The Ancients

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Ukraine's Ancient Greek City Oct 30, 2022

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Located in modern day Ukraine, Olbia was the largest ancient Greek settlement on the coast of the Black Sea. A mix of Scythian and Greek culture, Olbia interacted with settlements and cultures across the ancient world.

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Owen Rees to talk about the fascinating and wonderful history of this peripheral city state - that despite all odds, managed not only to survive, but ultimately thrive.

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Colosseum Oct 27, 2022

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Nicknamed the 8th wonder of the ancient world, the Colosseum still stands in splendour today. Located in the heart of Rome, nestled at the bottom of the Palatine Hill, neighbouring the ancient Roman Forum - the Colosseum is nearly 2000 years old. But who is responsible for this colossal amphitheatre, and what exactly was it built for?

Tristan is joined by Dr Nathan Elkins to talk about this monument of Roman imperialism, and to take a look at the role it has played throughout history. Taking 10 years and 3 emperors to be completed - the crumbling marble was once decorated with vibrant colours and architectural features, representative of Roman might and decadence. Home to beast hunts, gladiatorial games, and one of the most remarkable sewage systems in the ancient world - what can we learn about Roman life from one of the world's most famous monuments?

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The First Black Archaeologist Oct 23, 2022

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Born to slaves in 1863, John Wesley Gilbert was the first student of the Paine Institute, a graduate of Brown University, and the first black archaeologist.

While at Brown, he was awarded a scholarship to study abroad at the American School of Classical studies in Athens, Greece. Here, he helped to shape modern archaeology as we know it today. Working tirelessly, and meticulously on excavations where he helped uncover the ancient city of Eretria, Gilbert also travelled across the country to beautiful ancient sites, and even attended the funeral of Heinrich Schliemann - the man who discovered Troy.

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Professor John W.I Lee from UC Santa Barbara to talk about Gilbert's incredible life, and the legacy that he left behind.

For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here. If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! Enter promo code ANCIENTS for a free trial, plus 50% off your first three months' subscription.

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Virgil Oct 20, 2022

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One of Antiquity's greatest poets, Virgil's legacy is seen across history. Following in the footsteps of his predecessor's Homer and Hesiod - Virgil's work inspires people even today. With inspiration for his poems coming from the political turmoil and change around him, Virgil's work offers insight into the tumultuous time he was living in.

But who was Virgil, and why are his work's still so revered?

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Anne Rogerson from the University of Sydney to help shed some light on this mysterious figure. Looking at Virgil's three most famous works, The Georgics, The Eclogues, and of course The Aeneid - why has Virgil's legacy and name persevered throughout history?

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End of Stone Age Orkney Oct 16, 2022

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Around 5200 years ago, during the Neolithic period, when farming first took hold, Orkney was a hugely influential cultural centre. Yet, as Europe moved into the Bronze Age, the islands’ influence dwindled and Orkney became more insular. But what do we know about the arrival of the Bronze Age in Orkney and Scotland?

In today’s episode of The Ancients, Tristan is joined by Professor Martin Richards from University of Huddersfield, one of the leaders of an exciting new research project. Working along side researchers who uncovered DNA evidence that brings to light new information for this moment of Britain’s prehistory, Martin and the team's work is helping change the way Stone Age Orkney is viewed.

By combining archaeology with the study of ancient DNA from Bronze Age human remains, researchers now know much more about this time than ever before, and the results have come as a great surprise to geneticists and archaeologists alike.

To watch our brand new documentary series on Prehistoric Scotland click here:

https://access.historyhit.com/ancient-and-classical/videos/mysteries-of-prehistoric-scotland-episode-one

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For your chance to win five non-fiction history books - including a signed copy of Dan Snow's On This Day in History - please fill out this short survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/survey-taken/?sm=IthGeoCcJUiKNx0R8Pv7Ogn50xYWgriQdyDMjMZwy8jmNE1jQh63NtWjK1DQdAssMjnsuFzX5eJOGw0w3NS4sgHthi59y72wWjesdfmNxyU_3D

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The Key to Hieroglyphs: Rosetta Stone Oct 13, 2022

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In July 1799 a group of French soldiers stumbled upon a stone that was set to change our understanding of the ancient world.

The iconic Rosetta Stone, a stela or inscribed slab, was dug up in the foundations of a fort in the town of Rasheed - a port city east of Alexandria. The Stone was central in kickstarting antiquarians such as Jean-Francois Champollion and Thomas Young down the path of unlocking ancient Egypt’s enigmatic language within just c.20 years of the Stone's rediscovery. Today, it ranks amongst the most famous artefacts in the world. So what exactly is it? And what does it say?

To explain the Rosetta Stone and so much more, Tristan interviews Dr Ilona Regulski, curator of the British Museum’s new exhibition 'Hieroglyphs Unlocking Ancient Egypt'. Looking at the hieroglyph script and how it was deciphered, alongside key figures in the race to decipherment, such as Jean-Francois Champollion, Thomas Young, William Bankes, it's an event not to be missed.

If you want to find out more about the exhibition click here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/hieroglyphs-unlocking-ancient-egypt?gclid=Cj0[…]L_5Yn8vOaYEdKDmCGW6_SQo9UMZqsHuriJctr1WMm5z8kaAl-dEALw_wcB

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Race in Antiquity Oct 09, 2022

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History is littered with devastating accounts of prejudice that shines a harsh light on the atrocities humans have inflicted on each other for centuries.

But has racism always plagued our society?

From the African son of Peter the Great of Russia, to the one-eyed black leader of the Kushite army - Warrior Queen Amanirenas, it seems skin colour presented no barriers for a person of African decent to amount to greatness in antiquity.

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Luke Pepera who is a writer, broadcaster, anthropologist, and historian to talk about the attitudes towards race in the ancient world.

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March of the 10,000 Oct 06, 2022

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Recorded by Xenophon, the 10,000 were a force of Greek mercenaries employed by Cyrus the Younger, with the aim of taking back the Persian Empire from his brother, Artaxexes. Travelling over 1,766 miles to the north of Babylon, where forces eventually clashed at the Battle of Cunaxa, Cyrus ultimately perished in the battle leaving the Greeks stranded and leaderless.

Choosing to flee the scene rather than see themselves become slaves to the Persians, the Greeks began the perilous journey back to their homeland.

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Owen Rees from Manchester Metropolitan University, to talk about the March of the 10,000 and the carnage they left in their wake.

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The Rise and Fall of Roman London Oct 02, 2022

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In 43 AD, the Romans set up temporary forts along the banks of a river to wait for their Emperor, Claudius, to march onto the enemy capital of Camulodunum (Colchester), and eventually conquer Britain. The river was the River Thames. At the time, it was an area of marshy low-lying land, mostly composed of little islands. A far cry from the wall enclaved mercantile seat of authority it would become.

In today’s episode, Tristan is joined by Professor Dominc Perring, Director of the UCL Centre for Applied Archaeology, to discuss what the archaeology and history can tell us about the rise and fall of Roman Britain’s capital, Londinium.

For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here.

If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today!

For your chance to win 5 Historical Non-Fiction Books (including a signed copy of Dan Snow's On This Day in History), please fill out this short survey.

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The Real King Arthur: Ambrosius Aurelianus Sep 29, 2022

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A friend of Merlin, the husband of Guinevere, and the inspiration for numerous Hollywood blockbusters - the story of King Arthur is known by many across the globe, but who is the man behind the myth?

Ambrosius Aurelianus emerged from the chaos of 5th Century AD Britain in the aftermath of the Roman retreat and is believed to be the main inspiration for the Legend of King Arthur. In this episode Tristan welcome Dr Miles Russell back to the podcast to talk about who Ambrosius Aurelianus was, and the legacy that he left behind. A Celtic hero who fought valiantly against the Saxons and who was tied up in legends of his own, Ambroisus Aurelianus should be a name just as well known as the mythical King of Camelot.

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