The History of Ancient Greece
Ryan Stitt
The History of Ancient Greece Podcast is a deep-dive into one of the most influential and fundamental civilization in world history. Hosted by philhellene Ryan Stitt, THOAG spans over two millennia. From the Bronze Age to the Archaic Period, from Classical Greece to the Hellenistic kingdoms, and finally to the Roman conquest, this podcast will tell the history of a fundamental civilization by bringing to life the fascinating stories of all the ancient sources and scholarly interpretations of the archaeological evidence. And we won't just detail their military and political history, but their society, how the Greeks lived day-to-day, as well as their culture—their art, architecture, philosophy, literature, religion, science, and all the other incredible aspects of the Greek achievement , while situating the Greeks within a multicultural Mediterranean whose peoples influenced and were influenced by one another.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Aug 8, 2016 • 54min
019 Poets and Wise Rulers
In this episode, we discuss part 2 of 2 on the influential poets whose writings give us insight into the economic, social, and political happenings that reshaped Archaic Greece; in particular, we look at the turbulent history of late 7th and early 6th century BC Mytilene, which finds itself at the intersection of two great poets (Alkaios and Sappho), tyranny, and one of the so-called "Seven Sages” (Pittakos), making it a perfect case study; and the phenomenon of the lawgiver that arose in many city-states in response to all of these economic, social, and political changes Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/08/019-poets-and-wise-rulers.html
Aug 1, 2016 • 36min
018 From Epic to Lyric
In this episode, we discuss the literary changes that took place in the 7th and 6th centuries BC (moving away from grand epic to the more personalized lyric, elegiac, and iambic forms of poetry); and part 1 of 2 on the influential poets whose writings gives us insight into the economic, social, and political happenings that reshaped archaic Greece Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/08/018-from-lyric-to-epic.html
Jul 25, 2016 • 50min
017 Archaic Art and Architecture
In this episode, we discuss the innovation taking place during the 7th and 6th centuries BC in the realm of vase painting (Orientalizing, Korinthian, and Attic black-figure and red-figure), statuary (kouros/kore and reliefs), and architecture (Doric/Ionic temples, treasuries, and stoas) by looking at some notable works of Archaic art and architecture Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/08/017-archaic-art-and-architecture.html
6 snips
Jul 18, 2016 • 47min
016 The "Age of Tyranny"
In this episode, we discuss the new political phenomena arising in various parts of the Greek world in the 7th and 6th centuries BC, called tyranny, by focusing on four poleis in the Peloponnesos in particular as case studies for its cause: Pheidon of Argos (the military cause), Kypselos and Periandros of Korinth (the economic cause), Kleisthenes of Sikyon (the ethnic cause), and Theogenes of Megara (the unsuccessful attempt) Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/07/016-age-of-tyranny.html
5 snips
Jul 11, 2016 • 60min
015 Colonization and the East
Exploring Greek colonization northeastward, interactions with Lydian and Egyptian kings, development of coinage in the 6th century BC. Narratives of Gyges' rise in Lydia, Greek alliances in Egypt, and intriguing tales of Radopus and Archesilus II. Delving into Greek colonization in regions like Macedon, Thrace, and the Black Sea, shaping commercial and political dynamics of the ancient world.
7 snips
Jul 4, 2016 • 49min
014 Colonization and the West
The podcast discusses Greek colonization in Italy, Sicily, and the Western Mediterranean, exploring reasons, cultural exchanges, and conflicts. It details the development of triremes, interactions with Phoenicians and Etruscans, and emerging tensions with Carthage.
Jun 27, 2016 • 45min
013 Hoplite Warfare
Revolutionary changes in Greek warfare in the 8th and 7th centuries BC with the introduction of hoplite warriors and their armor; detailing the tactics, organization, and training of military forces; discussing the cultic practices of the god Ares and the Lelantine War as the first large-scale conflict after the Trojan War
5 snips
Jun 20, 2016 • 39min
012 Oligarchs and Hesiod
In this episode, we discuss the transitional governments in the early stages of the centrally unified polis (oligarchia and aristokratia), as the waning power of the basileis becomes supplanted by a small landowning group of nobles; the economic and social divisions between the nobles and commoners brought on by a spike in population in Greece; and the second great author of ancient Greece, a man named Hesiod, who speaks to us about life and society in the emerging polis from the point of view of the ordinary citizen, in his Works and Days Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/06/012-oligarchs-and-hesiod.html
15 snips
Jun 13, 2016 • 44min
011 From Oikos to Polis
Exploring the shift from small Greek settlements to larger communities, labor roles of women in cloth production, and the significance of the Greek polis in shaping social structures and political dynamics throughout history.
6 snips
Jun 6, 2016 • 46min
010 Religion and Panhellenism
Explore the philosophy of early Greek religion, rituals, and the rise of Panhellenism. Learn about the sanctuaries of Zeus, Hera, Apollo, Artemis, and more. Dive into the evolution of Greek religious architecture and the origins of the Olympic Games. Discover the societal importance of civic pride and the connection between athletic competitions, religious worship, and societal harmony.
