The History of Exploration

Latest Episodes:

Episode 9 - Polybius on the Trail of the Ancients May 05, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, we look at the life of historian Polybius, a mediocre explorer who nonetheless, by virtue of being in the right place at the right time, stood at a pivotal moment in the history of exploration, becoming responsible for uniting the exploratory traditions of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, putting both at the service of the expanding Roman state.

Go here for listener Derrick Adam's Sasquatch Itch Cream: www.sasquatchcream.com

Go here if you would like to donate to the podcast: https://historyofexploration.net

Episode 8 - Eratosthenes and the Invention of Geography Feb 25, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, we take a short step back in time and look at the invention of the academic discipline of geography by Eratosthenes of Cyrene, and the effects which a more ordered understanding of the world had on ancient Mediterranean perceptions of it.

Go here for listener Derrick Adams's Sasquatch Itch Cream: www.sasquatchcream.com

Go here if you would like to donate to the podcast: https://historyofexploration.net

Go here for a free audiobook: www.audibletrial.com/exploration

Episode 7 - Eudoxus of Cyzicus Doesn't Always Drink Beer, But When He Does... Jan 07, 2017

Show notes

In this episode, we take a look at the fascinating life and adventures of Eudoxus of Cyzicus, one of the most colourful figures of the ancient world, and attempt to disentangle fact from fiction where possible.

Listener Derrick Adams' Sasquatch Itch Cream can be found here: http://www.sasquatchcream.com/

Donations to the podcast can be made here: https://historyofexploration.net/

The History of Exploration Podcast's Audible link (for a free audiobook) is here: audibletrial.com/exploration

Episode 6 - Early Hellenistic Exploration with the Pseudo-Skylax Nov 21, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, we look at the first decades of Hellenistic exploration in the North, South and West of the Mediterranean, from the northern Caspian sea to south Sudan. We revisit a few previously-mentioned locations, witness the precursors to the true establishment of the discipline of geography, and begin to envisage the idea that it might actually be possible to circumnavigate Africa (Libya)...

Episode 5 - Tylos and the Arabian Coast Oct 16, 2016

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In this episode, we look at the brief and abortive Greek attempts to explore and circumnavitage the Arabian coast, with a particular focus on the island of Tylos, its wonderful flora, and its mysterious people.

Episode 4D - The Coast of Gedrosia Sep 12, 2016

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In this last part of our 4-part series looking at Nearchus' adventures in India and the Indian Ocean, we follow the navigator and his fleet along the coast of Gedrosia as he meets with near-disaster on more than one occasion, and finally arrives to meet Alexander in Hoermozia, along the strait of Hormuz.

Episode 4C - Into the Indian Ocean Aug 01, 2016

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In this episode, we follow Nearchus and his fleet as they brave the Southeastern monsoon and cope with dwindling water reserves to make their way through the Indus River delta and into the Indian ocean, where they rendezvous with Leonnatus. We also see the fleet encounter a previously unknown people, who the Greeks call the "fish eaters."

Episode 4B - Down the Indus River Jul 03, 2016

Show notes

In this second part covering Alexander and Nearchus' travels into India, we follow Alexander's army and fleet as it sails down the Indus' tributaries to finally reach the great river itself, sweeping aside all opposition in its path. In addition, we introduce Alexander's idiosyncratic pilot, Onesicritus.

Episode 4A - Nearchus and Alexander in India Jun 05, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, I introduce Nearchus' early life and voyage with Alexander's troops into India, and look at the various exchanges which took place between the Meditteranean world and the Indian subcontinent as a result of Alexander's military forays. The episode ends with Alexander agreeing to his troops' demands to return to Macedon, and his appointment of Nearchus as admiral to lead a fleet down the Indian ocean and back into Mesopotamia.

Episode 3B - North, to Ultima Thule May 07, 2016

Show notes

In this episode, we follow the second half of Pytheas' journey as he travels along the western coast of Britain to the far north, where he reports seeing the midnight sun and the congealed sea. We then conclude with an examination of Pytheas' legacy, and the unfortunate vilification which he experienced at the hands of some historians.

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