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The Ancients

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

New episodes every Sunday and Thursday.

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes691Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
History

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Artwork for The Ancients

Latest Episodes

Adam and Eve: parents of humanity, or characters in a Near Eastern myth about wisdom, mortality, and the limits of being human?

Tristan Hughes and Dr Dylan Johnson strip away the Sunday school varnish to re-examine the story of Adam and Eve, startin... more

What do we know about the earliest Popes, and how did they shape the early Christian Church amidst persecution?

Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Rosamond McKitterick to journey back to Imperial Rome to uncover the fascinating tales of the earli... more

He is one of the most famous rulers of the ancient world, remembered for leading a vast Persian invasion of Greece. Yet Xerxes the Great was far more than just a battlefield king.

In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by friend o... more

396 BC. The city of Veii lies in ruins, destroyed by Rome in a brutal act of early imperial expansion. Yet just six years later, Rome itself would face devastation at the hands of invading Gauls, a shock that would shape the city’s identity for gener... more

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Recent Guests

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. Roel Konijnendijk
Derby Fellow in Ancient History at Lincoln College
Lincoln College, Oxford
Episode: Fall of Sparta
Dr. Owen Rees
Lecturer in Applied Sciences
Birmingham Newman University
Episode: Fall of Sparta
Peter Heather
Historian and author whose book 'Christendom' explores the rise of Christianity.
Episode: Rise of Christianity
Cody Cassidy
Author and historian focusing on survival in historical contexts
Episode: The Ice Age

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 11.9k ratings
  • Great Ancient History Pod

    Great pod on Diocletian, Tristan. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Friends with Pods
    United States14 days 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 States19 days 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 States22 days ago
  • Excellent

    Great podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Markb3001
    United States22 days 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 States24 days 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

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
The Origins of Rome's Empire
Q: What type of warfare characterized early Roman conflicts?
Early Roman warfare involved low-level tribal raiding and competition for portable wealth, rather than territory or land.
The Origins of Rome's Empire
Q: What is the significance of the transition from a monarchy to a republic in Rome?
It marked the end of power concentration in a single family, leading to a broader distribution of power among elite families, but for the common people, it was largely a non-event.
The First Arabians
Q: Do we see quite a population boom in Arabia around 7,000 years ago?
Yes, around 7,000 years ago, there was a population boom as conditions became more favorable after a period of aridity.
The First Arabians
Q: Can you explain how DNA is making us rethink the nature of those migrations into Arabia at that time?
DNA reveals that population changes and expansions are much more complex than once thought; early migrations were small and genetically less diverse due to bottlenecks.

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?

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 691 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. Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones
2. Dr. Jeremy Armstrong
3. Dr. Pierre Zalloua
4. Dr. Francis Macintosh
5. Natalie Haynes
6. Dr. Roel Konijnendijk
7. Dr. Owen Rees
8. Peter Heather

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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