In the first episode of a three part series, Tom and Dominic dive into the incredible story of Justinian and Theodora. Tune in for an incredible (and racy) introduction to the powerful Byzantine empress, the collapse of the Western half of the Roman Empire, and a deep-dive into the great city of Constantinople. Justinian and Theodora episode release schedule: Monday 8th August - THEODORA: EMPRESS OF BYZANTIUM Tuesday 9th August - JUSTINIAN: MAKING ROME GREAT AGAIN Thursday 11th August - JUSTINIA...
Aug 08, 2022•51 min•Ep 218•Transcript available on Metacast Tom and Dominic are joined by friend of the show Kyle Harper to discuss how pandemics and disease played a far greater role in the decline of the Roman Empire than previously understood. On the show Kyle, Dominic, and Tom discuss life expectancy, how the Roman Empire was ‘bad for people’s health', the Antonine Plague, and more. Listen to our previous episodes with Kyle: 146. Disease vs. the rise of civilisation 147. Disease, the New World and modern pandemics Join The Rest Is History Club for ad...
Aug 04, 2022•53 min•Ep 217•Transcript available on Metacast ‘If it became necessary immediately to discard every line and method of communications used on the front, except one, and it were left to me to select that one method, I should unhesitatingly choose the pigeons’, wrote Major General Fowler, Chief of Signals and Communications of the British Army, after the First World War. On today's podcast Tom and Dominic are joined by Gordon Corera, the BBC's Security Correspondent and author of 'Operation Columba: The Secret Pigeon Service', to discuss the o...
Aug 01, 2022•55 min•Ep 216•Transcript available on Metacast Tom and Dominic are again joined by Iain MacGregor to discuss the climax of the Battle of Stalingrad, Pavlov's House, and the Red Army's counter offensive that ultimately defeated the Axis forces. Join The Rest Is History Club 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 Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, New Zealand, and Australia! Buy...
Jul 28, 2022•50 min•Ep 215•Transcript available on Metacast Stalingrad: the bloodiest battle of the Second World War. Tom and Dominic are joined by Iain MacGregor to discuss the build up, context and outbreak of the Battle of Stalingrad. A second Stalingrad episode will be released on Thursday to your podcast feed. However, if you are part of The Rest Is History Club, you get the second episode right NOW! Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom...
Jul 25, 2022•51 min•Ep 214•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the fifth and final episode in our London Week. Enjoyed the series? Click here to become a member of The Rest Is History Club - you'll get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. London: Moments A drunk elephant, a polar bear swimming in the Thames, and Metroland are discussed by Tom and Dominic in the final London Week episode, as they explore the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London and the ex...
Jul 22, 2022•36 min•Ep 213•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the fourth episode in our London Week mini-series. To get tomorrow's final episode right now, become a member of The Rest Is History Club - you'll also get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. London: Haunted London Join Tom and Dominic for a special live, on location episode as they walk around central London exploring the haunted remnants of the past. *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom...
Jul 21, 2022•52 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the third episode in our new mini-series: LONDON WEEK. From Monday to Friday we're releasing an episode daily. Monday's 'Londinium' and Thursday's 'Haunted London' are live episodes we recorded on location earlier this year. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday we're releasing episodes on 'Places', 'People', and 'Moments' from London's past. To get ALL episodes right now, become a member of The Rest Is History Club - you'll also get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus epi...
Jul 20, 2022•42 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the second episode in our new mini-series: LONDON WEEK. From Monday to Friday we'll release an episode daily. Monday's 'Londinium' and Thursday's 'Haunted London' are live episodes we recorded on location earlier this year. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday we're releasing episodes on 'Places', 'People', and 'Moments' from London's past. To get ALL episodes right now, become a member of The Rest Is History Club - you'll also get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus epis...
Jul 19, 2022•40 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the first episode in our new mini-series: LONDON WEEK. From Monday to Friday we'll release an episode daily. Today's 'Londinium' and Thursday's 'Haunted London' are live episodes we recorded on location earlier this year. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday we'll be releasing episodes on 'Places', 'People', and 'Moments' from London's past. To get ALL FIVE episodes right now, become a member of The Rest Is History Club - you'll also get ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonu...
Jul 18, 2022•56 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast We’re sharing a bonus episode from our friends at Revisionist History, Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast about things misunderstood and overlooked. This season, Malcolm’s obsessed with experiments – natural experiments, scientific experiments, thought experiments. In this episode of Revisionist History, we learn that Margaret Mitchell was killed by a drunk driver in 1949. She was one of the country’s biggest celebrities in America at the time, but the public reaction was muted. Why wasn’t the public mo...
Jul 15, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast George Orwell is one of the most celebrated novelists, essayists, and journalists in modern British history. Tom and Dominic are joined by Robert Colls, Professor Emeritus of History at De Montfort University, to discuss the life and legacy of the man who wrote Nineteen Eighty-Four, Animal Farm, and Homage to Catalonia. Join the waiting list for live show tickets: bit.ly/3ynxD56 Become a member of The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live str...
Jul 14, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast Historical Love Island has swept the nation and the podcasting world since Monday, when four couples made it to the final: General Custer & Lola Montez, Lord Byron & Sporus, Stanley Baldwin & Theodora, and Jimmy Carter & Olympias. Fans flocked to Twitter to vote for their favourite historical pair - but which couple did Rest Is History listeners crown victorious? Listen to this special episode as Tom and Dominic announce the winner. Join the waiting list for live show tickets: bit.ly/3ynxD56 Joi...
Jul 13, 2022•17 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast The Love Island phenomenon is sweeping the nation, so Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook are joined by Tom's daughter, Katy Holland, to play their part in creating a ‘villa’ made up of historical figures. Who will loveable nice-boy Jimmy Carter ‘couple up’ with? Will Judas Iscariot and Stanley Baldwin get along? Head to Twitter after listening on Monday morning to vote on The Rest Is History's Love Island poll for your FAVOURITE historical couple. A special bonus episode will be released on Wedne...
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast Boris Johnson has resigned. In a special episode of The Rest Is History Tom and Dominic dissect the tumultuous last few days in British politics, with references and comparisons to Roman emperors, Margaret Thatcher, and other characters from modern and ancient history. Join The Rest Is History Club 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 Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on t...
Jul 08, 2022•59 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast "There was a land of cavaliers and cotton fields called the Old South". Tom and Dominic are joined by Sarah Churchwell to discuss the 'Lost Cause' myth that has pervaded American culture for 150 years, its embodiment in both the novel and film version of Gone with the Wind, and what insight it gives into post-Civil War America. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. *The Re...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast In the final episode of this 'American Civil War' series, Tom, Dominic and historian Adam Smith look at the end of the conflict, the subsequent assassination of Abraham Lincoln and how the war is viewed in modern day America. Join The Rest Is History Club 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 Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour this autumn! See them live in London, Ne...
Jul 04, 2022•51 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast Tom, Dominic and historian Adam Smith look at the most famous battle of the war and Abraham Lincoln’s 272 word address that became one of the best known speeches of all time. They also discuss the conditions of the black population during the conflict. The release date of the last episode, 'Aftermath & Legacy', is Monday 4th July. However, members of The Rest Is History Club get all episodes RIGHT NOW, so head to restishistorypod.com to sign up. *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Domi...
Jun 30, 2022•52 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to the second episode in The Rest Is History's 'American Civil War' series. The release schedule of the remaining two episodes is as follows: Gettysburg (Thursday 30th June) Aftermath & Legacy (Monday 4th July) However, members of The Rest Is History Club get all episodes RIGHT NOW, so head to restishistorypod.com to sign up. In today's pod, Dominic, Tom and historian Adam Smith discuss the opening exchanges of the war and the tactics both sides used. They also look at some of the big ch...
Jun 28, 2022•52 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to The Rest Is History 'American Civil War' series. The release schedule of the four episodes is as follows: The Causes (Monday 27th June) Outbreak (Tuesday 28th June) Gettysburg (Thursday 30th June) Aftermath & Legacy (Monday 4th July) However, members of The Rest Is History Club get all four episodes RIGHT NOW, so head to restishistorypod.com to sign up. In the first of a four part series, Tom and Dominic are joined by historian Adam Smith for an in-depth look at the origins of the war...
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast On today's pod Tom and Dominic are joined by Stonehenge expert Mike Pitts to discuss all the big questions that surround Stonehenge: Who built it? How did they build it? What was it built for? Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Editor: James Hodgson Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour...
Jun 23, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast Watergate 50th Anniversary re-release (Part 2): Last October we recorded a two part special on the remarkable political story which became known as Watergate. Today marks 50 years since the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. - which marked the start of a scandal that would ultimately unseat US president Richard Nixon. So we thought we’d re-release our two episodes, largely for the benefit of the many new listeners who have been kind enough to su...
Jun 17, 2022•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Watergate 50th Anniversary re-release: Last October we recorded a two part special on the remarkable political story which became known as Watergate. Today marks 50 years since the break-in at the Democratic headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. - which marked the start of a scandal that would ultimately unseat US president Richard Nixon. So we thought we’d re-release our two episodes, largely for the benefit of the many new listeners who have been kind enough to subscribe t...
Jun 17, 2022•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast Join Tom and Dominic for the fourth and final instalment in their Cleopatra mini-series, as they discuss Octavian's propaganda, the war he waged against Antony and Cleopatra, and their ultimate demise. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Editor: James Hodgson Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are bac...
Jun 16, 2022•48 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast After centuries of Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s relationship being told and fictionalised by Plutarch and Shakespeare alike, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook uncover what history tells us about this power couple. They reveal how the rise of Octavian as a threat caused Mark Antony to turn to Cleopatra for support. It was a relationship that had less to do with romance and love, and more to do with monetary and territory gains. The release date of the final episode in this series (Cleopatra's Down...
Jun 15, 2022•42 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast Join Tom and Dominic for the second episode of this four part mini-series on Cleopatra, where they discuss her relationship with Julius Caesar and the role this relationship played in the politics of Rome. The release schedule of the remaining two episodes of the series is 'Antony & Cleopatra' (Thursday 16th June) and 'Cleopatra's Downfall' (Monday 20th June). However, members of The Rest Is History Club get all episodes RIGHT NOW, so head to restishistorypod.com to sign up. Editor: James Hodgso...
Jun 14, 2022•44 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to The Rest Is History Cleopatra series! The release schedule of the four episodes is as follows: Young Cleopatra (Monday 13th June) Julius Caesar & Cleopatra (Tuesday 14th June) Antony & Cleopatra (Thursday 16th June) Cleopatra's Downfall (Monday 20th June) However, members of The Rest Is History Club get all four episodes RIGHT NOW, so head to restishistorypod.com to sign up. In episode 1 of this four part mini-series on Cleopatra, Tom and Dominic discuss the incredible story of 'Young...
Jun 13, 2022•46 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook discuss the 'first' fascist, Gabriele D'Annunzio, with historian Lucy Hughes-Hallett. D'Annunzio was a key figure in Italian literature before becoming a political figure later in his life. Although never personally identifying with fascism, his ideas were hugely influential on Mussolini. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Producer: Dom...
Jun 09, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast As British PM Boris Johnson survives a no confidence vote, Tom and Dominic record a special episode on the history of bringing down Prime Ministers. Prominent victims include Asquith, Chamberlain, Thatcher and Blair. Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Tony Pastor *The Rest Is History Live Tour 2023*: Tom and Dominic are back on tour ...
Jun 07, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast Join Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook as they uncover the origins of Robin Hood. What was the earliest mention of Robin Hood in text? How has Robin Hood evolved through time to become the legend that he is today? Did he have a real-life counterpart? Join The Rest Is History Club for ad-free listening to the full archive, weekly bonus episodes, live streamed shows and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Editor: Scarlett Murray Producer: Dom Johnson Exec Producer: Jack Davenport *The Rest ...
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast 
