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The Ancients

History Hit
Roman Empire
Rome
Mesopotamia
Christianity
Persian Empire
Climate Change
Greek Mythology
Neanderthals
Western Roman Empire
Archaeology
Egypt
Ice Age
Julius Caesar
Carthage
Human Evolution
Bronze Age
Babylon
Alexander the Great
Ancient Rome
Augustus

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.

New episodes every Sunday and Thursday.

From History Hit, the world's best history channel and creators of award-winning ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes722Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Latest Episodes

Armageddon is more than just a biblical prophecy hailing the end of days. It is a real place: Megiddo, an ancient city that for thousands of years stood at the crossroads of empires, trade routes and wars in the ancient Near East.

In this episode of... more

How did ancient China plunge into 261 years of chaos, and how did that turmoil forge an empire?

Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Andrew Seth Meyer to explore the Warring States period, from collapsing Zhou power and ruthless coups to mass armie... more

The first ever outbreak of 'plague' - Yersinia Pestis, the most feared disease in human history - was long thought to be the Plague of Justinian in 541 AD. But new studies of ancient DNA have revealed traces of Yesinia Pestis dating back more than 5,... more

Near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital commercial chokepoints, lies an ancient trade route that powered civilisation 4,000 years ago: the Persian Gulf - where goods and ideas flowed between the great cities of Mesopotamia, Arabia an... more

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Recent Guests

Laura Spinney
Science journalist and author
Episode: The Prehistoric Plague
Steffen Laursen
Senior Curator at Al Ain Museum; expert on Bronze Age Dilmun
Al Ain Museum
Episode: The Persian Gulf
Lloyd Weeks
Professor of Archaeology at the University of New England; expert on Gulf and Dilmun
University of New England
Episode: The Persian Gulf
Dr. Jessica Venner
Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the University of Oxford and author of The Lost Voices of Pompeii
University of Oxford / The Lost Voices of Pompeii
Episode: The Last Days of Pompeii
Dr. Emma Finestone
Associate Curator of Human Origins
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Episode: The First Tools
Michael Scott
Professor of Classics and Ancient History at Warwick University
Warwick University
Episode: Athens vs Persia: The Legend of Themistocles
Elena Devecchi
Associate Professor at the University of Turin
University of Turin
Episode: The Hittites
Ella Al-Shamahi
Paleoanthropologist, presenter, comedian, and author
Independent, associated with History Hit projects
Episode: Homo Sapiens vs Neanderthals
Barry Cunliffe
Archaeologist and author focusing on ancient trade networks
University of Oxford (historical), author of Driven by the Monsoons
Episode: The Romans and China

Host

Tristan Hughes
Host of The Ancients, with expertise in engaging storytelling and a passion for ancient history.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.4k ratings
  • Inane laughter

    The recent episode on Pompei is an example of annoying idiotic laughter infecting some episodes. Forced laughter at lame humour is unedifying and ruining these episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Gloomberg
    United Kingdom17 days ago
  • On my “must listen” list

    Tristan does an excellent job in steering the conversation between the drama and the sometimes slightly nurdy details that allow us to understand how history developed in the ancient world. He is also a brilliant interviewer of the best academics in the respective fields . Never boring - always teaching new aspects of the past .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Hendrik Brussels
    Belgium18 days ago
  • Pretty good show

    I disagree with some of your takes (like on Neanderthals), but still a good show. Keep bringing lesser known history into the light!!! I would appreciate some more mid evil content as well!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Obsessed Listener 🔥🔥
    United States20 days ago
  • An interesting listen

    This is a very interesting and well presented podcast with a very varied array of fascinating topics

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EMH&S
    United Kingdom22 days ago
  • Host is dry

    The topics are generally interesting and the guests are all engaging but the host is dry and pulls my interest out of the conversation. I find myself skipping episode sometimes because of the host.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    printedvintage
    Canada23 days ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast is celebrated for its ability to make ancient history accessible and enjoyable for diverse audiences, from serious learners to casual fans.
Many commend the expert guests for their deep insights and knowledge, contributing to educational value.
Listeners appreciate the breadth of topics covered, often highlighting the engaging style of the host.
Some feedback mentions a desire for longer, more in-depth episodes, reflecting the audience's hunger for comprehensive historical discussions.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Prehistoric Plague
Q: What defines plague when we go back to prehistoric times?
Plague, in this context, is defined not only by the specific bacterium Yersinia pestis but also by the presence of related pathogens in ancient remains, with evidence gathered from teeth and bones using ancient DNA techniques to distinguish human and microbe genomes.
The Persian Gulf
Q: What was the scale and significance of Bronze Age trade through the Gulf?
Trade flows were enormous and interconnected, with the Gulf acting as a major conduit linking Mesopotamia, Dilmun, the Indus Valley, and beyond; ships carried tens of tons of copper and other goods, supported by a sophisticated bureaucratic system and harbor towns that facilitated long-distance exchanges.
The First Tools
Q: What were these tools used for? Were they primarily for meat processing, plant processing, or something else?
Use-wear studies show plant processing is the majority of tool use signals, with a significant portion also dedicated to animal processing; bones with cut marks reveal access to meat and marrow, and woodworking suggests making tools to shape other objects.
The First Tools
Q: But we will be focusing on those earliest modified rocks. So Emma, how far back are we going with these earliest modified rocks?
Emma explains that the Lomekwian industry dates to about 3.3 million years ago and the Oldowan to about 2.9 million years ago, with tools found in West Turkana, Kenya, and that evidence accumulates across Africa over long stretches of time.
Britain's First Dog
Q: How did you determine this mandible belonged to a dog and not a wolf?
DNA sequencing from the bone powder showed clear genetic markers that align with domesticated dogs rather than gray wolves, which served as the decisive evidence.

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?

A captivating exploration of ancient history, this series features rich discussions on various themes and figures from antiquity, aiming to make historical content accessible and engaging. Episodes often include interviews with esteemed historians and archaeologists who provide valuable insights into topics ranging from the achievements of ancient civilizations to pivotal historical events. With a format that emphasizes diverse perspectives and broad geographic coverage, listeners can expect to learn about underrepresented narratives alongside well-known stories in ancient history, making it a noteworthy choice for history enthusiasts.

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How many listeners does The Ancients get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ancients?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ancients:

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

How many episodes of The Ancients are there?

The Ancients launched 6 years ago and published 722 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 The Ancients?

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What guests have appeared on The Ancients?

Recent guests on The Ancients include:

1. Laura Spinney
2. Steffen Laursen
3. Lloyd Weeks
4. Dr. Jessica Venner
5. Dr. Emma Finestone
6. Michael Scott
7. Elena Devecchi
8. Ella Al-Shamahi

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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