Instant Classics

A brisk journey through Helen’s long return from Troy, including a surprising settled life in Sparta. The puzzling Egypt interlude and the striking eidolon theory that the real Helen never went to Troy. Dramatic retellings from Euripides and rhetorical defenses that recast her as loyal, culpable, or even a unifying figure. Multiple, conflicting endings keep her story delightfully unsettled.

They dissect the new Christopher Nolan trailer and whether the hype is deserved. Discussion of the trailer’s focus on muscular warriors versus a solitary Odysseus. Notes on Nolan’s temporal choices and sci‑fi armour that unsettle fixed images of the poem. Observations about stark Scottish landscapes creating menace and hints the film may play with irony and ambiguity.

When Paris, a Trojan prince, abducted Helen of Sparta, the Greeks came in hot pursuit and besieged Troy for ten years. But what was Helen’s role in all this? Was she really kidnapped, or did she elope? And whose side was she really on during the ensuing war? Mary and Charlotte turn to a variety of ancient texts to explore these questions.  In Homer’s The Iliad - the longest and greatest account of the war - Helen isn’t even one of the main characters. She watches Paris and Menelaus fight a duel in her name, draws the admiration of old men, and spends some sexy time with Paris. In The Odyssey, we find out about her role in the final episode of the war - the Trojan Horse. Here she appears more of a double agent: secretly communicating with Odysseus, but also tormenting his soldiers.   In Virgil’s Aeneid, she is a hate figure and a focus of murderous fantasies for the hero Aeneas. Finally, Mary and Charlotte look at The Trojan Women by Euripides, where Helen defends herself as a victim of the gods and her own beauty. Menelaus plans to slaughter her, but we know by the end of this play that is unlikely. What happens next is the focus of the next episode! @instaclassicpod for Insta, TikTok and YouTube @insta_classics for X email: instantclassicspod@gmail.com Mary and Charlotte recommend some further reading: The key sections of the Iliad that feature Helen are Book 3 (where she appears 4 times), Book 6, 342 ff and towards the very end of Book 24. Helen herself and Menelaus tell her story of the war in Odyssey Book 4, esp. 220ff. Aeneas’s outburst against Helen is in Virgil Aeneid Book 2,  567 ff.  Key modern works on Helen and her role in myth and literature are: Ruby Blondell, Helen of Troy: Beauty, Myth, Devastation (Oxford UP, pb, 2015) Bettany Hughes, Helen of Troy: Goddess, Princess, Whore (Pimlico, pb, 2013) Instant Classics handmade by Vespucci Producer: Jonty Claypole  Video Editor: Jak Ford Theme music: Casey Gibson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dive into the tangled myth of Helen of Troy, often seen as a seductress or victim. Explore her miraculous conception by Zeus as a swan and the complexities of her identity through various ancient accounts. Discover how her early abduction by Theseus set the stage for male rivalry over her. Learn about the iconic Judgement of Paris, where he controversially chose Aphrodite, leading to the fateful Trojan War. Each layer reveals a different facet of this enigmatic figure, making her story as captivating as it is contradictory.

Ancient Greek warfare involved more than just battle; espionage played a crucial role. Stories of secret messages hidden in tattoos and earrings reveal a rich history of spycraft. The challenges of communication under Persian surveillance are discussed, alongside the clever tactics of figures like Gorgo, the first known female cryptanalyst. The podcast links Homeric ruses to modern intelligence, exploring the anxiety surrounding early writing as a powerful and potentially dangerous technology. Ultimately, the narratives uncover deeper truths about knowledge and power.

Naomi Alderman is a novelist and games designer known for her acclaimed work, including The Power. In this engaging conversation, she clears up misconceptions about women wearing togas in Ancient Rome, discussing everything from adulteresses to sex workers. Naomi connects historical dress practices to modern cultural insights, reflecting on her Orthodox background and the significance of studying classics. The chat also explores how deep history inspires sci-fi and the literary imagination, finishing with a playful debate on which lost literary work to rescue.

Curious about ancient treasures? Dive into the secrets of how Romans stashed their cash, from temple treasuries to household locks. Unearth the fascinating world of women's health in ancient times, and discover the roles of midwives through historical texts. Tackle the reasons behind the revival of spoken Latin and explore the evidence of a Jewish presence in Roman Britain. Finally, ponder if any ancient deities can truly be considered feminist icons, as the discussion reveals the complexities behind these mythic figures.

Dive into the raucous festival of Saturnalia, where the Romans flipped societal roles, serving dessert to their slaves instead of the other way around. Uncover the darker side of gift-giving, revealing presents like enslaved people alongside food and socks. Hear about the infamous rivalry during Saturnalia when Nero humiliated his brother Britannicus. Explore surprising connections—and differences—between Saturnalia and modern Christmas traditions, debunking myths along the way. It’s a fascinating mix of revelry and grim history.

Discover what a day at the theatre in Ancient Athens truly entailed! From military parades to the dramatic spectacles of tragedy and comedy, the festivals were a grand display of civic pride. Learn about the role of masks, the significance of Dionysus, and how the state funded these performances. Explore the participation of men, the potential attendance of women, and the complex ritual context that surrounded these events. The sheer scale and purpose of Athenian theatre reveal a society intertwined with performance, politics, and public spectacle.

What made the ancient Romans laugh? Discover the surviving Roman jokes that challenge our perceptions of their society. From the irreverent humor in Seneca’s works to themes of identity and inheritance, the discussion reveals the complexities behind their jokes. Examples from the Philogelos showcase a surprising range of topics—from bodily humor to regional stereotypes. The hosts even delve into why some ancient gags still resonate with us today, culminating in a memorable reveal of a favorite joke. Will it get a laugh?