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The Ancients

History Hit
Bronze Age Collapse
Sea Peoples
Jesus Of Nazareth
Ancient Rome
Iron Age
Mesolithic
Egypt
Ireland
Hittites
Mycenaeans
Marcus Tullius Cicero
Roman Republic
Julius Caesar
Sewage and Sanitation
Public Toilets
Public Baths
Slavery In Rome
Class Divide
Pickpockets
Roman Religion

A podcast for all ancient history fans! The Ancients is dedicated to discussing our distant past. Featuring interviews with historians and archaeologists, each episode covers a specific theme from antiquity. From Neolithic Britain to the Fall of Rome. Hosted by Tristan Hughes.

Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcast... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes615Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Ancients

Latest Episodes

Embark on an epic journey with Tristan Hughes and acclaimed author William Dalrymple as they unravel the enigma of the Kushan Empire, the ancient superpower of Central Asia. Together they tell the riveting stories behind the Empire's rise in Bactria ... more

Tristan Hughes journeys into the heart of one of history's most intriguing civilisations: the Minoans. With Professor Nicoletta Momigliano, he explores the origins and rise of these Bronze Age titans on Crete around 7,000 BC, their early settlements,... more

How is the unique narrative of the Ark of the Covenant deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and tradition?

Embark on a journey to the Kingdom of Aksum with host Tristan Hughes and archeologist Dil Singh Basanti, located in present-day northern Ethiopi... more

Buried in ash, frozen in time—Pompeii offers one of the most extraordinary windows into everyday life in ancient Rome.

In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of Pompeii, to explore the latest di... more

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Recent Guests

Dil Singh Basanti
PhD candidate at Northwestern University with a focus on Aksumite archaeology and mortuary practices
Northwestern University
Episode: The Kingdom of Aksum
Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel
Director of Pompeii, overseeing significant archaeological projects
Pompeii Archaeological Park
Episode: Pompeii: The Buried City
Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid
An Assyriologist and Assistant Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, expert in ancient Mesopotamian astronomy, medicine, and technology.
Wolfson College, Oxford
Episode: Origins of Astronomy
Dr. Graham Wrightson
Associate Professor of History at South Dakota State University, an expert on ancient warfare
South Dakota State University
Episode: Successors of Alexander the Great
Dr. Peter Heather
Professor of Medieval History at King's College London, expert on the Saxons and their migrations
King's College London
Episode: The Saxons
Dr. Dafydd Daniel
A lecturer in divinity at the University of St. Andrews
University of St. Andrews
Episode: The Council of Nicaea
Adrian Goldsworthy
Historian and bestselling author, previously appeared on the podcast to discuss Rome's conflicts.
Author of The Fall of the West, The Death of the Roman Superpower
Episode: The Last Roman Emperors
Kyle Harper
Professor specializing in environmental history and author of "The Fate of Rome, Climate, Disease and the End of an Empire"
University of Oklahoma
Episode: Did Plague Destroy the Roman Empire?
Professor Peter Heather
Author of The Fall of the Roman Empire, A New History of Rome and the Barbarians
King's College London
Episode: Barbarian Invaders: The Sacks of Rome

Host

Tristan Hughes
Host of The Ancients, engaging with historians and experts to discuss diverse topics related to ancient history.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 10.1k ratings
  • Voice quality

    Please instruct your guest how to deliver podcast material effectively. Frequent poor audio performance delivered by guest speakers wrecks my listening experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Longaway
    United States23 days ago
  • Great Pods on the Fall of Rome!

    Tristan thanks for the fantastic pods on the fall of Rome. Lots of ideas to consider. I wish there was more on the differences that allowed the Eastern Empire to survive. Why did the West start to lose control of its provinces in the first instance? Decreased population? Why didn’t the plagues hit the barbarian populations as hard before or after they entered the Empire? Enough questions on the Fall of Rome for its own podcast! (BTW Prof. Heather’s occasional silliness took away from his oth... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Friends with Pods
    United States24 days ago
  • Great topics, but..

    The background music is too loud, makes it very hard to hear the dialogue.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Yve1789
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best podcast

    Treasure of a podcast, Tristan Hughes is an amazing interviewer. Keep the good work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    apedamak
    Australiaa month ago
  • Consistently entertaining and informative

    Even well-trod subjects get treated with nuance

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wtfsteve
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the host is often described as approachable and knowledgeable, enhancing the listening experience.
Many enjoy the broad range of ancient topics covered, from archaeology to historical narratives.
Some listeners express concerns over specific episodes, particularly regarding guest opinions.
Listeners appreciate the academic depth and engaging discussions brought forth by expert guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Kingdom of Aksum
Q: How do the stories of the Queen of Sheba and the Ark of the Covenant relate to Aksum?
The stories, particularly in the Kebun Agast, establish connections between Aksum, Solomon, and the lineage of rulers, intertwining religion with the kingdom's identity.
The Kingdom of Aksum
Q: Before we actually talk about Christianity in Axum, do we know much about the religion or religions that the Axumites followed before Christianity arrived there?
The Axumites practiced a form of polytheism with a South Arabian pantheon, including gods like Al-Muqah, Maharem, and Beher, with influences across cultures due to trade.
The Kingdom of Aksum
Q: Can you explain to us how the royal members of the Axumite dynasty, how the elites buried their dead, and then how that relates to these great monuments?
The stelae themselves are burial markers that originated from agro-pastoral societies and became monumental in size, reflecting the status of the elites.
The Kingdom of Aksum
Q: Dil, can you talk to us a bit about the types of source material that we have, that experts and archaeologists like yourself have for learning more about the Kingdom of Oxum?
We have foreign records, internal inscriptions in Gez, Sabian and Greek, coins, and traditional histories that relate to Oxum to help us understand its past.
Origins of Astronomy
Q: Does astronomy, the field of astronomy, does it begin in Mesopotamia?
I would say written astronomy begins in ancient Mesopotamia.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ancients

What is The Ancients about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the vast landscape of ancient history, this podcast offers insightful discussions on various topics ranging from Neolithic eras to pivotal moments like the Fall of Rome. Each episode typically features interviews with historians and archaeologists, bringing academic depth and expertise to the forefront, thereby appealing to enthusiasts and casual listeners alike. The format underscores distinctive themes relating to antiquity, with each episode revealing unique insights into the past, such as significant archaeological findings, important literary works, and overarching historical narratives, making it invaluable for anyone curious about our ancient heritage.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ancients?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ancients:

1. Gone Medieval
2. Not Just the Tudors
3. Dan Snow's History Hit
4. History Extra podcast
5. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

How many episodes of The Ancients are there?

The Ancients launched 5 years ago and published 615 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 The Ancients?

Recent guests on The Ancients include:

1. Dil Singh Basanti
2. Dr. Gabriel Zuchtriegel
3. Dr. Moudhy Al-Rashid
4. Dr. Graham Wrightson
5. Dr. Peter Heather
6. Dr. Dafydd Daniel
7. Adrian Goldsworthy
8. Kyle Harper

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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