Ancient Civilisations
NOISER
The ancient world was full of wonders.
Engineering marvels like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge. Remarkable peoples like the Aztecs, the Romans and the Mongols. Infamous leaders such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Herod the Great. Inventors, explorers, builders, pioneers and philosophers who shaped the world we live in today.
Welcome to Ancient Civilisations - the podcast that takes you back in time to discover the ancient world, one story at a time.
A Noiser production, narrated by Paul McGann and John Hopkins.
As featured on Short History Of... and Real Dictators.
Noiser+ members get ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Noiser Ltd expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.
Engineering marvels like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge. Remarkable peoples like the Aztecs, the Romans and the Mongols. Infamous leaders such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Herod the Great. Inventors, explorers, builders, pioneers and philosophers who shaped the world we live in today.
Welcome to Ancient Civilisations - the podcast that takes you back in time to discover the ancient world, one story at a time.
A Noiser production, narrated by Paul McGann and John Hopkins.
As featured on Short History Of... and Real Dictators.
Noiser+ members get ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Noiser Ltd expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 23, 2026 • 52min
Petra
Jodi Magness, an esteemed archaeologist and professor at the University of North Carolina, shares her insights on the ancient city of Petra. She dives into the fascinating story of the Nabataeans, who transformed a desert settlement into a thriving trade hub. Jodi discusses Petra's ingenious water management systems and its unique rock-carved architecture. The conversation reveals how historical events like earthquakes and the rise of Christianity contributed to Petra's decline. Magness also emphasizes lessons from Nabataean sustainability that are relevant today.
Jan 16, 2026 • 50min
Boudica
Miranda Aldhouse-Green, a renowned archaeologist and professor at Cardiff University, dives into the life and legacy of Boudica, the fierce warrior queen of the Iceni. They explore the legend surrounding Boudica's revolt against Roman rule, questioning her place as a feminist icon despite her brutal actions. The discussion highlights the archaeological evidence that sheds light on her infamous rebellion, the strategic targeting of Colchester, and the dramatic destruction of Londinium. Ultimately, they unravel the complexities of Boudica's identity as both a hero and a historical enigma.
13 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 52min
Angkor
Michael Falser, an architectural historian specializing in Angkor, shares riveting insights about the massive Khmer city. He explains how Angkor's advanced water systems fueled its wealth and discusses the intricacies of Angkor Wat's construction. The conversation dives into the empire's decline, highlighting factors like climate change and warfare. Falser also explores the impact of French colonial conservation efforts and the modern challenges of tourism on this ancient site. Their discussion emphasizes Angkor's enduring significance in Cambodian identity.
Jan 2, 2026 • 54min
Easter Island
First inhabited by the Rapa Nui people a thousand years ago, Easter Island is best known for its hundreds of giant stone statues. But what inspired a group of ancient Polynesian explorers to settle in such a remote spot in the South Pacific? How did they almost bring their own community to the point of collapse? And as ancient traditions meet with modern tourism, what is the future for the Rapa Nui people?
This is a Short History of Easter Island.
Written by Emma Christie. With thanks to Dr. Jo Anne Van Tilburg is an American archaeologist and the Director of the Easter Island Statue Project. She’s spent three decades working on Rapa Nui.
For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 26, 2025 • 57min
The Conquistadors
From the end of the 15th century, the Conquistadors changed the face of the Americas. Invading first the Caribbean and Mexico, they then plunged on into the rest of the continent and plundered the Pacific seaboard. So what do we know of these Europeans and their quest to expand a burgeoning empire? And who were the indigenous people that resisted invasion, negotiated with strangers, and fought off barbarians?
This is a Short History of the Conquistadors.
Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Professor Matthew Restall, Director of Latin American Studies at Penn State University and author of Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest and When Montezuma met Cortez.
For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 19, 2025 • 59min
Cleopatra
The last of the Ptolemaic Pharoahs, the enduring legend of Cleopatra has captivated imaginations for centuries. Though some write her off as a manipulative femme fatale, her competence as a ruler restored her country to a world superpower. But what were the early experiences that shaped her? How did she form both political and personal alliances with two great Roman generals? And what is the true story of her dramatic death?
This is a Short History of Cleopatra.
Written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Joyce Tyldesley, archaeologist and author of Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt.
For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 12, 2025 • 59min
Stonehenge
Older than the pyramids and just as cryptic, the prehistoric British site of Stonehenge has dominated its landscape for thousands of years. But what is Stonehenge? A celestial clock? An ancient computer to predict eclipses? Was it a temple, a cemetery, or a site of execution? And who were the people who lived and died to create this Stone Age masterpiece?
This is a Short History of Stonehenge.
Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Julian Richards, archaeologist, broadcaster and author of the official Stonehenge guidebook.
For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
Marco Polo
In the thirteenth century, Marco Polo spent decades travelling the world. His adventures took him from his home in Venice as far east as the Yellow Sea, where he was a valued courtier of the legendary Mongol emperor Kublai Khan. Later, in prison, he wrote the world’s first travel book. But how did his name become synonymous with adventure? What compelled him to stay away for so long? And why is his story still remembered almost eight centuries later?
This is a Short History of Marco Polo.
Written by Chris McDonald. With thanks to Denis Belliveau: author and Emmy-nominated filmmaker of In The Footsteps of Marco Polo.
For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join Noiser+. Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
15 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 52min
The Spartans
Dr. Andrew Bayliss, an Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Birmingham and author of "The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction," explores Sparta's complex legacy. From the heroic stand at Thermopylae to the brutal reality of helot slavery and infanticide, he reveals the darker aspects of Spartan society. Bayliss discusses the harsh agoge training for boys, the role of women in Spartan life, and how admiration for Sparta often overlooks its moral compromises and oppressive practices.
14 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 57min
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
In this engaging discussion, Javier Puente, an associate professor of Latin American studies, sheds light on the rich tapestry of Inca civilization. He reveals the complexities of the khipu system, which encoded vital information through knots, and the strategic use of the Inca Trail to unify diverse communities. The architectural marvel of Machu Picchu is explored, from its astronomical alignments to its role as a royal estate. Puente also discusses the societal impacts of disease and construction, providing a compelling view of this ancient empire's ingenuity and legacy.
