Ancient History Hound

Ever wonder how the Romans set out their year and what they got up to in January? This is the first of a miniseries about festivals in ancient Rome.  In this episode I take a brief look at how the Romans developed their calendar (or Fasti). Then it's time to chat about two fesitvals celebrated in January and a bit about the name of the month. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com  -if you are on Reddit come and join the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Reviews always welcome wherever you are listening. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Join me and guest Lottie Luke as we discuss The Return, a film about Odysseus, well, returning to Ithaca. How did the film differ from the Odyssey poem and what were our general thoughts? As you might imagine there is reference to some nasty stuff - just be aware. You can find Lottie Luke as @myclassicsportal on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. There's also her website: https://www.myclassicsportal.co.uk/  

Bad poetry, bad behaviour and a bizarre use for heated walnut shells. In this episode I pick and and finish with Dionysius I of Syracuse. It's quite a rollercoaster with a dramatic finish. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com and if you a reading this then be a star and rate and review. Thanks to all those who keep coming back for more, your kind feedback really helps. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Don't worry, nothing serious but just to keep you in the loop. The next episode will be out mid-April. Apologies for the delay but it's not always easy to schedule regularly when you are a solo podcaster who has a full time job and other commitments. It'll be worth the wait - trust me! Till then why not check out the podcast back catalogue? You can find me on Insta, YouTube, TikTok, Bluesky and X as 'ancientblogger'. There's also the Ancient History Hound subreddit (AncientHistoryHound) and my website - www.ancientblogger.com  

In this episode I cover the life of Pliny the Younger and his famous letters. In his writings he gave a eye witness account of the eruption of Vesuvius and pondered how to deal with Christians. As well as looking into these instances I talk about what his letters tell us about him and the world he lived in.  Whatever platform you are using  - leave a review and thanks to those who have. Episode notes on www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

(please note that there is reference to suicide and murder as per the myths involved). In this minisode I pick out some examples of gifts in ancient Mesopotamia and Greece where the outcome wasn't as planned or it just went plain wrong. Let me know what you think by leaving a review or getting in touch.  You can find me as @ancientblogger on social media (TikTok, X, Bluesky, Insta, YouTube) and via my website www.ancientblogger.com  There's also the subreddit for this podcast:   AncientHistoryHound Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental) Some further reading: Mueller, M. The Language of Reciprocity in Euripides' Medea. Oppenheim, AL. Letters from Mesopotamia.

It's time for Dionysius I to face Carthage. How would he deal with an unstoppable force coming his way? Lots to talk about including a surprise wedding (or two). Please rate and review where you can!  Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this Night of the Livy Dead Halloween special I discuss the types of curses which made it onto tablets and figurines from antiquity. Starting with ancient Egypt and ending in the later Roman period I look into what they were used for, who they were used against and what it tells us about how people were living. As you might imagine it can get very, very personal. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com with a reading list, transcription and more. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

This is a guest episode which features the Partial Historians and is all about Spartacus.  To celebrate their upcoming book, Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire, Dr Radford recorded an episode on that famous gladiator turned rebel. Here it is and I hope you enjoy. I was on their podcast earlier this year, a two parter all about Regal Rome and some of the buildings/features. Go have a listen!   Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In the second episode on the Teutoburg Disaster Dr Ball gets into the sometimes harrowing details of the fate which befell those Romans in AD 9. We discuss the sequence of events and weigh up what the sources said, and didn't say, about it all. Don't forget to rate and review and thanks for listening! Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In AD 9 Rome lost three legions in an attack made by Germanic tribes. It became an infamous event in Rome's history dealing a huge blow both to its manpower and prestige.  So how had this come to be? In the first of two episodes on this event I'm joined by Dr Jo Ball who is an expert on the Teutoburg Disaster.  Dr Ball discusses the battlefield (including her work there) and then we turn to the main characters involved. What was Rome trying to achieve here and who exactly was Varus, the Roman governor? Finally it's the turn of Arminius - do we know why he betrayed Rome? Dr Ball provides insight at every turn, it's a must listen. Part Two, where Dr Ball unwraps the events of the disaster, will be out soon. Don't forget to rate and review, it really helps indie podcasters like me. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this episode of the miniseries on ancient Sicily I pick up with what happened after the Sicilian Expedition. Syracuse was celebrating victory but if they had any ideas that it would all be peaceful they were sorely mistaken. As one empire retreated to lick its wounds another would emerge and at Syracuse an old habit was to return. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com  - if you can rate or review please do.  Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Continuing my miniseries on ancient Sicily I pick up on the two separate incidents where Athens got directly involved in Sicilian affairs towards the end of the 5th century BC. Was it a good idea and what went wrong? Also, an attempt to describe Syracuse using just your hand. Oh, and a highly consequential eclipse.  If you can rate or review the episode or podcast please do. Episode notes with a transcription, maps and a reading list on  www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).  

Every wonder what a tyrant was, how a tyrant became a tyrant and if there were any benefits in having a tyrant run your city? In this episode I answer these questions as I examine some tyrants from the Archaic period to the mid-5th century BC.  A main source for this episode which I mention is James F McGlew: 'Tyranny and Political Culture in Ancient Greece'. Make sure to rate or review wherever you can. Visit my website www.ancientblogger.com for more content and find me on TikTok, Instagram, X and YouTube as ancientblogger. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Continuing the ancient Sicily miniseries I pick up with what happened to the tryant Thrasybulus in Syracuse in the 460s BC. There's a lot of civil unrest and democracy finally makes an appearance. Elsewhere on the island one of Sicily's most intriguing sons, a man called Ducetius, makes a play for power.  If you're listening where you can leave a review please do! Episodes notes, including a reading list and transcription on www.ancientblogger.com  Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).