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Artwork for Empire: World History

Empire: World History

Goalhanger
British Empire
India
Gaza
Mughal Empire
East India Company
United States
Ireland
China
Cold War
Soviet Union
Bronze Age Collapse
The Great Famine
Suez Crisis
Israel
World War II
Bengal Famine
Rudyard Kipling
Piracy
George Orwell
Vietnam War

The rise and fall of empires and the events that shaped world history. William Dalrymple and Anita Anand explore the intricate stories of revolutions, imperial wars, and the people who built and lost empires. From the British Empire to the Ottomans to Ancient India, history is shaped by power struggles and territorial conquests. How does it continue to affect the world today? Empire Club: Become a... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes439Founded4 years ago
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History

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Artwork for Empire: World History

Latest Episodes

What drove the Dutch to employ samurai mercenaries to commit horrifying genocides in the Banda Islands? Why were European powers willing to torture and kill just to control the global supply of a dried seed? How did a peace treaty trade a spice islan... more

Who was the last Viceroy of India and why was his marriage so unconventional? How many affairs did Edwina Mountbatten have? Why was Lord Mountbatten known as the “Master of Disaster” by senior Navy officials?

In Episode 2 of Empire’s first members’ ... more

What’s the real story behind the creation of the Dutch East India Company, and how was espionage involved? What made the VOC the first ‘mega-corporation’ in history? And what was the horrific human cost of establishing a colonial stronghold in the Ea... more

How should we view Simón Bolívar today – as a racist tyrant or as a revolutionary founding father? Who was his lover Manuela Sáenz, and how did she save his life during a midnight attack? And did his slide into tyranny inspire the 20th century dictat... more

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Recent Guests

Raja Shehadeh
Palestinian writer and founder of Al-Haq, an influential Palestinian human rights organization.
Al-Haq
Episode: What Is Life Like For Palestinians Under Occupation?
Jung Chang
Author of Wild Swans; historian providing eyewitness accounts of the Cultural Revolution
Author
Episode: Jung Chang On Life Under Mao & Being Banned From China
Christiane Amanpour
CNN anchor, host of the X-Files podcast
CNN
Episode: Christiane Amanpour On Iran & Trump’s Miscalculations
Eric Cline
Historian and expert on ancient civilizations
George Washington University
Episode: 336. Bronze Age Apocalypse: How To Survive The End of The World (Ep 5)
Simon Goldhill
Professor in Greek literature and culture at King's College Cambridge
King's College, Cambridge
Episode: 334. Bronze Age Apocalypse: Did Homer Write History? (Ep 3)
Stephen Fry
Author of books on Greek myths, the Iliad, and the Odyssey, as well as a prominent figure in comedy and film.
Episode: 333. Bronze Age Apocalypse: The Fall of Troy with Stephen Fry (Ep 2)
Professor Josephine Quinn
Professor of ancient history at Cambridge University
Cambridge University
Episode: 332. Bronze Age Apocalypse: Before The Collapse (Ep 1)
Scott Anderson
Author who has explored the Iranian Revolution and its modern implications.
Episode: 330. The Iranian Revolution: 1979 vs. 2026 (Ep 1)
Ramita Navai
Former Times correspondent in Iran, with extensive knowledge of the country's current political landscape.
Channel 4
Episode: 330. The Iranian Revolution: 1979 vs. 2026 (Ep 1)

Hosts

Anita Anand
Host of Empire and Empire: World History series; frequent cohost, with focus on historical analysis and narrative.
William Dalrymple
Co-host and primary guide through discussions; known for historical breadth and engaging storytelling.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 15.6k ratings
  • Outstanding

    I love this podcast and the wide spectrum of topics it covers. Great job guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bernardofromboulder
    United States12 days ago
  • Leftist Garbage

    These two are insufferable and are certainly anti-West. They should set up shop in Gaza or Tehran

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    aldy1240
    United States13 days ago
  • Do you even know who Bolívar was?

    I am very disappointed about your Bolívar series.

    I have found it to be a gross oversimplification of the history of Latin America.

    It is a stark contrast between the Bolívar and the Mao series, to name just one other example where you have painted a far more complex picture than the one you are haphazardly painting now.

    You haven’t even made an effort to pronounce the man’s name correctly! Seriously!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    MMD 99
    Mexico14 days ago
  • Anti Israel

    I love this podcast, especially the series on the Mughuls. I don’t usually write reviews but have to say this has become so so anti-Israel. Totally one sided.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    48heartland48
    United Kingdom16 days ago
  • Consistently excellent

    Has depth, great interest, excellent participants and hosts who keep the show moving along.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JH@B
    Australia16 days ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note perceived biases in certain topics, which may color interpretations.
Content is thorough and well-researched, with strong narrative flow.
The hosts' chemistry and deep knowledge make history engaging and entertaining.
High quality production and compelling storytelling keep listeners coming back.
Guests bring substantial expertise, enriching the discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

351. Camp David: The Day Israel & Egypt Made Peace (Part 6)
Q: Tell us about Jimmy Carter's role in Camp David.
Carter acted as a bridging figure, creating a conducive, private setting and pressuring both sides to move beyond ideological rigidities, which helped push the negotiations toward a framework that could potentially endure beyond the talks themselves.
348. How 1967 Changed The Middle East Forever (Part 3)
Q: Paint them a portrait of Yitzhak Rabin and Moshe Dayan and their roles in 1948 and 1967.
Rabin and Dayan exemplified Israel's reliance on strong military leadership, transitioning from military roles to civilian leadership, with Dayan's decision-making in 1967 shaping the occupation and Rabin's career illustrating the military-to-political arc that defined Israeli statehood.
349. Occupation of The West Bank (Part 4)
Q: How did the news about Palestinian resistance and the Karameh victory spread across the Arab world?
Arab television and print media rapidly framed Karameh as a Palestinian victory, turning Yasser Arafat into a pan-Arab symbol and fueling recruitment and sympathy across the region.
347. The Six Day War (Part 2)
Q: Does he do it knowing how weak the position is of the Arabs, or does he do it thinking, actually we've got a chance?
Hussein's decision to join the conflict is framed as a risky calculation to secure his throne and align with a broader Arab effort, even as the Arab military position looks vulnerable, indicating a strategic gamble rather than certainty of success.
347. The Six Day War (Part 2)
Q: So where shall we even begin? First of all, thank you and welcome back. Take us to the morning of June the 5th, 1967, because from the Arab perspective, what exactly is happening, particularly, in the Egyptian air bases, first thing in the morning, because that's really interesting.
The Arab world is caught off guard as Israeli jets strike the Egyptian air bases at dawn, exploiting surprise and superior air maneuvering, which leads to a catastrophic early setback for Egypt and shifts the balance of the war in Israel's favor from the opening moments.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Empire: World History

What is Empire: World History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A globe-spanning history show hosted by two established historians who push deep-dives into empires, revolutions, and long arcs of power. Episodes mix scholarly context with vivid storytelling, bringing on a rotating lineup of top historians, archaeologists, and regional experts to unpack the rise and fall of civilizations, from ancient to more recent eras. The format leans into nuanced analysis, lively banter, and connections to today's world, with a paid membership pathway offering early access, ad-free listening, and live-event perks. This combination of rigorous research and accessible narration has helped the program attract a dedicated, well-educated audience of history enthusiasts, students, and professionals.

A standout trait is th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Empire: World History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Empire: World History:

1. The Rest Is History
2. The Rest Is Classified
3. Journey Through Time
4. Dan Snow's History Hit
5. The Rest Is Politics

How many episodes of Empire: World History are there?

Empire: World History launched 4 years ago and published 439 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Empire: World History?

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What guests have appeared on Empire: World History?

Recent guests on Empire: World History include:

1. Raja Shehadeh
2. Jung Chang
3. Christiane Amanpour
4. Eric Cline
5. Simon Goldhill
6. Stephen Fry
7. Professor Josephine Quinn
8. Scott Anderson

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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