The Rest Is History

Today, Tom and Dominic are in Islamic Spain discussing Roman conquests, melancholy Emirs and vibrant harems... Don't miss the extraordinary story of the rise and fall of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Rest Is H...

A little known story. Serbia, the home to one of the first great civilisations. They had the first written scripts, they smelted copper before anyone else, lived in urban settlements. But is it true? Join Tom and Dominic as they dive into this mysterious story. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed s...

In today’s World Cup special on Cameroon, Tom and Dominic tell the fascinating story of “probably the most famous Cameroonian to become a Russian General”. Learn about the extraordinary life of Major-General Abram Petrovich Gannibal, the great-grandfather of Russia’s most famous poet, Alexander Pushkin. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full arch...

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic explore the origins of the motion-picture camera, a device invented by "gentle giant" Louis Le Prince, who's œuvre spanned from working with pots and pans to photographing Queen Victoria or Gladstone. This history features mysterious disappearances, a jealous American competitor, Lancashire accents, and much more... Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishisto...

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the history of Japan through six characters, with leading cultural historian of Japan, Chris Harding, as they cover feuding lords and buddhist monks, both world wars, Japanese medieval poetry, Manga culture, and much, much more. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live...

Join Tom and Dominic as, for the first time ever, they dip their toes into the Dutch republic. They discuss the Maid of Holland, who as both a warrior and a house maker, was emblematic of the golden age of the Dutch republic. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chat...

Why are there Welsh speakers born in Argentina? Join Tom and Dominic to understand the fascinating and unlikely story of a Welsh colony in the Southern Hemisphere - and whether they remain there today. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Res...

Today, Tom and Dominic are in 16th century Calvinist Geneva, where Michael Servetus is being condemned for heresy. Execution, imprisonment, treachery and public burnings all feature in this story which bears unusual similarities to the times we live in today… Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed sho...

In today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic return to the history of Portugal to discuss military coups, defence of dictatorship, Castro in Cuba, and the creation of a post-Salazar state. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Rest Is History...

In today's episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Senegalese island of Gorée, and its complex relationship with the transatlantic slave trade. They look at both the history and mythology of the "House of Slaves", which still stands today as a vestige to human exploitation. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live...

Who is the greatest artist of all time? Join Tom and Dominic as Belgian historian Bart van Loo puts forward the case for the hyper-realistic and highly influential art of early Northern Renaissance painter Jan van Eyck. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom c...

Join Tom and Dominic as they explore the seven wonders of Poland. Hear all about Krakus the dragon-slayer, the Wieliczka Salt Mine, "Kaiser soup", the influence of Oriental fashion, and much more... Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Rest I...

On today's World Cup episode, Tom and Dominic discuss the Ashanti Empire. Tune in to hear about the Anglo-Ashanti wars, the Golden Stool, the role of Robert Baden-Powell and much, much more. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Rest Is Histor...

As promised during the Portugal mini-series, Tom and Dominic are returning to Brazil to discuss its history post-independence. This episode will focus upon the Brazilian Empire, in particular the Emperor Pedro II. How did this boy who acceded to the throne at six years old, come to receive a French state funeral in front of 300,000 Parisians in the pouring rain? Join The Rest Is History Club (www....

What are the origins of Wales? And how do the Welsh define themselves against Englishness? As England play Wales in the World Cup today, Tom and Dominic are joined by Martin Johnes, Professor of History at the University of Swansea, to explore the age old rivalry between the two nations. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonu...

Join Tom and Dominic on their journey to the 16th century Korean peninsula, as they discuss Hwang Jini - a gisaeng, poet, and entertainer - and her everlasting impact on Korean culture. Dubbed by Tom the 'poetic Emma Hamilton', the story of Hwang Jini takes us through Diamond Mountains, Buddhism and Confucianism, 16th century Korean social class, and much more... Join The Rest Is History Club (www...

Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Saudi Arabia, where they discuss 'the most famous structure in global Islam' - the Kaaba in Mecca. Tune in to hear about the Prophet Mohammed, Abdul Malik, and the origins of the most sacred site in Islam. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows...

On the Day of the Dead you eat pan de muerto and exchange calaveras with your friends. This celebration is often claimed to have its roots in ancient Aztec traditions of human sacrifice. But is any of this true? Join Tom and Dominic to find out. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access...

In today's World Cup special, Anglo-American relations are at their most tense, as the USA and England take to the football/soccer pitch. Join Tom and Dominic as they take a retrospective look at this 200-year love-hate relationship. From the War of 1812, to Charles Dickens, all the way up to Beatlemania and James Bond - buckle up to discover the historical drama underpinning today's battle in Al...

Join Tom and Dominic as they tell the story of the tragic heroine of Virgil’s Aeneid - Dido of Carthage. Listen as they discuss the origins of Carthage, recite top Latin phrases, and are joined by Juliette Pochin for a beautiful rendition of Dido’s Lament. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows...

In 1963, with the influence of the Cuban Revolution strong in South America, the left wing guerrilla group the Tupamaros emerged. Listen to tales of kidnappings, shootings, imprisonment and torture in the Tupamaros' quest for political power. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to...

"In conditions of chaos, people from outside the Roman social elite can rise to the top." Join Tom and Dominic for their World Cup episode on Croatia, where they discuss the extraordinary life of the Emperor Diocletian. They talk about the Crisis of the Third Century, the Roman 'sidebar of shame', crisis in Gaul, Roman Brexit, foundations of the Byzantine Empire, and the best fact Dominic has hear...

On the day of England vs. Iran, Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show, Ali Ansari, to discuss Anglo-Iranian relations.  Tune in to hear stories of freemasons, early Iranian analysis of Tories and Whigs, the Anglo-Persian War, Salman Rushdie's fatwa, the ancestor of British Petroleum, and why Iran still sees England as a fox-like, 'little Satan'. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restis...

Join Tom and Dominic as they continue the World Cup series by discussing the Costa Rican Civil War. This event is filled with tremendous characters, including the historian-cum-president Teodoro Picado Michalski, José Figueres Ferrer who abolished the army, and the infamous Dr Valverde. Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus...

In today’s Australian-themed World Cup episode, Tom leads us through the incredible true story of the Somerton Man, a murder mystery that involves an Adelaide Beach, Persian poetry, and unexpected marriage. All will be revealed… Join The Rest Is History Club (www.restishistorypod.com) for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive c...