Ancient History Hound

In this minisode I unwrap the sequence of events which befell Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted. Modern studies and archaeology has enabled a narrative to be built of how the eruption played out. I also briefly cover a couple of controversies and myths of Pompeii. Given the situation there is reference to death and suffering. Find me here Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

How did piracy feature in ancient Greece? What was it and how did the Greeks respond? In this episode I give an overview from Homer through to the Hellenistic. Why not give it a listen and a review? Find me here Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this mini episode I pick out some themes from Sappho's famous poem. But that's not all - I also include a performance of it in ancient Greek courtesy of Seikilo . If you can review or send feedback my way I'd be grateful. More importantly, keep safe and thanks for listening. Find me here. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Over the course of 400 years people travelled to the Oracle of Dodona and asked questions. Some of these have survived and give an fascinating insight into what the people of ancient Greece were thinking. In this episode I take you through the history and background of the oracle before getting stuck into those questions. Perhaps less pig theft but certainly job and relationship advice. I reckon t...

Time for the big one. Cannae is one of the most famous battles of antiquity. Not only did Rome suffer a crushing defeat but the tactics behind the victory have been studied by generals and military tacticians ever since.  In this episode I discuss what happened in the lead up to it, trust me there's a drama at every turn. From dictators to deceptive cattle. Then there's the battle itself which I t...

In her book, The Idea of Marathon , Dr Nevin explores the Battle of Marathon from different angles. Not just the events prior to it, but what we know about the battle and how later generations made sense of it all (this includes the modern period). Join us as we cover a lot of ground (historically inaccurate pun intended). There are complaining Greeks, disappearing horses and possibly the greatest...

The focus on Trasimene is often largely about the events of the day, but what is as interesting are the events leading up to it. What choices did Hannibal have and how did Rome try to anticipate him? As well as the battle I discuss the details and events leading up to the battle. Find me here. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

The opening battle of the Second Punic War was to set the trend in many ways and anticipate much of what was to come. But how did it come about? Who were the figures involved, how did the conditions come into play and what exactly happened? In this episode I try to unpick the basics and some more detailed aspects. Find me here. If you can rate or review please do - it really helps. Music by Brakha...

It's time to welcome LJ Trafford back onto the podcast and talk about her new book, Sex and Sexuality in Ancient Rome. We discuss a number of topics, from homosexuality through to what the sexual expectations were of the time. What did the Romans view as acceptable and what was considered shameful? Obviously the content here is adult so please bear that it mind. If the platform you are listening o...

Ever play the "who would you invite to a dinner party" game? Well, here is the ancient history and myth version.  Joining me for the first episode is Helen McVeigh and we run through her 6 picks.  Find me here and please rate and review if you can. FYI we do mention sexual violence (as per Greek myth). Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this episode I'm continuing the #NightofTheLivyDead Halloween tradition with a look at witches and demons in ancient Mesopotamia. How were they viewed? What made a witch? How did you counter a demon? And how does a magical river battle figure in all this? Find me here Listen and find out! Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).  

In the 4th century BCE the region of Thessaly underwent a transformation. It went from being fractured to becoming a unified state under the leadership of Jason. In a short time Jason became a prominent player in Greece, earning the admiration of Xenophon and calling the shots after Leuctra. But then it all ended abruptly. How did he achieve this? What were his intentions and why is he overlooked?...

It's the final of my Theban trilogy. In this episode I discuss the highs and lows for Thebes in the 4th century BC. Along with covering the whirlwind of alliances and reprisals I help answer questions about ridding yourself of a Spartan garrison and interpreting gloomy spiders.  Lots to cover so why not give it a go? If you haven't listened to the previous two then why not binge listen? Find me he...

In this episode I discuss Thebes in the 5th century BCE. How did it fare after Plataea and what position was it in by the end of the century? Revenge, a sporting controversy and even the big stage feature. Lots to listen to! Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this episode I talk with guest expert Jessica Venner all about what the gardens in Pompeii can tell us. We chat about what the gardens looked like, the problems of keeping up with the neighbours, what was grown and how they are comparable to gardens today. Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).    

As part of a look at Thebes I start with the mythical foundation of the city before moving through to the very real aftermath of the Persian invasion. Athletic cows, wedding drama and walls. Something for everyone. I'll be releasing more episodes on Thebes in the future to continue the story of what happened next. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out. Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Inst...

Here's yours truly giving a pep talk as to why you might want to subscribe to the show.

Leptis Magna became a celebrated Roman city on the African shore and was the birthplace of the Emperor Septimius Severus. In this episode I chat with special guest Maria Lloyd all about how the city developed and grew. We then discuss Severus, how did he rise to power and what did he do? Politics, intrigue, betrayal and even whether it's Leptis or Lepcis. We cover loads -  so get listening! Music...

Classical Athens is famous for the introduction of theatre and Tragedy. But it didn't just appear out of nowhere. In this episode I try and piece together how it developed and ended up as a main component of the City Dionysia at Athens. All this with rude puppets, wild processions, the odd phallus and politics. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).        

In this special episode I chat with LJ Trafford who has written books covering AD 69 and the four emperors. LJ Trafford has a new book out titled 'How to Survive in Ancient Rome' and we talk about what Rome would have been like for the average person as well as how the turmoil of AD 69 came about and what happened. Join us as we discuss this as well as whose eels had makeovers, a truly goth banque...

It's Halloween so time for the third NOTLD episode. In this episode I talk about hauntings and instances of ghosts in Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. From festivals aiming to placate them through to reports of hauntings and even ways to counter a ghost. There's even a very dangerous trick with a walnut. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

In this Olympic length episode I discuss the origin of the games and how both they and the site developed over time. I'll also be picking up the wider aspects of it all from politics to nudity and even foul play. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

In this episode I discuss four mountains which featured in ancient Greece. How did they feature in the local myths? What happened on them? I cover this as well as the more obscure mountain associations, from bizarre marital advice, singing competitions to very bad family cooking. Notes to the episode can be found at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental) Modified picture c...

It's time to turn my attention to the references made to eclipses in antiquity. They appear in palace records, poems and historical writings and across the Mediterranean (including Mesopotamia). How where they understood? What rituals were observed and how can they be used to date and locate an event? Join me to find out more. Notes to the episode can also be found at ancientblogger.com Music by B...

It's time for the final King, Tarquinius Superbus. I chat about his reign, the expulsion and the emergence of the Republic. Tarquin was a King who did as much inside Rome as outside of it. Plenty to talk about. (content includes reference to sexual assault). Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)