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New Books in Ancient History

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This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field. Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: newbooksnetwork.com Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to ge... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes677Founded4 years ago
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History

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Artwork for New Books in Ancient History

Latest Episodes

In September 2025 the Dutch government announced that it would return to Indonesia the fossilized remains of the famous ‘Java Man’, the first known example of an early species of human, homo erectus. The remains had been uncovered by a Dutch archaeol... more

Sarah Derbew’s new book Untangling Blackness in Greek Antiquity (Cambridge UP, 2022) asks how should articulations of blackness from the fifth century BCE to the twenty-first century be properly read and interpreted? This important and timely book is... more

The Indigenous Paleolithic of the Western Hemisphere (U Nebraska Press, 2021) is a reclaimed history of the deep past of Indigenous people in North and South America during the Paleolithic. Paulette F. C. Steeves mines evidence from archaeology sites... more

Blending travelogue, history, and archaeology, Searching for Ashoka: Questing for a Buddhist King from India to Thailand (SUNY Press, 2023) unravels the various avatars of India's most famous emperor, revealing how he came to be remembered—and forgot... more

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Recent Guests

Sarah Ruden
Author of The New Biography of Vergil for Yale University Press
Yale University Press
Episode: Sarah Ruden, "Vergil: The Poet's Life" (Yale UP, 2023)
Maia Kotrosits
Scholar of early Christianity and researcher with the Center for the Study of World Religions at Harvard
Harvard University
Episode: Maia Kotrosits, "After Transformation: Rewriting Time, Christian Late Antiquity, and the Present" (Duke UP, 2025)
Angelos Chaniotis
Professor of Ancient History and Classics at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton
Institute for Advanced Study
Episode: Angelos Chaniotis, "Age of Conquests: The Greek World from Alexander to Hadrian" (Harvard UP, 2018)
David Stasavage
Author and professor at NYU, expert on political institutions
New York University
Episode: David Stasavage, "The Decline and Rise of Democracy: A Global History from Antiquity to Today" (Princeton UP, 2020)
Moudhy Al-Rashid
Honorary fellow at the University of Oxford's Wolfson College specialized in the language and history of ancient Mesopotamia
University of Oxford
Episode: Moudhy Al-Rashid, "Between Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History" (W.W. Norton, 2025)
Justin Stover
Co-author and historian focused on late antiquity and manuscript studies.
Episode: Justin Stover and George Woudhuysen, "The Lost History of Sextus Aurelius Victor" (Edinburgh UP, 2023)
George Woudhuysen
Co-author and historian specializing in late antiquity.
Episode: Justin Stover and George Woudhuysen, "The Lost History of Sextus Aurelius Victor" (Edinburgh UP, 2023)
William H. F. Altman
Scholar and author discussing Cicero's philosophy
Lexington Books
Episode: William H. F. Altman, "The Revival of Platonism in Cicero's Late Philosophy: Platonis Aemulus and the Invention of Cicero" (Lexington Books, 2016)
Jennifer Barry
Historian of early Christianity with a focus on gender violence
U California Press
Episode: Jennifer Barry, "Gender Violence in Late Antiquity: Male Fantasies and the Christian Imagination" (U California Press, 2025)

Host

Gregory McNeff
Host of New Books in Ancient History

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 38 ratings
  • Dreadful

    Dreadful - heaps and heaps of adverts. No thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    KVP123
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Outstanding!

    The authors are compelling advocates for their titles and their knowledge encompasses for more than the titles suggest. So many of these interviews are diamonds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aethelstan972
    United Statesa year ago
  • Stunningly informative

    What an extraordinary range of subjects! If you love ancient history this podcast is a must. It covers areas and subjects that I had no idea existed and gives instant access and insight to the most specialised learning.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hokeykokey
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Great Program

    Enjoy listening to the show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DocSlipperySedate
    United States3 years ago
  • Nice mix

    Wow.. For someone who will never have the time to find and read all of these fascinating books, I find learning about them has been a real treasured find. Thanks.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Comicsans12pt
    Canada4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Feedback highlights the program's informative nature and the thoughtful integration of scholarly content with accessible discussions.
Listeners praise the hosts for their compelling advocacy and knowledge beyond the titles discussed.
The range of subjects covered is extraordinary, making it a must-listen for those interested in ancient history.
Many find this an invaluable resource for discovering fascinating books they may not have the time to read.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#130
Ireland/History
Apple Podcasts
#165
Saudi Arabia/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sarah Ruden, "Vergil: The Poet's Life" (Yale UP, 2023)
Q: What does it suggest about his lifestyle and psychology?
Vergil's lifestyle was influenced by his identity as a homosexual man in Roman society, which could explain his nomadic existence and loneliness.
Sarah Ruden, "Vergil: The Poet's Life" (Yale UP, 2023)
Q: Can you explain that a bit?
Ruden discusses how political conflict relates to the understanding of historical figures and literature, emphasizing the need for a personal interpretation of their lives.
Ellen Muehlberger, "Things Unseen: Essays on Evidence, Knowledge, and the Late Ancient World" (U California Press, 2025)
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope to convey pleasure in reading while encouraging them to blend different types of evidence, fostering a sense of intellectual curiosity and creativity across disciplines.
Ellen Muehlberger, "Things Unseen: Essays on Evidence, Knowledge, and the Late Ancient World" (U California Press, 2025)
Q: How do we know what we know?
It's essential to not just recognize historical facts, but also how various cultural factors shape our understanding of knowledge in antiquity.
Jeremy Swist, "Julian Augustus: Platonism, Myth and the Refounding of Rome" (Oxford UP, 2025)
Q: What makes Julian's approach to ruling different from that of his predecessors?
Julian did not consider himself merely a philosopher who became an emperor; rather, he believed that his role as emperor was to embody and enact philosophical principles in governance.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About New Books in Ancient History

What is New Books in Ancient History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features interviews with scholars who explore significant themes and topics in ancient history through their recent book publications. Each episode offers in-depth discussions, shedding light on various aspects of ancient civilizations, beliefs, and technologies. Notable areas of focus include political systems, warfare, cultural evolution, historical narratives, and the impact of ancient thoughts on contemporary understanding. The insights shared by guests contribute not only to a greater appreciation of the ancient world but also provide valuable connections to modern societies and philosophies. The podcast is particularly noteworthy for its emphasis on academic rigor while making nuanced historical insights accessible to a b... more

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These podcasts share a similar audience with New Books in Ancient History:

1. The Ancients
2. Literature and History
3. Biblical Time Machine
4. The Hellenistic Age Podcast
5. Empire

How many episodes of New Books in Ancient History are there?

New Books in Ancient History launched 4 years ago and published 677 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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What guests have appeared on New Books in Ancient History?

Recent guests on New Books in Ancient History include:

1. Sarah Ruden
2. Maia Kotrosits
3. Angelos Chaniotis
4. David Stasavage
5. Moudhy Al-Rashid
6. Justin Stover
7. George Woudhuysen
8. William H. F. Altman

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