The Ancients

Roman Special Forces

25 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Romans were renowned for their military prowess and skill. Their legions successfully conquered vast swathes of the Mediterranean world, led by ba...

Origins of Carthage

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Famed as one of Rome’s fiercest enemies, the city of Carthage was one of the jewels of the ancient Mediterranean world. Situated on the coast of Nor...

Ice Age Britain: Finding the First Homo sapiens

17 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Roughly 40,000 years ago, Ice Age Britain was undergoing a transformation. The first modern humans, Homo sapiens, were arriving and beginning to ...

Sulla

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lucius Cornellius Sulla Felix is one of the most important Roman statesmen of antiquity. An inspiration to figures such as Julius Caesar, Sulla rose t...

Persia Reborn: Rise of the Sasanians

11 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Sasanians are renowned as one of Rome's most feared enemies. Founded in third century Persia by an Iranian noble called Ardashir, their dynasty ov...

The Epic of Gilgamesh: Quest for Immortality

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of storytelling in history. It begins with the tale of Gilgamesh’s friendship with the wi...

The Epic of Gilgamesh: Rise of Enkidu

04 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of storytelling from history. Written in ancient Mesopotamia over three thousand years ago,...

The First Dogs

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

For millennia dogs have been undoubtedly man’s best friend. But when did humans first start keeping dogs as pets? The fascinating story of how ...

Hermes: Messenger of the Gods

28 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Famed as the herald of the Greek gods, Hermes is the ‘jack of all trades’ when it comes to the pantheon of Mount Olympus. Known for his trademark ...

Alexander the Great

24 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is everything you need to know about the famed conqueror Alexander the Great. Alongside Dan Snow, host of Dan Snow's History Hit, Tristan and Dan...

Lascaux Cave: Ice Age Art

21 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lascaux Cave is an Ice Age wonder. Its walls and ceilings are adorned with stunning depictions of bison, aurochs and deer painted by hunter-gatherers ...

Cicero

17 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Marcus Tullius Cicero is one of the most famous orators in ancient history, and a central figure during the final years of the Roman Republic.To explo...

The Bronze Age Collapse

13 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Bronze Age Collapse was one of the most cataclysmic events in human history. Over just a few decades, civilisations across the Mediterranean from ...

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 the earliest human communities exchanged prizes o...

Jericho

06 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The ancient city of Jericho is often thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the world. Made famous by the biblical tale of its ...

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?Today, Tristan Hughes is joined by Ben Kane to discuss...

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 other gods and men.His tale is one of overthrowin...

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, the Ides of March, 55-year-old Roman dictator Gaius...

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-life figure, he led an army across the alps and dealt...

Sex & Sparta

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode contains graphic references to sex, infant mortality, and sexual assault.While Spartans are often thought of for their bloodthirsty and f...

Sparta vs Athens: The Greek World War

16 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Marked by shifting alliances, chaotic power struggles, and devastating consequences - the Peloponnesian War was a conflict for the ages. Fought betwee...

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 Christianity, he is the central figure in one of the ...

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 in media today. Characterised as super soldiers, f...

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 Persephone, and daughter of Kronos and Rhea, Demeter is oft...

Origins of Sparta

02 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Considered one of Athens' biggest rivals, and known for their bloodthirsty and brutal nature - there's a reason the Spartans have been immortalised in...

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, well, the Romans. But espionage has been used throu...

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 violence, destruction, and conquering. Moving from Ea...

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 a crucial centre for cultural practices, trade, a...

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. With each new discovery offering a fresh insight ...

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 than the Saka culture of Central Asia. Also known as ...

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 in Ancient Greek mythology. Wife of Hades, and...

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 their renowned reputation as skilled craftsmen, throug...

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 significance is a history that spans nearly 3 mille...

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 skull found near Harbin, China, dating back to at l...

Witches

29 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From seductive sorceresses to withered necromancers, witches play a varied - and vital - role in ancient history. Recorded in classical epics by the l...

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 Desert. The largest hot desert in the world, it's...

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 - conqueror, legend, murderer. After ascending to the thro...

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 come to mind - but what else do we know about prehist...

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 Underworld in Ancient Greek mythology. Dive in...

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 Alps between Italy and Austria. Found by mountain ...

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 metropolis, and the birth place of numerous legen...

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 not Colchester in the UK. But thanks to the disco...

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 of the most important ancient documents ever disco...

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 individual rather than the role itself. With contra...

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 Scrolls - also known as the Qumran Scrolls - are a set o...

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 the most iconic architecture and art from ancient E...

Harappan Civilisation

17 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Harappan civilisation, also known as the Indus Valley civilisation, was an ancient urban civilisation that thrived in the Indus River valley in So...

The Roman Legionary

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When you picture ancient Roman Soldiers, an image of battle-hardened warriors equipped with iron breastplates, large rectangular shields and mighty he...

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, the treasures of the Liangzhu culture can be fou...

Medusa

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode contains references to sexual assault.Medusa stands as one of the most iconic yet misconstrued figures of Greek mythology.Recognised as o...

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 the list. Originating thousands of years ago in t...

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 armageddon hit Pompeii: Mount Vesuvius erupted, f...

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 looking at the extraordinary Maya civilisation in Centr...

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 specific location - the Indonesian island of Flores. Ni...

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 and legends about it's vibrant, after hours, nigh...

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 devastation he caused in the Balkans - and where did...

Gladiators of Pompeii

13 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode contains some references to graphic violence.Gladiators are one the most enduring symbols of Ancient Rome, and Pompeii is no exception.In...

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 over centuries. His consolidation of the Hunnic trib...

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 time since 79 AD when Mount Vesuvius erupted, its st...

Cyrus the Great

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The ancient Persian ruler who founded the Achaemenid Empire, known for his benevolent governance and conquests - Cyrus the Great was a giant of histor...

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 is a treasure trove of archaeological findings. B...

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 episode, host Tristan Hughes is joined by Seth Pevnick, ...

Stonehenge

23 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stonehenge. The most iconic prehistoric monument in the world. And yet its story is still so enigmatic.In this episode, host Tristan Hughes is joined ...

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 impacted paleoanthropology in ways nobody could exp...

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, Woolly Mammoths, and Woolly Rhinoceroses come to mind. ...

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 face? Commemorated throughout history in ancient ep...

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 is finally being told. However, despite tales of l...

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 of Alexandria (also known as the Pharos), was one ...

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 remained an enigma for decades. A figurine that represent...

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 fill the void that was left - but how did this even...

Achilles

25 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode contains themes of a sexual natureAchilles is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology. The son of Peleus, a Greek King, and Thetis,...

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 dust-filled air and raging volcanoes tend to come t...

The Picts

18 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Emerging around the 3rd century CE and later designated official adversaries of the Roman Empire, the Picts wreaked havoc across the northern fringes ...

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 400,000 years ago. Thanks to fragments of wooden sp...

Human Origins: Australopithecus

11 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For millions of years, Australopithecus thrived in Africa's vast landscapes, laying the groundwork for the emergence of the Homo genus. Later, alongsi...

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, symbolising the end of centuries of Roman domina...

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 name known throughout history. Her rebellion, fue...

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 modern cowboys. But how did these huge, independen...

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 Testament. A city famed for it's architectural be...

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 considered one of the most important documents in history...

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 wonders of the Ancient world. Described as being a...

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 archaeologist and anthropologists a like. Dating back nearly 4...

Nebuchadnezzar

14 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most famous Babylonian Kings - Nebuchadnezzar II was a legendary ruler who appears in biblical stories, cuneiform texts, and was immortalis...

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 about the notorious Empress Messalina, third wife of E...

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 of the Amazons really have sex for 13 days solid? ...

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's inspired stories from Greek myths to Bond banger...

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 go far beyond that of the Hollywood screens. Ofte...

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 purported birthplace of democracy. But was Athens tr...

Knossos

23 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The legend of the Minotaur and its labyrinth has captivated us for centuries, but is there any evidence of it really existing?In this episode, Tristan...

The First Toolmakers

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Invention and innovation are two concepts that have propelled humankind forward for as long as people can remember - but who were the first, orig...

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 brochs. These enigmatic drystone towers dominated...

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 to ashes before it could be bought under control. A...

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, tactical war and skilled craft in Greek mythology.She is ...

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 feat few could compare with in 660BCE. With Assyri...

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. Founded by Alexander the Great himself in 323BC, th...

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 imagine Troy as real place. But when Heinrich Schliema...

Roman Beast Hunts

26 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and cruelty against animals.The Romans were - and still are - infamous for the brutal gladiator...

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 Mediterranean island of Sardinia. With their name ...

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 islands that make up Shetland. It’s one of the bes...

The Philistines

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps best known from the Biblical tale of David and Goliath, the Philistines were an ancient civilisation who lived on the south coast of Canaan. D...