The Hellenistic Age Podcast

With an Egyptologist’s perspective, PhD student Henry Bohun joins the show to help explore the complexities of the relationship between the Greco-Macedonian rulers of the Ptolemaic Dynasty with that of their native Egyptian subjects. Despite being Macedonian to the core, the Ptolemies nevertheless saw themselves as heirs and continuators of the Pharaonic tradition, and the ways in which they did a...

The legacy of Cleopatra, the last independent queen of Ptolemaic Egypt and arguably the most famous figure of the Hellenistic period, is not just limited to the works of William Shakespeare. Joining us today is Yentl Love, creator and writer of the website "The Queer Classicist", who talks about the reception of Cleopatra (Qalūbaṭrah) in the Islamic tradition. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with t...

In this episode we are joined by historian and Cornell PhD student John McTavish to discuss the Wars of the Diadochi, where the Successors of Alexander the Great fought over a period of 40 years to carve apart his empire and found their own kingdoms, giving birth to the Hellenistic World as we know it. We discuss the problems of early Hellenistic sources and chronology,  diagnose the causes of the...

Arguably the most popular of the Hellenistic philosophies, the Stoic movement, with its emphasis on reason and self-control, attracted several famous figures such as the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Macedonian king Antigonus II Gonatas, and Seneca the Younger. Believing that wisdom is the highest good and can be achieved through philosophy, the Stoics encouraged the rejection of emotion and...

A quick update on the release of show merchandise and on the upcoming Q&A (question and answer) session for episode 050. Hellenistic Age Podcast Show Merchandise: Etsy Page (https://www.etsy.com/shop/HellenisticAgePod) Bookmark (https://etsy.me/2WmQxHE) Episode 50 Q&A Contact (send in by or before episode 048): Email (hellenisticagepodcast@gmail.com) Contact Page (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wor...

Named after the eponymous philosopher Epicurus (341 – 270 B.C.), the Epicurean school was one of the more popular if controversial doctrines to emerge during the Hellenistic period. Arguing that “Death is nothing” and denying the existence of the afterlife, Epicurus and his followers sought to explain the world through empirical observation and the famous theory of atoms and the void, looking to l...

By 255 B.C., the Carthaginians were in dire straits, having faced the prospect of a Roman invasion of North Africa. However, the talented leadership of Xanthippus of Lacedaemonia and Hamilcar Barca managed to stave off defeat for another 15 years, but the unrelenting nature of the Romans in spite of military and natural disasters would bring an end to the First Punic War. Title Theme: Seikilos Epi...

Dr. Nikolaus Overtoom joins us to discuss the Parthians and the Arsacid dynasty, a group that emerged from the Central Asian Steppes to come into conflict with the Seleucids and Hellenistic kingdoms during early-middle 3rd century B.C.  We talk about Dr. Overtoom's work regarding early Parthian history, the adaptability of a steppe society ruling over a heavily urbanized Greco-Persian one,  and hi...

The First Punic War, lasting from 264 to 241 B.C., was the longest uninterrupted war in the ancient world, fought between the Roman Republic and the Phoenician city-state of Carthage. Exploring the origins of the conflict is essential, tracing the earliest instances of Romano-Punic relations to the intervention of Rome on the behalf of the Mamertines in 264. While the Romans may be able to hold th...

Polybius of Megalopolis (~200 - 118 B.C.) was a Greek nobleman and high ranking member of the Achaean League, whose political career was prematurely ended when he was taken as a political hostage to Rome. Rather than disappearing into obscurity, Polybius took it upon himself to compose a "universal" history, so as to explain to his fellow Greeks how the Romans managed to conquer the inhabited worl...

The city-state of Carthage , founded by Phoenician settlers in modern Tunisia during the 9th century B.C., was a premier power of the western Mediterranean. Stretching their reach from North Africa into Spain, Sicily and Sardinia, the Carthaginians managed to establish a formidable economic empire thanks to their nautical prowess, eventually leading to their clash for dominance with the up-and-com...

Though initially a critical failure upon release, subsequent re-cuts of the 2004 "Alexander" film by director Oliver Stone has been more positively received, and it has been praised as one of the most historically accurate films to depict the ancient world thanks to the historical consultant Robin Lane Fox. In this loosely-structured episode, we are joined by Trevor Culley of the "History of Persi...

In Greek Sicily, the rule of law was dominated by the tyrant, and no tyrant was more infamous than Agathocles (361 - 289 B.C.). For over three decades he ruled the city of Syracuse as both a tyrant and king, bringing it into a golden age. At the same time, Agathocles enacted political massacres and acts of brutality to ensure his control, and he waged war against the Phoenician city-state of Carth...

By 272 B.C., the throne of Macedon now lay firmly in the hands of Antigonus II Gonatas. As a “philosoper-king”, the court of Pella would play host to a great amount of intellectual celebrities of the early Hellenistic period, and peace would return Macedon to a state of prosperity. The situation would be different in Greece, as stirrings of rebellion would break out, first during the Chremonidean...

Antigonus II Gonatas, son and grandson of Demetrius I Poliorcetes and Antigonus I Monopthalmus, was not of the same military mold as his forebears, traditionally preferring the company of philosophers over the camp. However, it would be left to him to achieve the family dream of taking the throne of Macedon, all the while dealing with the likes of Celtic barbarians, cannibalistic tyrants, and the...

We are joined by Dr. Kyle Erickson in order to discuss his work on the Hellenistic period and the Seleucid Empire in particular. We discuss the strategies of the Seleucid rulers in coming to terms with a large and diverse collection of people, the variety (and scarcity) of our sources including coinage, and looking at the ways Seleucid kings and queens broadcast themselves compared to their contem...

Often neglected in favor of his more glamorous son Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon (r. 359 - 336 B.C.) was one of the most important figures of the ancient world. His accession to the throne of a crumbling backwater kingdom would prompt him to not only save Macedon from destruction, but through a series of military and economic reforms, brilliant diplomatic maneuvers, and talented genera...

From Alexandria to Ai-Khanoum, the Hellenistic period would give rise to some of the most impressive cities in the world as the royal dynasties sought to make their mark on the landscape with ambitious building projects and military settlements. We'll trace the path of a Hellenistic city from foundation to megalopolis, what exactly makes them "Hellenistic",  and look at a variety of topics includi...

The reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (282-246 B.C.) would be the height of the Ptolemaic Kingdom, and his capital of Alexandria would become one of the most  prosperous economic and intellectual centers in the world. Its wealth, in conjunction with Ptolemy's meddling in foreign affairs would invite conflict both from the neighboring Seleucid Empire in the 1st and 2nd Syrian War, and from within vi...

With the death of Ptolemy I Soter, the Hellenistic World would be subject to a collection of his formidable children: Ptolemy II Philadelphos, Arsinoe II, Magas, and Ptolemy Ceraunus. We also spend considerable time discussing the incestuous royal sibling marriages that would become standard policy of the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Pal...

Ptolemy I Soter, a former commander of Alexander the Great turned King and Pharaoh of Egypt, was perhaps the craftiest out of all of Alexander’s Successors. A talented commander and even more brilliant politician, Ptolemy would wield diplomacy and intrigue with a deft hand, founding what would become the longest lasting Hellenistic Kingdom in his nearly 40-year reign. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapt...

Led by rulers such as Chandragupta and Ashoka the Great, the Mauryan Empire would be the largest empire ancient India had yet seen. Stretching across almost all of the Indian subcontinent into modern Afghanistan and Iran, the Maurya would develop close contacts with the Hellenistic world. We will look at the history and the inner workings of the empire, as recorded by the likes of Megasthenes and...

The elephant, introduced to the Greco-Macedonians by way of Alexander's conquests, would prove to be one of the most iconic elements of the Hellenistic period. From the use of war elephants in battles like Ipsus and Zama,  the scientific insights of authors like Aristotle and Megasthenes, and symbols of power for the Hellenistic rulers, we will explore the rise and fall of one of the ancient world...

With the death of Seleucus I, Antiochus I Soter assumes control of the gargantuan empire. A Celtic invasion, the First Syrian War and a passionate forbidden romance? Just another day in the reign of the last "King of the Universe". Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Palera (https://soundcloud.com/user-994392473) Show Links Website/Episode Notes: (https://helleni...

The founder of the Seleucid Empire, Seleucus I Nicator, had an extraordinary career. From a minor player in Alexander's campaigns to king of the largest realm in the Hellenistic world, we cover the origins of the empire in its entirety, taking us from administration in Babylon to the wars against Chandragupta Maurya and the Diadochi. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played b...