Recent Entries
History (100)
How did Sparta, the most feared military state in ancient Greece, fall from grace in a single generation?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Roel Konijnendijk and Dr Owen Rees to chronicle Sparta's catastrophic collapse in the fourth century BC. Fresh from its victory over Athens in the year 404, Sparta stood unrivalled. Yet within decades, its power would be shattered, its authority broken, and its golden age over. From decisive battles against resurgent rivals Thebes and Corinth to over-ambitious kings and a defining clash with a warband of sacred lovers, it is a gripping story of sky-high stakes and two-faced duplicity; of brutal power struggles and the cut-throat scramble to become the hegemonic power of ancient Greece.
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March of the 10,000
Sparta vs Athens: The Greek World War
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
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From The Ancients at 2026-01-04 03:00:00
Rise of Christianity (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=d85FQ6mak1JqlQ4EZzSfdX1UvNGqWuP7GYC0hE5Q1eo)
How did a persecuted minority religion rise to be embraced and enforced by mighty Roman Emperors?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Peter Heather to chart the dramatic rise of Christianity, exploring how Emperors such as Constantine the Great were forced to hide their true religions and the suppression of paganism across the world.
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Council of Nicea
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2026-01-01 03:00:00
The First Life on Earth (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=4NyXOMItr6JqDYDMalStppZqjxxZnTFEzeeyLrcvzZA)
Today we’re going back to the beginning – no Romans, Celts, Egyptians or Macedonians in sight. Billions of years of prehistory as we look at the emergence of life on Earth. From the rise of the earliest microscopic membranes to the arrival of the dinosaurs.
Tristan Hughes is joined by Henry Gee to journey through several billion years of history; from the rise of the earliest microscopic membranes to the arrival of the dinosaurs.
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Rise of Humans with Henry Gee
Jurassic America
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-28 03:00:00
The Ice Age (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=-sL28CTlaB9zacwvNh-lM-FLUp7VRfzcmcNEP4bJhh8)
Think of the Ice Age and tales of ferocious sabre-toothed tigers and giant megafauna likely spring to mind - but what do we know about prehistoric human culture 25,000 years ago and how people survived a perilous landscape of marauding Woolly Mammoths, bitterly cold temperatures and primitive Stone Age tools?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Cody Cassidy to look at how early cultures adapted to the extremes of the Last Glacial Period. Looking at the rapidly changing landscape, the cause of the big freeze and prehistoric hunting methods - do you have what it takes to survive the Ice Age?
This episode was first released in October 2023.
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Ice Age Britain: Finding the First Homo sapiens
Ice Age America
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-25 03:00:00
The Minoan Labyrinth (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=6zAtqtKJX9MztyrlmoUZjV9bS6wKowhoRyj6uYpdvQM)
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey immerses players in the mythology of Ancient Greece. In particular, they can walk in the footsteps of Theseus through the Labyrinth and come face to face with the mythical Minotaur. Commonly associated with the maze-like Knossos palace on Crete, how much of the myth is rooted in reality? Prof Nicoletta Momigliano guides Tristan Hughes through the pathways between myth and reality of the Minoan Labyrinth.
Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Listen to it here.
Hosted by: Tristan Hughes
Edited by: Alex Jones and Aidan Lonergan
Produced by: Robin McConnell, Anne-Marie Luff
Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff
Production Manager: Beth Donaldson
Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett
Music:
Phoibe the Orphan by The Flight, Michael Georgiades
The Minotaur by The Flight
Barnabas by The Flight, Michael Georgiades
If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here.
Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-21 03:00:00
Emperor Diocletian and the Great Persecution (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=WPeeGk-kABTJIOGd1qJiyv3dUTSzMJM09053gxvhcvI)
How did a humble Balkan soldier ascend to the heights of Roman power?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Gwynn to explore the tumultuous reign of Emperor Diocletian and the significant reforms that pulled the Roman Empire out of its third-century crisis, including the formation of the Tetrarchy to stabilise the empire. However, Diocletian's legacy is heavily marred by his notorious Great Persecution of Christians. Who was the real Diocletian?
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Rome's Crisis of the Third Century
Emperor Constantine
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-12-18 03:00:00
Paestum: Ancient Greeks in Italy (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=T8LWaOKD8CPk1QIg3AKXWTNQqZT5cP2W0ZfZdL88X-U)
The story of ancient Italy is so much more than just Rome. In this special episode, we're shining a light on the extraordinary site of Paestum in southern Italy, home to some of the greatest ancient Greek temples from anywhere in the world.
Guided through Paestum's story with the site's director Dr Tiziana D'Angelo and Dr Kathryn Lomas, Tristan follows the story of Paestum from its Greek beginnings in c.600 BC all the way down to its eventual takeover by Rome more than 300 years later.
Tristan's new documentary, Paestum: A Tale of Three Cities, is out now.
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Fall of the Etruscans
Roman Roads
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-14 03:00:00
Stegosaurus: Titan of the Jurassic (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=qRuEHKD0KG3s6dKr3iTnSZ49M2pJrMINM6V_Zf-bXwY)
Few dinosaurs are as instantly recognisable as the plated titan Stegosaurus - it's the Jurassic giant with a brain the size of a walnut and a tail that could kill.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Susannah Maidment of London’s Natural History Museum to uncover the secrets of its incredible armour, explore the latest theories behind its bizarre anatomy, and journey back to the Jurassic World it dominated to understand how this unique giant truly lived and fought. Join us to dive into the latest research and discover the surprising truth behind one of prehistory’s most beloved dinosaurs.
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Tyrannosaurus Rex
The Rise of the Dinosaurs
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-11 03:00:00
Rise of King Herod (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=4kv6MsAeSftZ9v4W_U0MonB8jFMX4ST2VluaHSVYZdI)
He’s the villain of the Nativity. An alleged killer of innocents, remembered as one of history’s great monsters. But the truth about Herod the Great is far more dramatic, far more complex, and far more shocking.
On today's special episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes asks: who was the real Herod behind the legend and the infamy? Joined by Professor Benedict Eckhardt, Dr Kimberly Tchaikovsky and Professor Helen Bond, he charts the gripping rise of one of antiquity’s most formidable and misunderstood rulers. From perilous beginnings to becoming Rome’s chosen King of Judea, Herod’s story blends Greek-style tragedy with ruthless Roman politics and features encounters with towering figures like Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Mark Antony. Join us to step into the turbulent world of Roman Judea and discover how Herod defied the odds to seize his throne.
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The Wise Men:
The Great Jewish Revolt:
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-07 03:00:00
The Ten Commandments (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=d8M9BtCQdRkar4Ap2ps7GW5fPNRzX4o-LzcZwBqUCgA)
Did Moses really receive the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, or is that just ancient legend? Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Dylan Johnson to unpack how the Book of Exodus disagrees with Deuteronomy, what “do not take God’s name in vain” really meant, and how these commands blurred law and morality for ancient peoples.
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The Ark of the Covenant
Moses & The Exodus
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-12-04 03:00:00
Origins of Chocolate (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=XmQRASt3n0Zb5OEU-N0Yh33H5e2sjaeeNsgouj2aM8c)
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Cameron McNeil, Mesoamerican archaeologist, to explore cacao, in ancient Mesoamerican societies like the Maya, Aztecs, and Olmecs. They discuss how was used as food, drink, currency, and in ritualistic practices, and learn about its journey from South America to becoming a highly valued commodity in Mesoamerica.
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Origins of Beer
Pyramid of the Sun
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-30 03:00:00
The Khmer Empire: Angkor Wat (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=NBXqlmLQtDxntPSW7Y_S_opq-jjr4n-T-l1henVUAXk)
How did Indian culture shape the wonders of Southeast Asia?
Tristan Hughes is joined by William Dalrymple to explore the fascinating first millennium AD, from vibrant trade dynamics with the Roman Empire to the establishment of powerful Indian trading guilds and the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism after Rome's decline. They dig in to the construction of the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world which boasts a central area four times the size of Vatican City, with carvings depicting epic Hindu legends.
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
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The Romans and India with William Dalrymple
Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-27 03:00:00
The World's Oldest Letters (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=t7krug4OjMC6WEDQjqHXoUw52Gu9h11LgZmm_z2j8vk)
What do the world’s first letters reveal about life in the Bronze Age?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Amanda Podany to uncover the remarkable written culture of ancient Mesopotamia, when clay tablets carried messages across vast distances and a proto-postal system linked cities like Ur and Babylon. From royal correspondence and diplomatic negotiations to worried family notes and furious consumer complaints -including the iconic rant against the merchant Ea-Nasir for terrible copper - these texts offer a vivid, relatable window into everyday life 4,000 years ago. Step into the earliest age of writing and discover how humanity first learned to communicate across time and space.
Translations in this episode taken from A. Leo Oppenheim, Letters from Mesopotamia (1967) & J. M. Sasson, From the Mari Archives (2015).
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-23 03:00:00
Emperor Tiberius: Monster or Misunderstood? (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=_Rf8IzSq27aMQU1LiWztfm8wZupbnbMqqQF70T83Z1M)
*WARNING: This podcast contains adult themes and discussion of paedophilia*
A brilliant general. A brooding autocrat. A recluse surrounded by scandal. Few Roman emperors divide opinion like Tiberius. But was he truly a monster, or the victim of centuries of salacious storytelling?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Daisy Dunn to uncover the real man behind the myths. From Tiberius’ early brilliance on campaign to his troubled and bloody reign in Rome, and finally his notorious withdrawal to Capri, they explore how much of this lurid legacy holds up. Was Tiberius an underrated statesman undone by grief and politics, or the twisted tyrant historians have claimed? Join us to dive into the truth behind Rome’s most tragic emperor.
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Agrippa and Augustus: The Golden Age
The Rise of Nero
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-20 03:00:00
Zoroastrianism (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=8fVgtgDp4x-BNWIFgrS1RF27N8nmA15zH1hArPZ2y70)
A faith born in the distant prehistoric past, rooted in ancient Iranian texts over 4,000 years old, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest living religions. and one that shaped empires.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Almut Hintze to explore the origins, beliefs, and enduring legacy of Zoroastrianism. From the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra and the central role of Ahura Mazda, to holy fire and its influence on the Achaemenid and Sasanian worlds, join us to discover how this ancient religion helped shape ancient empires and Persian identity for millennia
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The Wise Men
Persia Reborn: Rise of the Sasanians
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
Theme music from Motion Array, all other music from Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-16 03:00:00
Decline & Fall of the Ancient World (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Lk_60SV-8iXGkWv3qQVtzzRxCPi08b7_IvcSbGWbnXY)
Tristan Hughes invites Matt Lewis, host The Ancients's sister podcast Gone Medieval, for a lively debate with about the blurred boundary between the ancient and medieval worlds. Can Tristan champion Roman Emperor Justinian as an Ancient? What about Charlemagne? Which period can lay claim to the worst year in history? And was there a single moment when people woke up and realised they'd entered a new era?
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
MORE:
541 AD: The Worst Year in History
The Fall of Rome: Origins
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editors are Rob Weinberg and Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-13 03:00:00
Roman Toilets (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=XvF3MdLfPFRkt4Kg1fRpaf9HZxJpkNbLxYRBfPTMaBs)
They built roads, aqueducts, and bathhouses but what about toilets?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Hannah Platts, to uncover the surprisingly fascinating world of Roman toilets, faeces and sewers. From communal latrines and ancient plumbing to what really happened with the “sponge on a stick,” discover what it was like to do your business in ancient Rome - smells, small talk, and all.
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-11 03:00:00
The Ancients Recommends: History Daily (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=UWQAAaiIF569DHV8Fu2EnuRBJK_TY6XKDS4KeWX4Y3I)
Today in this bonus episode Tristan introduces us to History Daily podcast, where host Lindsay Graham takes us back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history.
Whether it’s to remember the tragedy of December 7th, 1941, the day “that will live in infamy,” or to celebrate that 20th day in July, 1969, when mankind reached the moon, History Daily is there to tell the true stories of the people and events that shaped our world—one day at a time.
A co-production from award-winning podcasters Airship and Noiser.
In this episode:
The Loch Ness Photograph: April 21, 1934. The Daily Mail publishes an alleged photo of the Loch Ness Monster, sparking an international sensation around one of the world’s most enduring modern legends.
The First Meteorite To Strike a Person: November 30, 1954. Alabama resident Ann Hodges becomes the first person struck by a meteorite, an event that will upend the 34-year-old’s life.
Listen to History Daily here
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-09 03:00:00
Antony and Cleopatra (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=qJymuUWHuoJG67AlwD45VEchL_xGA6N2AheUj60MGbU)
Rome. Egypt. Love. War. Over 2,000 years ago, the fates of two ancient worlds collided in one of history’s most legendary love stories: Antony and Cleopatra.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Daisy Dunn to uncover the truth behind the myth - from their first meeting at Tarsus to the political intrigue that scandalised Rome. It was an affair that ignited a civil war, forged an empire that lasted for an age and gave rise to one of world history's most dramatic and tragic deaths, so join us to discover how passion, ambition, and betrayal reshaped the ancient Mediterranean world.
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-06 03:00:00
Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=LNWY2-Fq1JdseKvXFTn-4QVnKAlMqx1g7CMQULOOf0c)
Who were the Vikings' ancient ancestors? In this episode Tristan Hughes explores the fascinating maritime culture, sophisticated trade networks and social hierarchies of the Nordic Bronze Age c. 1800–700 BC.
Joined by Professor Johan Ling, they shed light on how proto-Viking societies of ancient Scandinavia imported essential metals, crafted stunning rock art using bronze tools and operated complex trade routes extending to Britain, Iberia and beyond. Enigmatic religious practices and the pivotal role played by elite kinship networks are brought to life through remarkable archaeological finds such as horned helmets and a golden sun chariot to reveal the remarkable complex societies that preceded the Viking Age.
MORE:
Mycenae: Cradle of Bronze Age Greece
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-11-02 03:00:00
Fall of Babylon (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=YJ2PM1eaZnsN4p0e1qB0hZG4tj90jHwhflWBJ0rSyA0)
The year is 539 BC. The greatest city of the ancient world has fallen. Babylon has opened it's gates to a new conqueror: the mighty Persian king Cyrus the Great.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined once again by friend of the show Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to uncover the dramatic fall of Babylon and the ascent of Persia’s Achaemenid empire. From the final decades of Babylonian rule to Cyrus’ blood-stained triumph and the city’s remarkable survival under a new regime, they discover how one of history’s most iconic capitals lost its crown - a seismic chapter in the tumultuous story of the Ancient Near East.
Watch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-30 03:00:00
Origins of Yoga (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=eJOxMddzAHpnc_5N4BjLGLfRPw-FT2IhDPwusUUYfM4)
Warrior, Cobra, Downward Dog. If you do Yoga today, those are poses you’re surely aware of. But where and when did Yoga originate?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Jim Mallinson to uncover the ancient roots of yoga - a tradition stretching back over 3,000 years. From the meditative practices of the Indus Valley Civilisation to the spiritual seekers of early India, they discover how yoga evolved from a path of divine discipline and self-realisation into one of the world’s most influential philosophies and practices.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-26 03:00:00
Boudica's Tribe: How the Iceni Survived the Romans (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=thbt_w1F_rkS0WEDpFLNvkRVwm2hDYqcTOdpLb4W0T4)
Join us for a special episode of The Ancients, recorded on-site in Norfolk, as we delve into the fascinating history of the Iceni tribe both before and after Boudica's famed revolt against the legions.
Tristan Hughes joins Professor William Bowden at the dig to hear about Iceni resistance, cultural continuity, and adaptation in the face of Roman conquest. Together they explore archaeological insights into the Iceni's daily lives, their treasured artefacts, and their complex relationship with Roman rule, sharing remarkable recent discoveries, offering a tangible connection to the past and piecing together a vivid narrative of a tribe that endured and evolved over centuries.
See the finds made at the Caistor Roman Project
[ACAST ONLY]
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-23 03:00:00
Bog Bodies (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=PaRetG4FXqKqjM_6n1Vsk7FSfxOKxa2vWbE2pwVRjfE)
What lurks under the surface of the dense black peat pits strewn across northern Europe? Bog bodies, naturally mummified humans, have fascinated archeologists for decades as they offer unique insights into ancient cultures.
Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Melanie Giles to examine how old these bodies are, how they're preserved and incredible examples including Tolland Man and Lindow Man. They discuss the myriad potential explanations for their deaths ranging from ritual sacrifice to accidental demise, as well as the importance of these bogs in prehistoric societies, including their resources and hazards, and their valuable role in modern ecological efforts.
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-19 03:00:00
Marcus Aurelius: The Philosopher Emperor (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=3u2ei1nxEQ-836Lw36fzM-1zc0h3-mPJBCPmn6E5seI)
He's known as Rome’s philosopher-emperor and faced plague, rebellion and war in the East. Yet Marcus Aurelius ruled with a pen as much as a sword, finding peace in philosophy which still inspires the world today.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor William Stephens to uncover the life, legacy, and stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. From his rise to emperor at the height of Rome’s power to his struggles with plague, rebellion, and invasion, they unpack how this philosopher-king embodied the ideals of Stoicism while leading through crisis and ask what Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations can tell us about duty, resilience, and the mind of Rome’s most thoughtful ruler?
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Commodus: The Gladiator Emperor
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-16 03:00:00
The Sons of Attila the Hun (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Ft5mdF9VS9jBnRGdrULqgLwPk6ni3hVhU58bmFGzzj4)
The year is 453 AD. The most feared warlord in Europe - Attila the Hun - lies dead on his wedding night. But what happened next plunged his vast empire into bloody chaos.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Hyun Jin Kim to uncover the dramatic story of Attila’s heirs and the fall of the Huns. From bitter rivalries between Attila’s sons to the Gothic kings who rose to challenge them, discover how the mighty Hunnic Empire collapsed almost overnight — a saga of ambition, betrayal, and the violent unravelling of one of history’s most feared powers.
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Attila the Hun: Scourge of God
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-12 03:00:00
Rise of Islam (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Np3YT1qqR97iKrrG4oXyhtBKbMgcds-7HQJw5CMLPf8)
In the 7th century, a new empire rose from the sands of Arabia - united by faith, driven by conquest, and destined to change history forever.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Khododad Rezakhani to explore the emergence of Islam from the ashes of Rome and Persia’s great struggle for supremacy. Together they discover how the early Islamic polity took shape, why the Arab conquests were so swift and decisive, and how they reshaped the politics, culture, and religion of West Asia. From the fall of the Sasanians to the dawn of a new empire, this is the story of how Islam rose to dominate the world of late antiquity.
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Persia Reborn: Rise of the Sasanians
Edges of Empire: The Sasanian Frontiers
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-09 03:00:00
The First Hawaiians (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=_VEVgF-LRc6EiqSkm5aeKBXMcUrJiwngmw-VVoplnNY)
Tristan Hughes goes on an exploration of Hawaii's earliest settlers, guided by the insights of Dr. Patrick Kirch, a leading expert on Hawaiian archeology. From the arrival of Polynesians around AD 1000, using sophisticated double-hull canoes, to their unique agricultural practices and the construction of monumental architecture, they delve into the impact of Polynesian settlers on Hawaii's pristine ecosystem, the use of petroglyphs, and the development of highly stratified societal structures shedding light on Hawaii's ancient past.
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-05 03:00:00
Gladiators: A Day in the Life (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=VIgc_hi4aVuWU-qau-Xu3wJWixJH6xGrZ64uS3CcOYc)
The Colosseum packed with roaring crowds, the sand stained with sweat and blood. But today, you’re not watching - you’re fighting. Welcome to a day in the life of a Roman gladiator.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by historian and author Dr Harry Sidebottom to uncover the brutal reality behind Rome’s most iconic fighters. From their training regimes and daily routines to the myths of gladiatorial combat, discover what it really meant to step into the arena. Were these warriors condemned slaves or celebrities of the ancient world? And did they really salute the emperor with the famous words: “We who are about to die salute you”?
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tomos Delargy, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-10-02 03:00:00
Origins of Mythology (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=-udic6eszMf787tjBm3BHdX4VE5T6qVhL5lzOV-K8HY)
From Cinderella to Beauty and the Beast, the roots of fairy tales stretch back thousands of years — to the dawn of Indo-European languages and beyond.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by author and journalist Laura Spinney to explore the origins of mythology. From the tales compiles by the Brothers Grimm to cutting-edge linguistic studies, they explore how ancient myths endure across cultures, and what they reveal about human societies stretching back tens of thousands of years.
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With thanks to the authors of the Proto-Indo European reconstructions Riccardo Ginevra (Assistant Professor of Historical and General Linguistics, Catholic University of Milan) and Andrew Byrd (Associate Professor of Linguistics, University of Kentucky). Reconstructions performed by Phil Barnett (MA in Linguistics, University of Kentucky).
Click on the following links to listen to the full reconstructions on Youtube:
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Astall and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-28 03:00:00
The First Pharaohs (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=6QTbWEZ0r_C0VkoihpzNDAPto6x4auIEkeas8p2Z_8Y)
Unveiling the Enigmatic Story of Egypt's First Pharaohs, roughly 5,000 years ago. Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Aidan Dodson to discuss the renowned Scorpion King and early dynasties, the unifying figure of Narmer, as well as the evolution of early Egyptian tombs and traditions, providing a fascinating insight into the dawn of Egypt's earliest civilisations.
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-25 03:00:00
Inanna: Mesopotamian Sex Goddess (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Cad5fh5iT6CZFd5oMFQNNj_7Xo-I-qeODYKm6d7FzwM)
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Kate Lister to take us on a journey through the fascinating history of Innana, an ancient goddess of love, war, fertility, and political power. They delve into her evolution from a humble agricultural deity to one of the most powerful and complex figures in ancient mythology, revered in Mesopotamia and beyond. This one goddess influenced millennia of religious and cultural history, possibly extending even to Persephone and the Virgin Mary.
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Persephone: Queen of the Underworld
Sex Work in Pompeii with Kate Lister
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-21 03:00:00
The Picts: Rulers of the North (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=WUjCr-zuAwgh2gW8HUgZfBV_-upfai3C0hHoFmm_NOc)
Tristan Hughes journeys up to windswept Scotland to uncover the secrets of the Picts — fierce warriors, skilled artisans, enemies of Rome and rulers of the North.
In this special episode of The Ancients - recorded on site at East Lomond hill fort and National Museums Scotland - Tristan is joined by Professor Gordon Noble and Dr. Martin Goldberg explores how the Picts lived, fought, and thrived in Britain’s wildlands. From mysterious symbol stones and silver hoards to rare warrior artefacts, discover how archaeology is rewriting the story of Scotland's most famous warrior people.
Tristan's new TV documentary 'Enemies of Rome: In Search of the Picts' is out now on History Hit. To watch, sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Edited and produced by Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-18 03:00:00
The Permian Extinction: When Life Nearly Died (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=LYy-FDat2NRa9y6-AIrAT9BCImXey9MTzy_hVIluLng)
It was the biggest mass extinction event in Earth’s history. 250 million years ago, a 252 million years ago, Earth faced its deadliest crisis. 97% of all life was wiped out in the Permian Extinction – a cataclysm so severe it’s known as The Great Dying.
In this episode of The Ancients, the fourth and final part of our Great Disasters miniseries, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Michael Benton to uncover the full story of this mass extinction. From the rich and bizarre world of Permian creatures to the apocalyptic events that triggered their downfall, discover how just 3% of life clung on and how their survival paved the way for the rise of the dinosaurs.
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-14 03:00:00
541 AD: The Worst Year in History (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=XOHrlZJGmWbZmbdVR-0IWyZI_yDk9FRAa-GeHC_8OPA)
Was this the worst year in human history? Bubonic plague sweeps across the Mediterranean. The sun vanishes behind volcanic ash. Crops fail, famine bites, and the Roman empire lurches towards collapse.
In this episode of The Ancients, the third in our special Great Disasters series, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Kyle Harper to uncover the perfect storm of catastrophe that struck the Roman world in the mid-6th century. From volcanic winters to the Justinianic Plague, we explore whether 541 AD marks the true end of antiquity and the dawn of the Middle Ages. Step into a year of chaos that reshaped empires, environments, and human survival.
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Did Plague Destroy the Roman Empire?
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-11 03:00:00
Fall of the Sumerians (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=5D4soYfCpQUZJYZdM7O21zAkJQjSXAL1yLFbo0349HU)
Tristan Hughes continues our special series on Great Disasters, journeying back to ancient Mesopotamia with Dr Paul Collins to explore the fall of the Sumerians.
4,000 years ago, the great cities of Sumer — Ur, Uruk, Lagash, Girsu — stood as glittering centres of power, crowned with mighty ziggurats and ruled by ambitious dynasties. Yet within a few generations, this world of splendour and tradition unravelled. From the collapse of the Akkadian Empire to shifting power struggles and environmental pressures, uncover why these prestigious city-states declined — and ask whether we can truly talk of a 'fall of Sumer.' Join us as we step into the chaos of Mesopotamia’s first great age of empires and witness how disaster reshaped the cradle of civilisation.
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Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-07 03:00:00
The Minoan Eruption: Bronze Age Cataclysm (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=1E3wCsj6lq-lxBGzmy1yu_JwkrQwr1JZI7syKH9F2gc)
More than 3,500 years ago, a massive volcanic eruption devastated Thera - modern day Santorini - engulfing the Bronze Age world in ash and fire. Entire landscapes were buried, ash darkened the skies, and the shockwaves rippled across the eastern Mediterranean.
In this episode of The Ancients, the first in our new special series on Great Disasters, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Steve Kershaw to uncover what really happened. Did this disaster spark the decline of the Minoans? Could it even lie behind Plato’s legend of Atlantis? Join us this month to step into the chaos and witness how catastrophe reshaped some of the most famous ancient civilisations.
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Bronze Age Collapse:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4dEddIFS5yfamKqVZd6xAE?si=7f45c994dd5f4e82
Hephaestus: God of Fire:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2DLYVCLmrHxXZxQ7rMBREv?si=5b950d9c22ee4448
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-09-04 03:00:00
How Greece Shaped Rome with Mary Beard (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=p1a3yvElN6MXXdF5DsvsMsOvJPEs_YMiJnKlPToA9mY)
Professor Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins join Tristan in this episode all about Greece and Rome - the two greatest civilisations of classical antiquity.
How did the Romans borrow, adapt, and sometimes rival Greek culture? What did they admire and what did they reject? From temples and theatre to politics and philosophy, join us as two of the UK’s most celebrated classicists explore the cultural dialogue at the heart of the ancient Mediterranean.
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Roman Emperors with Mary Beard
How to Survive in Ancient Rome
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-08-31 03:00:00
The Sumerians (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=kb9RKmiSDv04jtRlyTlWsyJc4ArDsrKgD2AXbOZUnIY)
More than 5,000 years ago, in what is today southern Iraq, one of the world’s first civilisations emerged. A civilisation often credited with the invention of writing, the wheel and cities. The Sumerians.
The Sumerians are a people that you have probably heard of, but might not know too much about. And in today’s episode of The Ancients, we are re-releasing our episode from a few years back where we finally delved into their story. We’re going to explore their cities, their language, their artefacts and so much more.
This is the story of the Sumerians, with our guest. The Assyriologist and great friend of the podcast, Dr Paul Collins.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-08-28 03:00:00
The Sea Peoples (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=XMVym6bRsCP410fQgViKVWAFjUttGL0dnCdOhmcg6A8)
Tristan Hughes sits down with Professor Eric Cline to explore the enigmatic Sea Peoples, often blamed for the catastrophic Bronze Age collapse over 3,000 years ago.
Together they explore surviving sources from ancient Egypt to find out who the Sea Peoples were, and how they swept into Egypt. They discuss the diverse groups that comprised these invaders, and question whether they were truly the primary cause of this ancient civilisation's downfall.
From revelations from the latest archaeological evidence, DNA findings from Tel Dor and other sites, Tristan and Eric unlock one of ancient history's greatest puzzles.
MORE
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-08-24 03:00:00
Origins of Homo Sapiens (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=xafQwMawbqVfIPW7J-Ka8pmKCPnHyMfljxAdNmL4cFo)
Where do we come from? The origins of modern humans stretch back hundreds of thousands of years, and new discoveries are reshaping how we understand our species’ story.
In this episode, recorded on location at London’s Natural History Museum, Tristan Hughes speaks with Professor Chris Stringer, one of the world’s leading paleoanthropologists. Together they explore fossil evidence, our genetic links to Africa, encounters with Neanderthals, and the search for “Mitochondrial Eve.”
This is your definitive guide to how Homo sapiens emerged and spread across the planet.
MORE
The First Britons -
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cKCCdeptxhxOMRD8HGavq?si=5127601ade01478b
Human Evolution: Dragon Man -
https://open.spotify.com/episode/128XsUffcThVirTghas7OA?si=34c571e9526f491d
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-08-21 03:00:00
Ashurbanipal: The Last Great King of Assyria (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=HK0nbov3CbJUgjCV3V0H7mDYJuLZefzAJKS2ply5IIc)
Known as the 'King of the World' and the last great king of Assyria, Ashurbanipal bestrode the ancient Mesopotamian world as a warrior but also a scholar, ruling the great Assyrian empire at the height of its power.
In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Assyriologist Dr Selena Wisnom to uncover the dual legacy of this fearsome conqueror and passionate intellectual. From brutal military triumphs to the vast Library of Nineveh - packed with texts on medicine, mathematics, law, and literature - they explore how Ashurbanipal turned his capital into the greatest empire and the greatest knowledge hub of the ancient Mesopotamian world.
MORE
Rise of the Assyrians:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Y3JdYSZ1nJ3cBXa91YzrI?si=56553edc20b0406f
The Scholars of Assyria:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5sM9ODjMw2f0JqfpsKNLoD?si=ec06ab7a656548f6
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-08-17 03:00:00
The White Huns (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=dEUC2WuO68rf94WVHc_bDsDh-5iJeHIdx2XatKwLtI8)
The Huns weren’t just Attila’s warriors in Europe — in Central Asia, the White Huns built the most powerful Hunnic empire, ruling for a century and dominating the ancient Silk Roads.
While the European Huns fought Rome, the White Huns commanded trade routes, overthrew kingdoms, and waged relentless campaigns across Central and South Asia. Their influence reached from Persia to India, transforming politics, warfare, and culture. In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Hyun Jin Kim to uncover the origins, rise, and legacy of this formidable yet often overlooked empire.
MORE
Attila the Hun: Scourge of God:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7y5w7yyVOqwYxvqHAAfthi?si=0a9aaff5b64b4d36
Attila the Hun: Terror of Rome:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5f12sJEHRH8KPrQCopenrG?si=1bb6c6b6b8164dea
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-08-14 03:00:00
Roman Aqueducts (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=HKqmdwvhJo_NaqwSEn64vGOUVRqRUVnstPbFtwG4rnw)
How did Roman aqueducts help build an empire? They’re some of the most iconic structures from the ancient world — feats of engineering that transformed cities. But how exactly did Roman aqueducts work, and why were they so revolutionary?
Join Tristan Hughes and Dr Duncan Keenan-Jones as they explore the rise and reach of Roman aqueducts. From mountain springs to city fountains, discover how these stone channels powered urban life across the empire — supplying baths, homes, and temples. Discover how they were built, the technology behind them, and why they became essential to to the growth of Rome's ancient cityscape.
Click here for images of the Pont du Gard:
https://www.uzes-pontdugard.com/en/incontournables/le-pont-du-gard-joyau-romain/
MORE
Roman Roads:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/29idUM2fYpgzCEYZVYRAkH
How to Survive in Ancient Rome:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1JTitvxh96n2XflQQ7qwo4
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-08-10 03:00:00
How to Survive in Carthage (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Vmd0hkIpBnXKRq5avQ7SjC6R-Cw5ub9z-7mPDkEJzfQ)
From towering tenements to Punic porridge — step into the streets of ancient Carthage.
In this immersive episode of The Ancients, Tristan travels back to 210 BC to explore daily life in the heart of one of the ancient world’s richest and most vibrant cities. Joined by Dr Eve MacDonald, together they uncover what it took to survive in Carthage before its fall — from bustling markets to religious rituals. Discover how Carthaginians lived, worked, ate, and worshipped in this thriving cosmopolitan hub - arguably the capital of the ancient Mediterranean.
MORE
Origins of Carthage:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/522qoJ8gm5pQT0IYunKiTJ
Fall of Carthage:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5C37HVbPQnUujk2qBZ45HA
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-08-07 03:00:00
The Olmec: Mother of Mesoamerican Civilisations (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=TffG6BJN_voAR9GJMUCIVgm5Op4psPkr0BWKdLXW2j4)
Iconic monumental stone heads, the intriguing Lord of Las Limas, the enigmatic 'were-jaguar' figures, so much survives from the ancient Olmec civilisation.
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Jillian Mollenhauer to unravel the Olmec's sophisticated artistry, the symbolic significance of greenstone, and the blend of naturalistic and supernatural portrayals in their work. They discuss how the Olmec set the foundation for Mesoamerican cultures and their undying legacy that influenced civilizations like the Maya and Aztec.
Olmec Art:
https://smarthistory.org/americas-before-1900/north-america-to-1500/mesoamerica/olmec-art/
MORE
Olmec Heads
https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/ancient-americas-the-olmec-heads
The Maya Collapse
https://open.spotify.com/episode/56rb6VA4Ey9bMX9CrhCfRR
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-08-03 03:00:00
Livia: Empress of Rome (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=qGBFEvdCDqYy3CKdR4jf-DrdI1W5QiFQQGBOOR3PDrY)
Powerful, cunning, uncompromising, even murderous (allegedly)... meet Rome’s first empress and one of ancient history’s ultimate power players.
Livia Drusilla has long been cast as the bloodthirsty matriarch of the early Roman Empire — wife of Augustus, mother of Tiberius, and alleged poisoner of rivals. But how much of this infamous image is fact and how much is fantasy? In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Emma Southon to peel back the layers of scandal and explore the real story behind Livia’s complex legacy. Was she a scheming killer, or simply a shrewd survivor in a ruthless world?
MORE
Zenobia: Queen of Palmyra
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4o7gMb5tLk8f6nF0Qirzcv
The Assassination of Julius Caesar:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0xKUDPitfx3rN1kN1hPI4H
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-31 00:01:00
Siberian Ice Mummies (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=PkvJRbtr46fxnpxp51v2O2wq-l_Sqqg-IRi5jtZOfkE)
In this special episode of the Ancients, released just hours after the embargo on new research was lifted, Tristan Hughes discusses the fascinating discovery of ancient Siberian ice mummies and their tattoos with Dr Gino Caspari, the senior author of the study.
The Iron Age Pazyryk culture, renowned for their elaborate burials in the Altai Mountains, is explored through their well-preserved remains and artefacts. Dr Caspari shares insights into the significance of the tattoos, the methods used to create them, and what these incredible findings reveal about the Pazyryk society.
Access the article here - https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2025.10150
MORE
Birth of the Iron Age
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6emHXY7Cv8xImTcVAi4mrf
Kazakstan's Valley of Kings
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wdwiXUyvSwbghteYA3unK
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-27 03:00:00
Fall of Roman London (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=jluqsaOXuNoyQ1HIB1RujL4VxxoTGn3K-WHN01JHS-g)
Why was London transformed from a bustling Roman metropolis into a ghost town by the fifth century?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Dominic Perring to explore the rich archaeological findings that reveal the city's final chapters, including the building of defensive walls, the influence of key figures like Magnus Maximus, and the economic shifts impacting the Roman Empire. They discuss the cosmopolitan makeup of Roman London and the significant rise and fall cycles it experienced before its eventual disappearance beneath the rubble.
MORE
The Roman Invasion of Britain
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1lTa6DyKYntcPdkRrvwCnc
The Fall of Roman Britain
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vMwL1dueziXVNOwloY9xn
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-24 03:00:00
Irish Mythology (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=ZHAaLHgjiOrnlBKviAi7qmtkaE9bM-WEABFN2EkHIz8)
Epic heroes, sacred rivers & ancient gods – this is Irish mythology as you’ve never heard it. From Newgrange to the Hill of Tara, Ireland’s myths are rooted firmly in its prehistoric past.
In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Anthony Murphy to explore the rich tapestry of Irish mythology – stories of divine battles, magical beings, and legendary landscapes. Discover how ancient sites are entwined with tales passed down through centuries and how stories featuring giants, all-seeing eyes and even a 'salmon of knowledge' were preserved by Christian monks in medieval manuscripts. This is your gateway to the epic, otherworldly world of Ireland’s ancient lore.
MORE
Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5zcgcrW1h1pZpirb1hhmLV
The First Irish:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ancients/id1520403988?i=1000554323114
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-20 03:00:00
Megalodon (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=b6oWTzw7WpAdJTKryO0AOZw6Gca8VpUM6P7pDe1oP8A)
As part of our week of Sharks on the Ancients, today we tell the story of Megalodon, the largest living marine animal, ever.
Does this colossal prehistoric shark still lurk beneath the waves? Tristan Hughes is joined by leading expert Professor John Long to unveil the jaw-dropping size, power, and ferocity of this ancient super-predator. John recounts his incredible fossil discoveries which chart evolutionary milestones, and reveals the mind-blowing hunting strategies of Megalodon.
MORE
Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange
https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/prehistoric-ireland-newgrange
Woolly Mammoths
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CqmGAaFfqm2yFFsSHXpsX
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-17 03:00:00
The First Sharks (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=JDb5IlLK1vmp4sfI9QYmNqOeVRTefLxEL-XsAwtuM5E)
Long before the first dinosaurs, the first trees or even the formation of the rings of Saturn, our planet's oceans were ruled by prehistoric sharks.
Across two special episodes of The Ancients this week, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor John Long to journey back 300 million years and dive into the deep history of sharks – from their humble origins to their golden age as apex predators. In today's episode John takes us on a whirlwind tour from the first sharks to a beast who had "Jaws and teeth that were giant wheels of death" - the Helicopron. Join us to unpack just how sharks evolved into one of the most successful lineages in Earth’s history - it’s an adventure through 400 million years of evolution, extinction, and dominance in the prehistoric seas.
Welcome to our week of Sharks!
MORE
Tyrannosaurus Rex
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uxH3HHjSuEk0mHmjFU9k7
The First Dogs
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fpF68aiJUIbMv6AzXxfC6
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight, the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-13 03:00:00
The Queen of Sheba (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=o1iRUI2yDmbJBlggokhwj4TOZpZz0EqgkaAhTP4SIMk)
A figure of wealth, wisdom, and global fascination - how did the Queen of Sheba become one of history’s most enduring royal icons?
In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Jillian Stinchcomb to trace the enduring story of the Queen of Sheba — from her biblical debut to her roles in Islamic tradition and Ethiopian royal ancestry. Where might her true origins lie? Why has she become such a powerful cross-cultural icon? Discover how this once-minor figure became a legend spanning continents and religions.
MORE
The Biblical Kingdom of Israel:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5SQM9TGIN1DHeFDkYAjuNb
Ancient Ethiopia: The Kingdom of Aksum:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2ogrAegnatj535vwYHesm6
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-10 03:00:00
Doggerland: The North Sea Atlantis? (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=-Neqeu1Y1tCXgjnHxU5vkdOF4-FJ9y6WBocnJhE82TE)
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Rachel Bynoe who has literally dived into the enigmatic world of Doggerland, a prehistoric landmass now submerged beneath the North Sea.
They discuss how archaeological research is conducted underwater, the challenges and discoveries associated with Doggerland, and insights into human and animal life dating back 200,000 years. Follow the journey through past climates, the habitats of early human settlers, and the fascinating story of the once-thriving landscape that connected Britain to the continent.
MORE
The First Britons
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cKCCdeptxhxOMRD8HGavq
Ice Age Britain; Finding the First Homo Sapiens
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4u19HuMXM6JlicPr8FGok3
LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-06 03:00:00
Hannibal's March on Rome (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=bRFLFhp8Jx1C8XZc9dk8OLQcxbAF6Wh7r00KWachc6I)
It was perhaps Hannibal’s greatest gamble — after years of victories, not least his famed trek across the snow-capped Alps, could he strike at Rome itself?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Louis Rawlings to explore the dramatic years after Hannibal’s crushing triumph at Cannae. With Rome refusing to surrender despite horrific losses, Hannibal changed strategy in 211 BC and set his sights on the Roman capital. Join us to discover how the Carthaginian genius kept his army alive deep in enemy territory, why Rome’s resilience frustrated him, and how close he came to rewriting history.
MORE
Rise of Hannibal:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZSg0gwceToyk01XXNJtCb
Hannibal: Crossing the Alps:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7a4XOqxY8J3GhEaRDwX315
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-07-03 03:00:00
Plato's Republic (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=aIBSRCR6RCEGIybY9KpINdGlp0bA4c3cIIgaNnXHG5M)
Today we journey into the creation of Plato's Republic. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. James Romm to discover how Plato's encounters with the tyrant-ruled city of Syracuse and its rulers, Dionysius the Elder and Dionysius the Younger, deeply influenced his philosophical masterpiece.
Plato's involvement in a civil war, Syracuse's power struggles and Plato's own missteps contributed to the timeless ideas of justice and governance in 'The Republic.'
Tristan and James demystify the divine image of Plato to reveal a profoundly human philosopher shaped by real-world political intrigue and conflict.
MORE
Atlantis
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XdAg3rreBhW6Od4WIUne7
Watch Tristan and Roel argue over Ancient Greek Theories:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd7-guKlr40
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-06-29 03:00:00
The Apocryphal Gospels (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=8naA_lpgtBKXGswtHwZqvMuBBiQ7Rd1AntEPV5Kh374)
If you've heard of the mysterious and often controversial Apocryphal Gospels, you may have been told that they weren't important, or useful; that they 'didn't make the cut' to be included in the Canonical Bible. Not at all, these early Christian texts were hugely significant and influential as well as completely fascinating.
Tristan Hughes is joined by Catherine Nixey to hear stories including the Infancy Gospel of James, where a midwife's hand is burnt off after doubting Mary's virginity, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, portraying a young Jesus with startling powers and a fiery temper. Together they discuss how these writings reveal the radical thoughts of some early Christians - from alternative crucifixion narratives to magical texts showing Jesus using a wand - and shed light on the vibrant diversity and theological debates of early Christianity.
MORE
The Wise Men
https://open.spotify.com/episode/30JcS3z8gUODOvbR8k47mh
Jesus of Nazareth
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qFWoLLNQFgL0FmBhUoKe2
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-06-26 03:00:00
Seahenge (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=ovHXDPDU0LOFEEnBuUoVDNXPDVwDnDgyfy7UyUmMbD4)
As a 4,000-year-old timber circle uncovered on a Norfolk beach, Seahenge is one of Britain’s most remarkable prehistoric finds. Discovered in 1998, it drew quick comparison as a 'Stonehenge by the sea' - but who built it and what was it used for?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Sue Greaney to explore the mystery of Seahenge. Preserved beneath the sands for millennia, this Bronze Age wooden monument offers extraordinary insight into ancient rituals, beliefs, and woodworking skills. Join us as Tristan discovers why this enigmatic site continues to intrigue archaeologists and challenge our understanding of prehistoric Britain.
MORE
Stonehenge
https://open.spotify.com/episode/19LqOpDMGBtFTygVsJJfsw
The Beaker People
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6EDEArLo5e33uPLjpmzvT7
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-06-22 03:00:00
Rise of Nero (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=8e3fZrc-SS0TF4otoUBEmrZjgTGidQJlLlWitTdoiVc)
Before he became one of Rome’s most infamous tyrants, Nero was a golden boy - young, talented, and full of promise.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Conn Iggulden to explore Nero’s early years, from his powerful mother Agrippina and his philosopher tutor Seneca, to the poisonous politics of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Was Nero always doomed to fall? Or could the seeds of infamy have been planted in his troubled rise to power? Join us to dive into the drama of Rome’s blood-soaked game of succession.
MORE
Divorced, Murdered, Survived: Nero's Wives
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TVHRVEvZYvCIdSdqqEylP
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-06-19 03:00:00
Pirates of the Mediterranean (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=NOGAsonzK9hUFnhxpS7mdetzb8N_AJPT2NhKbQNL0lI)
As Rome rose to power, pirates seized the seas - wreaking havoc from Spain to Syria and challenging Roman dominance in the ancient Mediterranean.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Nick Rauh and Dr Adam Dawson to explore the explosive rise of piracy across the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. From Cilicia’s rugged coastline to pirate raids on Roman nobles, discover how these ancient raiders turned the Mediterranean into a battleground—and how Rome’s own ambitions helped fuel the chaos at sea.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-06-15 03:00:00
The Amazons (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=n2LxLuvW6IiQiU6JOyexWy6shRWilLgLbco-MPPAN3k)
What makes the Amazons one of the most captivating myths in ancient Greek culture?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Braund, Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter, to explore and celebrate the legends of the Amazons in ancient Greek culture. From their portrayal through iconic myths involving Heracles, Achilles, and Theseus to modern misconceptions, Tristan and David reveal the Amazons' roles in epic tales like the Trojan War and their artistic representations on ancient Greek vases and temple reliefs.
These formidable warrior women were not only central figures in mythology but also revered city founders, astronomers and festival creators, far more than their popular depiction as alluring and dangerous figures.
MORE
Achilles
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uNHjwkzMHT5Ql2NHixZvl?si=7098cc9c847141e4
The Thracians
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uvIfj2fkYhoJZsn4y1SDX?si=1yLefV8PSSO2ZzZzY5T9yA
Ares: God of War
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mER4RZ11k56eqV1uoVvNs
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
From The Ancients at 2025-06-12 03:00:00
The Kushan Empire (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=uDKkPaopp3JN1obQ6JsMxBsBj87d3SdffFP46Jom-co)
Embark on an epic journey with Tristan Hughes and acclaimed author William Dalrymple as they unravel the enigma of the Kushan Empire, the ancient superpower of Central Asia. Together they tell the riveting stories behind the Empire's rise in Bactria (modern-day Afghanistan), their astonishing spread into Northern India, and the profound impact of Indian religious traditions on their culture.
An unforgettable exploration of one of history's most fascinating yet overlooked empires.
MORE
The Origins of Buddhism
https://open.spotify.com/episode/52mGOQenJdnN8NvYDDYsti
Origins of the Silk Road
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GBcXUsq6V54S2ywICDbM9
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-06-08 03:00:00
Rise of the Minoans (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=lEuGaTIJur_R_KwIdfNvjWiuCd5gW3bR86nM6lsKjME)
Tristan Hughes journeys into the heart of one of history's most intriguing civilisations: the Minoans. With Professor Nicoletta Momigliano, he explores the origins and rise of these Bronze Age titans on Crete around 7,000 BC, their early settlements, and the emergence of complex societies.
Packed with archaeological insights, Tristan hears about the enigma of the Minoans early settlements, the mysteries of their undeciphered writing system, to the grandeur of their monumental palaces such as Knossos. A fascinating discussion on one of history's most mysterious Bronze Age societies.
MORE
The Minotaur
https://open.spotify.com/episode/72Efg0BmVFYunKg2FsDOQO
The Legacy of the Minoans
https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/thelegacyoftheminoans
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-06-05 03:00:00
The Kingdom of Aksum (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=78Dbdm56VNtpizEkttmhd6bCXhV10M2l-QNoGY65e7c)
How is the unique narrative of the Ark of the Covenant deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and tradition?
Embark on a journey to the Kingdom of Aksum with host Tristan Hughes and archeologist Dil Singh Basanti, located in present-day northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. They discuss how fourth-century African merchants from Axum sailed from Eritrea to India, trading goods like ivory and gold for steel and spices. They uncover the secrets of Aksum's burial practices, including the monumental stele and the rituals that honoured the dead, and learn how the cosmopolitan port city of Adulis boomed with diverse religious influences, from Christianity to possible traces of Buddhism. This episode offers a captivating glimpse into daily life and the vast trade networks that made Aksum a powerful ancient empire.
MORE
The Kingdom of Kush
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QXTNyMH3Ov6UweDXEsf67
The Romans and India with William Dalrymple
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RSacQ0ngYW2YjrE2UMeVF
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-06-01 03:00:00
Pompeii: The Buried City (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=p_PzzBBulAaQ2eppw-CANY06h4rQH_bDAOnkDeFlFfI)
Buried in ash, frozen in time—Pompeii offers one of the most extraordinary windows into everyday life in ancient Rome.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of Pompeii, to explore the latest discoveries at this iconic site. From slave quarters and gladiator graffiti to possible signs of early Christianity, uncover how new excavations are reshaping what we know about the lives—and final moments—of Pompeii’s ancient inhabitants.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Max Carrey, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-29 03:00:00
Origins of Astronomy (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=laA2h7r0J4aG4OnZgMc9d2tcZZ2pMdSpHga_YY0Z9as)
Long before telescopes or space agencies, ancient Mesopotamians were decoding the secrets of the cosmos. Beneath skies unpolluted by modern light, they tracked the movements of planets, charted eclipses, and read the stars not just for science—but for signs from the gods.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid to uncover the origins of written astronomy and the extraordinary legacy of left by the Mesopotamians that studied it. Their observations shaped empires, guided kings, and laid the groundwork for astronomy as we know it. From clay tablets to the zodiac, from omens to eclipse prediction—this is the story of how ancient Mesopotamians turned stargazing into science.
View the Balasi tablet - https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu//saao/saa10/P334428/html
Photo of tablet - https://cdli.earth/artifacts/334428
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Max Carrey, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-25 03:00:00
Successors of Alexander the Great (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=CxtdWYBVb7zYCpx9vVWecSqbAzA6FSQ9c_5nkr3B5Wk)
What happened after Alexander the Great died?
On June 11, 323 BC, at just 32 years old, Alexander left an empire without a clear heir, sparking chaos among his generals. Tristan Hughes and Dr. Graham Wrightson explore the immediate aftermath of his death, the power struggles among his top generals, and the rise of new kingdoms from the fractured empire.
The fascinating and brutal Wars of the Successors is a real life Games of Thrones with multiple family sagas, broken allegiances and murders, as the generals battle it out to become Alexander the Great's sole successor.
MORE
Alexander the Great:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0z8hT2mn3bV4QCFSkoyk4A
Alexander the Great's Sex Life:
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Nick Thomson, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-22 03:00:00
The Saxons (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=fFAaA9GbRAwT1srcTcnLAOYG3dJSJdWpDiKA7s2X66k)
Saxon mercenaries, collapsing Roman order, and a new chapter for Britain. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Peter Heather to explore the mysterious Saxon migrations, their Germanic roots, and how they shaped early medieval Britain. A gripping dive into post-Roman chaos and emerging kingdoms.
MORE
The Fall of Roman Britain
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vMwL1dueziXVNOwloY9xn
The Origins of London
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vE8PGKJ858AY1bhwd4D0r
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Nick Thomson, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
Theme music from Motion Array, all other music from Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-18 03:00:00
The Council of Nicaea (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=XUPnCgFYzrOh_zFT-w1Fbbt27fZGzS7aI6eyU7rBQJs)
1700 years ago, the Roman Emperor Constantine called an unprecedented meeting of early Christian leaders from across the empire to settle a fierce dispute threatening to split the early Church. The result? The Council of Nicaea - Christianity’s first great general council and the birthplace of the Nicene Creed.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Dafydd Daniel to explore this this pivotal moment in history. From the dramatic showdown between Bishops Arius and Alexander to how this momentous gathering shaped the core beliefs of Christianity. Join us to discover the lasting legacy of one of the most influential councils in history.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The producer and audio editor is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-15 03:00:00
The Last Roman Emperors (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=0OimUz2vnpzdpFV2p-A82gYn-9rDe144Qs3UIn2J4Js)
No grand battle. No final blaze of glory. In 476 AD, the Western Roman Empire collapsed not with a roar, but with a quiet abdication. A boy emperor - Romulus Augustulus - handed over the regalia of power in Ravenna, signalling the end of an empire that had once ruled the known world. But how did it come to this?
In this episode, the finale of our Fall of Rome miniseries, Tristan Hughes is joined by historian and bestselling author Adrian Goldsworthy to chart the chaotic final decades of the Western Roman Empire. From puppet emperors and ruthless kingmakers like Ricimer to the meteoric rise of Odoacer, discover how political infighting, military mutiny, and foreign ambition brought the Roman West to its knees - and ushered in the age of kings.
MORE: Roman Emperors with Mary Beard: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7C7wRHjSPeif9pLD2UZJyY?si=5226c8e7f9584336
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-11 03:00:00
Did Plague Destroy the Roman Empire? (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=W4j9l0q1IAZt3gQU0r9Sg1tFQl-mvKB5KqPS7T_xjm8)
War, invasion, civil unrest… or plague? Could a series of deadly pandemics have helped bring down the mighty Roman Empire?
In the third episode of our Fall of Rome mini-series, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Kyle Harper – author of The Fate of Rome – to explore how disease and climate change may have crippled this superpower of the ancient world. From the Antonine Plague of the 160s AD to the terrifying Cyprianic Plague that ravaged Carthage and beyond, this episode investigates how pandemics devastated populations, shattered economies, and reshaped imperial policy.
Join us as we uncover the dark side of Roman history – a world of weeping sores, mass graves, and myths of divine vengeance – and ask the big question: Could nature have delivered the final blow to the Roman Empire?
MORE:
Lessons from the Antonine Plague:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wsEtmlqkwqLbQlgZ8TW1L
Plague of Athens:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1al8GluN7NBvuzXayHe74F
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-08 03:00:00
Barbarian Invaders: The Sacks of Rome (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=W9P7k3pbewpnnz_cbSmX06wtJ3Gap7kMjXvdKdUjy24)
How did the Huns, Goths, and Vandals help bring down the Roman Empire - and sack the city of Rome itself, not once but twice?
In this second episode of our special series on the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Peter Heather to explore the dramatic wave of invasions that shook Rome in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. From the arrival of the Huns to the sacks of Rome by the Goths in 410 and the Vandals in 455, we trace how the advance of innumerable barbarian tribes brewed decades of tension, betrayal, and bloodshed which helped bring the empire to its knees.
MORE:
Fall of the Western Roman Empire:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fKMe2jrV1oZKzRSws83w4
The Goths:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PbZnN3xtQbLkcn2dPZPy2
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
From The Ancients at 2025-05-04 03:00:00
The Fall of Rome: Origins (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=1AmFe1N-0ENNX8MeJ1z1o1fQmNZq03Cz-GKWAcsZ_Ak)
The Roman Empire, once an ancient powerhouse, experienced a dramatic fall from its golden age to eventual collapse.
Tristan Hughes and guest Dr. David Gwynn launch our new Ancients mini-series on The Fall of Rome by exploring how internal pressures, civil wars, economic instability, and the rise of Christianity contributed to the decline of the Western Roman Empire. They compare the structural changes made by emperors Diocletian and Constantine, the impact of class tensions, and the challenges posed by external threats, setting the stage for the empire's fall. Join them as they uncover the complex processes that led to one of history's most dramatic and world-changing collapses.
MORE:
The Origins of Rome:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/26cmn3eQrPb0LQ7Jiu92cP
Rome's Crisis of the Third Century:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3VgvW43kHAxzSl43hWJiRZ
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editors are Aidan Lonergan and Joseph Knight, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-05-01 03:00:00
Prehistoric Ireland: Newgrange (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=mBU9mXzV4_zOyPxAa4QxJcKZJtbqDP-Ubrm3B-kDPKY)
An astonishing ancient tomb is Ireland's most famous prehistoric monument; Newgrange. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Muiris O’Sullivan, an expert on the many Stone Age monuments of Ireland, including Newgrange, and they revel in the astonishing construction techniques used by ancient builders over 5,000 years ago and the intricate rock art such as the triple spiral, which has an intriguing backstory.
Archeology is slowly revealing the people who built this fascinating structure, their use of sacred landscapes, and the DNA evidence linking them to other Stone Age communities.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Nick Thomson, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
See the treasures of Newgrange in the new History Hit documentary; Prehistoric Ireland: Secrets of the Stone Age now. Sign up to History Hit for this and more original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-04-27 03:00:00
Jason and the Argonauts (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=z5xp3BAM3fEwXA0ySH4EH82kS_SXVgJ2s7JgxhgNn7g)
From clashing rocks to golden treasure, Jason and the Argonauts is the ultimate Greek mythological adventure. But what lies behind the legend? And why has it endured for millennia?
In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Caroline Lawrence to chart Jason’s epic quest for the Golden Fleece. From harpies and dragons to the witch Circe and the bronze giant Talos, discover the mythical monsters, heroic crossovers and extraordinary journey that make this tale a timeless example of the hero’s journey — from Greece to Colchis and back again.
For more of Caroline Lawrence and Jason and the Argonauts on The Ancients:
The Minotaur: https://open.spotify.com/episode/72Efg0BmVFYunKg2FsDOQO
The Golden Fleece: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6OtHIiiC87BN4RMyOngK0t
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music from Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-04-24 03:00:00
The Birth of Indo-European (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=ACnnnTSKf4PMVSsedxrwBJBO_8MeDNC12CuU5YpyZ3Y)
From the steppes of prehistoric Eurasia to the languages we speak today, the story of Indo-European is one of ancient roots and global impact. But what exactly is Indo-European? Who spoke it? And how did a single language family come to dominate nearly half the world?
In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Laura Spinney to uncover the origins of Proto-Indo-European. From Sanskrit to Latin, mythological echoes to linguistic detective work, discover how archaeology, genetics and early literature help trace this lost language and the diverse prehistoric peoples who once spoke it.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The producer is Joseph Knight, audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
All music from Epidemic Sounds
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-04-20 03:00:00
The Praetorian Guard: Rise to Power (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=7UvtuL-QaYAgmlsX4RdyBl4m7nCYKjZcqdwUjwCQiQA)
From Gladiator to Rome Total War to I, Claudius, today the Cohortēs praetōriae are one of the most distinctive military units of Imperial Rome. It was their job to protect the Roman Emperor and his household, a task for which they hold a somewhat ‘chequered’ record (especially when we focus in on the Praetorian Prefects). But what do we know about this unit’s origins? How did this powerful force become protectors of the Emperor and his household? What other functions did they serve? And how did they differ from the standard Roman legions in their structure?
To talk through the rise of the Praetorian Guard, with a specific focus on the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius, Tristan caught up with historian Lindsay Powell at Fishbourne Roman Palace in West Sussex. Lindsay is the author of several books about the Early Roman Imperial Period. His latest book, Bar Kokhba: The Jew Who Defied Hadrian and Challenged the Might of Rome, is out now.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
All music from Epidemic Sounds
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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This episode first aired in October 2021.
From The Ancients at 2025-04-17 03:00:00
John the Baptist (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=C4Iywn_HaInDAzgGMAgUdTTaNl6M19WbSZOeF5PvBqE)
From the wilderness of ancient Judea to the pages of the New Testament, John the Baptist is one of the most compelling and mysterious figures in biblical history. But who really was he? What was his message? And why did he choose to live in isolation, wearing camel hair and eating wild locusts and honey?
In this special episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes takes you to Bethany – the traditional site of Jesus’ baptism and the heart of John the Baptist’s ministry to uncover the life and legacy of this fiery preacher. Joining Tristan are two expert guests – Professors Joan Taylor and Helen Bond – to explore the archaeological and historical evidence surrounding John the Baptist. Together, they delve into his radical message, his clash with Herod Antipas, and his role in the broader world of Roman-occupied Judea. What emerges is a portrait of a man who defied authority, inspired movements, and helped shape one of the most influential stories in human history.
For more from Helen and Joan on The Ancients:
Jesus of Nazareth - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qFWoLLNQFgL0FmBhUoKe2
Mary Magdalene - https://open.spotify.com/episode/43gF3oTWEwz0pi3PLRmtGc
Pontius Pilate - https://open.spotify.com/episode/6vZxK1dFIwspOoBOkpVLmA
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-04-13 03:00:00
Cassandra: Priestess of Troy (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=iBU0P4Nnvvj70P8pL4PoMgRfZjad_C_kfQLmOkpmVKc)
*This episode discusses sexual assault*
Cursed by Apollo to always speak the truth but never be believed; what makes Cassandra's story so timeless and compelling?
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Emily Hauser to explore the mythological and historical connections of Cassandra, the tragic prophetess of Troy. They discuss how Cassandra's story and appalling treatment at the hands of both gods and men intertwined with themes of prophecy, tragedy, and misogyny, has fascinated generations. From Agamemnon, the Iliad and Clytemnestra, Tristan and Emily discuss Cassandra's role in ancient texts and possible real-life inspirations.
Hear related episodes:
Elektra:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3K3WyCkTIA4X8PxTgNC3Ky
Troy:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3K3WyCkTIA4X8PxTgNC3Ky
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Produced and edited by Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
From The Ancients at 2025-04-10 03:00:00
The Great Jewish Revolt (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Ztc5GaodEpluIFU1baRq_ALsieOcRFtN94yqT5kPnhk)
70 AD. Tens of thousands of Roman troops surround Jerusalem. What follows is one of the most brutal sieges in ancient history—and the dramatic climax of the Great Jewish Revolt.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Guy Maclean Rogers to uncover the full story of this epic uprising against Rome. From its origins in rising tensions and religious strife to the devastating siege and destruction of the Second Temple, discover how this revolt shaped the ancient world and continues to resonate today.
For more on The Great Jewish Revolt listen to our episode on Masada:
Besieging Masada: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FcheOKepMhzYGDjZUcP6a
Myths of Masada: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YncKSM3r79AD8PwmZNWjk
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-04-06 03:00:00
Rise of Humans (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=rrks2XOJuuT5-86PI5jNQ33Q7Z8kYBpPx_7HtRqedrM)
How did we go from ancient apes to the dominant species on Earth? The story of human evolution is one of survival, adaptation, and extinction - stretching back 7 million years.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Henry Gee to unravel the complex origins of humanity. From the first bipedal hominins to the evolutionary leaps that set Homo sapiens apart, together they explore why humans evolved from long-armed tree dwellers to upright walkers and discuss the the advantages that bipedalism gave our ancestors over other species.
More from Henry Gee:
The Origins of Life on Earth: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3Rb4OcjbmsjIHpFemJ7mmO
Feathered Dinosaurs: https://open.spotify.com/episode/05wbG2dMp174D10gP30kIj
Homo Erectus: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MjgWtiENDpVXc5qv77oTy
Human Evolution: Dragon Man: https://open.spotify.com/episode/128XsUffcThVirTghas7OA
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
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From The Ancients at 2025-04-03 03:00:00
Herculaneum (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=tYHKbg0DfwuT3seiUUFJJFIP15N3X8hraZ2Xrp9S4MI)
In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius unleashed devastation on the Roman world, burying entire towns beneath volcanic ash. While Pompeii is world-famous, another extraordinary site met the same fate - Herculaneum.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Andrew Wallace-Hadrill to explore the incredible remains of this lesser-known Roman town. From lavish seaside villas and multi-story apartments to ancient fast-food stalls and bathhouses, Herculaneum offers an intimate glimpse into daily Roman life. Plus, we uncover the groundbreaking AI technology being used to decipher the carbonised scrolls found in its famed Villa of the Papyri.
For more on this topic listen to our four-part series on Pompeii and Vesuvius:
Pompeii: Life Before the Eruption: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3oIGA40brXolaPU9e3warc
Sex Work in Pompeii:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2k5CQDHXHmIRKCmu4kk9SB
Gladiators of Pompeii:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4c34S92PPQadej45S4F6cZ
Pompeii: The Eruption of Vesuvius: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IyQp6PYBrMwbFNWU33nqF
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
You can take part in our listener survey here:
https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on
From The Ancients at 2025-03-30 03:00:00
Prehistoric Nigeria: The Nok (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=RFEq1jMqU5XY2vBm9CtzavjSEW5WM_P8FIg-O7mnj7k)
In the heart of ancient Nigeria, a mysterious civilisation flourished - known today only through archaeology. The Nok Culture, symbolised by its striking terracotta figurines, remains one of Africa’s most fascinating yet overlooked ancient societies.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Kevin MacDonald to uncover the secrets of the Nok. Who were they? Where did they live? And what can their incredible artistry tell us about Iron Age West Africa? From groundbreaking archaeological discoveries to the enduring mystery of their decline, this is the story of one of Africa’s earliest known civilisations.
For more on the ancient Iron Age world, our episode on the Birth of the Iron Age with Eric Cline can be found here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6emHXY7Cv8xImTcVAi4mrf
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music from Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-27 03:00:00
Jurassic America (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=NMnApkvpiRv2ds9ues6MVDDMYhjaKB2KcsJnj3Qn5FI)
Tristan Hughes explores Ancient America's true age; how 19th-century fossil discoveries across North America revealed a history far older than previously believed, challenging the notion that the Americas were a 'New World.'
Tristan is joined by Professor Caroline Winterer as they discuss walking on 4 billion-year-old rocks in Eastern Canada, uncovering the first trilobites and the sensational dinosaur discoveries like the T-Rex and Brontosaurus that mesmerised the public and scientific community alike.
More on:
Ice Age America:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KZruCMwpO7TakuiMs7DMp?si=2b1fdca8b18c4ef4
The Ancient Amazon:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5YxnzfGa4x4Z8l4JE6Uwmh?si=0ec9d00afb0b476e
Tyrannosaurus Rex:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3uxH3HHjSuEk0mHmjFU9k7?si=1f57b9a555ac4bff
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
All music from Epidemic Sounds
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-23 03:00:00
The Fall of Athens (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=oLzQHhVGLg3gq4Q6m0vUBHArygmVPYkhvURPOA43sMI)
In 404 BC, Athens faced total defeat. Once the dominant power of the Greek world, their navy was shattered, their food supply cut off, and on the horizon an armada of Spartan ships signalled the city’s final reckoning.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Alastair Blanshard to explore the dramatic downfall of Athens in the final years of the Peloponnesian War. They discuss the decades-long struggle between Athens and Sparta, the key figures who shaped its outcome - like Lysander and Alcibiades - and how Persian support helped turn the tide. From epic battles to political intrigue, discover how this war reshaped the ancient Greek world for generations.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-20 03:00:00
The Iliad (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=ivx_KUIrylMZXR8xruIGDHsmFN-eGHI1tt5btcJzKa0)
A story of war, honour, and destiny, The Iliad is one of the greatest epics in history. Written by Homer and featuring legendary figures like Achilles, Hector, and Agamemnon, it captures the drama and devastation of the final days of the Trojan War.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Edith Hall to explore the origins, themes, and lasting influence of The Iliad. Together, they dive into the poem’s portrayal of fate and prophecy, its vivid depictions of gods and warriors, and the explosive conflict between Achilles and Hector. Edith also reveals how The Iliad’s language carries an apocalyptic tone - offering insight into how the poem was understood in the ancient world and why it still resonates today.
Hear Professor Edith Hall on our Atlantis episode: https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/atlantis
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-16 03:00:00
Rise of Julius Caesar (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=-gG6HHdJTTOYxH_JQOgyTRYu5JntMN9DQKIi2S0J524)
Julius Caesar is one of history’s most famous figures. But before his legendary conquests and romance with Cleopatra, how did he rise to power?
In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Catherine Steel to explore Caesar’s early life, political struggles, and key allies and rivals - from Marius and Sulla to Pompey and Crassus. Together Tristan and Catherine uncover the defining moments that shaped Rome’s most famous leader.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The producer and editor is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Listen to The Ancients episode; the Rise of Cicero: https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/theriseofcicero
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-13 03:00:00
Obelisks (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=cVPzdYPK4yRTvcvlc2wnnENPc2vhNdT_WCQJe4JWpoQ)
Ancient Egyptian obelisks stand as towering symbols of power and engineering brilliance, scattered across the world. But how were they built and what purpose did they serve?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Steven Snape and Professor Joyce Tyldesley to uncover the incredible story of Egypt’s obelisks. From their religious significance to the astonishing feats of engineering required to carve and transport these massive stone monoliths, discover how obelisks became some of the most iconic monuments of the ancient world and why so many ended up in cities across the western world, from Rome to New York.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-09 03:00:00
Sodom and Gomorrah (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=wDKtuW8MXTuw_pJTNONYUXh2cHo1cAT2lpSd2GoI8HQ)
What really happened to the damned cities of Sodom and Gomorrah? Tristan Hughes and Dr. Dylan Johnson delve into the infamous biblical story to discover the context and supposed locations of these cities near the Dead Sea, and explore whether there is any historical basis to their destruction.
They discuss the theological implications and examines archaeological surveys that sought to uncover the truth behind this fascinating ancient narrative.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Edited and produced by Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-06 03:00:00
Göbekli Tepe: The First Temple? (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=D6WgtALiVfuEO1Si8kzaAO1PTcdwiQvObeNFI-1x4vM)
Long before Stonehenge, ancient builders in southeast Türkiye were creating some of the world’s first monumental stone structures. Their most famous site? Göbekli Tepe.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Lee Clare, coordinator of the Göbekli Tepe Research Project, to unravel the mysteries of this 10,000-year-old Neolithic site. Once called the world’s first temple, Göbekli Tepe is far more complex than that - shedding light on early human settlement, ritual, and the transition to farming. With breathtaking and ground breaking archaeology, this is the story of one of the most extraordinary sites of the Stone Age.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
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From The Ancients at 2025-03-02 03:00:00
Elektra: Revenge in Ancient Greece (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=ZwYWC4htpiy58drFQa2tHqf_Gi7gkNAYoylavx5P-NI)
Few figures in Greek mythology embody vengeance like Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra. Betrayal, grief, and justice shaped her tragic fate.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Armand D’Angour to explore Elektra’s story and its powerful new London stage production starring Brie Larson. Along the way, they delve into Sophocles' and Euripides' strikingly different portrayals - one noble and resolute, the other bitter and broken - unpacking what these versions reveal about morality, fate, and female agency in the ancient world.
See Brie Larson star as Elektra in London's West End: https://www.thedukeofyorks.com/elektra
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-27 03:00:00
The Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and Salamis (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=-kB4pIdrQNqSWKnHx2bjeumXjTrJMPoDk3EI9iZuHdI)
In 486 BC, King Xerxes ascended the Persian throne, inheriting its vast and glittering world empire. But his ambition didn’t stop there - he sought revenge on Greece.
In this episode of The Ancients, the culmination of our two-part series on the Persian Wars, Tristan Hughes is joined once again by Dr. Roel Konijnendijk and Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to explore Xerxes' massive invasion. From the assembling of his colossal army to the legendary battles of Thermopylae and Salamis featured in the accounts of Herodotus, discover the earth-shattering conclusion to the largest invasion ancient Greece had ever faced.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-23 03:00:00
End of Ice Age Britain (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=yOo_ArgITtM1I2WTQ2LGr2DV6JDUKMKWstVYhb88msM)
As Ice Age Britain thawed, temperatures surged, sea levels rose, and humans and animals faced a fight for survival. But this shift was anything but simple.
In this final episode of our Ice Age miniseries, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Danielle Schreve to uncover the turbulent end of the last Ice Age in Britain. Discover how mammals like Siberian lemmings and Saiga antelope roamed this icy landscape, how the Younger Dryas cold snap 13,000 years ago reshaped Britain's prehistoric environment, and how early humans adapted to survive it. With echoes for today’s climate challenges, this is a story of resilience on the fringes of the Ice Age world.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-20 03:00:00
The Persian Wars: Darius, Athens and the Battle of Marathon (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Frleb1ALlUTplCHveuE6sF_4KujZ9UsUf4RYRVzyJUQ)
490 BC. On the plains of Marathon, Athens faced down a mighty army of the Persian Empire - the superpower of the time It was an underdog clash that would echo throughout history. But how did it all begin?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes kicks off an epic two-parter on the Persian Wars with experts Dr Roel Konijnendijk and Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones. From the rise of the Persian Empire to the Ionian Revolt and the showdown at Marathon, uncover how this legendary clash became a turning point Greece, Persia and the wider ancient world.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-16 03:00:00
The Last Neanderthals (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=Y4pDjfr1WbGla7KEi5MEetHyAn0LumXHFb-ZXvx3SYM)
For hundreds of thousands of years Neanderthals have roamed the lands of what is today Europe and western Asia. But how did they survive, and what caused their decline?
Tristan Hughes delves into the fate of the last Neanderthals and continues our Ice Age mini-series with Professor Chris Stringer from the Natural History Museum. They explore how Neanderthals thrived across diverse climates and investigate the intriguing story of Neanderthals' eventual decline alongside the arrival of Homosapiens 60,000 years ago. Professor Stringer also shares the fascinating evidence of interbreeding that has left traces of Neanderthal DNA in modern humans and groundbreaking insights from recent archaeological and DNA research, that shed light on why Neanderthals went extinct.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. The audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-13 03:00:00
The Scythians (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=uDN5zn5ur1Cg1faTWAfNJTLgbnQ2c2lGh4bGumSVzwU)
Known as the barbarians of the north, the Scythians were expert horsemen that roamed the great steppe of Eurasia more than 2,000 years ago. But how much do we know about them?
In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Owen Rees to explore this infamous nomadic culture who wore trousers, wielded bows and arrows and boasted Amazon-like warrior women who may even have fought in battle. Along the way Owen explains the fascinating story of the Scythian settlement of Bilsk - a great hulking Iron-Age mega-town fortified with miles and miles of winding walls on the edge of the Great Steppe in southern Ukraine.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-09 03:00:00
Ice Age Australia (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=I0D7yR4XCa532boqzc5Cfv7-5qnQlcEKz7nYRjNei4k)
Giant kangaroos. Killer wombats. Carnivorous lions. These beasts once roamed the barren landscape of Ice Age Australia - a vast supercontinent stretching from Papua New Guinea to Tasmania.
Continuing our Ice Age miniseries, host of The Ancients Tristan Hughes heads down under to uncover this lost world. Joined by palaeontologist Prof. Larisa DeSantis, he explores how these creatures survived both the challenges of a harsh climate and the arrival of humans 60,000 years ago, and discovers why Australia’s mammalian giants ultimately vanished.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-06 03:00:00
Hieroglyphs (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=nt6dssWaVsuZjBH5Z9IHnl70AvoKFNGBwkCPxHH4m74)
From twisted flax to one-legged ibises, Egyptian hieroglyphs offer a window into the heart of ancient Egypt. But how did this script really work?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes speaks with Egyptologist Hugo Cook to decode the symbols that adorned temples, tombs, and papyrus scrolls found up and down the Nile. Together they uncover how hieroglyphs recorded everything from poetry to peace treaties, the meanings behind their intricate designs, and why the ancient Egyptians believed they held power beyond words.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-02-02 03:00:00
Woolly Mammoths (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=llmxlXBhpkgPn1cco0NhXoZygFzFijyrbh-L3R-JWNA)
Towering over 11 feet tall and weighing 6 tonnes, the Woolly Mammoth ruled the Ice Age. But how did these mighty beasts thrive for over 100,000 years—and why did they disappear?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes kicks off a brand-new Ice Age miniseries with two leading experts. Professor Adrian Lister from the Natural History Museum explores the mammoth’s origins, evolution and adaptation to the harsh Ice Age climate. Then, Professor David Meltzer reveals the story of mammoths in North America, their encounters with early humans, and the astonishing discovery that some still roamed the Arctic just 4,000 years ago.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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All music courtesy of Epidemic Sound
From The Ancients at 2025-01-30 03:00:00
The Chinese Zodiac (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=9k4tOdCGrQBo9HoP21RZXPlAtiG2TxSZrUucYXnj4Bs)
The Year of the Snake is here! But how did a legendary tale of twelve animals shape Chinese astronomy and culture for over 3,000 years?
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor John Steele from Brown University to dive into the origins of the Chinese Zodiac to mark the Chinese New Year. They uncover how this ancient zodiac, associated with 12 animals, ties into Chinese astronomy and philosophy. Professor Steele explains the intricate cycles of 12 earthly branches and 10 heavenly stems that form a 60-year pattern deeply embedded in Chinese culture. Discover the mythical origins, the influence of lunar calendars, and the evolution of this zodiac from the Shang dynasty to today.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
Theme music from Motion Array, all other music from Epidemic Sounds
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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From The Ancients at 2025-01-26 03:00:00
The Kingdom of Kush (media.mp3?tk=eyJ0ayI6ImRlZmF1bHQiLCJhZHMiOnRydWUsInNwb25zIjp0cnVlLCJzdGF0dXMiOiJwdWJsaWMifQ==&sig=YoDYj4EtFPF2fmtmb0q0k19ZSFSblAruYYnhnUUfztg)
Beyond the ancient Nile’s fertile banks lay a civilisation that rivalled Egypt in power and prestige—the Kingdom of Kush. This ancient empire, centred in modern Sudan, once ruled Egypt, defied Rome, and it's formidable warrior queens left a lasting mark on African history.
In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes visits the British Museum to explore the story of the Kushites with Dr. Loretta Kilroe, curator of a new exhibition on Ancient Sudan. From royal pyramids to one-eyed battlefield leaders and even Kushite porridge, uncover the hidden legacy of this extraordinary civilization.
Loretta's exhibition, Ancient Sudan: Enduring Heritage is touring the UK this year. It opens in Portsmouth on 1st February and in Stirling on 9th August.
Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight.
The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.
Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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