Fan of History

Introducing the first ever LazRus Podcast by the creative genius Aniello Dougherty - who is also a teenager! Something different. Something New. Check it out and let us know what you think. This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski. If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on  https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistory  or  https://buymeacoffee.com/wha...

The Vengeance of Wu Zixu: Blood Feud in the South The Spring and Autumn period just got personal. Wu Zixu watched his family fall at the hands of King Chu—and now, serving King Helü of Wu, he’s coming for payback. This episode dives into the explosive campaigns against Chu in the 510s BCE, with a certain strategist named Sun Tzu lurking at the edge of the battlefield. Revenge, war, amphibious assa...

We follow a mysterious figure named Zhuan Zhu, chosen by a rebellious prince to carry out a job that could change the future of Wu. There’s a banquet. There’s a blade. And you’ll want to hear what happens next. This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski. If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project on https://www.patreon.com/fanofhistory Contact information: E-mail:...

A volcanic eruption in 79 CE buried a villa. Two thousand years later, an AI read its scrolls. In this episode of What’s New in History, we dive into the jaw-dropping breakthroughs that let artificial intelligence peek inside the carbonized scrolls of Herculaneum—and actually read the ink no human eyes could see. Ancient philosophy meets cutting-edge code in one of the most exciting historical rev...

Darius the Great wasn’t just a king—he was the architect of the Persian Empire. In the 510s BC, he faced two major challenges: conquering the Scythians, and organizing the largest empire the world had ever seen. But what happens when you try to conquer an enemy that never stands still? In this episode, we break down his Scythian campaign against these nomadic warriors , and then we turn to how Dar...

Rome left us roads, aqueducts, and massive temples—but they also left us a mystery. The Roman Dodecahedron is one of the most bizarre artifacts of the ancient world—found across Europe but with zero explanation. No Roman texts mention it. No art depicts it. And no two dodecahedrons are exactly alike. So what the hell were they used for? In this episode, Garry Stevens and I pull apart the theories,...

Darius is firmly in charge of the Empire, so what's next? Well go get a bunch of wives for one! Dan takes us through the beginning of Darius' reign of this HUGE empire. Another thing to think about... are we seeing the true birth of the "Axial Age"? Buddha and his disciples are AMAZINGLY CLOSE to the Persian Empire if not actually part of it. Zoroastrianism is the religion of the empire... how can...

From Republic to Autocracy, How Ancient Rome Warns Us About Democracy’s Fragility Alex Petkas is a writer, entrepreneur, and the host of Cost of Glory, a podcast celebrating Western Civilization's eminent heroes. With a PhD in Classics from Princeton University, he transitioned from academia to alternative media, where he empowers professionals and entrepreneurs through educational programs and le...

We wrap up the Roaring 520s BC with a stellar cast of characters: The Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Darius and more!  Tying up loose ends in China, a young Confucius meets the wise old Taoist sage Lao Tzu and the foundation of Chinese thought is birthed right here. And in Greece if one brother wasn't such a hot-head the movie "the 300" may never have been written and one of the most iconic and...

Most high school students are busy with math and history—but Michael Hoffen took it a step further and learned ancient Egyptian! In this episode, we talk with the teen author of Be a Scribe!, a beautifully illustrated book that follows young Pepi’s journey to becoming a scribe. Michael shares how his passion for hieroglyphs began in middle school, why he chose to write this book, and what we can a...

In 524 BC, the unthinkable happened—four capitals in ancient China were engulfed in flames on the same day. But this wasn’t a random disaster; it was foretold. In this episode, we uncover the prophecy, explore the political intrigue surrounding the fires, and spotlight Zichan of Zheng, "Exemplary firefighting plan" saved his state from devastation.  But did he save the turtle? Was it divine p...

One of our favorite recurring guests, Gil Kidron, has another podcast about movies and we had a wild time discussing the 1956 classic movie "The 10 Commandments" starring Charlton Heston, Yule Brenner, John Derrick and directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Amazing movie. Great discussion. Don't miss it! Links to "As Depicted on Film" spotify  https://open.spotify.com/show/72b4ZP8s0Ed7qvnn4gveeA Apple...

The 520s BC in China were anything but quiet. With states like Qi and Jin vying for influence, leaders like Zichan rising to prominence, and strange omens hinting at disaster, this decade laid the groundwork for one of the most extraordinary events in Zhou history.  Join us as we unravel the decade’s intrigue and ambition where a father steals his son's hottie bride, an evil minister schemes...

In this cross-podcast collaboration recorded in Barcelona, we explore the universal appeal of virgin and unusual birth myths. With Gil from Podcast of Biblical Proportions and Garry from History in the Bible, we connect the dots between mythic figures like Mithras, Buddha, and Jesus. Is the story of Jesus’ birth an exception—or part of a larger pattern in human storytelling? The answer may surpris...

In the glittering Aegean of the 520s BC, Polycrates of Samos was a man of unmatched ambition and cunning—a tyrant who ruled the seas and defied the odds. But every rise has its fall. In this episode, we follow Polycrates’ journey to his gruesome end, a story of hubris, betrayal, and the inevitable downfall of the man who thought he could cheat fate. Herodotus link: https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Th...

An ancient Passover letter might not be what it seems. New research suggests it could reflect Zoroastrian influences, reshaping what we know about Judaism’s origins. Join me and Gil Kidron of A Podcast of Biblical Proportions as we uncover this fascinating cross-cultural connection. Support What's New in History by buying us a coffee! buymeacoffee.com/WhatsNewInHistory Custom Printed Shirts in 3 d...

Dan and Bernie return to Greece in the 520s BC where Kimon "The Booby" gains an Olympic title but loses his head. Did he win by running like an insane person in full hoplite gear? You'll just have to listen to find out! Quasi Moon Name - Vote Here https://radiolab.org/quasi-moon This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski. If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History project...

The Behistun Chronicles: How Darius Turned Chaos into Control. Darius the Great didn’t just take an empire—he wrote the ultimate victory speech on a mountainside! Join us on our journey as we explore the chaos of the 520s BC, from quelling rebellions to the legendary Behistun Inscription that told the ancient world exactly who was boss. This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski. If you...

The first cities sprang up in Mesopotamia right? Not so fast! Recent discoveries are rewriting the history books. Join us as we delve into the evidence and debate which ancient city truly holds the crown." Link to article: https://interestingengineering.com/culture/worlds-oldest-city-was-not-in-mesopotamia This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski. If you like what we do you can suppor...

Cambyses - Son of Cyrus the Great - is dead, and the Persian Empire is up for grabs.  Enter Darius: ambitious, cunning, and ready to rule.  It’s the 520s BC, and Persia is having a Game of Thrones moment! It’s high drama in the Empire, who will live, who will die, and who will take the crown? And of course Fan of History style, we even have a guy that sticks his fingers in a horse's ......

A Conversation with author George K. Mehok In this episode of "What's New In History," I sit down with George K. Mehok, author of the gripping new thriller "Going Dark." Mehok's debut novel masterfully intertwines modern-day cyber intrigue with Revolutionary-era secrets, crafting a narrative that is both thrilling and historically rich. Join us as we delve into the inspirations behind "Going Dark,...

In this lively cross-border episode, Bernie and Gil huddle up in Barcelona, while Dan joins from Sweden, to explore an ancient meeting of minds in 525 BC. As the Persian empire expanded into Egypt, Jewish communities from different lands converged, sharing stories and traditions that would become the foundation for parts of the Old Testament. Join us for a journey back to a pivotal moment where wo...

These 4,600 scrolls have been called the greatest discovery in Egypt in the 21st Century. Dan surprises Bernie in this episode with this amazing find. But what's in the scrolls? Hint: It has to do with the pyramids. Is this the proof ALIENS were involved?? HA! Listen to find out. This is a podcast by Dan Hörning and Bernie Maopolski. If you like what we do you can support the Fan of History projec...

A Mad King ... True or False? Cambyses has some pretty bad historical credibility. He's been considered a mad king for millennia. We tell the great stories of his insane behavior in Egypt. Of course in Fan of History style we do a deep dive and have a lot of fun with it, including asking the question "how freaking old is Croesus now??" Don't forget to email us your address to get some new Fan of H...

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Blue from Brand Nubiin. Blue, apart from being one of the coolest guys you will ever meet, is a part of the Nubian diaspora who are coming together to celebrate and highlight the rich culture and history of Nubia. We discuss the history and culture and of course get into philosophy and the power of humanity, because... me!  There's really some interes...