The Ancients

Amanda Podany, historian of the ancient Near East and author of Brotherhood of Kings, explores Bronze Age Syria’s powerful cities and kingdoms. Discover Ebla’s archives and trade wealth, Mari’s royal intrigues and diplomatic letters, and Mitanni’s rise among the great powers. Along the way: cultural exchange, rural life, international alliances, and the mysterious destruction of Mari.

Judith Herrin, a leading historian of Byzantine civilization, explores how Constantine transformed a modest Greek colony into Constantinople. She discusses his rise through civil war, the city’s commanding position on the Bosphorus, its blend of Christian and pagan traditions, and the walls, harbors, currency, and institutions that made it the empire’s enduring heart.

Simon Elliott, a Roman historian, archaeologist, and author of Roman Britain's Missing Legion, investigates one of Rome’s greatest cold cases. They trace the Ninth Legion from Sulla and Caesar to Britain, Boudicca’s revolt, York, and the northern campaigns. The discussion weighs theories of destruction, relocation to the East, disbandment, and the enduring mystery of its missing eagle.

Marianne Hem Eriksen, a research professor of Viking Studies at Denmark’s National Museum, explores Scandinavia long before the Vikings. Discover shifting power, elite halls inspired by Rome, warrior culture, bog bodies, sacrifice, burial traditions, and the maritime skills that shaped the North. A journey through Iron Age communities, trade networks, climate catastrophe, and the deep roots of the Viking world.

British archaeologist and author Miles Russell explores Caratacus, the charismatic king who defied Rome for seven years. Discover the dynastic turmoil that helped trigger the invasion of Britain, his guerrilla warfare across Wales, the controversial betrayal that led to his capture, and the remarkable speech in Rome that changed his fate. His legacy reaches from ancient Britain to Shakespeare and beyond.

Australian paleontologist Professor John Long, renowned for uncovering early sharks and fossil fish, explores Antarctica’s lost prehistoric world. Discover trilobite reefs, Devonian giants, dinosaurs, marsupials, giant penguins and ancient whales beneath the ice. Long also recounts perilous expeditions, mysterious mountain discoveries and Antarctica’s transformation from a temperate Gondwanan haven into a frozen wilderness.

When the asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs, one remarkable avian survivor traded the skies for the sea. Tristan Hughes and paleontologist Dr Steve Brusatte explore how prehistoric penguins emerged on ancient Zealandia, lost their flight and grew into colossal apex predators. But how did these giant ocean rulers eventually shrank to conquer the frozen continent of Antarctica?MORETerror BirdsListen to AppleListen to SpotifyDinosaurs: The Last DaysListen to AppleListen to SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Produced by Joseph Knight and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch HEREWant even MORE Ancients? Sign up to History Hit for early access ad-free, plus exclusive subscriber-only episodes. PLUS with a History Hit subscription you can watch hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Babylon was one of the greatest cities of the ancient world. But what was life really like for the people who lived there? Behind its magnificent temples and royal palaces lay a city of crowded streets, disease, danger and everyday struggles.Tristan Hughes is joined by friend of the show and Babylonian extraordinaire Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to uncover the realities of life in Hammurabi's Babylon. Drawing on the remarkable texts left behind by its people, they explore everything from marriage and childbirth to taverns, rubbish-filled streets and the strange demons believed to haunt the home. What did it mean to walk the streets of Mesopotamia's most famous ancient city?MOREThe Fall of BabylonListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Tower of BabelListen on Apple Listen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall. Producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week, PLUS early ad-free podcasts and exclusive subscriber-only episodes every fortnight. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How much can we really know about the historical Jesus? The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John have shaped Christianity for nearly 2,000 years, but they were written decades after the events they describe. So how should we treat them as historical sources?Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Helen Bond to examine where the Gospels came from, who wrote them and how closely they reflect the world of first-century Judea. Were they based on eyewitness testimony and earlier traditions? And what do their stories reveal about the life of Jesus of Nazareth?MOREThe PhariseesListen on AppleListen on SpotifyRise of ChristianityListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Editor is Matthew Wilson. The producers are Joseph Knight and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch HEREWant even MORE Ancients? Sign up to History Hit for early access ad-free, plus exclusive subscriber-only episodes. PLUS with a History Hit subscription you can watch hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forget everything you thought you knew about the ancient Maya. Cracking their mysterious hieroglyphs didn't just reveal boring calendars, it exposed a cutthroat, Game of Thrones-style world of rival superpowers, Tikal and Calakmul.Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor David Stuart to uncover tales of powerful female warlords, dark pilgrimages to the underworld, and the secret jungle "whiteboard" of an ancient mathematician.MOREThe Maya CollapseListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Olmec: Mother of Mesoamerican CivilisationsListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Edited and produced by Joseph Knight.The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.