
Ancient Greece Declassified
The podcast that transports you to the ancient world and back, with some good conversation along the way. It's not just about ancient Greece. It's about a huge chunk of human history that the Greek texts give us access to: from Egypt and Babylon, to Persia, to Carthage and Rome, we'll sail the wine-dark sea of history with some expert guides at the helm. Topics will include archaeology, literature, and philosophy. New episode every month.
Latest episodes

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 7min
60 The Rise of Athens (Themistocles and the Persian Wars, Part 3)
During the Persian Wars, the city of Athens was completely razed to the ground by the Persian army. And yet, from its ashes, a new Athens was born, more powerful and magnificent than any other city in the Mediterranean. How did the Athenians pull that off? In this finale to our Persian Wars saga, we explore the final battles of the conflict and the clever machinations of Themistocles—one of the chief masterminds and architects of Athenian power. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [05:35] Aftermath of Salamis [15:50] Xerxes Goes Home [23:20] The Final Battles (Plataea and Mycale) [39:08] The Themistoclean Walls [46:05] Themistocles' Exile and Death [55:50] Conclusion ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast

Mar 1, 2025 • 59min
59 The Ancient Novels w/ Doug Metzger (Apuleius, Lucian, Chariton, Heliodorus, Petronius, Achilles Tatius)
Unveiling the wild world of ancient Greek and Roman novels with Doug Metzger, host of the "Literature and History Podcast." ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast ------------------ Contents of the episode, with timestamps: 04:22 When did novels first arise? 09:12 The four genres of ancient novels 11:39 The typical plot (Callirhoe) 17:55 Daphnis and Chloe 21:10 Euripides' romances 28:17 Narrative in the Bible 32:43 Evolution of the ancient novel 34:27 Leucippe and Clitophon 35:47 Heliodorus' Aethiopica 37:35 Lucian and the influence on modernity 43:08 The Second Sophistic 47:14 Greek VS Roman novels 53:44 The X-rated stuff

Jan 31, 2025 • 60min
58 What Did the World's First Pop Star Sound like? | Euripides and Ancient Music w/ Claire Catenaccio
What did ancient music sound like? In this episode, you will hear three songs that are over 2000 years old! Few people in the world today know more about ancient music than our guest in this episode. Claire Catenaccio is an assistant professor of classics at Georgetown University who specializes in the study of ancient drama and its modern reception. Her recent book "Monody in Euripides" explores monody – namely solo actor's song – in the tragedies of Euripides. Her scholarship is informed by her experience as a director and historical consultant in many modern productions of ancient Greek theater plays. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [02:07] What evidence do we have for ancient music? [13:05] What kind of musical notation did the ancient Greeks use? [13:51] The Song of Seikilos (oldest surviving song with musical score) [20:30] What the aulos (the main musical instrument on stage) sounded like [23:21] The origins of music in Greek tragedy [31:30] Cash prizes and the professionalization of acting/singing [34:45] The incredible popularity of Euripides' new music [37:20] How and Why Euripides' "Orestes" completely rewrites Aeschylus' "Eumenides" [52:30] What Euripides' songs sounded like (Electra's monody from Euripides' "Orestes") ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast

Dec 31, 2024 • 54min
57 The Life of Plato w/ Robin Waterfield
Even after thousands of years of supposed progress in philosophy, there are still some who maintain that the entire history of western philosophy consists of footnotes to Plato. But who was Plato the man? If there is anyone who can answer that question, it's our guest in this episode. Robin Waterfield is a renowned scholar of antiquity who has written the first ever full biography of the ancient philosopher in English. Check out the book here. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [04:10] Plato's early life [06:46] Relationship to Socrates [12:27] Philosophical method [14:53] Theory of Forms [18:27] How Plato became famous [23:42] Sophists VS Philosophers [31:55] Founding the Academy [35:25] Relationship to Aristotle [47:07] Political intrigues in Sicily [48:51] Disilusionment and later works ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast Or make a one-time donation: paypal.me/greecepodcast

Nov 26, 2024 • 56min
56 The Man Who Defeated the Persian Empire (Themistocles and the Persian Wars, Part 2)
In 480BC the Persian Empire invaded Greece with the largest military force the world had ever seen. Meanwhile in Athens, a man named Themistocles had spent the last ten years preparing for this moment. He had come up with a plan to defeat Persia, but it would require a mix of strategy, intrigue, deception, and plain old good luck... Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [05:45] How to Win Friends and Influence People [13:10] The Mines of Laurion [19:30] Athens VS Aegina [25:10] Battle of Thermopylae [32:00] Battle of Artemisium [40:10] The Wooden Wall [49:55] The Battle of Salamis [53:30] Conclusion ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast Or make a one-time donation: paypal.me/greecepodcast

Oct 1, 2024 • 52min
55 Fire in the Cradle of Democracy (The Persian Wars, Part 1)
The three decades from 508-478BC were possibly the most consequential in all of ancient history. In this episode and the next, we tell the story of the Greco-Persian Wars through the eyes of Themistocles, the Athenian mastermind who guided the Greeks to victory. Contents of the episode, with timestamps: [04:50] Themistocles' Childhood and the Athenian Revolution [10:40] Democracy's Early Challenges [16:10] The Demagogue [26:35] The Ionian Revolt [31:25] Marathon [43:05] "Rejoice! We Are Victorious!" ------------------ Find out more about the upcoming AGD "Persian Wars" Tour in Greece: greecepodcast.com/tour4 ------------------ Support Ancient Greece Declassified on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast Or make a one-time donation: paypal.me/greecepodcast

Sep 7, 2024 • 7min
AGD "Persian Wars" Tour in Greece! Jan. 3-11, 2025
AGD is going back to Greece this January 3-11 for another epic adventure! This time we'll be exploring the Persian Wars and the profound effect they had on Greek civilization. We will visit all the major focal points of the Greco-Persian showdown (Marathon, the Acropolis, Eretria, Salamis, Thermopylae, Plataea, and Delphi) as well as a wide variety of other fascinating historical sites. Check out our highlight reel from the first tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-w7u6aQz0 To reserve your spot, email us at greecepodcast@gmail.com For the itinerary visit https://greecepodcast.com/tour4

Jan 1, 2024 • 56min
54 Were the Spartans Proto-Fascist Losers? w/ Bret Devereaux
Military historian challenges traditional view of Spartans as elite warriors, debunking myths perpetuated by popular culture. Examines Spartan military prowess, training methods, governance, and treatment of Helots. Explores societal impact of Spartan conquest and shift towards austerity.

8 snips
Aug 21, 2023 • 1h 22min
53 Why Platonism and Stoicism Are Going Viral w/ John Vervaeke
Cognitive scientist John Vervaeke discusses the resurgence of Platonism and Stoicism in modern times. The podcast explores the growing trend of ancient wisdom practices and compares cognitive behavioral therapy with other psychotherapies. The contrasting views of Plato and Stoics on human mind and consciousness are examined, as well as the differences between Neoplatonism and original Platonism. The interconnection of rationality and emotion is emphasized, and the transformative power of the love of beauty is explored.

Jul 27, 2023 • 8min
"Enemies of Athens" Tour Announcement Oct. 11-19, 2023
AGD is going back to Greece this fall (Oct. 11-19) for another epic adventure! This time we'll be exploring areas that in ancient times lay in the shadow of – or in direct conflict with – the Athenian hegemony. Check out our video from the first tour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g-w7u6aQz0 To reserve your spot, email us at greecepodcast@gmail.com For the itinerary visit https://greecepodcast.com/tour
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