Tides of History
Wondery / Patrick Wyman
Everywhere around us are echoes of the past. Those echoes define the boundaries of states and countries, how we pray and how we fight. They determine what money we spend and how we earn it at work, what language we speak and how we raise our children. From Wondery, host Patrick Wyman, PhD (“Fall Of Rome”) helps us understand our world and how it got to be the way it is.Listen to Tides of History on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to bonus episodes available exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/tides-of-history/ now.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 6, 2025 • 54min
Love, War, and Diplomacy in the Late Bronze Age: Interview with Professor Eric Cline
In this conversation, Professor Eric Cline, a noted expert on the Late Bronze Age, dives into the fascinating world revealed by the Amarna Letters. He shares insights on the rare archive’s discovery and the diplomacy between powerful kings, highlighting the roles of elite correspondence and local conflicts. Cline also discusses the unique cultural dynamics of the era, including marriage alliances and gift exchanges. Listeners will enjoy anecdotes about the scholarly race to translate these ancient texts that illuminate past lives and societal structures.
Nov 5, 2025 • 4min
Listen Now: American History Tellers | The Mayflower
Explore the untold story of the Pilgrims and their brave landing at Cape Cod. Discover how their alliance with the Wampanoag was crucial for survival. Experience a thrilling dramatization of the Mayflower battling a fierce storm, capturing the captain's dilemma. Each detail reveals how these historic events shaped the nation we live in today.
Oct 30, 2025 • 44min
Building the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings
Explore the fascinating world of ancient Egypt, where humble farmers fueled monumental architecture through state-organized redistribution. Discover the innovative irrigation of the Nile that led to surplus grain, enabling thousands to build the Great Pyramid. Learn about the daily life of workers in the specialized village of Deir el-Medina, including their unique compensation and living conditions. Delve into the complexities of a dual economy that balanced state support with private market interactions, shaping a remarkable civilization.
12 snips
Oct 23, 2025 • 43min
The Story of Carbon Dioxide is the Story of Everything: Interview with Journalist Peter Brannen
Journalist Peter Brannen, an expert on deep-time Earth history, joins to explore the critical role of carbon dioxide in shaping our planet’s past and future. They delve into how CO2 has influenced mass extinctions and the emergence of complex life. Brannen discusses humanity's unprecedented impact on the carbon cycle and questions our adaptability amidst climate change. He reflects on how climate has affected agriculture and why fossil fuels transformed our energy landscape. Their conversation ultimately prompts a deeper consideration of our lasting legacy in geological history.
19 snips
Oct 16, 2025 • 41min
Living and Working in Imperial Babylonia
The podcast delves into the economic boom of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, revealing how markets and silver monetization transformed daily life. It introduces fictional villager Bazitu, illustrating ordinary experiences in vibrant markets. Detailed cuneiform records challenge old theories on ancient economies, showcasing an era of systemic change. Massive irrigation efforts and agricultural innovations boosted productivity significantly. The narrative explores the rise of cash transactions, social mobility, and improved standards of living, before explaining the empire's eventual decline.
11 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 40min
The Ancient Economy from Assyria to Augustus
Explore the vibrant world of ancient economies, from the bustling trade of Delos to the emergence of coinage. Discover how economic history influences everyday life and laborers. Delve into the debate between primitivist and modernist views on market behavior. Learn how institutions shaped farmers' choices and what constituted money in various societies. Uncover the profound transformations that occurred between Assyria and Augustus, demonstrating the complex interplay of population growth, technology, and market institutions.
28 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 47min
Interview with Dr. Owen Rees (Book, The Far Edges of the Known World releases 9/30/25)
Dr. Owen Rees, a lecturer in applied humanities and author of The Far Edges of the Known World, discusses the expansive nature of ancient history beyond classical centers like Greece and Rome. He challenges misconceptions shaped by urban bias, highlighting the diverse agency of peripheral peoples. The conversation reveals how ordinary objects, like cooking pottery, tell stories of cross-cultural interaction, while exploring how dominant cultures historically portrayed outsiders. Rees emphasizes the significance of embracing these complexities to understand a richer, more inclusive view of antiquity.
79 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 41min
Thucydides, the Greatest Historian of All Time: Interview with Robin Waterfield and Professor Polly Low
Join classical scholar Robin Waterfield, known for his modern translations of ancient texts, and Professor Polly Low, an expert on Thucydides, as they dive deep into the world of the greatest historian. They explore what draws scholars to Thucydides, discussing his intimidating style and the complexities of his writings like the Melian Dialogue. The duo also examines the significance of the Peloponnesian War and how Thucydides shaped history's narrative. Discover why his work remains relevant today and the nuances lost in translation.
6 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 41min
Alexander's Successors and the Danube Frontier
Explore the tumultuous aftermath of Alexander the Great's reign as his successors grapple with power struggles in Thrace. Unbeknownst to them, Celtic migrants are making their way east, poised for one of the largest invasions of Greece. Delve into the complex dynamics of both the Eastern Celts and Thracians, as their cultural influences intertwine during this historical upheaval. Discover how geopolitical chaos sets the stage for dramatic clashes between Celtic tribes and Hellenistic powers.
55 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 41min
The Celts Invade Greece
In an unexpected turn of events, the Celts invaded Greece in 280 BC, disrupting the Hellenistic world. Ptolemy Caranos's ruthless bid for power, marked by betrayal, set the stage for this chaos. The Celtic army's impressive scale and strategic planning contrasted with the miscalculations of local forces. Greek city-states united at Thermopylae to repel the invaders. This incursion significantly altered cultural exchanges and political dynamics, leaving a lasting mark on the ancient landscape.
