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Artwork for The Ancients

The Ancients

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

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 weeklyEpisodes697Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Ancients

Latest Episodes

Tristan Hughes and Dr Adrian Goldsworthy continue the special series on Alexander the Great, delving into the epic sieges of Tyre and Gaza in 332 BC, and Alexander's triumphant campaign through Egypt.

They explore the strategic brilliance at the Ba... more

In the depths of ancient Jericho, beneath layers of earth dating back 10,000 years, archaeologists uncovered something extraordinary: human skulls cast in plaster, their faces carefully reconstructed and their eyes set with shells. Who were these hau... more

In spring 334 BC, a young Macedonian king sets out to conquer the Persian Empire.

Tristan Hughes and Dr Adrian Goldsworthy explore Alexander the Great’s early campaigns, from the daring crossing into Asia to incredible victories. They discuss Alexan... more

More than 5,000 years ago, a revolutionary script emerged in the fertile lands of Mesopotamia that would transform how people counted, governed, worshipped and told stories. This was cuneiform, the world’s earliest known writing system.

In this epis... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Raven Todd DeSilva
Award-winning archaeologist and art conservator
Episode: The Skulls of Jericho
Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy
Historian and author, focusing on Alexander the Great and ancient military strategy
Episode: The Invasion of Persia | Alexander the Great
Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
Professor of Ancient History at Cardiff University and author of Persians, The Age of Great Kings
Cardiff University
Episode: Xerxes the Great
Dr. Jeremy Armstrong
Professor of Ancient History at the University of Auckland and author of Children of Mars, The Origins of Rome's Empire.
University of Auckland
Episode: The Origins of Rome's Empire
Dr. Pierre Zalloua
Professor of Genetics at Califah University
Califah University
Episode: The First Arabians
Dr. Francis Macintosh
Collections Curator for English Heritage at Hadrian's Wall
English Heritage
Episode: How to Survive on Hadrian’s Wall
Natalie Haynes
Acclaimed classicist and best-selling author, known for exploring ancient myths and their modern relevance.
Author of No Friend to This House
Episode: Medea: Maligned Sorceress or Heartless Murderer?
Dr. Owen Rees
Lecturer in Applied Sciences
Birmingham Newman University
Episode: Fall of Sparta
Dr. Roel Konijnendijk
Derby Fellow in Ancient History at Lincoln College
Lincoln College, Oxford
Episode: Fall of Sparta

Host

Tristan Hughes
Host of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes brings a passionate and engaging approach to discussing ancient history, featuring interviews with a variety of historians and archaeologists.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12.1k ratings
  • Great Ancient History Pod

    Great pod on Diocletian, Tristan. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Friends with Pods
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love this podcast!

    This podcast is amazing! I listen weekly. I’d love to see more episodes about ancient cultures within sub-Sahara Africa and kingdoms like Kush and their interaction with the Mediterranean.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cait_lee
    United Statesa month ago
  • Best Storytelling Ever

    The recent episode (31/12/25) The First Life On Earth, was the most fascinating, most fun to listen to, best ever story ever! It’s only the second podcast episode I’ve ever listened to twice, it was that enjoyable. The whole show is wonderful, but even among greats, this one stood out. Cannot recommend highly enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DataTater
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent

    Great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Markb3001
    United Statesa month ago
  • Broad and interesting

    Covers a global range of topics; Tristan is laid back and the guests always bring expertise. I initially thought it was a bit too random as it skips all over time and space, but actually have come to love the sampler approach as I can dive deeper into topics I learned about here.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EllenReview0000
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the energetic and enthusiastic presentation, making episodes enjoyable to listen to.
Feedback indicates a desire for enhanced guest information to be included in episodes.
Listeners appreciate the variety of subjects covered and the expertise of the guests.
Engaging and informative content that brings ancient history to life.
The host's interviewing style is praised for making complex topics accessible.

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 Fall of Persia | Alexander the Great
Q: Why does Alexander push further into the Persian heartland?
Alexander pursues a relentless campaign to secure his rule and eliminate threats, particularly against Darius who has fled, in an ongoing effort to secure the vast resources of the Persian Empire.
The Fall of Persia | Alexander the Great
Q: What challenges does Alexander face in the siege of Tyre?
The siege is exceptionally difficult due to Tyre being on an island, fortified defenses, and the need to build a mole to reach it, requiring extensive ingenuity and engineering skills.
The Fall of Persia | Alexander the Great
Q: How much of an empire does Alexander have by this time?
By the time he's facing Darius, Alexander has extended his control into significant territories, but he still has to secure the Mediterranean coastline and confront the vast Persian Empire.
Adam and Eve
Q: What does the story of Adam and Eve mean in terms of wisdom?
It becomes clear that the story carries substantial wisdom imagery, particularly in the journey from childlike ignorance to the knowledge of good and evil.
The Origins of Rome's Empire
Q: What role did the Gallic sack of Rome play in shaping Roman identity and response?
It surprised the Romans, demonstrating their vulnerability and leading to a renewed focus on the importance of the city of Rome and a greater sense of community and cohesion among the elites.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Ancients

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

Focused on exploring the rich tapestry of our distant past, this audio series brings ancient history to life through in-depth discussions and interviews with leading historians and archaeologists. Each episode centers on a specific theme from antiquity, covering a wide range of topics from ancient civilizations, battles, and cultures to influential texts and significant historical figures. The engaging storytelling is complemented by expert insights that offer listeners a deeper understanding of the historical context and relevance of the subjects presented. Unique in its ability to make complex historical themes relatable and accessible to a broad audience, it attracts history enthusiasts who seek both education and entertainment in their ... more

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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 697 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. Raven Todd DeSilva
2. Dr. Adrian Goldsworthy
3. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
4. Dr. Jeremy Armstrong
5. Dr. Pierre Zalloua
6. Dr. Francis Macintosh
7. Natalie Haynes
8. Dr. Owen Rees

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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