Tides of History
Audible / 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
20 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 36min
Ancient Slaveries
A tour of how slavery varied across ancient societies with scenes from city households to brutal labor gangs. Discussions cover how many people were enslaved, where they worked, and why different systems produced milder or harsher lives. The episode contrasts ancient patterns with later American slavery and highlights how work shaped the fate of the enslaved.
21 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 27min
Past Lives: Saint Patrick, Slavery, and the Fall of the Roman Empire
A lively tour of a Romano-British teenager who became the famous Patrick, including his abduction and six years in slavery. Exploration of what Roman identity looked like in Britain and how cities and local traditions coexisted. A look at the collapse of Roman Britain, rising violence, and the wider practice of Irish slave-raiding. Discussion of how enslavement shaped Patrick’s faith and writings.
8 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 48min
Mailbag!
Dive into a treasure trove of listener questions! Explore the art of depicting siege warfare in films, with recommendations like The Last of the Mohicans. Patrick shares insights on Herodotus's tales of Phoenician voyages and the linguistic landscape of pre-Indo-European Europe. Curious about historical foods? Learn what ancient delicacies he'd love to taste, including Roman bread and unique beers. Plus, a glimpse into his dream comedy about early horse riders! History has never been so engaging!
14 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 53min
Recent Discoveries in the Ancient Americas: Professor Shane Miller Returns
Professor Shane Miller, an anthropology expert from the University of Alabama, returns to discuss groundbreaking discoveries in ancient American archaeology. He sheds light on recent ancient DNA advancements and the ongoing debates surrounding pre-Clovis sites. Miller critiques the influence of high-profile publications, emphasizing how media hype complicates public understanding. He also explores the relationship between culture, tools, and identity, advocating for interdisciplinary collaboration to better interpret emerging evidence.
19 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 33min
Doing Business in Mid-Republican Rome
Explore the fascinating economic transformation of Rome during the Republic! Discover how sustained warfare and political reforms fueled citizenship and prosperity. Meet Quintus, a composite character who embodies the shift from farming to an urban economy. Learn how his ventures in trade, including borrowing for his first business, highlight the complexity of wealth, slavery, and public contracts. Dive into the rise of wealthier aristocrats and the changing roles of commoners in a rapidly monetizing society.
10 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 43min
Interview with Professor Tom Birkett on "Runes: A Concise History"
Tom Birkett, a Professor of Old Norse and author of Runes: A Concise History, dives into the fascinating world of runic writing. He clarifies the practical use of runes beyond their magical associations, illustrating how they reveal personal relationships and everyday life in medieval Scandinavia. Birkett discusses their enduring presence in society, the significance of gold bracteates, and the complex nature of Iron Age Germanic cultures. He also shares insights on recent discoveries that transform our understanding of runes and their emotional impact.
72 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 34min
How Alexander the Great's Soldiers Spent Their Money
Explore the financial life of a Macedonian soldier during Alexander the Great's conquests. Learn how soldiers like Red Cleitus handled their newfound wealth, navigating a world of camp markets, inflation, and credit. Discover the economic incentives that drew men into military service, and how their spending influenced regional economies. Delve into the realities of their expenditures— from arms to indulgences like wine and sex work. Uncover the dark side of war as a slave-producing economy and the long-term impacts on Hellenistic society.
Dec 18, 2025 • 27min
Two Murders at the Dawn of History (Lost Worlds Audiobook Preview)
Dive into the intriguing tales of two murder victims from 5,300 years ago—Ötzi the Iceman and Gebelein Man. Discover the secrets Ötzi's preserved body reveals about his life, diet, and the enigmatic circumstances surrounding his death. Explore Gebelein Man's fatal injury and its implications for ancient Egyptian society on the brink of kingship. Both stories connect us to a past rich with history, identity, and the evolution of civilizations. Mummies remind us of the lives and experiences of our ancient predecessors.
12 snips
Dec 15, 2025 • 24min
Past Lives: Nanaya'ila'i and the Bleeding Edge of the Assyrian Empire
Delve into the harrowing journey of Nanaya'ila'i, a woman abducted by the Assyrian Empire nearly 2,700 years ago. Explore the brutal rise of the Neo-Assyrian Empire and their policies of terror and deportation. Learn about the eerie destruction of Elam and the grim realities faced by captives in Ashur. Hear how ordinary soldiers participated in imperial violence while Nanaya'ila'i's poignant story serves as a rare glimpse into the human cost of conquest, illustrating the complexities of survival amidst brutality.
21 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 36min
The Economic Life of Megakles, Farmer of Classical Athens
Explore the economic life of a composite character named Megakles, a farmer in classical Athens. Discover how Athens' unusual wealth shaped the daily grind of its citizens. Delve into Athenian laws that fostered trade and investment, and how a post-war baby boom affected economic demand. Learn about farms as commercial hubs producing goods for market rather than just sustenance. From strategic investments to partnerships in wool and silver, see how Megakles navigated opportunities amid the ebb and flow of an ancient economy.
