The Hellenistic Age Podcast

From the background of the royal household to the forefront of the political life of the kingdom, queens like Cleopatra Philopator, Arsinoe II and Cleopatra Thea mark a transition in the way women achieved power. From royal motherhood to semi-divine patronage, we take a look at the roles and responsibilities that a queen had to her subjects and more. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of...

Dr. Thomas Coward joins us to discuss the island city-state of Rhodes, which achieved a high level of power and prestige during the Hellenistic and Roman eras. We talk about its history, along with his current work which examines Rhodes’ role in the development of the intellectual and cultural traditions of the Greco-Roman tradition. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played b...

The first of a two-part topic regarding Women in the Hellenistic Age. Discussions on the perils of childbirth, female poets and scholars, and more raunchy elements like Herodas' mimes help us better understand the way these women lived and died in a new cosmopolitan world. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Palera (https://soundcloud.com/user-994392473) Links We...

The conclusion of our series on Pyrrhus of Epirus, we focus upon his invasion of Italy and his conflict with the Roman Republic in the first great clashes of Legion against Phalanx. While suffering under his "Pyrrhic victories", the King takes a shot at ruling Sicily before ultimately retreating back to Epirus and ending his reign in one of the most absurd moments of the entire Hellenistic period....

With the throne of Epirus secure, Pyrrhus would throw himself into the wars of the Diadochi, fighting for control of Macedon against the likes of Demetrius I Poliorcetes and Lysimachus I. It would not be long though before he would turn his eyes to the west, thanks to the meddling of Italian barbarians: the Roman Republic. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Pale...

In the first  in a multi-part series on the life of Pyrrhus, the Molossian King of Epirus, we chronicle the transformation of the fragmented and backwater region of Epirus into a major power in the Balkans and Greek Peninsula. We then follow the initial years of Pyrrhus' career amidst the Wars of the Diadochi, being shuffled from court to court, before finally recovering his kingdom. Title Theme:...

The 4th century would be a time of great change in the Roman Republic, as she would go from smoking ruin to master of most of Italy in roughly 100 years. Wars with the Samnites, the political turmoil at home, and the creation of the so-called “Polybian Legion” would set the stage for the invasion of Pyrrhus of Epirus. Title Theme: Seikilos Epitapth with the Lyre of Apollo, played by Lina Palera (h...

With the 1st of a 2-part series, we will cover the misty origins of Rome from King Romulus to the sack of Rome by Brennus. We also tackle  the political framework of the Republic, the legitimacy of our sources, and the role of the Patron-Client system in Roman social hierarchy. Title theme by Lina Palera (https://soundcloud.com/user-994392473) Links: Website (https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpres...

Hail to the king baby! We are covering the  ultimate authority of power in the Hellenistic world: the king. The creation  of the kingship, what the job of a Hellenistic monarch actually was, and the fascinating divine ruler cult  are just some of the topics discussed in this episode. Title music by Lina Palera(https://soundcloud.com/user-994392473) Antiquity in Question Podcast: -iTunes (https://i...

In this episode, we cover the Celtic invasions proper. The Greeks and Macedonians try to defend themselves from the onslaught of the warchief Brennus and his invasion force from 280-278 BC, culminating in the 2nd Battle of Thermopylae and the siege of Delphi that echoes Herodotus' coverage of Xerxes' invasion, while Antiochus I and the cities of Asia Minor struggle to stop the raiding Celts thanks...

In the first of a two-part look at the Celtic invasion of Greece, I cover the history and civilization of the ancient Celts. We will look at what it means to be a “Celt”, how the Celts were seen by the Greeks and Romans alike, and delve into topics like human sacrifice, warfare and art. Thanks to John Kerry, an Edinburgh based composer, trombonist and music archaeologist  professor at the Guildhal...

The conclusion to our series on the wars of the Diadochi, covering Demetrius’ fall and rise and fall again, the death of the last successors to Alexander the Great, and the rise of the next generation of the Hellenistic World. Show Notes: https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2018/12/31/018-to-the-strongest-the-end-of-the-wars-of-the-diadochi/ Title Theme by Lina Palera: https://soundcloud.c...

Time for a bonus episode! The topic of the corpse of Alexander the Great, where we discuss the historicity of its existence, its status as a religious talisman and propaganda piece, and the mysteries and conspiracies of its current whereabouts in…. Illinois? iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/id1377920930?mt=2 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-103425037?...

The 4th War of the Diadochi is probably the most action packed yet, with Demetrius earning his title "besieger of cities", the Diadochi assuming the royal diadem, and the final confrontation between Antigonus and the other Successors at Ipsus in 301 B.C. Title Theme by Lina Palera: https://soundcloud.com/user-994392473 iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/id13779...

The 3rd War of the Diadochi and the Babylonian War are covered between 316-309 B.C. We see ambitious Antigonos try to conquer the Macedonian empire, Demetrios following in his father’s footsteps, Seleucus’ rise to power from underdog to empire builder, and the final tragic end of the Argead house and the line of Alexander the Great. History of Ancient Greece Podcast: http://www.thehistoryofancient...

Hold onto your piloi as we cover the first and second wars of the Diadochi, with war elephants, vengeful mothers and betrayal marking the years 320 - 316 B.C. Title theme by Lina Palera (@user-994392473) Distributed by suRRism-phonoethics (surrism-phonoethics.bandcamp.com/) Website: https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/...

The first episode in a series covering the Wars of the Diadochi, we follow the immediate aftermath of Alexander the Great's death with the Partition of Babylon, the Lamian War and more marriages than a Hapsburg family gathering during the  years 323 - 321 B.C. Title theme by Lina Palera (@user-994392473) Distributed by suRRism-phonoethics (surrism-phonoethics.bandcamp.com/) Website: https://hellen...

The crossing of the Gedrosian Desert, management of the empire, a case study on the king's cause of death and more are covered in the thrilling conclusion to the saga of Alexander the Great. Twitter: https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/id1377920930?mt=2 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-103425037 Stitcher: https://www.sti...

Elephants and atrocities mark the brutal Indian Campaign, culminating in the Battle of the Hydaspes, and the Macedonians decide enough is enough with the mutiny at the Beas in the Summer 326 BC. Twitter: https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/id1377920930?mt=2 SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-103425037 Stitcher: https://www...

The lands of Bactria and Sogdiana take their toll on the Macedonians, with murder, marriage and Medism marking the difficult years of 329 - 327 BC. Twitter: twitter.com/HellenisticPod iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-h…d1377920930?mt=2 Sources Used: The Anabasis of Alexander – Arrian Life of Alexander – Plutarch Library of History – Diodorus Siculus The History of Alexander – Quintus Curtiu...

Hot off his victory at Gaugamela, Alexander tries to kick back and enjoy the fruits of conquest. Instead, the destruction of Persepolis, the battle of the Persian Gates, and the trial of Philotas mark the difficult year of 330 BC. Twitter: https://twitter.com/HellenisticPod iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/id1377920930?mt=2 Sources Used: The Anabasis of Alexa...

This action packed episode covers Alexander’s travels and tribulations in Egypt, the nature of godhood, and closes with the final confrontation with Darius at Gaugamela. Episode Notes; hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/009-the-age-of-alexander-son-of-a-god-king-of-the-world/ Twitter: twitter.com//HellenisticPod iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-h…d1377920930?mt=2 Sources Used :...

Stretching from the summer of 333 to the fall of 332 B.C., the Battle of Issus, the Siege of Tyre, and a case of mistaken identity are all covered in this episode of THAP. Website/Show Notes https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/2019/09/09/008-the-age-of-alexander-he-too-is-alexander/ Twitter: https://twitter.com//HellenisticPod iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age...

The Battle of the Granicus River, several near-death experiences and the undoing of the world’s most epic knot are covered in the first year of the Asian campaign. Twitter https://twitter.com//HellenisticPod iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hellenistic-age-podcast/id1377920930?mt=2 Soundcloud https://soundcloud.com/user-103425037 Website: https://hellenisticagepodcast.wordpress.com/...

I'm back (sort of), and I'd like to come back with a "bonus" episode. Stuff that I couldn't normally fit within a standard episode format, or opinion pieces or casual discussions about the ancient world in general. In this episode, I discuss the critically panned 2004 Oliver Stone film "Alexander" , and try to offer my thoughts on why I like it. iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hell...