The Classics Podcast

In this brand new series, TCP host Katrina Kelly is joined by bestselling author Caroline Lawrence, to discuss Virgil's epic poem, The Aeneid . Inspired by a particular word (this week it's lumen , 'light') that acts as a springboard for each episode, Katrina and Caroline explore characters, themes and poetic techniques, their favourite Virgilian similes, hear the sounds of ancient...

Featuring ancient sourdough, hippos, ritual instruments, obelisks in Rome, Hadrian’s lover Antinous, and Louise's favourite ancient god! Time stamps for this episode: 11 mins: what hieroglyphics sounded like 12 mins: if we didn’t have the Rosetta stone... 14:10: the Egyptian money system 15:50: Egyptian crops and diet 18:30: funeral practices 21:20: ancient embalmers 22:21: marriage and mummif...

Introducing Dr Louise O'Brien, our new Expert in Residence! Ask Louise a question for our next episode Time stamps for this episode: 9.53 Intro to Roman Egypt  11.05 Mummy portraits 14.22 Commissioning these portraits  18.15 What would you add to the curriculum? 19.55 The most shocking thing about the ancient Egyptians  21:40 Louise’ work in museums  26.13 Day in the life of a PhD student  28.30 W...

We have a bonus episode for you... what better way to close out Season 2 than with an interview with one of the most fascinating people we've ever met - Baroness Black. Sue, as she prefers, is a trailblazing scientist and a champion for education and, indeed classical subjects. After graduating from the University of Aberdeen in human anatomy and forensic anthropology, Sue has had a varied and dis...

Before her Expert in Residence Special Lecture on Thursday 15th May, Jessica joins us to answer your questions: featuring discussion on layered cakes, Cestius' pyramid, the Appian Way, Roman London, ancient archaeologists and of course Pompey's Theatre, with a sneak preview of her lecture! To watch Jessica's lecture and participate in the Q&A, become a CA member Jessica is a histor...

In the third and final episode of this mini series, ⁠⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) explores the Emperor Claudius' use of epigraphy, focusing on four key monuments across the empire - from Greece to Egypt. Look out for these key timestamps: 09:16 - Claudius' letter to the Alexandrians in AD 41 13:00 - Claudius' extension of the pomerium Huge thanks to Abigail, Ja...

In the second episode of this mini series, ⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) moves on from Augustus to explore how Tiberius presented himself and his imperial inheritance, via the two following inscriptions: 1. Gythium inscription from AD 15, including discussion about the imperial cult and the role of Livia 2. from 09:18, the genius of Tiberius' worship at Rome in AD 27 Cli...

In the final episode of Season 2, Katrina chats to Mary-Ann Ochota, author of Hidden Histories and Secret Britain , anthropologist, broadcaster and President of the Countryside Charity. You might recognise Mary-Ann from Time Team or as a documentary maker and presenter for the BBC World Service. They discuss early adventures, her university experience, her favourite archaeological sites, and how s...

After an introduction to Roman epigraphy (what do we mean by inscriptions and how can we go about reading them?), Dr Abigail Graham (Institute of Classical Studies) explores how we should analyse these types of sources and consider their limitations as well as the information they shed on the ancient past. She then hones in on the Augustan inscriptions that are part of the A Level Roman Period Stu...

Tom Davey, RADA trained actor, talks to Katrina about his favourite roles, playing in an adaptation of Antigone at the Edinburgh Fringe, his company Bright Torches inspiring young people and the power of storytelling to build resilience. Find out more about Bright Torches and on our blog Find more episodes of ⁠Classics and Careers ⁠ Follow the Classics Podcast on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Katrina welcomes back Dr Clare Rowan from the University of Warwick to find out what brilliant ideas entrants had in her Tokens Competition - from gladiators to feasts, gambling to securing safe passage to the Underworld, these fascinating objects have a rich and still uncertain history so there were lots of creative responses! Listen to Episode 1 on Tokens here Enter our Mythology Competition bef...

In this episode, Katrina talks to Dr Nimisha Shephard-Patel, a fundraising manager for the Hyde Group, who also has a doctorate in Classics from King's College London. Nimi highlights the importance of curiosity and asking questions, discusses how she was inspired by one classicist in particular, and talks about her own experiences of neurodiversity in education. Find more episodes of Classics...

It's a big welcome to our new Expert in Residence, Dr Jessica Clarke, Roman historian and archaeologist! In this introductory interview, Katrina discovers Jessica's most exciting excavation; her first experience of archaeology as a child growing up on the Isle of Wight; how Roman magistrates were tasked with putting on public shows; and what a snarky Cicero thought about the theatre! It&#3...

From pulling pints to interviewing world experts, Erica tells Katrina how MoAn Inc was born, how she went from hating Latin to fangirling with Emily Wilson and Stephen Fry. She reveals the secrets behind some of her most popular videos, her plans for the future, and we have a very personal shoutout to one particular author…Pierce Brown we see you! Erica Stevenson is a self described 'Classicis...

In this episode, Katrina talks to former BBC Young Dancer of the Year (Contemporary), Matthew Rawcliffe, who is combining his love for dance and ancient art to retell myths such as Narkissos and Hades & Persephone for new audiences. Listen to other episodes in our ⁠Careers series here⁠ SHOW NOTES Watch Matthew's Final performance from 2022 Young Dancer of the Year and follow Matthew on Ins...

CW: in this episode, Rhodessa does talk about difficult themes including ab*se and dr*g-taking; the views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speaker, and do not necessarily reflect those of the CA. Performer, teacher, director Rhodessa Jones is Co-Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed, performance company Cultural Odyssey.  She founded and directs The Medea Project: Th...

Peter Frankopan, Professor of Global History and the Director of the Oxford Centre for Byzantine Research and our 2024 CA Prizewinner shares why he thinks the ancient world is important. He and Katrina talk about what Byzantine studies involves, his interest in texts like the Alexiad , the place that resonates with him the most, his love for libraries, and why you should enter our CA Competition!...

In the final episode of this mini-series, Sam discusses several coins that reflect the different periods of Nero's rule - from his accession through to the Vindex rebellion, covering his mother's influence and his relationship with the Roman people. Look out for the following time stamps: 2.40 - the deification of Claudius 6.00 - Nero as lyreplayer 11.16 - Nero and Agrippina 14.19 - handou...

In Episode 3, Sam tells James about how coin imagery developed across these three very different imperial reigns. Look out for the following time stamps: 6.05 & 9.08 Gaius Caligula's coins 12.01 Claudius - intro and the praetorians  15.50 The Drusus Aureus  17.35 - Claudius' Conquest of Britain  20.50 - Claudius' Dupondius about the corn supply Sam Moorhead is a former staff lectur...

For the first time, Katrina welcomes three guests to the podcast with illustrators and classicists, Dr Cora Beth Fraser, Laura Jenkinson-Brown (aka Greek Myth Comix) and Flora Kirk sharing their perspectives on bringing the ancient world to life through art; their early encounters with classics; the influence of AI; the birth of ClassicsTober ; being inspired by texts; and just how cold mural pain...

Episode 2 focuses on Augustus, and how his coinage changed to reflect his victory in the civil war, his creation of the principate, his military victories and self-image as ‘father of the homeland’. Sam and James discuss coins from the early part of his reign, including a victory coin with wreath and palm, as augur and celebrating his triumph in Egypt, as well as those where he asserted his religi...

Dr Sam Moorhead gives us the perfect introduction to Roman coins: what were they made from, where were they made, what did they depict and how were they spread across the empire? What is a coin legend, and how do different Emperors present themselves strikingly on their coins?  In this first episode, Sam and series host James Renshaw highlight two coins in particular, depicting Venus and Aeneas, a...

Welcome back to Classics and Careers! In Season 2, we're speaking to lots of new wonderful guests whose work has been influenced by the ancient world and we're kickstarting with none other than the creator of Kaos , Charlie Covell. Katrina chats to Charlie about their inspiration for this Netflix drama, rehabilitating Helen of Troy, creating character playlists, casting Jeff Goldblum and advice th...

“That doesn’t work for an Emperor - you’ve got to be popular!” In this final episode looking at the Julio-Claudians' impact on urban living in Rome, Andrew considers how Claudius had to fight to reject the ‘loser’ label and his building of the Portus, and weighs up Nero’s popularity with the masses with his poor PR and lack of an heir.  Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridg...

"Being an emperor is like holding a wolf by the ears" In these summary sections looking at the Julio-Claudians' impact on urban living in Rome, Andrew explains Augustus’ transformation of the urban environment as a result of the profits of empire; describes the ‘cordially loathed’ Tiberius as a Scrooge-like figure and assesses the impact of the collapse of the theatre at Fidenae and the Varus disa...