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
6 snips
May 30, 2016 • 41min
009 Greek Resurgence
Exploring the revival of Greek culture post-Mycenaean collapse, focusing on Eubia's trade networks; debate on destroyed ancient building's purpose and shift in artistic styles; tracing evolution of Greek alphabet from Phoenician origins and its impact on literacy and knowledge spread; analyzing funeral scene on Diplon Geometric Crater and societal significance of Greek funerary practices; uncovering artistry of Greek ceramics, maritime trade, and cultural interactions in the 8th century BC.
17 snips
May 23, 2016 • 51min
008 The "Dark Age" and Homer
Explore the archaeological evidence of the early 'Dark Age', Greek migrations to Aegean islands, and Homer's epic poems providing insight into society. Uncover the decline in pottery craftsmanship, mass Greek migrations to Asia Minor, and leadership transitions during the Dark Age. Delve into Homer's authorship, societal structures in epic poems, succession challenges, and power dynamics in ancient Greece, highlighting the enduring legacy of Homer in shaping Greek society.
16 snips
May 16, 2016 • 52min
007 Late Bronze Age Collapse
This podcast delves into the myth of the Trojan War, investigates the historical evidence of Mycenaean conflicts, explores the Bronze Age collapse in Greece and the Near East, discusses the mysterious Sea Peoples, and examines the Dorian Invasion into Greece. From the goddesses' dispute to the fall of Troy, the podcast unravels the complexities of ancient powers and conflicts in the Eastern Mediterranean.
15 snips
May 9, 2016 • 48min
006 Mycenaean Greece
In this episode, we discuss the archaeological evidence of the Mycenaean Greeks of the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1650-1250 BC), particularly from the major palace centers at Mycenae, Tiryns, and Pylos; what the Linear B tablets can tell us about their society, economy, and religion; and their extensive trade network throughout the Mediterranean Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/04/006-mycenaean-greece.html
26 snips
May 2, 2016 • 53min
005 Minoan Crete
In this episode, we discuss the myths and archaeological evidence for the Minoans on Crete, who were an early source of cultural inspiration for the Mycenaean Greeks; the palace complex (labyrinth) at Knossos; the volcanic eruption that blew apart the island of Thera (Santorini) in the mid-17th century BC, which was a catalyst for the decline of the Minoan civilization (and perhaps was the inspiration for Plato's infamous Atlantis); the ultimate subordination of the Minoans by the Mycenaean Greeks in the 15th and 14th centuries BC; and the decipherment of Linear B (an early form of Greek) by Michael Ventris in the mid-20th century AD Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/04/005-minoan-crete.html
8 snips
Apr 25, 2016 • 21min
004 Early Bronze Age
The podcast explores the early Bronze Age in Greece, discussing the archaeological evidence, the arrival of the Indo-Europeans, and the discovery of legendary Bronze Age cities like Troy, Knossos, and Mycenae. It delves into topics like the use of metals, dating methods, and the growth of the Cycladic Islands during the Early Bronze Age. The podcast also examines the Indo-European language family, Greek-speaking peoples, and the discoveries of Mycenae and Knossos that shed light on ancient civilizations and their cultural influence.
4 snips
Apr 18, 2016 • 16min
003 The Stone Age
The podcast explores the development of early primate/human activity in Greece in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Periods. It covers topics such as the domestication of plants and animals, rise of villages, and development of metallurgy. The chapters discuss the challenges of studying prehistoric periods, the transition to the Mesolithic and Neolithic Periods including the domestication of dogs and development of agriculture, and the impact of the Neolithic Period on human development including craft specialization and social hierarchy.
Apr 11, 2016 • 19min
002 The Greek Genesis
In this episode, we take a look at Creation, according to the Greeks; the Titanomachia, the Gigantomachia, and the ascendancy of the Olympian Gods; the creation of the first humans; the story of Prometheus and the first woman, Pandora; Deucalion and the great flood; and the progenitors of the various Greek tribes Show Notes: http://www.thehistoryofancientgreece.com/2016/04/002-greek-genesis.html
5 snips
Apr 4, 2016 • 18min
001 Let There Be Greece!
The host introduces the podcast and shares his motivations. Greek civilization's transformative impact in the ancient world is discussed. The influence of Greece's geographical features and its trade routes are explored. Greek culture's staple crops, olive trees, and economic importance of sheep and goats are highlighted.
