Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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In this episode of the Toldinstone Podcast, Dr. Bret Devereaux (the blogger behind "A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry") discusses the relationships between fantasy and ancient history - and why historical accuracy matters, even in fiction.

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If you liked this video, you might also enjoy my book “Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants: Frequently Asked Questions about the Ancient Greeks and Romans.”

amazon.com/Naked-Statues-Fat-Gladiators-Elephants/dp/1633887022

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Chapters:
0:00 How far could a troll toss a soldier?
5:19 Thinking with the Siege of Gondor
17:05 Horses are not battering rams
28:14 Steppe horse archers were terrifying
33:40 Gondor isn't Byzantium...
35:32 And Westeros isn't Medieval Europe
48:31 Why historical accuracy matters in fiction
53:01 The past is a different country