The First Irish
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Over 10,000 years ago, many believe Ireland was a place where hunter-gatherers roamed. A place where...
Jericho
06 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The ancient city of Jericho is often thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in t...
How to Survive in Ancient Rome
04 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains a reference to animal crueltyWould you be able to survive in ancient Rome?Toda...
Zeus
31 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
March 15th 44BC is perhaps the most notorious date in all of ancient history. On that fateful day, t...
Rise of Hannibal
23 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
He was one of the greatest enemies the Romans ever faced. An excellent general and a larger-than-lif...
Sex & Sparta
21 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains graphic references to sex, infant mortality, and sexual assault.While Spartans...
Sparta vs Athens: The Greek World War
16 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Marked by shifting alliances, chaotic power struggles, and devastating consequences - the Peloponnes...
Jesus of Nazareth
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous figures in history. Believed to be the Son of God in Chr...
The Spartan Warrior
09 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most famed classes of soldiers from antiquity, the Spartan warrior has been immortalised ...
Demeter with Natalie Haynes
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Demeter is the Goddess of the Harvest and Agriculture in Ancient Greek mythology.Mother of Persephon...
Origins of Sparta
02 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Considered one of Athens' biggest rivals, and known for their bloodthirsty and brutal nature - there...
The Roman Secret Service
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of spies, images of suave men in suits sipping martinis tend to come to mind - not, w...
The Vandals
26 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Known for bringing about the fall of the Western Roman Empire - the Vandals have a reputation of vio...
Keros: Bronze Age Mystery
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While a small, uninhabited island today, Keros held significant importance during the Bronze Age. As...
Treasures of Pompeii
19 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being uncovered in the 16th Century - new finds are still being discovered daily in Pompeii....
Kazakhstan's Valley of Kings
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Gold and horses! Few ancient civilisations were greater masters of metalworking and horse riding tha...
Persephone: Queen of the Underworld
11 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains references to death and sexual assault.Persephone is Queen of the Underworld i...
The Illyrians: Pirates of the Adriatic
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Inhabiting the Balkans in antiquity, the Illyrians played a vital role in Ancient History. From thei...
Origins of Gaza
04 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout history, the area today known as Gaza has often been a contentious site. Its historical s...
Human Evolution: Dragon Man
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Homo longi, also known as Dragon Man, is an extinct archaic human species - with a nearly complete s...
Witches
29 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
From seductive sorceresses to withered necromancers, witches play a varied - and vital - role in anc...
The Sahara: Traders and Travellers
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stretching across from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, Northern Africa is dominated by the Sahara...
The Murders of Alexander the Great
22 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains strong language, and references to sexual assault.Alexander the Great - conque...
How to Survive the Ice Age
19 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of the 'Ice Age', tales of saber-toothed predators and hulking megafauna probably com...
Hades: King of the Underworld
15 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains references to death and sexual assault.Hades is King of the the dead and the U...
Ötzi the Iceman
12 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ötzi, otherwise known as the Iceman, is a renowned glacial mummy uncovered in 1991 in the Tyrolean ...
Tyre: Jewel of Phoenicia
08 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Tyre was a jewel of the Ancient World. A Phoenician...
Gladiators in Britain
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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
01 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Part 2/2. Of unknown authorship, the Dead Sea Scrolls - also known as the Qumran Scrolls - are some ...
Roman Emperors with Mary Beard
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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
24 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Part 1/2. Potentially one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever, the Dead Sea Scroll...
Ramesses the Great
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the greatest Pharaohs from Ancient Egypt, Ramesses II is renowned for commissioning some of t...
Harappan Civilisation
17 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Harappan civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley civilisation, was an ancient urban civilis...
The Roman Legionary
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you picture ancient Roman Soldiers, an image of battle-hardened warriors equipped with iron bre...
Liangzhu: Cradle of Chinese Civilisation?
10 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where do you begin to understand the origins of Chinese civilization? Located near the Yangtze River...
Medusa
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains references to sexual assault.Medusa stands as one of the most iconic yet misco...
Origins of Olive Oil
03 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of inventions that helped change the course of history, it's doubtful Olive Oil makes...
Pompeii: The Eruption of Vesuvius
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains references to scenes that some listeners may find distressingIn 79 AD, ancient...
Maya Sacrifice & Warfare
27 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With a history stretching back thousands of years, it’s about time that the Ancients started looki...
Homo floresiensis: Early Human ‘Hobbit’
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An extinct species of archaic human, Homo floresiensis has been discovered solely in one, very speci...
Sex Work in Pompeii
20 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains some strong language references to sexual content.Pompeii is shrouded in myths...
Attila the Hun: Terror of Rome
17 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Returning to one of the most infamous names in history, what happened to Attila the Hun after the de...
Gladiators of Pompeii
13 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains some references to graphic violence.Gladiators are one the most enduring symbo...
Attila the Hun: Scourge of God
10 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most powerful, and feared, leaders of history - Attila the Hun's legacy has persevered ov...
Pompeii: Life Before the Eruption
06 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ancient city of Pompeii is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries on earth. Frozen in ti...
Cyrus the Great
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The ancient Persian ruler who founded the Achaemenid Empire, known for his benevolent governance and...
Chichén Itzá
30 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza is home to monumental pyramids, temples, and...
Poseidon: God of the Sea
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
God of the sea, earthquakes, and horses, Poseidon is one of the most iconic Olympians.In this episod...
Stonehenge
23 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Stonehenge. The most iconic prehistoric monument in the world. And yet its story is still so enigmat...
Homo Naledi: The First Burials?
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Uncovered a decade ago in the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa, Homo Naledi's discovery has i...
Jersey: Ice Age Island
16 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The largest of the Channel Islands, when you think of Jersey, it's doubtful that Neanderthals, Wooll...
Helen of Troy with Natalie Haynes
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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
09 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Evolving from an obscure ancient ruler to a contemporary national icon, Chandragupta Maurya's story ...
The Lighthouse of Alexandria
06 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The last monument to be added to the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Lighthouse ...
Lion Man: The First Myth?
02 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Discovered in a German cave, days before the Second World War broke out, the Lion Man statue remaine...
Persia and the Bible
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the Babylonian Empire fell into decline, and it's power faded, the Persian Empire stepped in to f...
Achilles
25 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains themes of a sexual natureAchilles is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mytho...
Origins of Water
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When you envision what Earth was like 4.5 billion years ago, shortly after its creation, images of d...
The Picts
18 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Emerging around the 3rd century CE and later designated official adversaries of the Roman Empire, th...
The First Spears
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
According to the work of today's guest, Dr Annemieke Milks, humans were using spears approximately 4...
Human Origins: Australopithecus
11 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For millions of years, Australopithecus thrived in Africa's vast landscapes, laying the groundwork f...
Ravenna and the Fall of Rome
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The fall of the Western Roman Empire stands as one of the most monumental moments in ancient history...
Boudica's Battle of Britain
04 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Celtic queen who led a major uprising against the Roman Empire in ancient Britain, Boudica, is a...
Origins of Horse Riding
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Human and Horse relationships have long be intertwined; from the ancient Eurasian plain, through to ...
Babylon and the Bible
28 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When looking at the Hebrew Bible, the city of Babylon plays a prominent role - especially in the Old...
The Cyrus Cylinder
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An ancient clay artefact that dates back to the 6th century BCE, the Cyrus Cylinder is often conside...
Hanging Gardens of Babylon
21 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A legendary, ancient architectural wonder, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the most famed ...
Poverty Point: Centre of Ancient America
18 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
An ancient, colossal site in Northeastern Louisiana, Poverty Point is a mystery amongst archaeologis...
Nebuchadnezzar
14 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most famous Babylonian Kings - Nebuchadnezzar II was a legendary ruler who appears in bib...
Messalina: Empress of Rome
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes speaks with historian Honor Cargill-Martin abou...
Alexander The Great's Sex Life
07 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains references and words of a sexual nature.Did Alexander the Great and the Queen ...
King Midas
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As Shirley Bassey once said, "He's the man. The man with the Midas touch." But who was the man that'...
Lilith: Mesopotamian Demoness
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps a name better known for recent appearances in horror films - Lilith is a woman who's origins...
Athens: Birthplace of Democracy?
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When we think of democracy in the ancient Greek world, our minds often go straight to Athens, the pu...
Knossos
23 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The legend of the Minotaur and its labyrinth has captivated us for centuries, but is there any evide...
The First Toolmakers
20 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Invention and innovation are two concepts that have propelled humankind forward for as long as peopl...
Iron Age Scotland: Clachtoll Broch
16 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Across northern Scotland, you can still see the skeletal remains of prehistoric skyscrapers known as...
The Great Fire of Rome
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In July 64AD, the Great Fire of Rome tore across the city, and ultimately burnt two thirds of Rome t...
Athena: Goddess of Wisdom
09 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains graphic references of a sexual nature.Athena is the goddess of wisdom, tactica...
Rise of the Assyrians
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
At its pinnacle, the kingdom of Assyria stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Persian Gulf, a ...
Alexandria: The Sunken City
02 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Egyptian city of Alexandria was one of the greatest cities of the ancient Mediterranean world. F...
Troy
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Often thought of as an ancient, mythical idea, immortalised in the works of Homer, it's hard to imag...
Roman Beast Hunts
26 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and cruelty against animals.The Romans were -...
Sardinia: Mysteries of the Bronze Age
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Shrouded in mystery, the Nuragic culture was an enigmatic Bronze Age Civilisation that lived on the ...
Shetland: Edge of the Prehistoric World
19 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over 100 miles further than the northern reaches of Britain, beyond Orkney, are a remote group of is...
The Philistines
16 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps best known from the Biblical tale of David and Goliath, the Philistines were an ancient civi...
Ares: God of War
12 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ares is the god of war and bloodlust in Greek mythology.One of the twelve Olympian gods, Ares was of...
Septimius Severus
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Given his incredible career, you'd perhaps expect the name of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus to be ...
Dinosaurs: The Last Days
05 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Around 66 million years ago, an asteroid the size of Mount Everest slammed into our planet, triggeri...
The First Humans
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Where do humans come from? Or, perhaps more interestingly, who did humans evolve from? A question on...
Shirin: Heroine of Iran
26 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Princess, Queen, and political influencer - Shirin should be a name as famed as Cleopatra, but how c...
The Origins of Buddhism
23 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the oldest religions in the world, Buddhism is practiced by over 400 million people today, bu...
The Bantu Expansion
19 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Bantu expansion was one of the most significant cultural events in human history. Sometime betwe...
The Colossus of Rhodes
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Colossus of Rhodes has lived on in legend - with ...
Cleopatra's Daughter
12 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cleopatra VII is one of the most famous individuals from the ancient world. The final Queen of Ancie...
Homo Erectus
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Before modern humans walked the earth, and even before the Neanderthals, Homo Erectus dominated the ...
Aphrodite: Goddess of Love
05 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode contains graphic references.Aphrodite is the goddess of love and beauty in Greek mythol...
The Nazca Lines
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Carved into the Peruvian landscape over a millennia ago, the Nazca lines are some of the most famed,...
Feathered Dinosaurs
29 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Having dominated the earth for millions of years, it's no wonder Dinosaurs have always fascinated us...