The Classics Podcast

Classics & Careers S3, E5: James Simpson MW (Pol Roger)

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week we're swapping A Level exams for something very different - the fiendish exams you have to take if you want to become a 'Master of W...

Classics & Careers S3, E4: Cosi's Odyssey (Historian & Presenter)

04 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Cosi is an ancient historian, presenter and digital communicator - her engaging content and events have built a classics community and in this episode...

Classics & Careers S3, E3: Scott Handcock (Director & Producer)

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Scott Handcock is a TV and audio producer, writer, and director. Having recently worked as Assistant Producer on the BBC's 'The War Between th...

Classics & Careers S3, E2: Kamila Shamsie (Author of Home Fire)

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Katrina is joined by Kamila Shamsie, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and award-winning novelist, including of Home Fire, fo...

Classics & Careers S3, E1: David Harry (Tour Guide and Magician)

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Meet David Harry, aka 'The London Spy' and 'The Delusionist', a former Vice President of Deutsche Bank who went from photocopy-boy to ...

TCP Talking Disability: Dyslexia and Classics

22 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Dr Chella Ward this week are Dr Marcus Bell and Ronnais Lloyd to explore how dyslexia and learning difference has influenced their studies of ...

TCP Talking Disability: Neurodiversity and Classics

17 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Joining Dr Chella Ward this week are Annis Wiltshire and Dr Ellie Mackin-Roberts for an episode of Talking Disability on autism and neurodivergence. T...

TCP Talking Disability: Cerebral Palsy and Classics

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Join Dr Chella Ward and her two guests, Alexandra and Danny, in this first episode of our Talking Disability mini-series, launching this UK Disability...

Virgil's Aeneid: BONUS with Prof. Llewelyn Morgan

10 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We lied - there's one final episode of the series and it's a special one with Oxford don and Virgil super expert, Prof. Morgan. Find out what ...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 12 fidus (Summary & Book 3)

03 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our final episode has a summary of the series to date and then jumps into Book 3 as Katrina explains why 'The Wanderings' is a bit of a misnom...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 11 - The Colour Purple

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Virgil's Purple Prose? No, definitely not, but the Aeneid is replete with interesting uses of the word 'purpureus' and in this episode we ...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 10 Lacrimae (Book 12)

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is the Aeneid fundamentally a melancholy poem? We revisit the Optimists and Pessimists whilst looking at examples of 'tears' and weeping, lear...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 9 Pater (Fathers and Sons)

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, politics come to the forefront as Katrina explains the historical context to Augustus' principate and the grizzly proscriptions (cw: ...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 8 'Pius' - Traitors Edition

05 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Was Aeneas a pious Faithful or a deceptive Traitor? Caroline and Katrina explore the importance of 'pietas' in the Aeneid, spill the tea on th...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 7 Viscum ('The Golden Bough')

29 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Spooky Season and so this week’s episode is a trip to the Underworld, as imagined by Virgil in Aeneid Book VI. But what does ‘Viscum’ mea...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 6 Cerva (Dido)

22 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's our Dido episode at last! In Book 4 Line 69 Virgil describes Dido as a 'cerva' - a 'doe', wounded by an arrow in one of his m...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 5 Musa (Singers)

15 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We're sticking with the theme of song and Katrina explains the relevance of some of the minor characters in the Aeneid from Iopas the bard to the ...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 4 Cano (Book 1)

08 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Cano - 'I sing'! We're heading back to the beginning and in this episode, Caroline and Katrina explore the opening lines of the poem, tran...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 3 Limen (Part 2)

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Following straight on from our last episode, we're finding thresholds in Books 5-8 - featuring footraces, fatherly mentors, a fearsome Fury and Th...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 2 Limen (Part 1)

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Starting with the word for 'threshold', Katrina and Caroline explore storytelling techniques and the stages of the Hero's Journey; the lin...

Virgil's Aeneid: Ep. 1 - Lumen

17 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this brand new series, TCP host Katrina Kelly is joined by bestselling author Caroline Lawrence, to discuss Virgil's epic poem, The Aeneid. Ins...

Q&A with Louise O'Brien, our Expert in Residence

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Featuring ancient sourdough, hippos, ritual instruments, obelisks in Rome, Hadrian’s lover Antinous, and Louise's favourite ancient god! Time st...

Expert in Residence: Louise O'Brien

28 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Introducing Dr Louise O'Brien, our new Expert in Residence! Ask Louise a question for our next episodeTime stamps for this episode: 9.53 Intro to Roma...

Prof. Dame Sue Black, Forensic Scientist: Classics & Careers

12 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

We have a bonus episode for you... what better way to close out Season 2 than with an interview with one of the most fascinating people we've ever met...

Q&A with Jessica Clarke, our Expert in Residence

07 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Before her Expert in Residence Special Lecture on Thursday 15th May, Jessica joins us to answer your questions: featuring discussion on layered cakes,...

Claudian Inscriptions with Dr Abigail Graham

02 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the third and final episode of this mini series, ⁠⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) explores the Emperor Claudius' ...

Tiberian Inscriptions with Dr Abigail Graham

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the second episode of this mini series, ⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) moves on from Augustus to explore how Tiberius pre...

Mary-Ann Ochota, Anthropologist & Broadcaster: Classics and Careers

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of Season 2, Katrina chats to Mary-Ann Ochota, author of Hidden Histories and Secret Britain, anthropologist, broadcaster and Pre...

Augustan Inscriptions with Dr Abigail Graham

14 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After an introduction to Roman epigraphy (what do we mean by inscriptions and how can we go about reading them?), Dr Abigail Graham (Institute of Clas...

Tom Davey, Actor & Educator: Classics and Careers

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Tom Davey, RADA trained actor, talks to Katrina about his favourite roles, playing in an adaptation of Antigone at the Edinburgh Fringe, his company ...

Ancient Tokens - Revisited!

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Katrina welcomes back Dr Clare Rowan from the University of Warwick to find out what brilliant ideas entrants had in her Tokens Competition - from gla...

Nimi Shephard-Patel, Fundraising Manager: Classics and Careers

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Katrina talks to Dr Nimisha Shephard-Patel, a fundraising manager for the Hyde Group, who also has a doctorate in Classics from King&...

Jessica Clarke: our new Expert in Residence

13 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's a big welcome to our new Expert in Residence, Dr Jessica Clarke, Roman historian and archaeologist! In this introductory interview, Katrina d...

Erica Stevenson, Moan Inc YouTuber: Classics and Careers

06 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

From pulling pints to interviewing world experts, Erica tells Katrina how MoAn Inc was born, how she went from hating Latin to fangirling with Emily W...

Matthew Rawcliffe, Dancer & Choreographer: Classics and Careers

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Katrina talks to former BBC Young Dancer of the Year (Contemporary), Matthew Rawcliffe, who is combining his love for dance and ancie...

Rhodessa Jones, Activist & Performer: Classics and Careers

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

CW: in this episode, Rhodessa does talk about difficult themes including ab*se and dr*g-taking; the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are t...

Peter Frankopan: Why is the Ancient World Important?

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History and the Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research and our 2024 CA Prizewinner shares why he th...

4. Nero: Roman Coins with Sam Moorhead

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In the final episode of this mini-series, Sam discusses several coins that reflect the different periods of Nero's rule - from his accession throu...

3. Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius: Roman Coins with Sam Moorhead

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 3, Sam tells James about how coin imagery developed across these three very different imperial reigns. Look out for the following time stam...

Flora Kirk, Jenks and Cora Beth Fraser, Illustrators: Classics and Careers

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time, Katrina welcomes three guests to the podcast with illustrators and classicists, Dr Cora Beth Fraser, Laura Jenkinson-Brown (aka Gr...

2. Augustus: Roman Coins with Sam Moorhead

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 2 focuses on Augustus, and how his coinage changed to reflect his victory in the civil war, his creation of the principate, his military victo...

1. Introduction: Roman Coins with Sam Moorhead

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Sam Moorhead gives us the perfect introduction to Roman coins: what were they made from, where were they made, what did they depict and how were th...

Charlie Covell, Writer & Actor: Classics and Careers

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to Classics and Careers! In Season 2, we're speaking to lots of new wonderful guests whose work has been influenced by the ancient world ...

9. Claudius and Nero: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

“That doesn’t work for an Emperor - you’ve got to be popular!” In this final episode looking at the Julio-Claudians' impact on urban living i...

8. Augustus, Tiberius and Caligula: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"Being an emperor is like holding a wolf by the ears" In these summary sections looking at the Julio-Claudians' impact on urban living in Rome, Andre...

7. Who Benefitted? Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

24 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A short summary for the thematic section of this mini-series, as Andrew shares whom he thinks benefitted from these developments in urban living that ...

6. Bread and Circuses: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is bitesize episode in our mini-series covers 'panem et circenses', entertainment for the people of Rome and the imperial response to ancient rio...

Charlie Covell - Season 2 of Classics and Careers Coming Soon!

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this sneak peek at the first episode of Season 2 of Classics and Careers, coming very soon, Katrina chats to writer, actor and creator of Kaos, Cha...

5. Local Government: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This is a super bitesize episode in our mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient Rome, in which Andrew tells James about methods of local government. Pro...

4. Housing and Fire: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

19 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In part four of our bitesize episode mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient Rome, it's time to talk fire hazards, life in the insulae, and the social im...

Q&A with Lee Baker, our Expert in Residence

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Io Saturnalia! In this festive episode, Lee answers your questions and spills the tea on Ovid's exile, Horace's festival big number, how (not) to teac...

3. Water and Health: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In part three of our bitesize episode mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient Rome, it's time to talk aqueducts, daily baths, whether the Romans did thei...

2. Food: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

15 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridge and Director of the British School at Rome) chats with James Renshaw in the second part...

1. Population: Urban Living in Rome with Andrew Wallace-Hadrill

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridge and Director of the British School at Rome) chats with James Renshaw in the first part ...

TCP does Roman History: Josephus on Claudius

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this third and final episode focusing on the historian Josephus, ⁠Dr Jon Davies⁠⁠ of Copenhagen University explores the presentation of Claud...

TCP does Roman History: Josephus on Caligula

08 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode focusing on the historian Josephus, Dr Jon Davies⁠ of Copenhagen University explores the presentation of Caligula in Book 19 ...

TCP does Roman History: Josephus Introduction

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Dr Jon Davies, Copenhagen University, gives a comprehensive overview of the life and times of Josephus, who wrote during the first century CE and is a...

Lee Baker: our new Expert in Residence

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What is the best thing about being a Classics teacher? Why is Classics important? Would you rather be mates with Ovid or Catullus? These are just some...

TCP does Roman History: Cassius Dio on Nero

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

All good things have to come to an end and this is our last episode with ⁠⁠⁠Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(University of Kent...

TCP does Roman History: Cassius Dio on Claudius

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning with the assassination of Caligula and Claudius' accession, ⁠⁠Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠(University of Kent) and Jam...

TCP does Roman History: Cassius Dio on Caligula

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"He’s at once very conventional and yet also extremely distinctive - Dio repeats all of the standard criticisms we might find of Caligula, but, in t...

TCP does Roman History: Cassius Dio on Tiberius

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

"Dio gives us a Tiberius that is extremely shrewd - and that's not necessarily a criticism!" ⁠Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens ⁠⁠⁠(University of...

TCP does Roman History: Cassius Dio on Augustus

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

First up in this week's episodes, ‘the big Daddy of them all’ - Augustus - gets the Dio treatment in Books 53-56 and, as Dr Christopher Burden-Str...

TCP does Roman History: Suetonius on Nero

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We've made it to the last of the Julio-Claudians! ⁠Professor Catharine Edwards⁠⁠⁠ (Birkbeck, University of London) talks to James Renshaw abou...

TCP does Roman History: Suetonius on Claudius

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Claudius - useless ruler or an effective administrator? Professor Catharine Edwards⁠⁠ (Birkbeck, University of London) talks to James Renshaw abou...

TCP does Roman History: Suetonius on Caligula

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A short rule, but what a rule it was! Professor Catharine Edwards⁠⁠⁠ (Birkbeck, University of London) sheds light on Suetonius' invective agains...

TCP does Roman History: Suetonius on Tiberius

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tiberius is the focus of Professor Catharine Edwards⁠⁠ (Birkbeck, University of London) and James Renshaw's conversation as they explore how Sueto...

TCP does Roman History: Suetonius on Augustus

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Catharine Edwards⁠ (Birkbeck, University of London) talks to James Renshaw about Suetonius' biography of Rome's first emperor, the first p...

TCP does Roman History: Tacitus on Nero

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There’s so much to unpack when it comes to Nero - from the death of his mother Agrippina to the Great Fire of Rome, Tacitus lived through these year...

TCP does Roman History: Tacitus on Claudius

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Beginning at the end of Claudius' rule and the accession of Nero, Hannah looks back with James upon Tacitus’ treatment of Claudius, the role of free...

TCP does Roman History: Tacitus on Caligula

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As Hannah explains, not much survives of Tacitus' account of Gaius Caligula, but in this bitesize episode, there are still some conclusions we can dra...

TCP does Roman History: Tacitus on Tiberius

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this jam-packed episode, Hannah discusses Tiberius’ relationship with the Senate, the Germanicus situation, the trial of Piso, and Tacitus’ per...

TCP does Roman History: Tacitus on Augustus

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this first emperor study, Hannah and James talk Augustus. Tacitus only gives us a potted history of Augustus in his Annals - Hannah explores why Ta...

TCP does Roman History: Cassius Dio Introduction

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it Cassius Dio or Dio Cassius? Who was he, when was he writing and what was he writing about? Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent) s...

TCP does Roman History: Suetonius Introduction

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this introductory episode about the source material of Suetonius, Professor Catharine Edwards (Birkbeck, University of London) tells James Renshaw ...

TCP does Roman History: Tacitus Introduction

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to a new season of TCP does Ancient History A Level: Roman Edition and we're kicking off with the OG historian, Tacitus! Your favourite ...

Ancient Tokens with Clare Rowan

24 Sep 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's competition time! What were ancient tokens, why do some of them have numbers on them, and what do these mean? Let your imagination run wild...

Q&A with Chella Ward, our Expert in Residence

07 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Content Warning: some listeners may find some parts of this episode upsetting. In this Q&A, Chella answers your questions on topics as disparate ...

Persephone - Original Senior Poetry WINNER

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Prof. Judith Mossman narrates this original composition by Maya Le Her, winner of the Senior Category of the CA's 2024 Poetry Competition. To read...

Pluto's Wife in Transit - Open Original WINNER

22 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Winner of our 2024 Poetry Competition Open Original Category, Emily Lord-Kambitsch, created a brilliant new take on the story of Persephone - listen n...

Latin Live #2! WINNER of our Open Translation Competition

19 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Armand D'Angour narrates the winning translation in our Open Competition by C. Luke Soucy of Horace Odes 4.1. To read Luke's work an...

Latin Live! WINNER of our Senior Translation Competition

18 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Hannah Gilmore's translation 'That Hollow of her Hand' of Tibullus 2.4 won the Senior Category in our 2024 Competition, judged and here re...

Chella Ward: our new Expert in Residence

16 Jul 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Content Warning: some listeners may find some parts of this episode upsetting. In this episode we get to know Dr Marchella (Chella) Ward, a lecturer ...

Q&A with Hardeep Dhindsa, our Expert in Residence

19 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome back Hardeep for part 2 of our interview series and he's here to answer your questions: we cover how to book your own Grand Tour, the h...

REVISION: Aristophanes - Knights & Wasps

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Aristophanes - Clouds (Athens Depth Study)

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Aristophanes - Thesmophoriazusae (Athens Depth Study)

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Aristophanes - Lysistrata (Sparta Depth Study)

24 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Aristophanes - Acharnians 524-539 & Peace

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Aristophanes - Intro & Archarnians 61-71

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Plutarch - Roman Republic & bonus Shakespeare!

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Plutarch - Macedon Depth Study

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Plutarch - Sparta Depth Study

22 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Plutarch - Biographies of Aristides, Cimon & Pericles (+ bonus 5 mins)

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Plutarch - Intro & Suetonius Comparison

21 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Attic Inscriptions - Bonus Extras!

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Attic Inscriptions - The Chalkis & Thoudippos Decrees

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Attic Inscriptions - Intro & The First Stele

20 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...

REVISION: Athenian Defeat - Notion, Arginusae & Aegospotami

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge you...

REVISION: Athenian Defeat - Oligarchic Coup & Cyrus the Younger

18 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's revision season! Ancient History A Level students (and the rest of you interested folk) - listen now to our bitesize episodes and supercharge...