The Ancients
History Hit
A podcast for all ancient history fans! The Ancients is dedicated to discussing our distant past. Featuring interviews with historians and archaeologists, each episode covers a specific theme from antiquity. From Neolithic Britain to the Fall of Rome. Hosted by Tristan Hughes. New episodes every Sunday and Thursday.From History Hit, the world's best history channel and creators of award-winning podcasts Dan Snow's History Hit, Gone Medieval, and Betwixt the Sheets.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 6, 2024 • 47min
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Delve into the mysteries of the Great Pyramid of Giza in ancient Egypt. Explore its construction, purpose, and the challenges faced by the laborers. Uncover the precision and planning involved in building this iconic structure. Discover the intriguing chambers and passageways inside the pyramid, shedding light on its hidden nature and cultural significance.
Mar 2, 2024 • 34min
Zenobia: Queen of Palmyra
Explore the rise of Queen Zenobia in the chaotic 3rd century, her defiance against Rome, and her enduring legacy as a symbol of resistance in Syria. Learn about Zenobia's multifaceted character beyond being a warrior woman, her rise to power in Palmyra after her husband's death, and her capture by Aurelian.
Feb 28, 2024 • 40min
The Silver Pharaohs
Uncover the opulent reign of the Silver Pharaohs, overshadowed by Tutankhamen. Egyptologist Dr. Chris Norton delves into the intriguing history of these lesser-known rulers and their lavish burials, highlighting the importance of archaeological discoveries in bridging historical gaps.
Feb 25, 2024 • 29min
Roman Special Forces
Delve into the world of Roman Special Forces with Dr. Simon Elliot, examining their evolution, tactics, and missions. Explore the secretive roles of scouts, speculatores, and exploratores in the Roman military. Uncover historical events like Queen Cartamandua's extraction and the mysterious interactions with groups like the Arioni in Britain.
Feb 22, 2024 • 55min
Origins of Carthage
Explore the origins and rise of Carthage, from Princess Dido's founding to Carthage's naval dominance and expansion in Sicily. Delve into the controversial topic of child sacrifice, the city's rivalry with Rome, and its strategic importance for Mediterranean trade.
Feb 17, 2024 • 33min
Ice Age Britain: Finding the First Homo sapiens
Explore the arrival of Homo sapiens in Ice Age Britain and the excavation of a new Stone Age archaeological site in South West Wales. Discover the significance of Wogan Cavern, rich with ancient human settlement remains. Learn about extracting ancient DNA from soil sediments, ice age landscapes, and the variety of artifacts uncovered in the excavation process.
Feb 15, 2024 • 52min
Sulla
Learn about Lucius Cornelius Sulla, his rise to power, and his role in the downfall of the Roman Republic. Explore the impact of his purge of enemies and his lasting influence on Roman politics. Discover the encounter between Sulla and Julius Caesar, and the diverging accounts of Sulla's death. Delve into the legacy of this influential historical figure.
Feb 11, 2024 • 51min
Persia Reborn: Rise of the Sasanians
Explore the rise of the Sasanians and their challenge to Rome. Learn about Ardashir founding the empire and his struggles against the Parthians. Discover the rock relief representing the battle and the shift in armor style. Delve into the transition from Parthian rule and the overlooked story of the Sasanians. Experience the dominance of the Persianate world and their rivalry with Rome.
Feb 8, 2024 • 38min
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Quest for Immortality
In this episode, Dr Sophus Helle discusses Gilgamesh's quest for immortality and his encounters with the mysterious sage Ut-napishtim. They explore Enkidu's prophetic dream and deathbed visions, the purpose of sermons, and the climax of the epic. They also delve into the journey of Gilgamesh as he seeks the plant of youth and the themes of storytelling and wisdom in the ending.
Feb 4, 2024 • 40min
The Epic of Gilgamesh: Rise of Enkidu
Tristan Hughes, podcast host, and Dr. Sophus Helle explore the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest surviving works of storytelling. They discuss the central love story between King Gilgamesh and Enkidu, the significance of the city of Eruk, Enkidu's transition to humanity, their quest to slay Humbaba, the structure and themes in Mesopotamian literature, and analyze the first half of the epic.
