
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 | Twice weekly | Episodes | 20 | Founded | 4 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

Recorded live in an actual Roman amphitheatre underneath the Guildhall Art Gallery in London, Mary and Charlotte uncover the (Roman) origins of one of the world’s great cities.
London’s Roman amphitheatre may not be the Colosseum, but it’s thought i... more
Athena: goddess, shape-shifter, helper of heroes, fashion guru, patron deity of Athens and a bit of a daddy’s girl. She’s also one of the most elusive and puzzling characters in Greek mythology. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte ask who exactly is ... more
In the second of this two-part special, Mary and Charlotte rejoin Boudica as she marches on London, continues her path of destruction, and finally meets the Roman army on the battlefield.
It’s a dramatic story, complete with Boudica’s rousing speech... more
Boudica. Britain’s original badass. A warrior queen who almost defeated the Romans, gave voice to the oppressed and inspired countless school children ever since. But what do we really know about her? Mary and Charlotte trace her story, asking how mu... more
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Enjoying it while on mat leave - baby seems to like listening to it too! Particularly loving the Odyssey book club and hoping the Iliad is next. Found it via Tom Holland RIHC and glad I did!
What a breath of fresh air to listen to these brilliant historians discuss classical history and poetry. Unlike all the cringing I do as I listen to brilliant male historians, this podcast is a balm. And they’re really funny too.
I love listening to Charlotte and Mary with their new take on issues, incidents and periods in classical history. They gel so well together as hosts and the topics range from Roman ghost stories to Athenian politics. I especially enjoy hearing the different classical writers dissected along with their own context and bias with the phrase 'it's complicated' when solving historical conundrums.
I met Mary recently at her book signing after her talk at Manchester Tate and managed to mumble out that ... more
As a fan of both of these historians, I thought I'd love this, however, it's hard to listen to. The subjects have been good but the two women talk over each other a lot, which I find jarring, I don't know if it's each want to show off their knowledge or whether Charlotte is filling in the silence/trying to move things along as Mary speaks so slowly. I will keep listening and hope the rhythm settles down.
I love Mary Beard and just found this podcast. I love listening to her and Charlotte make history interesting. Thank you!!
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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Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This podcast explores the connections between ancient history and modern life, featuring discussions led by an esteemed classicist and a prominent culture writer. The hosts illuminate various aspects of Greek and Roman history, covering iconic figures, significant events, and cultural artifacts while relating them to contemporary issues and themes. Episodes offer engaging narratives woven with humor, insights, and a critical examination of historical interpretations, making ancient history accessible and thought-provoking for all audiences. Notably, the focus on the relevance of classical themes in today's society sets this podcast apart, encouraging curiosity and stimulating discussions around enduring societal questions.
Listeners can ex... more
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Instant Classics launched 4 months ago and published 20 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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