History of Persia

After the catastrophic Battle of Raphia, Antiochus III turned north and went to face the rebel royal Achaios and retake Anatolia in the aftermath of many surprising alliances. Visit https://HoPfulMedia.com.co to support this show! Support | BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Following the Fourth Syrian War, Ptolemy IV Philopator went back to Egypt to enjoy his victory and leave administration to his advisers, at least until native Egyptian revolts brought Egypt's royal party to a screeching halt. Visit https://HoPfulMedia.com.co to support this show! Support | BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: htt...

After defeating Molon and Alexander in the Upper Satrapies, Antiochus III arranged or accepted the assassination of Hermeias before resuming the Fourth Syrian War against Egypt. The Seleucids rise to new heights as they approach the Battle of Raphia. Visit https://HoPfulMedia.com.co to support this show! Support | BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands P...

Continuing the grand tour of western Iran, it's time to talk about Hellenistic Persia. The province of Persis was home to a unique set of governors called Frataraka under Seleucid rule who introduced new and exciting trends to the Persian homeland while the Seleucids ran the show. A New Frataraka Chronology by David Engels - https://www.academia.edu/6374300/A_New_Frataraka_Chronology_in_Latomu...

America: Secret Wars Season 2 kicks off with Trevor, Roberto, and Ben discussing current events in the 2026 Iran-Israel-US War. We talked a lot about the foreseeable consequences of the conflict, it's place in history, and a relatively long tangent about Muppets to break up the darkness. The History of Saqartvelo Georgia  https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/historysaqartvelogeorgia Tsar Po...

Despite his Prime Minister's insistence against it, Antiochus III resolved to march east and face the rebel satrap Molon in 220 BCE. It's also time for a new Grand Tour of the Empire as we follow Antiochus on his travels. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt...

The Seleucid narrative is back, and Antiochus III is the new king. Fresh off the death of his father and brother, the young Antiochus found himself pulled in three different directions by his nobles as rebellions, wars, and scheming advisers took their toll on the Empire. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries:...

Prepare for a return to the narrative with a quick round of catch up with the Seleucids' neighbors: Egypt, Macedon, India, and surprisingly, Sparta one last time before the famed warriors of Ancient Greece fade into history. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-...

Intelligent Speech Online 2026 is almost here, and if I haven't yet sold you on attending the conference on February 28, 2026 (starting at 9am US Eastern Time), you might be interested in my presentation from last year's event. When he seized the Persian throne in 522 BCE, Darius the Great made a public declaration explaining his coup in the Bisotun Inscription. Details changed with each r...

Slightly delayed by world events, but planned and written for December 2025, History of Persia marks the Iranian and Zoroastrian holiday of Sadeh, a feast and fire to stave off the dark winter nights and celebrate light and warmth. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now! The Gist of the Jashan Ceremony - https://www.avesta.org/antia/Gist_of_the_Jashan_R1...

Unfortunately for the study of Seleucid philosophy, the Seleucid kings were not major patrons of the lovers of wisdom as their Hellenistic neighbors were, and the works of the philosophers they did patronize have not survived. However, somewhat more can be said of Seleucid patronage of ancient medicine. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now! Visit  http...

We're taking a break from the narrative for a brief introduction to Ancient Greek Philosophy. From Thales to Epicurus, it's time. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now! The Hellenistic Age Podcast - https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/ History of Philosophy Without Any Gaps - https://historyofphilosophy.net/ Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.co...

After chasing his brother out of Asia, but still beaten by the Parthians, Seleucus II returned to Antioch to face the family drama royals are best known for and to prepare for another round of war. In a speed round family episode, we'll cover the Seleucid extended family, the death of Seleucus Callinichus, and the reign of Seleucus III Ceranaus. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech...

During the Third Syrian War, Seleucus II Callinicus discovered treachery. His younger brother, Antiochus Hierax and their royal relatives in Anatolia attempted to usurp the throne. Seleucus was forced to make a hasty peace with Ptolemy III and return to the north to face his brother in open civil war. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now! Visit  https:...

With Babylonia and the Seleucis of Syria under Ptolemaic occupation, it's entirely possible that the only thing that saved Seleucus II was an Egyptian famine. Free to go on the offensive, Seleucus turned the tide of the Third Syrian War. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com – Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now! Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueS...

Antiochus II Theos was dead and his wives, Laodike and Berenike, were both trying to get their sons on the Seleucid throne. Both sides called on their relatives, the Achaeids and Ptolemies, to plunder and retake the vulnerable Empire. IntelligentSpeechOnline.com - Intelligent Speech Online 2026 Tickets available now! Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   | ...

We take a break from the Seleucids to discuss their western neighbors: Egypt under Ptolemy II and Macedon under Antigonus II. . The Hellenistic Age Podcast - https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/ . Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! . Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle...

We've covered 300. We've covered Rise of an Empire. We've covered all sorts of Achaemenid historical fiction. So now, we cover Xerxes, with a shockingly positive review of Frank Miller's sequel graphic novel. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co to get the full episode and support this show! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/p...

Thank you all so much for supporting History of Persia. In this bonus episode, I wanted to try out something a little different than usual. Today, I'm pitching my ideas for movies and series set in the Achaemenid Empire. If you've ever wanted a spaghetti western set in the 5th Century BCE or an animated musical where Cambyses is Prince Charming, I've got some thoughts. Visit  https://H...

It's time to wind down Antiochus II Theos and talk about his extended royal family, from his various siblings spread out across the Hellenistic world to the powerful cousins entrenched in Anatolia. Then we'll wrap up with his two wives, Laodike and Berenike, and their three sons, Seleucus, Antiochus, and Antiochus. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSk...

The Book of Daniel is a fascinating combination of genuine history, folk tale, historical inaccuracy, and prophecy. Let's talk about it. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show and HEAR THE FULL EPISODE! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

During and after the Second Syrian War, Antiochus II was involved in many ongoing events with his smaller neighbors and subordinates. Whether it was intervening in the Cappadocian monarchy, being kept out of Bithynia by threats of a wider war, or granting autonomy to Parthia and Bactria to fight the Parni, the Seleucid Empire was a busy place in the mid-3rd Century BCE. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia....

Trevor's WiFi is back, and so is the History of Persia. Although he started in a relatively strong position, the new Seleucid king Antiochus II's reign was immediately derailed by the Second Syrian War. Rebellions, invasions, and alliances ensue. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle...

To wrap up our series on Orphism and its connections to Hellenistic Iran, it's time to discuss Zurvan, the Zoroastrian yazata of Time, and his growing cult in the Hellenistic Age. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Ancient Greeks had many ideas about the origins of the universe and humanity over the centuries. The best known is probably Hesiod's Theogony , but the Orphics developed many of their own versions of the story. Today, we explore some of those competing ideas about the dawn of Time. Visit  https://HoPfulMedia.com.co  to support this show! Support  |  BlueSky   |  Facebook  |  Instagram Adve...