talks to Simon Elliott about Septimius Severus, the first Hammer of the Scots, about his No...
Nero the Antichrist?
Sun, 04 Oct 2020
The Emperor Nero is one of antiquity's most infamous figures, having a particularly hostile relation...
Agrippa: Rome's Forgotten Hero
Thu, 01 Oct 2020
There are few men in Roman history that can claim to have been as influential as Marcus Agrippa. The...
The Polynesians: Ancient Mariners of the Pacific
Sun, 27 Sep 2020
The ancient Polynesians remain the greatest seafarers in history. Already by the time of the legenda...
The Battle of Salamis
Thu, 24 Sep 2020
We've had the Battle of Thermopylae with the brilliant Paul Cartledge; we've had the Battle of Artem...
The Rise of Constantine
Sun, 20 Sep 2020
The Emperor Constantine I, better known as Constantine the Great, is one of the most significant emp...
Jason and the Golden Fleece
Thu, 17 Sep 2020
This week's episode from the History Hit archive features the brilliant Tom Holland telling the myth...
Alexander the Great: Through Persian Eyes
Sun, 13 Sep 2020
Conqueror. Destroyer. Convert. Legendary king. It's fair to say that Alexander the Great's relations...
The Roman Forum
Fri, 11 Sep 2020
Another one from the History Hit archive! The Roman Forum, also known by its Latin name Forum Romanu...
The Vestal Virgins
Sun, 06 Sep 2020
Priestesses of Vesta, Goddess of hearth, home and family, the College of Vestal Virgins were Rome’...
Pax Romana
Fri, 04 Sep 2020
Time for a delve into the History Hit ancient history archives! In this podcast Dan Snow sits down w...
Kingdom of Kush
Fri, 28 Aug 2020
Along the banks of the River Nile, directly south of ancient Egypt and hundreds of miles away from t...
Battle of Artemisium
Sun, 23 Aug 2020
Around this time 2,499 years ago the famous Battle of Thermopylae was raging. But it is important to...
Battle of Thermopylae
Thu, 20 Aug 2020
2,499 years ago the Persian 'Great King' Xerxes launched history's largest amphibious invasion of Eu...
War Elephants
Sun, 16 Aug 2020
Move over Hannibal. More over Carthage. This podcast is all about a much BIGGER elephant power in an...
'Killing for the Roman Republic'
Thu, 13 Aug 2020
In 281/280 BC, the Hellenistic King Pyrrhus ventured to southern Italy to aid the Italiote-Greek cit...
Combat Trauma
Sun, 09 Aug 2020
From the 2000 historical blockbuster 'Gladiator' to the Total War series, brutal hand to hand warfar...
Stone Circles
Sun, 02 Aug 2020
From Cornwall to Orkney, stone circles are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the Britis...
Agrippina the Younger
Sun, 26 Jul 2020
Agrippina the Younger (AD 15 - 59) was one of the most prominent women in the Julio-Claudian dynasty...
Horse Archery
Sun, 19 Jul 2020
The horse archer was one of the most feared warriors of antiquity. Triumphing mobility and fluidity,...
Antonine Wall
Sun, 12 Jul 2020
In c.142 AD the Emperor Antoninus Pius ordered the construction of a new wall in Northern Britain. S...
Housesteads and Hadrian's Wall
Sun, 05 Jul 2020
Housesteads Roman Fort is one of the great, surviving treasures of Roman Britain. Once an auxiliary ...
Origins of Biological & Chemical Warfare
Thu, 02 Jul 2020
The origins of biological and chemical warfare stretch far back; modern technology has not brought a...
Fall of the Western Roman Empire
Fri, 26 Jun 2020
In the late 4th century and early 5th centuries two massive largely-Germanic confederations arrived ...
Plague of Athens
Wed, 24 Jun 2020
Plague in the ancient world was nothing unusual. Bouts of illness were common occurrences, but we do...