The Ancient World

Episode A12 - The Flood

15 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

SEASON 2 FINALE Synopsis: Shulgi and his successors face major challenges to Ur III rule, including Amorite attacks, Sumerian rivals, and a newly-emb...

Episode A11 - Behind the Mountains

01 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Proto-Elamite horizon sparked innovation and trade throughout Iran and Central Asia, and its collapse saw the emergence of numerous “s...

Episode A10 - The Sword of Sumer

01 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Ur-Namma unifies Sumer and ejects the Elamites. His son, King Shulgi, designs a new empire and begins a push for Zagros domination. “The ...

Episode A9 - Seventy Kings

18 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: With the fall of the Old Kingdom, power devolves to the various nomes. The Herakleopolitan House of Khety extends control over most of Egypt...

Episode A8 - Who Was King

07 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

[NOTE: This new version features improved audio] Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts ...

Episode A8 - Who Was King

04 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The impacts of the Aridification Event lead to Akkadian collapse. Gudea of Lagash asserts independence and shepherds the south through the a...

Episode A7 - The Abode of Clouds

21 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The science behind the 4.2 kiloyear BPE Aridification Event. “The great farming tracts brought forth no grain, The irrigated farming tra...

Episode A6 - The Reign of Ishtar

06 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Akkadian Empire reaches its zenith under the rule of Naram-Sin. “Its king, the shepherd, Naram-Sin, Shone forth like sunrise on the ...

Episode A5 - The Cupbearer

22 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Sargon of Akkad forges the world’s first Empire. “After Enlil’s baleful glare Had slain Kish like the Bull of Heaven, Had slaughter...

Episode A4 - The Pinnacle

08 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: This episode covers the rise and fall of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. “The Second Dynasty consists of nine kings of This. The first was Boet...

Bonus Feed-Swap with The History of Egypt Podcast

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Hi everyone! My friend Dominic at THoE and I are doing a feed-swap this week. It's a great chance to introduce you to his new set of episodes on the p...

Episode A3 - Kings of Kish

25 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: This episode covers the Early Dynastic Period in Sumer and northern Syria. “Eannatum gave the great battle net of Enlil to the leader of ...

Episode A2 - The First Royal House

11 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: This episode covers the early civilizations of Egypt and the Caucasus region, including the Kura-Araxes and Maikop. “In succession to the...

Episode A1 - The Four Quarters

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The launch of “The Ancient World – Ages”, a new series covering the Early Bronze Age Collapse (c. 2200 BC) and the remaking of Southwe...

Episode S8 - Decumbo

27 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Part 2 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetr...

Episode S7 - Ascendo

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Part 1 of a two-part Spotlight series on the rise and fall of the Roman Emperor Galerius: refugee, herdsman, soldier, Caesar, Augustus, Tetr...

Episode C30 - The Death of Kings

31 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Faced with a series of disloyal vassals, Sargon conquers the remaining Neo-Hittite kingdoms and absorbs them into his empire. The Cimmerian ...

Episode C29 - City of the Raven

17 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Rusa of Urartu wins early victories against Assyrian armies, but his intrigues in the Zagros kingdom of Mannea earn him Sargon’s wrath. Af...

Episode C28 - The Fall of Carchemish

03 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: After defeating Syrian rebels at Qarqar and extending his dominion to the borders of Egypt, Sargon II labors to defend Tabal from the advanc...

Episode C27 - True King

19 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Shalmaneser V succeeds his father to the thrones of Assyria and Babylonia, then deals with rebellions in Samaria and Tyre. But his reign is ...

Episode C26 - Damascus

05 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Tiglath-pileser crushes rebellions in Patin and Luash and annexes their territories to Assyria. King Rasyan of Aram-Damascus forms a coaliti...

Episode C25 - Arpad

22 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Matti’el of Arpad turns his back on the Treaty of Katikka and allies with Sarduri II of Urartu. The usurpation of Tiglath-pileser III hera...

Update and Patreon Offer

10 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

First off I wanted to let everyone know that I am deep into researching and writing the upcoming season of “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” It’...

Episode C24 - A Kingdom of Sand

23 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Sarduri II rules at the pinnacle of Urartian power, conquering lands from the Black Sea coast to the Zagros Mountains to the kingdoms of nor...

Episode C23 - Eclipse

09 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: A siege by Adad-nirari’s subordinate, Nergal-Eresh, finally breaks the Damascene hold over southern Syria and Canaan. The Urartian kings M...

Episode C22 - Shammuramat

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Emerging triumphant from civil war, Shamshi-Adad V devotes his energies to humbling Babylonia. Upon his death, his wife Shammuramat acts as ...

Episode C21 - Son of a Nobody

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: During Neo-Assyria’s absence from the region, King Hazael of Aram-Damascus forges an Aramean Empire that extends to the borders of Egypt. ...

Episode C20 - Like a Fire

28 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: In Shalmaneser’s final years, his eldest son – the crown prince Assur-danin-pal – enters into rebellion, while his younger son, Shamsh...

Episode C19 - The Anointed

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Hazael of Aram-Damascus and Jehu of Israel bring desolation to the house of Omri. After decades of leading Assyrian campaigns, Shalmaneser I...

Episode C18 – Qarqar

25 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: A coalition marshalled by Hadad-ezer of Aram-Damascus and Urahilina of Hamath successfully defends southern Syria from further Assyrian encr...

Episode C17 – The House of Omri

11 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Political intrigues in Iron Age Israel end with the rise of King Omri. The kingdoms of Hamath and Aram-Damascus leverage military power and ...

Episode C16 – Kar Shalmaneser

27 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Shalmaneser’s Syrian invasions were countered by a coalition forged by King Ahuni of Bit-Adini. But repeated campaigns wore down his riva...

Episode C15 - The Merciless Weapon

13 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Syrian campaigns of Ashurnasirpal II cemented Assyrian dominance. Tribute from the western kingdoms fueled construction of the king’s ...

Episode C14 - The House of Suhi

30 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Country Lords of Carchemish adorned their city with temples and monuments. But Assyrian conquests in the Khabur River valley heralded a ...

Episode C13 - The Hand of Shishak

16 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Canaanite cities of Tel-Rehov and Beth-Shean were re-founded by the Pharaoh Thutmose III in the wake of the Battle of Megiddo. By the ea...

The Method to My Madness

21 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A brief history of The Ancient World. Plus: a new season, a new partnership and a new Patreon page! www.patreon.com/TheAncientWorld www.airwavemedia.c...

Episode S6 – Castle of the Slave

01 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Joseph and Hyrcanus of the Tobiad clan served as tax farmers in Coele Syria for nearly half a century, weathering the transition from Ptolem...

A Quick Note

10 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

So, first the bad news: Episode C12 wraps the second “season” of “The Ancient World – Carchemish.” The show’ll be on hiatus for the next f...

Episode C12 – The Two Temples

27 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The growing power of the Israelites and Arameans is reflected in the construction of new temples to Yahweh in Jerusalem and Hadad-Rammon in ...

Episode C11 – The House of David

13 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: In the latter half of the 11th century BC, southern Syria witnessed the increasing prominence of semi-nomadic Semitic peoples – including ...

Episode C10 – These Are Not Foolish Travels

30 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The fracturing and diminishment of Egyptian power in the early Iron Age is captured in “The Report of Wenamun.” I found (King Zakar-b...

Episode C9 – Horse to Horse, Army to Army

16 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: In the mid-11th century BC, the Hittite kingdoms of northern Syria are joined by others– in the Philistine pentapolis, the Amuq plain and ...

Episode C8 – The Heirs of Hatti

02 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Great Kings of Carchemish continue ruling over a Hittite rump state in northern Syria as they support the region’s recovery.  After a...

Episode C7 – The Heirs of Babylon

19 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Even as Anatolia, Syria and Egypt confronted the Bronze Age Collapse, the eastern kingdoms of Assyria, Babylonia and Elam continued their an...

New Episodes Coming Soon

12 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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Episode C6 – The Splendid Flame

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: In the wake of the Sea Peoples, the Hittite Great King Kuzi-Teshub focuses on rebuilding and strengthening his kingdom.  A powerful new thr...

From Bronze to Iron

06 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

First off I really hope you’ve been enjoying “The Ancient World – Carchemish.”  From the beginning I’ve touted this as a series on the Neo-...

Episode C5 – The Sea Peoples

04 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Sea Peoples cut a swath of devastation across the Levant before their final confrontation with the pharaoh Ramesses III of Egypt. The Hi...

Episode C4 – The Great Kings

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Great King Tudhaliya’s sons, Arnuwanda and Suppiluliuma, take power in a time of growing famine.  The collapse of Mycenaean Greece in...

Episode C3 – The Eternal Treaty

07 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Hattusili III’s diplomacy with the pharaoh Ramesses II culminates in the world’s first peace treaty.  After his death, his son Tudhal...

The Bronze Age – Update

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I just wanted to give you a quick update about my “The Bronze Age” course on avid.fm.  First off, I’m happy to report that we’ve exceeded the...

Episode C2 – Tarhuntassa

22 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  King Muwatalli II relocates the Hittite capital to the new royal city of Tarhuntassa near the Mediterranean coast, then faces off against ...

The Bronze Age

16 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Hi everyone!  As you likely know, I really enjoyed making the original “Ancient World” podcast series – especially the parts covering the Bronz...

Episode C1 – Carchemish

09 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  In the late 14th century BC, the Hittite Great King Suppiluliuma wrested Syria from the grip of the Hurrian kingdom of Mitanni.  Two of h...

A Young Man’s Fancy

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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Episode S5 – Ordeal by Fire

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  In the 4th century AD, the Ethiopian kingdom of Axum converted to Christianity even as the neighboring Himyarites of Yemen converted to Ju...

Episode S4 – Children of the Moon

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  The Sabaeans and Himyarites leveraged their control over south Arabian aromatics into a lucrative trade that spanned the ancient world.  ...

Episode S3 – Queen Mavia

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  A century after Queen Zenobia, another Syrian Arab warrior queen rises to challenge the power or Rome – and succeeds.  The story of Que...

Episode T18 – Tigranes

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  The death of King Philip I marks the official end of the Seleucid line.  Invited by the Antiochenes to rule them, King Tigranes II of Arm...

Episode T17 – The Sons of Grypus

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: With Rome encroaching from the north and south, the sons of Grypus battle Parthians, usurpers and local powers to keep their hold on Syria. ...

Episode T16 – The Sons of Thea

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: While the Ptolemies intrigue in Coele Syria, Antiochus VIII Grypus and his half-brother Antiochus IX Cyzicenus struggle for seventeen years ...

Episode T15 – Grypus

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Cleopatra Thea convinces her son Antiochus VIII Grypus to return to Syria and share the throne.  But once Zabinas is defeated and the kingd...

Episode T14 – Zabinas

15 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Demetrius II returns to Syria, but his unpopularity – and support for the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra II – results in a usurper named Alexa...

Episode T13 – Eunus

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: A Syrian man from Apamea, enslaved on the island of Sicily, renames himself King Antiochus and launches the first large-scale slave rebellio...

Episode T12 – Sar Matati

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: After Mithridates is struck down by an illness, his son Phraates II defends Parthian gains against the army of Antiochus VII.  Forced to re...

Episode T11 – Euergetes

16 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Ongoing strife in Anatolia and Egypt allows Antiochus VII to campaign east against the Parthians.  His early successes inspire hopes of a r...

Episode S2 – The Bactrian Kingdom

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“In this battle, Antiochus’ horse was wounded and killed, and the king himself was struck through the mouth and lost some of his teeth.  On the w...

Episode S1 – Alexander in Bactria

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

“I am engaged in a land of a leonine and brave people, where every foot of the ground is like a wall of steel confronting my soldiers.  You have br...

Episode T10 – Sidetes

24 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Cleopatra Thea marries Demetrius II’s brother, Antiochus VII, becoming the simultaneous queen of two Seleucid kings. While Antiochus crush...

Episode T9 – Tryphon

09 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The Seleucid rebel Diodotus Tryphon uses Thea and Alexander Balas’ young son, Antiochus VI, to capture most of Syria.  Though paralyzed a...

Episode T8 – The City

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: The rediscovery of Ai Khanoum testified to the wealth and power of the Bactrian Kingdom.  Mithridates’ conquest of Babylonia is countered...

Episode T7 – Blazing From Afar

13 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: On the eastern frontiers of the Seleucid Empire, Parthia, Bactria and the Indo-Greeks struggle for regional supremacy.  The stalemate in Sy...

Episode T6 – Philometor

28 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: With Syria beset by regional enemies, three kings face off at the Battle of the Oenoparos River.  The lone survivor, King Demetrius II, ina...

Episode T5 – Balas

16 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Demetrius struggles to preserve his throne but ends up falling in battle.  Alexander Balas begins his reign by marrying Ptolemy’s daughte...

Episode T4 – Soter

02 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Demetrius seizes the Syrian throne and stems immediate threats from Media and Judaea.  But deposed officials and regional rulers conspire t...

Episode T3 – Thea

18 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Lysias attempts to exercise control through the young King Antiochus V, but a deadly incident with a Roman delegation gives hope to the capt...

Episode T2 – Megas

05 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Antiochus the Great restores Seleucid fortunes, but his son Antiochus IV sews the seeds of the Empire’s destruction. “On (Antiochus IV)...

Episode T1 – Nicator

22 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Seleucus I Nicator forges the Seleucid Empire, and his descendants spend the next century struggling to preserve his legacy. “In Asia, af...

The Rest of My Interview

11 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

with Drew from the Wonders of the World Podcast, where we talk about Palmyra, Odaenathus, and (of course) Queen Zenobia.  Enjoy! Learn more about yo...

Just Did My First Interview

26 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

with the lovely and talented Drew from the Wonders of the World podcast, where we talk about the exotic Roman Emperor Elagabalus, the amazing temple c...

Episode B54 – Efqa

23 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Monotheism, modern Syria, the world’s first romance story, and the end of the Bloodline. “The oasis and town of Palmyra owe their exis...

Episode B53 – Memento Mori

09 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis: Aurelian returns East to crush Palmyrene revolts in Syria and Egypt. The sources relate differing accounts of Zenobia’s ultimate fate. “...

Episode B52 – Palmyra

24 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Boxed in by Aurelian’s siege, Zenobia makes a desperate attempt to enlist the support of the Persians. “Palmyra was the last resource...

Episode B51 – Emesa

09 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  After a crushing defeat at the Battle of Emesa, Zenobia retreats to Palmyra.  Aurelian has a divine encounter at the Temple of Elah Gabal...

Episode B50 – Augusta

27 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Aurelian’s vision compels him to spare the defiant citizens of Tyana.  As the Romans advance through Anatolia, Zenobia concentrates her...

Episode B49 – Nemesis

13 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Zenobia orders her general Zabdas to capture Anatolia.  After subduing the Marcomanni and the Goths, Aurelian makes preparations to recla...

Episode B48 – 270

24 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Zenobia’s armies successfully capture Arabia Petraea and Egypt.  The death of Claudius and his brother Quintillus pave the way for the ...

Episode B47 – Zenobia

10 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Following the murder of the Emperor Gallienus, Zenobia successfully defends Palmyra against both Roman and Persian aggression.  “Zenob...

Episode B46 – Melek Melek

27 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Odaenathus declares himself King of Kings, twice besieges the Sasanid capital, and combats Gothic pirates on the Black Sea coast.  At the...

Episode B45 – Odaenathus

14 Oct 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Odaenathus helps drive the Persians from Syria and preserve Gallienus’ throne.  After his peace offering is spurned by Shapur, Odaenath...

Episode B44 – Edessa

29 Sep 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  After his humiliating defeat at the hands of Shapur, Valerian joins tens of thousands of Roman captives deported to the heartland of Persi...

Episode B43 – Sibylline

16 Jun 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Samsigeramus saves Emesa from Sasanid destruction, then proclaims himself Augustus.  The arrival of Valerian marks the end of his reign a...

Episode B42 – Iotapian

27 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  The revolt of Iotapian shows Eastern nobles the possibilities among the chaos.  Shapur’s invasion of Syria drives Samsigeramus to make ...

Episode B41 – Samsigeramus

12 May 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Shortly after Hatra’s destruction, Shapur inherits the Persian Empire.  Gordian’s invasion the following year ends in defeat and humi...

Episode B40 – Uranius

29 Apr 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  After the death of Elagabalus, Uranius Antoninus served as High Priest of Elah Gabal in Emesa.  From this vantage, he witnessed the birth...

Episode B39 – Excidium

03 Dec 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Alexander marches East to counter Ardeshir’s invasion, but the conflict ends in a stalemate.  A short time later, a legionary rebellion...

Episode B38 – The Last Severan

12 Nov 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Overseen by his mother and grandmother, Severus Alexander’s early reign was marked by wisdom and temperance.  A decade later, a Sasanid...

Episode B37 – Shahanshah

28 Oct 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Ardeshir defeats Artabanus in battle and claims the Parthian Empire for the Sasanids.  After a failed attempt to conquer Armenia, he sets...

Episode B36 – The Black Stone

24 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Elagabalus spearheads a religious revolution in Rome, but his unpopular rule drives Julia Maesa to enact a back-up plan. “To this temple...

Episode B35 – Bassus

09 Sep 2016

Contributed by Lukas

Synopsis:  Deception, good fortune, and Macrinus’ failings allow the Severans to retake the Roman throne.  As Emperor, Elagabalus makes plans to i...