Sistory History

Welcome to season 3! Whether you're a loyal follower or a new listener, it's lovely to have you with us. In this first episode we explore Georgian Fashion. Perhaps not the usual things you might expect though... We've headed down a less well-trodden path strewn with umbrellas, fake bottoms, glasses and hair towers. As usual we'll be considering our topic from a sensory perspective...

Welcome back to Sistory History, the sensory history podcast hosted by sisters Laura & Caroline. This time we've fast-forwarded a few thousand years to see what the Georgians got up to. Our conclusion? They got up to quite a lot! From enormous hair to coffee house conversations, there's plenty to talk about. Make sure to subscribe now so that you don't miss anything! Music credit g...

Our campaign concludes here, with episode three. We consider cavalry masks, dragon standards and also discuss some of the merits of Emperor Septimius Severus. (Definitely one of the better ones in our view). Head over to X, Instagram or our website to look at the accompanying photos:   https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/post/photos-for-miniseries-third-legion-life-in-the-roman-army     If you're...

Marching onwards (in very orderly and organised Roman fashion)... We continue our miniseries dedicated to the British Museum exhibition, "Legion: life in the Roman army". Here we have episode two, where, among other things, you'll learn a surprising amount about tent flaps. Head over to X, Instagram or our website to look at the accompanying photos: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/post/photos-for...

What do tweezers and tent flaps have in common? Or purses and party invitations? Barrels and brooches? Give up yet...? The Roman army of course!  In March 2024 we visited the British Museum exhibition, "Legion: life in the Roman army". There was so much to see that instead of our usual exhibition-based bonus episode, we decided to make a miniseries instead. Here we have the first episode in that s...

Tea will likely always be associated with Britain, referred to by many as its national drink. But the first tea was reputedly drunk in China, way back in the 3rd millennium BC. The story goes that a tea leaf fell into some water being boiled for the emperor, and he found the taste so refreshing that he felt compelled to start a trend... Japan followed suit in around the 8th century, and soon popul...

In this episode we're back at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, immersing ourselves in the life and works of Hans Holbein the Younger, via the excellent Royal Collection Trust exhibition: "Holbein at the Tudor Court". Widely thought to be one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century, Holbein didn't restrict himself to just one field of expertise, but worked across many art forms exce...

In this episode we don our drinking hats, grab a kylix (or a few...) of wine, and end the season in true classical Greek style - at our very own symposium. Join us at this exclusive gathering to find out what happened at these popular events, who attended, and why it was essential for the host to make sure they had a good supply of ribbons... Sources for the episode are: - Plato, Symposium , 212d-...

In this sensory deep dive of the ancient Roman, mid-December festival of Saturnalia, you can expect a delightful combination of naked singing, elf hats and Christmas jumpers. Plus we find out just how much wine some employers expected their staff to get through during the festival... P.S it's a LOT! Sources for this episode are: - Seneca, Letters from a Stoic , XVIII On Festivals & Fasting...

In this episode we take a virtual trip to the some of the biggest, best and most entertaining games the ancient world had to offer. What events could you compete in? Was celery really one of the prizes? We reveal all this and more, including why it was a REALLY bad idea to cheat... Sources for this one are: - Statue bases from Olympia, Greece - check out the photo on X, Instagram or our website: h...

Join us as we explore the world of Ancient Greek theatre-going. Was it anything like the modern experience? How big were the theatres? Do we need to do another sacrifice? And, most importantly...were there snacks?? The sources for this episode are: - Theatre mask dating from 4th/3rd century BCE - check out the photo on X, Instagram or our website: Photos for S02E04: Ancient Greece - Show Time! (si...

Join us for a whistle-stop tour of the Villa Ventorum, a replica Roman villa located at the Newt Hotel in Somerset. We take a look at the luxury bathhouse, (we definitely have mosaic envy!) and discuss the merits of dice towers... Here we talk you through some of our favourite sensory things. To see the photos, head over to Instagram, X or our website: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/blog If you&...

In this episode we explore the medicine cabinet of the Ancient Greeks, whilst regaling you with fun facts and medical anecdotes. Plus we reveal why you definitely shouldn't go peony gathering with a woodpecker... Our sources for this episode are: - Cure Inscription 8, Stele 1 (from Epidaurus, mid-4th century BCE) Cure Inscriptions from the Asclepieion of Epidaurus - Aristophanes, Wealth, lines 660...

How many jurors is too many jurors? We'll ponder this important question alongside other topics such as men dressed as wasps, spiky balls and massive urns... And if you'd like to know how to make your own ancient water clock using only gardening paraphernalia, we can help with that too. Have a listen and learn something fun! The sources for this episode are: - Visual source: Ancient Water Clock -...

What do bread, acorns and smoke have in common? Any idea? Yes, it's divination! But we wouldn't blame you for not guessing that - these aren't exactly standard techniques for fortune-telling. These were however perfectly valid methods used by the Ancient Greeks for communicating with the gods, and searching out knowledge of the future. Intrigued? Then join us as we seek divine inspiration from the...

Welcome back to Sistory History! The sensory history podcast, hosted by sisters Laura & Caroline. This season we've time-travelled back to Ancient Greece and the Classical period. We've got lots for you to look forward to - from drinking parties and high drama, to democracy and naked wrestling... Make sure you subscribe now so that you don't miss an episode! You can follow Sistory...

Have you ever wondered whether you need a bull's head wine pouring vessel for your next dinner party? Let us assure you that you definitely do! We took a Sistory roadtrip to Oxford in July 2023 and had the pleasure of taking in an excellent exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum - "Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality". Here we take you through some of our favourite exhibits, with our usual sensory focu...

Fancy finding out about a Georgian bumbag? Need to source the most effective tools for applying your hair powder? And are you wondering, just what did Queen Charlotte wear to her coronation? If so, then look no further! Join us for some sensory sartorial insights, courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust's exhibition - "Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians". Showing at The Queen's Gallery, Buckin...

Gift-giving, feasting, ill-advised excessive drinking...these all sound pretty familiar in the context of festivals and public holidays. But the ancient Romans really took it to the next level - giant phalluses, naked priests, people dressed as goats... Join us for the season finale as we take a good look at the colourful topic of Roman festivals, via this selection of contemporary sources: - Fast...

Do you know your cornets from your trumpets? Can you spot the difference between a centurion and a military tribune? Any why was everyone so keen on the fish sauce???  Join us as we take a sensory delve into the depths of the Roman army, ably assisted by another 4 pieces of source material: - Julius Caesar, "Gallic Wars" Book 1 Ch.25 - Vegetius, "De Re Militari" Book 1.4 (Size of Recruits) - Veget...

What was the deal with slavery in Ancient Rome? It's a difficult topic, but also nuanced and interesting. So often we hear about the nobility and higher status people of the past, but in this episode we shine a light on a less privileged, but no less important, part of Roman society. As usual we'll be doing the honours with the help of four lovely primary sources: - Martial, Epigram 14.220 "The Co...

How did the Romans holiday? Where did they go? How did they get there? Did hotels exist? Did they buy souvenirs? So many questions!   Join us as we explore this topic via four contemporary ancient sources: - Seneca, Letters 51 "On Baiae and Morals" - Seneca, Essay About Peace of Mind 2.13 - Juvenal, Satire 3 "And Then There's the Traffic" - Horace, Satire 1.5   Here are suggestions for further rea...

How did the Romans deal with death? Did they believe in an afterlife? What were their funerals like? Join us as we discuss four contemporary ancient sources that focus on the sensory elements of today's theme: - Polybius, Histories 6.53-54 - Lucan, Civil War 2.21 - Seneca, The Trojan Women - Petronius, Satyricon 77-78 Here are a few topical links if you're inspired to find out more: The mausoleums...

Ever wondered what Roman dinner parties were like? What was on the menu? Was there entertainment? Was it all orgies and sausages? In this episode we discuss another four contemporary ancient sources, considering them from a sensory perspective. Here's a quick introduction to our dinner guests and their respective party offerings: - Plutarch, Table Talk 5.679 - Martial, Epigrams 3.50 (To Ligurinus)...

In this episode we take another four extracts from contemporary ancient sources and consider them from a sensory perspective. Here we talk about the (very!) popular Roman past time of visiting the bath house. Was everyone really naked? Could slaves use the baths? And why is that sausage seller here again?!?  Our sources are as follows:  - Martial, Epigrams 12.82  - Seneca, Letters 56.1-2  - Seneca...