Instant Classics
VespucciJoin world-renowned classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins for Instant Classics — the weekly podcast that proves ancient history is still relevant. Ancient stories, modern twists… and no degree in Classics required. Discover The Odyssey and join the book club at: www.exploringtheodyssey.com
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 90 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||
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Latest Episodes
Last episode, Mary and Charlotte looked at how Homer’s Odyssey was reinterpreted in the Ancient World by writers like Euripides, Virgil and Ovid. In this episode, they show how it shaped English fiction - from Shakespeare through to Madeline Miller. ... more
Ever since the Odyssey was composed, people have retold the story, played with it or used it as a departure point for similar or related stories. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte look at what happened next. How the Odyssey inspired other writers l... more
Few elements of ancient Rome have inspired quite such lurid speculation – by the Romans as well as ourselves – as the vestal virgins. Mary and Charlotte enter the (imaginary) temple of Vesta to separate fact from myth.
The Vestal Virgins were six (a... more
Mary and Charlotte talk to best-selling author Robert Harris about his new novel ‘Agrippa’. Robert Harris has published 16 novels, of which nine have been made into films, including The Ghost Writer, Enigma and the Oscar-winning papal thriller Concla... more
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Want to join the bookclub - but it says the site www.exploring the odyssey.com can’t be reached. Please check
Apple Podcasts1incomprehensible please help
United Kingdom2 months ago - The Odyssey instant review
Thank you for a great review . I have listened to a few on this Hollywood movie and your wisdom and knowledge shows . It’s the best .
Apple Podcasts5Jayoz
United States2 months ago - Classics for the Smart Girls
I love this podcast! Both hosts are experts and extremely talented in the field of classical studies. It’s my new favorite podcast and has me pondering picking up a Latin book! I hope they continue to do this for a long time. I love that they mention women’s history and perspectives often and provide fun overviews on common stores or themes in classical Roman and Greek history.
Apple Podcasts5MuhKayKayxdUnited States2 months ago - 1 star
It didn't take long for Charlotte to take this down the modern political drain. Good Lord we don't care to hear her narrow and intolerant political views.
Apple Podcasts1Mikey Likes PodcastsUnited States3 months ago - Feminist, literary theory
If someone wants to know why there’s a presence of populist movements in the western world one only has to listen to the feminist literary theory and political correctness to understand why. Dogma is dogma. I dropped out of a Masters program because of the PC Cultural Revolution. I study literature at the free public library, and I no longer listen to the reactionary politicians that this movement precipitated.
Apple Podcasts1August ConsumerUnited States4 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #185 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #48 | United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #185 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #58 |  Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #125 |  France/History |
Apple Podcasts | #170 |  Germany/History |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Classics
What is Instant Classics about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A scholarly yet accessible history show that explores ancient Rome and Greece through contemporary angles, from politics and cinema to literature and cultural memory. Episodes commonly feature intense, informed discussions with experts and high-profile guests, touching on topics like democracy in antiquity, Cleopatra in film and literature, and modern adaptations of epic myths. A standout element is the blend of rigorous classical scholarship with playful, curiosity-driven conversation, plus a recurring book-club element that invites deeper engagement with ancient texts. The format often balances pedagogy with witty banter, making complex ideas approachable for curious listeners who may not have a Classics background.
Where can I find podcast stats for Instant Classics?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Instant Classics. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Instant Classics and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does Instant Classics get?
Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Instant Classics, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.
What are the audience demographics for Instant Classics?
Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Instant Classics, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.
How many subscribers and views does Instant Classics have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Instant Classics has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to Instant Classics?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Instant Classics:
1. Ancient Lives with Mary Beard
2. The Book Club
3. In Our Time
4. Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics
5. The Rest Is History
How many episodes of Instant Classics are there?
Instant Classics launched a year ago and published 90 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 Instant Classics?
Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.
Where can I see ratings and reviews for Instant Classics?
Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Instant Classics from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.
View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Instant Classics?
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What guests have appeared on Instant Classics?
Recent guests on Instant Classics include:
1. Jonty Claypole
2. Robert Harris
3. Emily Wilson
4. Charlotte Higgins
5. Count Binface
6. Tom Hiddleston
7. Maria Wyke
8. Joy Connolly
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.