Echoes of History

When Portuguese merchants ran aground on the Japanese isle of Tanegashima in 1543, two worlds collided - Europeans encountered Japan for the first time. For the next 50 years, Portuguese and their partners flooded into this newly discovered land aiming to spread the power of the Christian Church and sell wares that could revolutionise Japan, like the powerful gun. But in the fiery cauldron of Sengoku Japan, Portuguese missionaries were but one player in the most bloody and brutal of political games.Assassin's Creed Shadows delves into the tensions at the heart of this culture clash. Did Buddhist and Shinto Japanese accept Christianity? Why did the Japanese see Europeans as barbaric? Were Japanese warlords like Oda Nobunaga exploited by Western traders and church leaders, or were the Europeans unwittingly being exploited by the Japanese?Matt Lewis and Prof. Frederik Cryns, historical advisor on the hit TV show Shogun, uncover how Europeans fit into 16th century Japan’s patchwork of daimyos and the momentous impact they had on feudal Japanese warfare and society.This episode was first published on 20th May 2024. Watch it here on YouTube.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Anisha DevaProduced by: Joseph Knight, Peta Stamper, Matt LewisSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic by The FlightIf 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assassin's Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory transports players to the medieval Abbasid caliphate. One place in particular that is recreated in the game is the remarkable Jabal Ikmah, the ancient Open-Air Library. Here, on the mountains surrounding AlUla, archaeologists have found a treasure trove of texts that stretch across centuries in multiple languages and from several civilisations. Who made these inscriptions, and why? What do they reveal about the daily lives of the ancient peoples who lived in the oasis?Matt Lewis is joined by Solaiman al-Theeb, professor at the AlUla Language Institute. His work with ancient languages and inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah makes him the perfect person to reveal more about the writings in the rock.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Michael McDaidProduced by: Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic by Brendan AngelidesIf 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: Valley of Memory recreates life in the AlUla oasis as it was over a millennium ago. Players can climb the battlements of a Muslim fortress, wander through an ancient city carved into the mountainside, and experience the vibrant sights and sounds of a medieval spice market.In this episode, Creative Director Olivier Leonardi divulges the behind-the-scenes secrets of how the game developers combined history and artistry to transport players to the unique locations and ancient atmosphere of AlUla.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. You can discover more on our YouTube channel here, including exclusive reactions from historians to the games.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Robin McConnellProduced by: Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:Land of the Living by Brendan AngelidesSouthern Skies by Brendan AngelidesIf 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. James Victor, an Associate Professor and historian focused on 18th-century Atlantic history, dives deep into the Boston Tea Party's true motives. He challenges the traditional heroic narrative, shedding light on the careful planning behind the protest and its orchestrated secrecy likening it to organized crime. Victor explains the symbolic use of Native American imagery, the Sons of Liberty's origins, and why tea was the focal point of resistance. He also discusses the tea's destruction and its limited economic impact, but significant political consequences.

One of the most profoundly influential periods in history is the 5th century BCE, when when a collection of great minds in Ancient Greece formed the foundations of Western philosophy, medicine and history itself. How did ancient doctors heal the sick? How did historians share their research with a society that didn't read? What influence did female intellectuals have on the Fathers of Philosophy?Matt Lewis presents the expertise of Prof Michael Griffin, Prof Helen King and Justin Marozzi about Socrates, Hippocrates and Herodotus - all of whom are brought to life in Assassin's Creed Odyssey for players to get a taste of what it might have been like to walk alongside these remarkable people in their daily lives.Click these links to listen to the full episodes about Socrates and his wife Xanthippe, the world's first historian Herodotus, and the most influential physician of all time Hippocrates.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. You can discover more on our YouTube channel here, including exclusive reactions from historians to the games.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Robin McConnellProduced by: Robin McConnellSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:Athens, Birthplace of Democracy by The Flight, Mike GeorgiadesSokrates by The Flight, Mike GeorgiadesConversations by The Flight, Mike GeorgiadesAtlantis by The FlightIf 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr. Sterenn Le Maguer, an expert in Islamic archaeology, explores the historical significance of the Incense Route and AlUla. She reveals how this ancient trade network connected southern Arabia to the Mediterranean, emphasizing its crucial role in the spice trade. By highlighting the unique adaptations like the dromedary camel for land travel and the impact of maritime risks, Dr. Le Maguer showcases how elites consumed rare fragrant goods. The discussion also touches on archaeology in AlUla and the continuity of perfume traditions, linking the past to modern practices.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Laïla Nehmé, an expert in Nabataean archaeology, delves into the mysteries of the Nabataeans and their remarkable city, Hegra. She explores their unique architectural style and their control over vital trade routes, particularly for incense. Nehmé also addresses the social structure evident in tomb inscriptions and emphasizes Hegra’s role as a bustling city, not just a necropolis. With insights into Roman annexation and today's preservation efforts, she paints a vivid picture of this lost civilization's enduring legacy.

Matt Cook, a senior writer for Anno 117: Pax Romana, dives into the fascinating intersection of history and gaming. He discusses the significant moment of 117 AD in the Roman Empire, emphasizing research challenges and historical accuracy. Cook reveals how influences from pop culture shape the game's tone and addresses the sensitive topic of slavery through narrative rather than gameplay. He shares anecdotes about real historical figures and the unique gameplay mechanics driven by Roman society, all while encouraging players to engage with history creatively.

In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Anne Chen, an Associate Professor at Bard College and director of the International Digital Dura-Europos Archive, delves into daily life in the Roman Empire. She explores how archaeology reveals the intricacies of everyday activities often overlooked in texts. Discover the significance of Dura-Europos, a time capsule of cultures, and how modern methods help rediscover social dynamics, including women’s roles. Dr. Chen's insights highlight the empire as a borrower of cultures, showcasing a rich tapestry of coexisting traditions.

Everyone knows the great achievements of Sir Isaac Newton. Or do they? Assassin's Creed Gold focuses not on the first half of Newton's career, describing gravity and the fundamental laws of physics, but on the second half of his life, working at the Royal Mint in London. This responsibility included chasing down counterfeiters. One man in particular would became his nemesis - the Professor Moriarty to Newton's Sherlock Holmes.To shed light on this fascinating time in Newton's life, Matt Lewis is joined by Dr Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and author of Life After Gravity: Isaac Newton's London Career. Everyone knows the great achievements of Sir Isaac Newton. Or do they? Assassin's Creed Gold focuses not on the first half of Newton's career, describing gravity and the fundamental laws of physics, but on the second half of his life, working at the Royal Mint in London. This responsibility included chasing down counterfeiters, and one man in particular who would became his nemesis - the Professor Moriarty to Newton's Sherlock Holmes.To shed light on this fascinating time in Newton's life, Matt Lewis is joined by Dr Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and author of Life After Gravity: Isaac Newton's London Career.Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel.Hosted by: Matt LewisEdited by: Michael McDaidProduced by: Robin McConnell, Matt LewisSenior Producer: Anne-Marie LuffProduction Manager: Beth DonaldsonExecutive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen BennettMusic:On Father's Watch by Chris TiltonBallroom Fight (Invention No. 13 in D Minor) by Sarah SchachnerThe Nation, the Law, and the King by Sarah SchachnerIf 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.