Ancient History 101

Alexandra Sills

Rome

Roman Empire

Augustus

Ancient Greece

Ancient Rome

Vestal Virgins

Athens

Mark Antony

Alexander the Great

Thebes, Greece

Xenophon

Athens, Greece

Aeneid

First Punic War

Peloponnesian War

Themistocles

Slavery

Spartan Mirage

Colchester Museums

Fulvia

If you're the type of person who thinks about Rome once a day, this is the show for you.

Hosted by award-winning ancient historian Alexandra Sills, each week we invite an expert guest to give us a crash course in a topic related to ancient Greece, Rome, or their neighbours.

We'll have biographies of historical figures, introductions to ancient works of art and literature, blow-by-blow accounts of ... more

72 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	35	Founded	7 months ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	HistoryArts

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Latest Episodes

Boudica Part 1 - Prelude to Destruction

It is time for the finale of Ancient History 101 series 1! And we have something a little special for you to celebrate - a two week extravaganza dealing with none other than Boudica.

Featuring experts from all three of the cities Boudica burned, thi... more

23 Sep 2026 • 1 hr 1 min • Most popular

The Death and Desecration of Crassus

This week we're examining an event that rocked the Roman world, to make sure that the stories we think we know are actually how events unfolded. Spoiler alert, it is never that simple!

Alexandra is talking about the aftermath of the Battle of Carrha... more

16 Sep 2026 • 1 hr 5 min • Popular

The Sicilian Expedition

Roel Konijnendijk returns for some more military adventures, this time to tell of an expedition borne of hubris that would go terribly, tragically wrong.

Handy maps of Sicily and Syracuse, as well as a transcript, can be found on the episode webpage... more

9 Sep 2026 • 1 hr 51 min • Popular

The Vestal Virgins

Peta Greenfield joins the pod to talk about some of the most extraordinary women of ancient Rome.

For a transcript and book recommendations, we have a dedicated episode webpage here.

Find the Partial Historians here

Make sure to click ‘subscribe’ ... more

2 Sep 2026 • 1 hr 5 min

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Recent Guests

Roel Konijnendijk

Ancient Historian, Derby Fellow in Ancient History at Lincoln College, Oxford

Lincoln College, Oxford

Episode: The Sicilian Expedition

Dr. Peta Greenfield

PhD in Classics and Ancient History; Vestal Virgins researcher and co-host of Partial Historians

Partial Historians; Vestal Virgins research

Episode: The Vestal Virgins

Dr. Shelby Judge

Lecturer at the University of Derby; expert in reception and contemporary feminist retellings of Greek myth

University of Derby

Episode: Aeschylus' Agamemnon

Zoé Elise Thomas

Visiting assistant professor in the Greek and Roman Studies Department at Millsaps College

Millsaps College

Episode: Vercingetorix

Jeroen Wijnendaele

Visiting Professor at Ghent University; expert on Late Antiquity and editor of Edinburgh Studies on Late Roman History

Ghent University; Edinburgh University Press

Episode: What is Late Antiquity?

Alexandra Sills

Award-winning ancient historian, author of Gladiators in the Greek World

Author, Gladiators in the Greek World

Episode: Gladiators in the Greek World

Alexander Vandewalle

Postdoctoral researcher specializing in the reception of Greek mythology in video games

Ghent University, Belgium

Episode: Greek Myth in Video Games

Stephen Harrison

Ancient historian, Swansea University

Swansea University

Episode: Alexander the Great

Jane Draycott

Senior lecturer in Ancient History, author of Cleopatra's Daughter and Fulvia

University of Glasgow

Episode: Fulvia - A Biography Part 1

Host

Alexandra Sills

Award-winning ancient historian and author, frequently hosting and guiding expert-led discussions on gladiators, myth, and political history.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 72 ratings

So Good
Every episode is a banger.
Apple Podcasts
5
Kambei
United States16 days ago
Brilliant podcast!
Really great podcast for anybody from people with a general interest in the classical world, or students like myself. I found the episode on how the Greeks viewed Disability particularly fascinating! And the episodes on Fulvia and Gladiators have helped me get in the zone for my upcoming module on the Romans!
Apple Podcasts
5
Inanna96
United Kingdom2 months ago
Accessible history at its best!
This podcast continues to present an incredible array of topics from the Ancient World, including conversations with genuine leading specialists, in a fun and engaging way that makes the subject matter easily digestible. Alexandra is able to break down what can be quite complex subjects into simple concepts by questioning the specialists and providing her own insights. Whether you’re a seasoned classicist or just starting out, this podcast really caters to all levels.
Apple Podcasts
5
Ben Paites
United Kingdom2 months ago
Fantastic intro into the classics
This is a wonderful introduction to the ancient world. Each episode focuses on a different aspect of the Ancient Roman and Greek worlds. One week there will be a discussion on the Greek gods and another there’s an exploration on modern day museums. Alexandra is a great host with a gloriously resonant voice.
Apple Podcasts
5
Bob Shangela Violet
Australia4 months ago
My favorite new podcast
I absolutely love this podcast. I enjoy listening to experts talk about ancient history and it has become appointment listening for me every week. Thank you for sharing your infectious love of the past.
Apple Podcasts
5
maze4muz
United States5 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are seen as credible and well-prepared, contributing to high-quality discussions.

The show is noted for bridging academia and public interest with thoughtful curiosity.

Experts are highlighted for providing clear context and fresh perspectives on ancient subjects.

Listeners praise the host for making complex topics accessible and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts

#236

Ukraine/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What is Late Antiquity?

Q: What year did Rome fall?

The speaker suggests a pragmatic endpoint: the end of emperorship in the Western Roman Empire, rather than a single year, since the East continued for centuries and Rome as a political center did not disappear; thus, 476 CE marks a commonly cited turning point, but the discussion emphasizes the period's gradual, regional variation.

Greek Myth in Video Games

Q: What makes Hades stand out in its treatment of myth, and how does its gameplay loop influence character engagement?

Hades integrates myth into the core loop by placing players as Zagreus in the underworld, where dying advances the story, and the diverse cast of mythic figures is written with depth, emotional resonance, and ongoing narrative integration, making characters key to the game's appeal.

Greek Myth in Video Games

Q: How does Assassin's Creed Odyssey approach myth differently from other myth-based games, and what does that say about its design priorities?

Odyssey situates myth within a historical game world, offering a historicizing mode where players can decide how to engage with myth, blending authentic setting with mythic elements rather than treating them as separate, optional spectacles.

Virgil's Aeneid

Q: Was Virgil's Aeneid commissioned by Augustus or written independently?

Scholarly consensus leans toward patronage and influence rather than a formal commission; Virgil likely wrote to please the ruler while preserving a degree of independence in framing Rome's history.

Virgil's Aeneid

Q: Can you summarize the main story points and the time frame of the Aeneid?

The tale follows Aeneas from Troy through his wanderings to Italy, divided into 12 books that cover the fall of Troy, journeys, the Dido episode, the underworld, and culminating in battles that set the stage for Rome's future.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ancient History 101

What is Ancient History 101 about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Accessible, expert-led explorations of ancient history that pair scholarly context with engaging storytelling. Each episode features a host guiding a deep-dive with guest scholars, authors, or museum professionals on topics ranging from classical myths and Greek and Roman history to archaeological sites and reception in modern culture. The show frequently balances rigorous analysis with approachable explanations, addressing gender dynamics, warfare, politics, literature, and how ancient narratives resonate today through media, performances, and public history. Notable is the blend of academic insight with broader cultural touchpoints—like video games, theatre, and pop culture—making scholarly topics relevant to a general audience while stil... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ancient History 101?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ancient History 101:

1. Tides of History
2. The Ancients
3. Past Lives
4. Let's Talk About Myths, Baby! | Greek Mythology & the Ancient Mediterranean
5. This Guy Sucked

How many episodes of Ancient History 101 are there?

Ancient History 101 launched 7 months ago and published 35 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Ancient History 101?

Recent guests on Ancient History 101 include:

1. Roel Konijnendijk
2. Dr. Peta Greenfield
3. Dr. Shelby Judge
4. Zoé Elise Thomas
5. Jeroen Wijnendaele
6. Alexandra Sills
7. Alexander Vandewalle
8. Stephen Harrison

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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