The Ancients Podcast
1) Rise of Humans
How did we go from ancient apes to the dominant species on Earth? The story of human evolution is one of survival, adaptation, and extinction - stretching back 7 million years.In this episode of The A...Show More
2) The Minoan Labyrinth
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey immerses players in the mythology of Ancient Greece. In particular, they can walk in the footsteps of Theseus through the Labyrinth and come face to face with the mythical Min...Show More
3) Emperor Diocletian and the Great Persecution
How did a humble Balkan soldier ascend to the heights of Roman power?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Gwynn to explore the tumultuous reign of Emperor Diocletian and the significant reforms that ...Show More
4) Paestum: Ancient Greeks in Italy
Tristan Hughes visits his favourite ancient site in Italy; Paestum, an ancient site renowned for its impressive Greek temples dedicated to Poseidon, Athena and Hera. Tristan is guided through Paestum'...Show More
5) Stegosaurus: Titan of the Jurassic
Few dinosaurs are as instantly recognisable as the plated titan Stegosaurus - it's the Jurassic giant with a brain the size of a walnut and a tail that could kill.In this episode of The Ancients, Tris...Show More
6) Rise of King Herod
He’s the villain of the Nativity. An alleged killer of innocents, remembered as one of history’s great monsters. But the truth about Herod the Great is far more dramatic, far more complex, and far mor...Show More
7) The Ten Commandments
Did Moses really receive the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, or is that just ancient legend? Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Dylan Johnson to unpack how the Book of Exodus disagrees with Deuteronomy,...Show More
8) Origins of Chocolate
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Cameron McNeil, Mesoamerican archaeologist, to explore cacao, in ancient Mesoamerican societies like the Maya, Aztecs, and Olmecs. They discuss how was used as food, dr...Show More
9) The Khmer Empire: Angkor Wat
How did Indian culture shape the wonders of Southeast Asia?Tristan Hughes is joined by William Dalrymple to explore the fascinating first millennium AD, from vibrant trade dynamics with the Roman Empi...Show More
10) The World's Oldest Letters
What do the world’s first letters reveal about life in the Bronze Age?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Amanda Podany to uncover the remarkable written culture of ancient Mesopotamia, when clay tablets c...Show More