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Instant Classics

Vespucci
The Odyssey
Helen Of Troy
Greek Literature
Trojan War
Homer's Odyssey
Athena
Homer
Roman Empire
Parthenon
Ancient Greece
Rome
Ancient Literature
Euripides
Christopher Nolan
Odysseus
Boudica
Lupercalia
Cleopatra
Zeus
Classical Studies

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/

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes60Founded9 months ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Latest Episodes

Another trailer for Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming adaptation of The Odyssey has just been released, giving more insights into the world the cast and crew have created. Mary and Charlotte give their quick-fire response.

Have your say at…

@instacla... more

For many years, Cleopatra and Mark Antony lived a life of extravagance and passion - or so we’re told. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte look at what happened next. Mark Antony, with Cleopatra, met their enemy Octavian in a sea battle off the coast... more

If it hadn’t been for Rome, Cleopatra’s sole claim to fame may have been that she married two of her brothers. But then Julius Caesar arrived in Alexandria… In this episode, Mary and Charlotte recount what happened next. Caesar came to Egypt in pursu... more

In the first episode of a five-part series, Mary and Charlotte tell the story of Queen Cleopatra’s early years. Forget, for the time being, Elizabeth Taylor rolling out of a rug, poisonous asps and baths of asses’ milk. Focus instead on inbreeding an... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Grayson Perry
Britain-based artist known for ceramics, tapestry, sculpture
Artist, Turner Prize winner
Episode: Classic Chats: Grayson Perry on why he hates classical civilisation
Mary Beard
World-renowned classicist, author of Talking Classics
Cambridge University / scholarly work
Episode: Talking Classics with Mary Beard
Tom Holland
Historian and bestselling author known for his work on ancient history.
The Rest is History
Episode: Classic Chats: Tom Holland
Naomi Alderman
Bestselling novelist and computer games writer, renowned for her insightful societal commentary
Episode: Underneath the Toga pt 2 (With Naomi Alderman)

Host

Mary Beard
World-renowned classicist and co-host, blending rigorous scholarship with relatable storytelling.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 508 ratings
  • Get to the point

    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.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    DzB13
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent

    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!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steve1886
    Australia3 months ago
  • History Geeks Rejoice!

    Finally an entertaining, intelligent and accessible history podcast. Wonderful!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ricknewyork
    United States3 months ago
  • 67

    67 on a merry rizzmas6️⃣7️⃣

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nega da dega
    Finland5 months ago
  • I’d listen to Mary talk about paint drying.

    So insightful and interesting. Love to hear the details of the lives that came way before us and the world they lived in.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Designgirl73
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate the hosts' dynamic chemistry and humor.
Some feedback notes rhythm and pacing vary, with calls for smoother collaboration.
Listeners praise accessibility and depth of historical analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#134
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#44
United Kingdom/History
Apple Podcasts
#111
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#45
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#5
Australia/History
Apple Podcasts
#57
Italy/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Classic Chats: Tom Holland
Q: What took you to the Romans?
Tom expresses that an early childhood fascination with both dinosaurs and the Romans drove his interest, along with specific impactful books that sparked this obsession.
Classic Chats: Tom Holland
Q: How do you actually go about your translations day to day?
Tom recounts his method of tackling sections daily and how locations and his environment play into his writing process, notably his experiences while traveling and during lockdown.
Classic Chats: Tom Holland
Q: Tom, what is it about Suetonius? What are his qualities? What are the things that drew you so close to him?
Tom shares that Suetonius's works resonate with contemporary cultural insights and reflect broad human experiences, making him a compelling subject for translation and study.
Underneath the Toga pt 2 (With Naomi Alderman)
Q: Naomi, why did you decide to study classics?
I have always been enticed by it and had a real love for Ovid from my studies, which motivated me to delve deeper into the subject.
Instant Answers: New Year’s Day Q&A
Q: Why do people want to speak Latin and is there a modern movement?
There's a modern movement, like the Latinitas Project, aiming to teach Latin as a living language to make it accessible and demystify it for learners.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Classics

What is Instant Classics about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A scholarly, accessible deep-dive into ancient history and literature, led by two acclaimed historians/journalists who explore how classical stories remain relevant today. Episodes mix rigorous source discussion with lively banter, addressing politics, gender, myth, and modern culture through Cleopatra, Rome, ancient philosophy, and book-club style explorations, often featuring guest scholars. The show stands out for its strong pair dynamic, rigorous analysis, and approachable narrative that invites both enthusiasts and newcomers to rethink well-trodden histories.

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?

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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?

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. The Ancients
2. The Rest Is History
3. HistoryExtra podcast
4. Gone Medieval
5. In Our Time

How many episodes of Instant Classics are there?

Instant Classics launched 9 months ago and published 60 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.

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What guests have appeared on Instant Classics?

Recent guests on Instant Classics include:

1. Grayson Perry
2. Mary Beard
3. Tom Holland
4. Naomi Alderman

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.

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