The Ancients

Adam and Eve: parents of humanity, or characters in a Near Eastern myth about wisdom, mortality, and the limits of being human?Tristan Hughes and Dr Dylan Johnson strip away the Sunday school varnish to re-examine the story of Adam and Eve, starting with the question: was there really an apple? They discuss the origins and multiple layers of the story, try and pinpoint where Eden might have been located, and trace the tale of lost immortality that echoes through the legends of Gilgamesh, Sumerian rivers, and the earliest biblical textsMOREMoses & The ExodusListen on Apple Listen on SpotifyThe Ark of The CovenantListen on Apple Listen on SpotifyWatch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Rosamond McKitterick, a medievalist from Cambridge, explores the Liber Pontificalis and the tangled sources behind Rome's earliest bishops. Short, vivid stories cover Peter and Mark, traditions of martyrdom and burial, Sylvester’s role with Constantine, and Leo I’s theological and diplomatic reputation. The conversation highlights how records, liturgy and legend shape our picture of early papal history.

He is one of the most famous rulers of the ancient world, remembered for leading a vast Persian invasion of Greece. Yet Xerxes the Great was far more than just a battlefield king.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by friend of the show Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to explore the life and reign of the Persias most revered king who ruled the largest empire the world had yet seen. From his royal upbringing and court politics to religion, monumental building projects and imperial power, this episode goes beyond Greek battle narratives to uncover who Xerxes really was — and how the Achaemenid empire functioned at the height of his power.MOREDarius the Great: Persian King of KingsListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and SalamisListen on AppleListen on SpotifyWatch this episode on our NEW YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Jeremy Armstrong, an expert on early Rome, delves into the complexities of Rome's origins and identity. He reveals why early Roman history is often shrouded in myth and how archaeology complicates our understanding. Armstrong explores the brutal destruction of Veii, the Gallic sack of Rome, and the city's transformation into a powerful entity. He also highlights the diverse cultural landscape of ancient Italy, the evolution of Roman warfare, and the significance of expanding citizenship and identity during this period.

Professor Pierre Zalloua, a geneticist specializing in ancient DNA, shares fascinating insights into the first Homo sapiens in Arabia over 50,000 years ago. He discusses the challenges of DNA extraction in harsh deserts and how climate influenced human migration. Zalloua explores the interbreeding between Neanderthals and early humans, and the continuous population movements into Arabia. He also highlights the impact of the humid period on population booms and the Natufians' legacy in shaping Arabian ancestry.

Join Tristan Hughes and guest Dr. Francis Mackintosh, a collections curator for English Heritage at Hadrian's Wall, as they delve into the fascinating lives of those on the Roman frontier. They discuss the complex motives behind Hadrian's Wall, the unique cultural identities of military garrisons, and the daily routines of soldiers and their families. Dr. Mackintosh reveals insights into local deities, communal meals, and even the evidence of crime and entertainment in the forts. Discover how these communities adapted and thrived in a changing world.

In this discussion, classical scholar and bestselling author Natalie Haynes delves into the multifaceted character of Medea, exploring her journey from a powerful Colchian teen to a feared figure in Greek mythology. Natalie unpacks the complexities of Medea's actions, her betrayal of family, and how ancient perceptions of gender and culture shape her narrative. The analysis highlights different portrayals of Medea across historical texts and questions whether she truly deserves her villainous reputation.

How did Sparta, the most feared military state in ancient Greece, fall from grace in a single generation?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Roel Konijnendijk and Dr Owen Rees to chronicle Sparta's catastrophic collapse in the fourth century BC. Fresh from its victory over Athens in the year 404, Sparta stood unrivalled. Yet within decades, its power would be shattered, its authority broken, and its golden age over. From decisive battles against resurgent rivals Thebes and Corinth to over-ambitious kings and a defining clash with a warband of sacred lovers, it is a gripping story of sky-high stakes and two-faced duplicity; of brutal power struggles and the cut-throat scramble to become the hegemonic power of ancient Greece.MOREMarch of the 10,000Listen on AppleListen on SpotifySparta vs Athens: The Greek World WarListen to AppleListen to SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for 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.

Tristan Hughes chats with Professor Peter Heather, a historian specializing in late antiquity, about the remarkable rise of Christianity from a persecuted minority to a dominant force in the Roman Empire. They delve into Constantine the Great's pivotal role, the Edict of Milan's significance in ending persecution, and the standardization of Christian doctrine through imperial councils. Heather also explores the pragmatic conversions among elites and the gradual Christianization of rural areas, highlighting how emperors shaped ecclesiastical authority and ultimately transformed the religious landscape.

In a captivating discussion, paleontologist Henry Gee unpacks the origins of life on Earth, emphasizing evidence dating back 3.4 billion years. He explores theories ranging from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the role of oxygen in shaping ecosystems. The conversation dives into the evolution from simple bacteria to complex multicellular organisms and the implications of the Cambrian Explosion. Plus, Gee connects ancient events to contemporary climate issues, offering insights on resilience and adaptation in a changing world.