
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 | 26 | Founded | 5 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Category | History | |||

We may think of Ancient Greek warfare as scantily dressed musclemen thrashing it out on the desert plain (and there may have been an element of that), but there was a whole other side of spy work too. Much of this was the result of its fraught relati... more
Naomi Alderman is an author and games designer. Her books include Disobedience (adapted into a film starring Rachel Weisz), The Power (also an Amazon Prime series) and most recently The Future. She’s also an emerging classicist and reached out to Ins... more
Since Instant Classics launched, we’ve loved getting your questions and ideas for topics. So for our New Year’s Day episode, Mary and Charlotte respond to some of those which have tickled their curiosity too.
Where did the Romans stash their cash? W... more
Every December, the Ancient Romans took part in a festival of feasting, drinking, gift-giving and awkward office parties. So far, so Christmas. But, in this episode, Mary and Charlotte ask what really went on during the Roman festival of Saturnalia a... more
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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.
Enjoying your talks. Please, please use the older terms BC and AD to describe timing and not BCE / CE. As a layman, I find the terms incredibly confusing and distracting. For your “nonacademic” listeners, ( not from academia), please use the terms people grew up with. It would make listening to your podcast so much more enjoyable. Thank you.
these two are so passionate, fun, silly, and knowledgeable. it’s a privilege to get to listen to them, i eagerly await new eps.
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!
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Apple Podcasts | #47 |
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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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These podcasts share a similar audience with Instant Classics:
1. The Ancients
2. The Rest Is History
3. In Our Time
4. Gone Medieval
5. Dan Snow's History Hit
Instant Classics launched 5 months ago and published 26 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. Naomi Alderman
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