
Join 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. Become a Member of the Instant Classics Book Club here: instantclassics.supportingcast.fm/
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 57 | Founded | 9 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

Mary and Charlotte talk to artist Grayson Perry about why he hates classical civilisation. Grayson is one of Britain’s most famous artists - he won the Turner Prize in 2003, has been exhibited in major exhibitions across the globe, published books an... more
In this episode, Mary and Charlotte’s special guest is… Mary Beard! On the day of publication of her new book, Talking Classics, Mary does just that - talks classics with Charlotte.
Talking Classics is a summation of Mary’s 50 years study of the anc... more
Mary and Charlotte explore the story of Perpetua, a young Christian woman tortured and murdered in the Roman arena in Carthage (modern day Tunisia) for her faith in the 3rd Century CE. Astonishingly, Perpetua kept a diary during her last days - right... more
Antigone is one of the most regularly staged Greek tragedies with great actors lining up to play the part. Juliette Binoche, Juliet Stevenson and Gillian Anderson have all had a crack in recent years. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte look at why A... more
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I have always loved Mary Beard but I find the style of this podcast quite frustrating. One example was the recent episode on what poor Romans ate. Lots of words, lots of examples of how we know what they ate, but very little information on what they ate.
Very accessible and interesting. Allows you to enter this fascinating world even if you never studied the subject and have no knowledge of Greek or Latin or much history!
Finally an entertaining, intelligent and accessible history podcast. Wonderful!
67 on a merry rizzmas6️⃣7️⃣
So insightful and interesting. Love to hear the details of the lives that came way before us and the world they lived in.
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
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Apple Podcasts | #152 |
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A captivating exploration of ancient history, this podcast features in-depth discussions on various figures, themes, and narratives from the classical world. With hosts who bring both vast knowledge and engaging dialogue, episodes frequently dive into topics like mythology, notable historical figures such as Helen of Troy and Boudica, and the societal implications of ancient customs that resonate with modern life. Rich in humor and accessible storytelling, it invites listeners without formal backgrounds in Classics to engage with and appreciate the stories and complexities of the past, showcasing how these ancient tales continue to evolve in contemporary contexts. The hosts' dynamic chemistry and expert insights make for a delightful audito... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Instant Classics:
1. The Ancients
2. Dan Snow's History Hit
3. Gone Medieval
4. The Rest Is History
5. In Our Time
Instant Classics launched 9 months ago and published 57 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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Recent guests on Instant Classics include:
1. Mary Beard
2. Tom Holland
3. Naomi Alderman
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