In 2014 the sequel to the movie 300 was release, 300: Rise of an Empire. This time around the film would move away from the Spartans as its primary focus and put the spot light on Athens. Rise of an Empire would all have at the centre of its story the battles of Artemisium and Salamis which were both fought at sea and Artemisium occurring on the days as the battle of Thermopylae. Though how much of what is depicted in the movie is based on historical examples? I will once again explore the main ...
Feb 24, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 25
The Greek fleet had assembled at the island of Salamis, but an agreement on strategy was far from united. To make matters worse, Xerxes had arranged for a show of force outside the straits which saw a few contingents panic and set sail at once. For the rest who remained a decision was made that the fleet would withdraw back to the Peloponnese the next morning. This would see Athens lost for good and the rest of Greece more vulnerable than ever. Themistocles, though had other ideas and now arrang...
Feb 10, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
This Episodes recommended podcast is Battlefield command History podcast. Check out Ramsey's series here: https://battlefieldcommandpodcast.com/ The defenders of the last stand at Thermopylae and the Spartan king lay dead, the Persians now in control of the pass. At Artemisium, the Greeks had decided to withdraw from their position due to not being able to sustain the losses they were taking and news of the fall of Thermopylae. The path into central Greece was now open to Xerxes and his forces. ...
Jan 27, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 23
The Initial defence plan the Hellenic league put into action saw a land force attempting to block the Persian army’s march into Greece. Though, this was part of a larger plan which also saw a Greek fleet take up a position at Artemisium to block the advance of the Persian navy. Their position was located some 40 miles north east of Thermopylae and would help protect the hoplites in the pass being outflanked by Xerxes armada. The Greek fleet was commanded by the Spartan, Euryrbiades although they...
Dec 23, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In 2006 the movie 300 hit the screens of cinemas across the world depicting a battle that took place nearly 2500 years ago. Though, more accurately it depicts a group of 300 warrior’s involvement in that battle. For most, this would be their first and only exposure to Greek history, leaving them to either take on face value what they saw as basically fact, as it was based on actual events after all. Or, they would assume this was a fictional story with a historical theme, this is Hollywood. I ex...
Nov 27, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 21
The Greeks had now arrived at the pass of Thermopylae, in all there were some seven thousand Greeks present. They were led by the Spartan King Leonidas at the head of his three hundred strong Spartan force. Their position would be further supported by the combined Greek fleet some 40km away at Artemisium. Defensive arrangements in the pass were undertaken as Xerxes forces drew closer outside the pass. It was also learnt that a small track in the mountains posed a threat to the Greek position dow...
Nov 13, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 20
With Xerxes arranging the full resources of the Persian empire in an invasion against Greece, word would have filtered back to Greece of the preparations. The Greeks would not sit by idle but would now attempt to take measures to see a halt be put to the Persian advance. This time around it wouldn’t just be Athens and Plataeans meeting the Persians on the field of battle. In the years between Marathon and Xerxes invasion, politics had been continuing in Athens. The new public figure to have rise...
Oct 30, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The Athenians and their Plataean allies had effectively put an end to the first Persian invasion at the Bay of Marathon in 490 BC. Athens would continue to emerge as a powerful city state with their confidence after their victory. The Hero of Marathon, Miltiades would fall from favour with a new figure coming to dominate the political landscape for a number of years to come. Back in the Persian Empire the defeat at Marathon would not be a disaster but would still be an annoyance to Darius. Thoug...
Oct 16, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 18
The Persian forces had landed at Marathon Bay unopposed and had set up camp. The Athenians and Plataeans had now arrived at Marathon to challenge the Persians invasion. A stand off had ensured with both sides not taking the initiative, the Athenians debating wether to even fight at the Bay. Eventually, Miltiades would convince his fellow Athenian commanders to give battle. With a rousing speech that would bring Callimachus round to the merits in his arguments. The Greeks were outnumbered and mad...
Oct 02, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 17
With the region of Ionian in the Persian Empire back under control, Darius could now turn to other business. He had reportedly, after learning of the Athenian involvement in the revolt, had one of his servants repeat to him three times “Master, remember the Athenians” whenever he sat down to a meal. Remember the Athenians, and the others who had also dared assist the Ionians, he would. An initial campaign was sent north into Thrace which also had a navy shadowing the land forces as they marched ...
Sep 18, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 16
We now arrive on the eve of the Greek and Persian wars. The Greek colonies of Ionian had traded one ruler for another and were now part of the Persian Empire. Their lack of freedom and rising taxes would see discontent grow. With some help from ambitious leaders, Ionia and surrounding regions would rise up in revolt. The Ionians would seek help from their cousins back on the Greek mainland to assist in their plight. Only two city states, Athens and Eretria would answer the call with limited help...
Sep 04, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 15
The Casting Through Ancient Greece podcast is now moving into the Greek and Persian war period. We have spent the past 13 episodes looking at how things were developing in Greece that will help give us a better understanding of the periods moving forward. This episode I talk about my experiences since starting the podcast, as well as the support I have received from other podcasts out there. We spend the first part of the show going back and summarising the topics and themes we have spoken about...
Aug 21, 2020•39 min•Season 1Ep. 14
With the founder, Cyrus the Great of the Persian Empire now dead, power transitioned to his son Cambyses. The transition was relatively smooth and the empire remained stable and it was business as usual. Cambyses would lead a campaign and conquer Egypt but this is where his rule took a turn for the worse and the crisis shook the Persian court. Cambyses reputation in the historical record suffered at the hands of the Egyptian priestly cast, who he was not popular with. Reports of an attempted cou...
Aug 07, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Now that we have seen the development of Sparta and Athens, two of our main players for the upcoming Greco-Persian Wars period, we need to look at a third. This time it is not a Greek city state, but an empire east across the Aegean Sea. This was the Persian Empire and would come to influence Greek affairs for centuries to come. The main empire the Greeks had contact with in the Near East during the Achcahic period was that of the Lydian Empire who controlled most of Anatolia. In the late 6th ce...
Jul 23, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Reforms had been but in place now from some important figures such as Draco and Solon. Though, they would not be enough to see democracy emerge and take hold just yet. The political front in Athens at this stage was looking very unstable with periods of anarchy, almost leading to civil war breaking out. This would see the type of leader emerge that had threatened to earlier, the tyrant. Factions were now forming around the geographical areas of Attica which fell roughly in line with the differen...
Jul 09, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 11
What started out as a small settlement atop a rocky outcrop over 5000 years ago would develop into the most recognisable symbol of democracy and culture. Athens would Survive relatively intact after the Bronze Age collapse, events during the Dark and Archaic Age setting them on a trajectory towards democracy. Some early figures such as Draco and Solon would be looked back to as founding many of the changes leading to this new innovation of politics in Athens. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected w...
Jun 25, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The Institutions that would develop in Sparta are what made this Greek city state standout, even in modern times. Their interactions with their neighbours would help drive how these systems would take shape. Leading to one of the most militarised cities within Greece, the ancients not only fascinated by them but some even admiring them. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 Website 📸 Instagra...
Jun 11, 2020•35 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Developing and coming out of the Dark Ages, would be one of the most recognisable city states. Sparta would come into existence from the union of surrounding villages and the conquering of nearby regions. What would develop there, would be a unique social and political system, far different to the rest of the Greek world. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 Website 📸 Instagram 🐦 Twitter 📘...
May 28, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 8
The Greek world now emerges out of the shadows of the dark ages, with the region experiencing a re-birth. What comes into being will be different to the ages that came before, although their memory would not be forgotten. Society will develop with new advances that will continue to be refined for centuries to come. ** Episode correction ** I give the foundation of the Olympics as 778 BC, though the traditional date given is 776 BC (This is what I had my script, so not sure where the 778 came fro...
May 14, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 7
The collapse of the Bronze Age world saw darkness descend onto the Greek world. The great palaces of the Mycenaeans lay in ruins. A period of regression and depopulation makes itself known in the Archaeological record. Though, over time progress can also be seen, which would lead the Greek world out of this period and back into the light. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 Website 📸 Instag...
May 01, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This time around the Myceneans would disappear into history with the rest of the Bronze Age world. This collapse would not only affect the Myceneans but also the rest of the Bronze Age world around the Mediterranean. Many reasons can be found to try an explain this sudden fall of civilisations but none can explain why this collapse took place on their own. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐...
Apr 16, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 5
In this episode we will look at our second Bronze Age Civilisation, the Mycenaeans. They would supplant the Minoans in the Aegean to become the dominant civilisation, there and on the Greek mainland. Many of the Greek stories in Mythology and epic poetry can be seen to look back into the period of time the Mycenaeans occupied. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 Website 📸 Instagram 🐦 Twitt...
Apr 02, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 4
This episode deals with our first Bronze Age civilisation, the Minoans, who are recognised as one of the earliest to develop in the Aegean and Europe. Centred on Crete they would endure and recover from a number of natural disasters before fading into history as another civilisation was rising. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 Website 📸 Instagram 🐦 Twitter 📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show?...
Mar 19, 2020•25 min•Ep. 3
In this episode we will be looking at the beginning of the Bronze age in Greece, as well as the rediscovery of two civilisations from this time. Bronze, as well as other developments would see communities develop into more complex societies. Two great civilisations would rise and occupy this period in the Aegean which would be re-discovered only in modern times allowing us to link the past with the tales told by the ancient poets. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient G...
Feb 20, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This is where we set the stage for our story of Ancient Greece. We look at the land of Greece and what seems to have been taking place there in the pre-history. We look at migrations of humans and the ideas and technology that that developed over time. We then finish off looking at one of the most common ways items were dated when looking this far back. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 We...
Jan 17, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1
An Introduction to the series, Casting through Ancient Greece, looking at my motivations, the topic of Ancient Greece and the structure of the series. We also look at the different types of sources and go into a little more detail on some of the ancient authors. Support the show 💬 Stay Connected with Casting Through Ancient Greece Follow us for updates, discussions, and more ancient Greek content: 🌐 Website 📸 Instagram 🐦 Twitter 📘 Facebook 🎙️ Love the show? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave...
Jan 17, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 1
