Lascaux Cave is an Ice Age wonder. Its walls and ceilings are adorned with stunning depictions of bison, aurochs and deer painted by hunter-gatherers 20,000 years ago using all kinds of pigments from red ochre to violet. They are, quite simply some of the most beautiful examples of Palaeolithic artwork ever discovered. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Prof. Paul Pettitt to delve into the wonders of Lascaux Cave. Together they explore how supposedly primitive hunter ga...
Jan 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 386
Marcus Tullius Cicero is one of the most famous orators in ancient history, and a central figure during the final years of the Roman Republic. To explore his life and career, Tristan is joined by Dr Henriette van der Blom from the University of Birmingham. Together they explore Cicero's rise to power, how his speeches shaped public opinion, his relationships with the likes of Julius Caesar, and of course, how he exposed the Catiline Conspiracy. This episode was produced by Elena Guthrie and Anni...
Jan 17, 2024•37 min•Ep. 385
The Bronze Age Collapse was one of the most cataclysmic events in human history. Over just a few decades, civilisations across the Mediterranean from Greece and Egypt to Mesopotamia and Babylon abruptly deteriorated, bringing an end to one epoch and birthing another. But what exactly happened? And what caused these powerful and interconnected civilisations to come crashing down simultaneously? In today’s episode of the Ancients, Tristan Hughes speaks to Eric Cline to explore the origins of the c...
Jan 13, 2024•51 min•Ep. 384
Over 10,000 years ago, many believe Ireland was a place where hunter-gatherers roamed. A place where the earliest human communities exchanged prizes of the hunt and crafted primitive tools to aid their survival. But what if their interactions with each other were more sophisticated? What if hunter-gatherer is a misnomer? In the episode of the Ancients, Tristan Hughes speaks to Professor Graeme Warren about Ireland's rich prehistoric archaeology to discover how the earliest communities lived thei...
Jan 10, 2024•41 min•Ep. 382
The ancient city of Jericho is often thought to be the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in the world. Made famous by the biblical tale of its conquest by Joshua, it is situated a stones throw from the western bank of the Jordan River. But did Jericho’s famous walls really come crashing down at the sound of Joshua’s trumpets? In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan speaks to archeologist Felicity Cobbing from the Palestine Exploration Fund to explore what Jericho’s archeology can reveal ...
Jan 06, 2024•42 min•Ep. 381
This episode contains a reference to animal cruelty Would you be able to survive in ancient Rome? Today, Tristan Hughes is joined by Ben Kane to discusses the realities of daily life in the Roman Empire. Together, they discuss everything from street life and chamber pots through to pick pockets and slavery. Spoiler alert: it was quite smelly and dangerous. If you enjoyed this episode, Ben Kane also joined us for an episode on The Roman Legionary . Discover the past with exclusive history documen...
Jan 04, 2024•48 min•Ep. 380
Zeus, the chief deity in Greek mythology, is the Olympian god of sky and thunder, and is king of all other gods and men. His tale is one of overthrowing fathers, eating babies and seducing women, both mortal and divine, by changing his own form. He's one of the most complex figures in history, and his story is one that's been retold throughout millennia. To try and make sense of it all, we're going back to very beginning, to the origins of Zeus, starting with his grandfather and grandmother, Ura...
Dec 31, 2023•53 min•Ep. 379
March 15th 44BC is perhaps the most notorious date in all of ancient history. On that fateful day, the Ides of March, 55-year-old Roman dictator Gaius Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of disaffected senators. In this episode, Tristan (with a little help from Dr Emma Southon and Dr Steele Brand) untangles fact from fiction, truth from myth, to take you back to that very afternoon in the heart of Rome's doomed republic. Discover the past with exclusive history documentaries and ad-free po...
Dec 27, 2023•50 min•Ep. 378
He was one of the greatest enemies the Romans ever faced. An excellent general and a larger-than-life figure, he led an army across the alps and dealt a series of crushing defeats upon the Romans on Italian soil. His achievements have become a thing of legend and his name has become immortalised. He was Hannibal Barca. Hannibal rests amongst antiquity's greatest generals, but how did he rise to become such a stellar commander, leading his men to incredible victories against the then dominant pow...
Dec 23, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 377
This episode contains graphic references to sex, infant mortality, and sexual assault. While Spartans are often thought of for their bloodthirsty and fear inspiring performance on the battlefield - their sex lives and relationships have also been immortalised in history. From the Spartan King Menelaus and his infamous wife Helen of Troy, through to adolescent same-sex relationships - Sparta truly had it all. But what do we actually know about sex in Sparta, and how true are the ancient sources? ...
Dec 21, 2023•59 min•Ep. 376
Marked by shifting alliances, chaotic power struggles, and devastating consequences - the Peloponnesian War was a conflict for the ages. Fought between Athens and Sparta, along with their begrudging allies, the conflict changed the course of Ancient History as we know it. Lasting for nearly three decades, it ultimately ended Athenian supremacy - and ushered in an age of Spartan Hegemony on the mainland. But what caused such a devastating conflict to happen, and could it have been avoided? In the...
Dec 16, 2023•57 min•Ep. 375
Jesus of Nazareth is one of the most famous figures in history. Believed to be the Son of God in Christianity, he is the central figure in one of the world’s most dominant religions. Today, Tristan and Dr Helen Bond, a Professor of Christian Origins at the University of Edinburgh, discuss what the sources tell us of the real man. They delve into what they reveal about his life and teachings, the world he lived in, the key figures in his life such as John the Baptist, as well as the narrative of ...
Dec 13, 2023•56 min•Ep. 373
One of the most famed classes of soldiers from antiquity, the Spartan warrior has been immortalised in media today. Characterised as super soldiers, formidable fighters who would rather perish than surrender - their reputation truly did proceed them. But how accurate is this image - and does it correlate with what the ancient sources actually tell us? In the second episode of our Sparta mini-series, Tristan welcomes Dr Roel Konijnendijk from the University of Oxford, to take a deep dive into the...
Dec 09, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 372
Demeter is the Goddess of the Harvest and Agriculture in Ancient Greek mythology. Mother of Persephone, and daughter of Kronos and Rhea, Demeter is often overlooked in myth despite her immense power. Demeter's role gave insight into how the Ancient Greeks viewed not only the harvest and it's bounty - but their fear of devastating famines and a Mother's wrath. In this episode, Tristan welcomes back Natalie Haynes to plunge into the mythology surrounding Demeter and her significance to Ancient Gre...
Dec 07, 2023•52 min•Ep. 371
Considered one of Athens' biggest rivals, and known for their bloodthirsty and brutal nature - there's a reason the Spartans have been immortalised in history. With longstanding mythological origins, little is known about the early days of Sparta. From rumoured descendants of Heracles, through to the mythical lawmaker Lycurgus, it can be hard to separate fact and fiction. So what do we actually know about the origins of Sparta? And is there any archaeological evidence to back these claims up? In...
Dec 02, 2023•54 min•Ep. 370
When you think of spies, images of suave men in suits sipping martinis tend to come to mind - not, well, the Romans. But espionage has been used throughout Rome's history, from it's enemies using intelligence gathering techniques against the empire, through to even the most pragmatic of Emperor's recruiting secret agents. But what do we actually know about the Roman Secret Service, and how was it used across the empire? In this episode Tristan welcomes back Dr Simon Elliot to the podcast to delv...
Nov 30, 2023•29 min•Ep. 368
Known for bringing about the fall of the Western Roman Empire - the Vandals have a reputation of violence, destruction, and conquering. Moving from Eastern Europe across Gaul, and eventually taking Carthage, their actions have been immortalised in Christian texts and Western Language. But what do we actually know about the Vandals, and how did their behaviour bring one of the most powerful empires of all time to an eventual collapse? In this episode Tristan welcomes Professor Andy Merrills to th...
Nov 26, 2023•49 min•Ep. 367
While a small, uninhabited island today, Keros held significant importance during the Bronze Age. As a crucial centre for cultural practices, trade, and unique rituals nearly 5,000 years ago, it's difficult to imagine that such a tiny, wild space was once a bustling hub of civilisation. So how was this mystical past discovered - and more importantly, by who? In this episode, Tristan welcomes historian and broadcaster Professor Michael Scott to the podcast to discuss the pivotal role Keros played...
Nov 22, 2023•42 min•Ep. 366
Despite being uncovered in the 16th Century - new finds are still being discovered daily in Pompeii. With each new discovery offering a fresh insight into what life was like 2000 years ago, we're able to piece together Pompeii's vibrant past and culture thanks to the work of Archaeologists and historians today. But what would life Pompeii actually have been like for the individuals who lived there, and what do we know about them today? In this episode, Tristan welcomes author and journalist Elod...
Nov 19, 2023•39 min•Ep. 365
Gold and horses! Few ancient civilisations were greater masters of metalworking and horse riding than the Saka culture of Central Asia. Also known as the ‘Eastern Scythians’, these peoples ruled over a large area of the Great Steppe more than 2,000 years ago. And recently, new archaeological initiatives in Kazakhstan have started to reveal so much more about these horse lords and their way of life. Great burial mounds have been excavated, revealing a wealth of extraordinary artefacts. From golde...
Nov 16, 2023•56 min•Ep. 364
This episode contains references to death and sexual assault. Persephone is Queen of the Underworld in Ancient Greek mythology. Wife of Hades, and daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Persephone's journey to the underworld at the hands of Hades is a cornerstone myth. It gives an insight into how the Ancient Greeks saw not only death, but also the changing seasons and marriage. In this episode, Tristan welcomes back Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts to dive deep into the depths of the mythology surrounding Persep...
Nov 11, 2023•42 min•Ep. 363
Inhabiting the Balkans in antiquity, the Illyrians played a vital role in Ancient History. From their renowned reputation as skilled craftsmen, through to their seafaring ways - the Illyrians left their mark on the archaeological record. But what do we actually know about the Illyrians, and were they actually traders - or did they have a more sinister reputation on the high seas? In this episode Tristan welcomes Dr Danijel Dzino to the podcast, to delve into the mysterious world of the Illyrians...
Nov 08, 2023•40 min•Ep. 362
Throughout history, the area today known as Gaza has often been a contentious site. Its historical significance is a history that spans nearly 3 millennia, and archaeological evidence shows us that it was an international hub frequented by the Egyptians, Mycenaeans, Hittites and more. In this episode, Tristan welcomes Professor Louise Steel to the podcast to talk both about about her team's excavations of Gaza and what the archaeology can tell us. Together, they look at Gaza’s transition into th...
Nov 04, 2023•40 min•Ep. 361
Homo longi, also known as Dragon Man, is an extinct archaic human species - with a nearly complete skull found near Harbin, China, dating back to at least 146,000 years ago. Discovered in 1933 during the construction of the Dongjiang Bridge, it remained hidden until 2018 due to wartime circumstances and tensions. But why was the discovery of a single skull so important? And what does it tell us about human evolution and migration during the Middle Pleistocene? In this episode, Dr Chris Stringer ...
Nov 01, 2023•35 min•Ep. 360
From seductive sorceresses to withered necromancers, witches play a varied - and vital - role in ancient history. Recorded in classical epics by the likes of Homer, and immortalised in tragedies by Euripides, the names Circe and Medea resonate across society and culture even today. But how did witchcraft and magic aid them in ancient societies, and what does it tell us about how women of power were viewed in the ancient world? In this episode Tristan welcomes Dr Mai Musié and Dr Regine May to th...
Oct 29, 2023•51 min•Ep. 359
Stretching across from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, Northern Africa is dominated by the Sahara Desert. The largest hot desert in the world, it's an indomitable force. So how did Ancient Communities manage to traverse it, and who were the people organising and participating in such a feat? In this episode, Tristan welcomes Sir Barry Cunliffe to the podcast, to talk about his new work on the history of the Sahara and those who lived there. Looking at how different communities and cultures ta...
Oct 26, 2023•39 min•Ep. 358
This episode contains strong language, and references to sexual assault. Alexander the Great - conqueror, legend, murderer . After ascending to the throne at aged 20 in 336BCE, his rule started with mass executions and political assassinations - themes that would follow throughout his tumultuous reign. But why was Alexander's reign so bloody, and what does it tell us about Hellenistic society at the time? In this special crossover episode with History Hit's new podcast ' After Dark: Myths, Misde...
Oct 22, 2023•43 min•Ep. 357
When you think of the 'Ice Age', tales of saber-toothed predators and hulking megafauna probably come to mind - but what else do we know about prehistoric culture that lived 25,000 years ago, and how did they live? From hunting Woolly Mammoths, to thriving in freezing temperatures - what did it take to survive the Ice Age? In this episode Tristan welcomes author Cody Cassidy to the podcast to look at what it took to live through the Ice Age, and how one particular culture in Eastern Europe - the...
Oct 19, 2023•31 min•Ep. 356
This episode contains references to death and sexual assault. Hades is King of the the dead and the Underworld in Ancient Greek mythology. Dive into the shadowy underworld with host Tristan Hughes and guest Prof Sarah Iles Johnson of Ohio State University. Together, they unearth Hades' origin, define the enigmatic underworld, and what it reveals about Ancient Greek perceptions of life and beyond. Plus, delve into iconic myths like Orpheus & Eurydice, Achilles and the Trojan War and the Labou...
Oct 15, 2023•56 min•Ep. 355
Ötzi, otherwise known as the Iceman, is a renowned glacial mummy uncovered in 1991 in the Tyrolean Alps between Italy and Austria. Found by mountain hikers at 3,200 meters above sea level, his discovery was due to melting ice sheets and marked a significant archaeological breakthrough. In this episode, host Tristan Hughes delves deep into the world of Glacial Archaeology with expert Lars Pilø, Editor of Secrets of the Ice . Together, they discuss the mysteries surrounding Ötzi – from his possess...
Oct 12, 2023•38 min•Ep. 354
