The Ancients

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Alexander the Great & The Persian Thermopylae (Part Two) Jan 23, 2022

Show notes

In this second part of Tristan’s explainer, he takes us right into the heart of the battle dubbed the Persian Thermopylae. Listen as Alexander begins a full-blooded assault on the Persian Gates, and find out how this battle for the Persian heartlands ended.

Preorder Tristan’s book today: https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Perdiccas-Years-323320-BC-Hardback/p/20188

Jona Lendering article: https://www.livius.org/articles/battle/persian-gate-330-bce/

The narrow Yasuj pass.

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Music provided by All3Media and EpidemicSound.

Further Reading

Hammond, M. (2013), tr., Arrian: Alexander the Great, the Anabasis and the Indica, Oxford.

Shepherd, R. (1793), tr., Polyaenus: Stratagems of War, Chicago.

Waterfield, R. (2019), tr., Diodorus of Sicily: The Library, Books 16-20, Oxford.

Yardley, J. (2001), tr., The History of Alexander: Quintus Curtius Rufus, Chatham.

Bosworth, A. B. (1988), Conquest and Empire: The Reign of Alexander the Great, Cambridge.

Engels, D. W. (1978), Alexander the Great and the Logistics of the Macedonian Army, London.

Heckel, W. (2006), Who's Who in the Age of Alexander the Great, Oxford.

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Alexander the Great & The Persian Thermopylae (Part One) Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

In January 330 BC, Alexander the Great faced one of his most difficult challenges to date. A small Persian force, entrenched in a formidable defensive position that blockaded Alexander’s route to the Persian heartlands. A narrow pass through the Zagros Mountains that has gone down in history as the Persian, or Susian, Gates. Although nowhere near the size or scale of Alexander’s previous pitched battles against the Persians at the Granicus, Issus and Gaugamela, this clash in the mountains deserves its moment in the spotlight. A clash where the tables were turned and the Persians were outnumbered by their Macedonian counterparts. A battle that has been dubbed the Persian Thermopylae. From the immediate aftermath of Alexander’s victory at Gaugamela to his army’s antics at Babylon. From a merciless, punitive campaign in the foothills of the Zagros Mountains to a detailed run down of the Persian stand the Gates, enjoy as Tristan talks you through the events of late 331 / early 330 BC.

In this first part, Tristan covers the events that followed Alexander the Great’s victory at Gaugamela and how these culminated with Alexander’s army approaching the Persian heartlands deep in the winter of 331/0 BC.

Order Tristan’s book today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perdiccas-Years-323-Alexanders-Successors/dp/1526775115/ref=zg_bsnr_271237_68/260-7675295-7826601?pd_rd_i=1526775115&psc=1

Jona Lendering article: https://www.livius.org/articles/battle/persian-gate-330-bce/

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Quick notes:

We do hear a small detail about what happened to Bagophanes. Alexander assigned him to become one of Mazaeus' adjutants in the new Babylonian administration.

Medates is pardoned by Alexander. Whether he retains his position as governor of the lowland Uxians however, is not stated.

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The Birth of the Roman Empire Jan 16, 2022

Show notes

16 January 27 BC is a date sometimes associated with the beginning of the Roman Empire. It was on that day that Octavian received the name Augustus, effectively becoming the first emperor of Rome. Augustus ordered the gates of Janus to be closed, marking an end to the period of Civil War that had characterised Rome for decades before. Entering into a new era of peace, how did Augustus monopolise peace as a concept, and allow Rome to hold onto this new era and way of life across it's Empire? This week Tristan is joined by Dr Hannah Cornwell, author of Pax and the Politics of Peace, to talk about this transitional period, it's reflections in art and monumental architecture, and ultimately, how the Roman Empire came to be.

Order Tristan’s book today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perdiccas-Years-323-Alexanders-Successors/dp/1526775115/ref=zg_bsnr_271237_68/260-7675295-7826601?pd_rd_i=1526775115&psc=1

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

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The Seleucid Empire: In the Shadow of Rome Jan 13, 2022

Show notes

At its height, the Seleucid Empire stretched from Thrace (modern day Bulgaria) to the Indus River Valley. Emerging from the tumultuous ‘Successor Wars’ that followed Alexander the Great’s passing, for over a century it was a superpower of the eastern Mediterranean. This, however, ultimately led it into conflict with Rome at the beginning of the 2nd century BC. The result was a devastating defeat for the Seleucid King Antiochus III ‘the Great’ at the Battle of Magnesia, fought around this time of year in either December 190 BC or January 189 BC. Following the battle, the Seleucids were humbled by a damaging treaty, but what happened next? What followed for the Seleucids, having been humbled by the Romans? Did they descend from superpower to suppliant? Or did they experience a resurgence? In today’s podcast, Eduardo Garcia-Molina, a PHD Classics student at the University of Chicago, argues the latter. Focusing in on the reign of Antiochus IV, Eduardo highlights how the Seleucid Empire remained a powerful entity in the wake of Magnesia and their Roman defeat.

Order Tristan’s book today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perdiccas-Years-323-Alexanders-Successors/dp/1526775115/ref=zg_bsnr_271237_68/260-7675295-7826601?pd_rd_i=1526775115&psc=1

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

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To download, go to Android or Apple store:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.historyhit&hl=en_GB&gl=US

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/history-hit/id1303668247

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Spinning in the Roman World Jan 09, 2022

Show notes

Spinning held an important place in ancient society, and no, we're not talking about ancient exercise classes. A task for women and slaves, it was used to create clothes, ships sails, and ropes, and its products were integral to all parts of society. An unchanging art for centuries and seen across the globe, spinning was an important practice in the ancient world. This week Tristan is joined by Carey Fleiner to discuss spinning's role in myths, the textiles it helped produce, and its importance in antiquity.

Warning: one case of mild language.

Order Tristan’s book today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perdiccas-Years-323-Alexanders-Successors/dp/1526775115/ref=zg_bsnr_271237_68/260-7675295-7826601?pd_rd_i=1526775115&psc=1

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

https://access.historyhit.com/?utm_source=audio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Podcast+Campaign&utm_id=Podcast To download, go to Android or Apple store:

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Cannibalism Jan 06, 2022

Show notes

It’s a macabre topic to discuss, but also one that has fascinated people for generations. So what has archaeology revealed about cannibalism among prehistoric societies? And if cannibalism does seem to have been practised among certain groups, then why? Appalachian State University’s Dr Marc Kissel dialled in from North Carolina to talk us through several cases of potential cannibalism in prehistory, from Neanderthals to the Neolithic.

Marc’s Twitter: @MarcKissel

Order Tristan’s book today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perdiccas-Years-323-Alexanders-Successors/dp/1526775115/ref=zg_bsnr_271237_68/260-7675295-7826601?pd_rd_i=1526775115&psc=1

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Music: Ancient Secrets - Storyblocks

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Alexander The Great vs Julius Caesar Jan 02, 2022

Show notes

They’ve both been described as the greatest military commander in the ancient world, but who really takes the title (if either of them)? Alexander, the undefeated conqueror of one of the largest empires the world had yet seen, or Caesar, a leader who was critical in expanding and creating what later became the Roman Empire?

For this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Simon Elliott, author of Alexander the Great versus Julius Caesar: Who was the Greatest Commander in the Ancient World?Together, they analyse their leadership styles, victories, and their tactical and strategic genius, to finally answer who really was the greater military leader.

Order Tristan’s book today: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perdiccas-Years-323-Alexanders-Successors/dp/1526775115/ref=zg_bsnr_271237_68/260-7675295-7826601?pd_rd_i=1526775115&psc=1

While you’re here, don’t forget to leave us a rating and review - let us know who you think was the greatest leader.

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Music:

Phoenix Rising - Edgar Hopp

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How Julius Caesar Changed Time Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

We’re finishing off 2021 with what is perhaps Julius Caesar’s greatest legacy. It’s not a military victory or battle, but one of the many political reforms that truly has stood the test of time: the Julian calendar. Before, calendars were largely based on the lunar calendar, and believe it or not, were pretty flexible, and therefore easily manipulated for political gain. (Need more time to collect some taxes? Just add three more days!)

In this episode, Tristan is joined by Dr Philip Nothaft to discuss how and why this reform came about, and the lasting impact of this watershed moment today.

Thank you so much for listening to The Ancients this year, it’s been so fun to have you along for the chariot ride. We can’t wait to bring you even more exciting ancient history in 2022! If you can’t wait, why not subscribe to our Ancient History Thursday newsletter here. If you've enjoyed the podcast this year, why not leave a rating and review, we'd love to know what you think.

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Music:

Time Is Palpable - Bradley Andrew Segal & Dorian Charnis

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Race & Identity in the Ancient Greek Novel Dec 26, 2021

Show notes

For the first 4 centuries AD/CE, the ancient Greek novel was the most popular literary form in the Roman Empire and at the heart of these popular texts is discussion over race and identity. Could a Phoenician living within the Empire also identify as Roman? Could they be both X and Y? And can we use these novels as a lens through which to see how people in the ancient Mediterranean viewed prominent powers beyond Rome’s borders, for instance the Kingdom of Axum in modern day Ethiopia. To explain this and more, with a particular focus on Heliodorus’ Aethiopica, Tristan spoke to Dr Mai Musié, Public Engagement Manager at the Bodleian Libraries in Oxford.

Wishing you all a very happy Boxing Day from the Ancients team!

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Hannibal's Winter War Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

It’s fair to say that winter battles weren’t commonplace in the ancient Mediterranean world. There is, however, one striking exception. A clash that occurred in mid/late December 218 BC, in northern Italy very close to the Po River. This clash was the Battle of the River Trebia, fought between the Roman consular army of Sempronius Longus and the conglomerate Carthaginian force under the leadership of the legendary Hannibal Barca. In this special podcast, Dr Eve MacDonald, Dr Louis Rawlings and Dr Adrian Goldsworthy talk you through the run up to this decisive winter clash, before delving into the details of the battle itself. From Hannibal and his weary, worn down force emerging from the Alps to Roman soldiers wading through the icy waters of the Trebia, sit back and enjoy as Eve, Louis and Adrian talk you through the story of Hannibal’s first great victory against the Roman Republic.

Part 1: The Rise of Hannibal

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Music:

Epidemic & POND5

Battle of The Nile - Grant Newman

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