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 | 100 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||
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Latest Episodes
Medea is one of the most intriguing characters in Greek mythology: a sorceress, scion of the sungod, and a serial killer. In the first part of a new series, Mary and Charlotte begin with the incident for which she is most famous: the murder of her ow... more
It’s not every year that a classicist wins the Nobel Prize for Literature (in fact, it hasn’t happened since 1959), so Mary and Charlotte interrupt the schedule to reflect on Anne Carson’s extraordinary career as both a classicist and a poet.
Carson... more
We think of cancel culture as a 21st-century phenomenon, but it’s been going on since the ancient Egyptians (if not earlier) and the Romans were enthusiastic adopters as a strategy for control. Mary and Charlotte discuss ‘damnatio memoriae’ (condemna... more
There are thousands of surviving busts and sculptures of Roman emperors, but… do we actually know what they looked like? The problem is that the function of these statues was less to do with realistically representing the supreme ruler (if at all), a... more
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Reviews
- Disappointing
A rather pale imitation of The Rest is History. The Robert Harris episode a particular disappointment. Why invite the man and then take all the oxygen? Holland and Sandbrook need not worry.
Apple Podcasts2Seabo2412
Switzerland17 days ago - Love this show!
I always enjoy this show. I studied theatre in college and these conversations bring some of that back. Makes me want to go back and study the classics…..especially if Tom Hiddleston is the Prof! 😁
Apple Podcasts524mc
United States3 months ago - Great work
Wow! That Tom Hiddleston interview is terrific! Thank you.
Apple Podcasts5Ward F Cooper
United Kingdom3 months ago - The classics shaped me too
It was a breath of fresh (ancient?) air listening to Tom Hiddleston speak about the significant impact classics had on his life. My Latin tutelage under a strict nun in high school and a rich classics department in college have always been very special to me. We literally cannot live in our world today without something from the ancient world being present. Great discussion and so glad there are others that feel so deeply about the classics. Ps. YES I translated the Aeneid from Latin and the... more
Apple Podcasts5HilSpilUnited States3 months ago - Your site
Want to join the bookclub - but it says the site www.exploring the odyssey.com can’t be reached. Please check
Apple Podcasts1incomprehensible please helpUnited Kingdom3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #249 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #110 | United Kingdom/History |
Apple Podcasts | #170 |  Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #161 |  Australia/History |
Apple Podcasts | #225 |  Germany/History |
Apple Podcasts | #216 |  Argentina/Top Podcasts |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Classics
What is Instant Classics about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Weekly conversations connect ancient Greek and Roman history, literature, and material culture with questions that still matter today. Classicists Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins combine close readings of ancient sources with lively debate, personal anecdotes, and modern comparisons, making topics such as Roman power, gender, memory, and the reception of Homer approachable without requiring prior study. Some installments feature authors, translators, and scholars discussing their work, while recurring conversations about the Odyssey explore its translations, adaptations, and influence across centuries. The distinctive appeal is the pairing of Beard's expertise in the ancient world with Higgins's literary and cultural perspective, alongside... more
Where can I find podcast stats for Instant Classics?
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How many listeners does Instant Classics get?
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What are the audience demographics for Instant Classics?
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How many subscribers and views does Instant Classics have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Instant Classics?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Instant Classics:
1. HistoryExtra podcast
2. Empire: World History
3. Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics
4. In Our Time
5. The Ancients
How many episodes of Instant Classics are there?
Instant Classics launched a year ago and published 100 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?
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What guests have appeared on Instant Classics?
Recent guests on Instant Classics include:
1. Josephine Quinn
2. Daniel Mendelsohn
3. Jonty Claypole
4. Robert Harris
5. Emily Wilson
6. Charlotte Higgins
7. Count Binface
8. Tom Hiddleston
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.