Casting Through Ancient Greece

The podcast dives into the turmoil of the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. It explores rising discontent due to oppressive taxation and the drive for freedom among the Ionians. Ambitious leaders like Aristagoras push for rebellion, seeking help from Athens and Eretria. Battles unfold, including the fiery capture of Sardis and the disastrous clash at Ephesus. The narrative reveals internal strife and betrayal among the Greek forces. Ultimately, the revolt is crushed, paving the way for Darius' vengeful plans against Athens.

The Casting Through Ancient Greece podcast is now moving into the Greek and Persian war period. We have spent the past 13 episodes looking at how things were developing in Greece that will help give us a better understanding of the periods moving forward.This episode I talk about my experiences since starting the podcast, as well as the support I have received from other podcasts out there.We spend the first part of the show going back and summarising the topics and themes we have spoken about over the past 13 episodes. Going all the way back to the first signs of human habitation in the Greece, all the way through to the last series of episodes where we looked at the development of 3 of our major players moving forward. Hopefully this helps with refreshing everyone’s memory of everything covered so far.The last part of the episode I spend answering questions sent in by listeners ranging from topical questions to general show questions.Stay tuned as we now move into the Greek and Persian wars.  Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!

The podcast dives into the tumultuous transition of power after Cyrus the Great's death, exploring Cambyses’ ambitious conquests, particularly in Egypt, where his rule faced severe backlash. It delves into the political intrigues and conspiracies that destabilized the empire, leading to Darius's rise amidst chaos. The discussion highlights Darius's strategies to restore order and expand the empire, as well as the critical Royal Road that facilitated communication. This set the stage for the monumental collision between Greek and Persian worlds.

Dive into the fascinating rise of the Persian Empire and its impact on Greek city-states. Explore the legendary tales of Cyrus the Great and his strategic genius in rallying support against the Medes. Uncover the wealth of Lydia, its golden coins, and the tragic fate of Croesus. Discover how personal misfortunes intertwined with monumental historical shifts. The narrative reveals the complex relationships and tensions leading up to the epic Greco-Persian Wars, setting the stage for a clash of titans.

Reforms had been but in place now from some important figures such as Draco and Solon. Though, they would not be enough to see democracy emerge and take hold just yet. The political front in Athens at this stage was looking very unstable with periods of anarchy, almost leading to civil war breaking out. This would see the type of leader emerge that had threatened to earlier, the tyrant. Factions were now forming around the geographical areas of Attica which fell roughly in line with the different demographics of the regions. From one of these factions emerged a leader who would become the first successful tyrant to take power in Athens. Though, it would take three attempts to successfully remain in power. Peisistratus would be Athens’ first tyrant, but not in a despotic sense, his rule would be seen move favourable than the previous leaders.Once Peisistratus’ rule came to a natural end, his sons would take control seamlessly continuing the tyranny. After a long period of stability in Athens, assassination would see the tyranny take on a darker side. The surviving son, Hippias would become the despotic ruler we all now associate with the word tyrant today. Eventually Hippias would be removed with some outside help from Sparta.Faction fighting would continue to plague Athens, though another leader, Cleisthenes would emerge. Under his leadership Athens would see many institutions and ideas further evolve and develop that would at the heart of a democratic system. Democracy as a political system was now rising in Athens.Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!

What started out as a small settlement atop a rocky outcrop over 5000 years ago would develop into the most recognisable symbol of democracy and culture. Athens would Survive relatively intact after the Bronze Age collapse, events during the Dark and Archaic Age setting them on a trajectory towards democracy. Some early figures such as Draco and Solon would be looked back to as founding many of the changes leading to this new innovation of politics in Athens.  Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!

The Institutions that would develop in Sparta are what made this Greek city state standout, even in modern times. Their interactions with their neighbours would help drive how these systems would take shape. Leading to one of the most militarised cities within Greece, the ancients not only fascinated by them but some even admiring them. Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!

Developing and coming out of the Dark Ages, would be one of the most recognisable city states. Sparta would come into existence from the union of surrounding villages and the conquering of nearby regions. What would develop there, would be a unique social and political system, far different to the rest of the Greek world.Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!

The Greek world now emerges out of the shadows of the dark ages, with the region experiencing a re-birth. What comes into being will be different to the ages that came before, although their memory would not be forgotten. Society will develop with new advances that will continue to be refined for centuries to come.** Episode correction **I give the foundation of the Olympics as 778 BC, though the traditional date given is 776 BC (This is what I had my script, so not sure where the 778 came from)Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!

The collapse of the Bronze Age world saw darkness descend onto the Greek world. The great palaces of the Mycenaeans lay in ruins. A period of regression and depopulation makes itself known in the Archaeological record. Though, over time progress can also be seen, which would lead the Greek world out of this period and back into the light.Support the show💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient GreeceFollow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content:🌐 Website📸 Instagram🐦 Twitter📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow history enthusiasts. Your support helps keep the stories of ancient Greece alive!