Are Neanderthals Better Than Us Homo Sapiens? The Ancients 2026-04-12 | Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi joins Tristan Hughes to explore the relationship between Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens. What interactions between early Homo sapiens and Neanderthals may have been like, from communication and cultural exchange to interbreeding and the possibility of hybrid children navigating belonging. They discuss how new research is challenging “primitive” stereotypes to reveal how Neanderthals were complex beings who used pigments, pierced shells, talons, feathers, and created cave handprints. 0:00 40,000 years ago: The Last Human Standing0:40 Introducing Paleoanthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi2:17 The "New York Subway" Test: Would you recognise one?4:20 Debunking the "Knuckle-Dragger" Stereotype8:36 Shifting Timelines: How old are Neanderthals?12:22 Physiology: The Neanderthal Build vs. Homo Sapiens17:56 Neanderthal Culture: Spears, Shells, and Feathers25:01 First Contact: The Neighbourhood at Mount Carmel32:07 Technology Exchange & the Evolutionary Handshake40:07 Interbreeding: The "Neanderthal Bad Boy" Theory44:09 Putting the Emotion back in Human Evolution48:00 The Turning Tide: Climate Change in Europe53:13 The Final Verdict: Why did Neanderthals go extinct?Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Evolution
Epic Sea Battles: The First Punic War The Ancients 2026-09-13 | How did the Romans ambush a massive Carthaginian fleet from behind a Sicilian island to win one of history's fiercest sea battles? For over 20 years, Rome and Carthage fought a brutal war for supremacy over Sicily. Tristan Hughes is joined by Carthage expert Dr. Eve MacDonald to explore the epic First Punic War; a conflict defined by titanic naval clashes, lethal boarding bridges, war elephants...sacred chickens!0:00 Introduction1:24 The scale of the First Punic War2:49 Carthage’s territory and presence in Sicily8:58 The rise of Rome in central Italy11:13 The Pyrrhic War15:02 The Mamertines and the dispute over Messina18:07 Rome invades Sicily23:44 The Siege of Agrigentum26:29 The Battle of Mylae and the Corvus29:24 The Battle of Cape Ecnomus34:02 The Roman invasion of Africa37:06 Xanthippus reorganises the Carthaginian army43:20 Hamilcar Barca and guerilla tactics in Sicily45:51 The sacred chickens and the Battle of Drepana53:05 The Battle of the Aegates Islands56:39 Treaty of Lutatius and the aftermath of the warPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientRome
Shocking New DNA Study: How Humans Really Evolved From Africa The Ancients 2026-09-06 | Professor Chris Stringer is on the Ancients podcast to talk about recent discoveries, DNA, and migration patterns of early humans. The story of human origins is often imagined as a simple journey from Africa, but is the truth actually much messier? Tristan Hughes and leading palaeoanthropologist Prof. Chris Stringer dismantle the traditional narrative, discussing how recent breakthroughs in fossils and ancient DNA reveal a complex, shifting history of multiple migrations and cross-breeding to uncover where we truly come from.00:00 Introduction01:20 China and the 'Out of Africa' theory02:16 History of the recent African origin theory03:52 Timeline of human migration from Africa05:40 Defining modern and archaic humans08:53 Basil and derived human species10:58 Testing Neanderthal evolution theories12:21 Key developments in human origin research15:58 Neanderthal DNA and interbreeding18:04 Evolution models and species classification22:23 Jebel Irhoud fossil discoveries28:18 Early migrations beyond Africa33:27 Main theories of human origins39:22 African population structure model48:21 How early humans left Africa51:47 Peking Man and regional continuityPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Evolution
Robert Harris on Roman Rivalry: Augustus VS Agrippa The Ancients 2026-08-30 | Augustus was Rome's first Emperor. But who made his empire possible? Behind the throne stood Marcus Agrippa, the brilliant general whose victories secured the Roman world yet whose name was consciously erased from the record by his erstwhile great friend.In this very special episode Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Robert Harris to uncover the remarkable life of Agrippa. How did a man from relative obscurity become Augustus’s most trusted ally? What role did he play in the victory at Actium and the birth of the Roman Empire? And why did this extraordinary figure disappear from Rome’s public memory?0:00 Introduction1:14 Robert Harris on why Marcus Agrippa drew his interest2:09 Erased from history by Augustus2:53 The contrast between Augustus and Agrippa4:15 Portraying the story as a historical novel6:32 What we know about Agrippa's early background7:54 Joining Julius Caesar's inner circle11:07 The turning point after Julius Caesar's assassination15:12 The initial conflict with Mark Antony17:46 Navigating the chaotic Roman civil wars19:12 Agrippa's naval tactics and defeating Sextus Pompey22:51 Choosing loyalty over a military triumph26:07 Masterminding the decisive Battle of Actium30:09 Engineering feats and building the Roman aqueducts33:46 Constructing the Pantheon and his lasting architectural legacy36:05 Wealth, status, and imperial marriage alliances37:32 Agrippa's practical nature versus Roman art and culture40:32 Power dynamics and succession struggles under Augustus46:43 The rift over Marcellus and Agrippa's temporary exile51:40 The death and legacy of Marcus AgrippaPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Natasha. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientRome
Prehistoric Predators: The Bizarre Biology of Terror Birds The Ancients 2026-08-23 | What kind of predator needs no teeth to terrify its prey? The terror birds were enormous flightless hunters that ruled South America for millions of years, standing metres tall and built for a life of pursuit and slaughter.In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by palaeontologist Dr Steve Brusatte to explore the world of the phorusrhacids. What were these extraordinary birds really like? How did they dominate an isolated South America after the extinction of the dinosaurs? And what ultimately brought their predatory reign to an end?0:00 Introduction0:39 The host and Dr Steve Brusatte1:40 What were terror birds?5:04 The origin of terror birds7:23 South America as an island continent9:07 The asteroid impact and dinosaur extinction13:06 The mass extinction survivors15:04 How birds grew and diversified18:05 Modern relatives of terror birds21:04 Physical characteristics and hunting style25:23 Pre-historic prey in South America32:03 How terror birds lost their tails34:03 Smaller species of terror birds37:16 The extinction of terror birds43:08 Dr Steve Brusatte's new bookPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.History Hit is part of Little Dot Studios, a Certified B Corp™#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #TerrorBirds
How Slavery Built the Roman Empire The Ancients 2026-08-16 | Was the Roman Empire really made by conquest? Or was it powered by something much darker? For centuries, millions of enslaved people sacrificed their lives and their labour on the altar of Roman progress, an integral cog in the grinding imperial machine. And so today on The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Emma Southon, author of Servus: How Slavery Made The Roman World to bring their overlooked stories back into the limelight. From the mines and farms to the households of the imperial elite, they discover how slavery was woven into the fabric of the Roman society and ask what life was really like for enslaved Romans.00:00 Introduction01:31 Was the Roman Empire built on slavery?03:33 The diversity of the enslaved experience06:04 Mythical origins of slavery in Rome08:03 Manumission and the freedmen class12:18 Humanising the language of ancient slavery18:05 Republican expansion and the shift to a slave economy25:38 Slavery during the Pax Romana and High Empire30:45 Categories, stereotypes, and forced labour32:30 Can a Roman citizen become enslaved?34:11 Legal protections and city-owned slaves38:25 Slave markets and the purchasing process43:11 Was there an abolitionist movement in Rome?46:50 Domestic slavery and everyday Roman households58:37 How enslaved people achieved freedomPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Natasha Hughes. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientHistory
Shapur: The Persian King That Captured A Roman Emperor The Ancients 2026-08-07 | Few rulers humbled Rome quite like Shapur I. A King of Kings, he rebuilt the Sasanian Persian Empire, defeated Roman armies and captured Emperor Valerian in one of antiquity's most remarkable military triumphs.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Eve MacDonald to explore the rise of Shapur the Great. Why did he find so much success against the ancient Roman behemoth? How did he help forge a new Persian superpower on the Empire’s eastern frontier? And is he worthy to stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Hannibal, Boudicca, and Spartacus in the Roman villain hall of fame?Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Persian
The Catiline Conspiracy: Overthrowing The Roman Republic The Ancients 2026-08-02 | In 63 BC, Rome faced a conspiracy that threatened to tear the Roman Republic apart. At its centre stood two figures: Marcus Tullius Cicero, the grand old orator of Rome and Lucius Sergius Catilina, accused of plotting violence, rebellion and the overthrow of Rome’s political order. But was the danger as great as Cicero claimed?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Catharine Edwards to uncover the truth behind the Catiline Conspiracy. Did Cicero save the Roman Republic in his finest hour, or did he exaggerate the threat to destroy a political rival? Join us to discover the story behind one of ancient Rome’s most notorious political crises.0:00 Introduction1:44 Cicero's legacy and the Catiline conspiracy5:43 The survival of Cicero's letters and writings13:15 Cicero's rise through the Roman cursus honorum17:42 Who was Catiline?20:12 The consulship election of 64 BC24:07 Tensions rise in 63 BC27:20 Social economic unrest across Italy33:11 Allegations of a plot and the Allobroges37:15 Fulvia and the foiled assassination attempt41:06 The first Catilinarian oration and Catiline's departure45:01 The Senate debate and written evidence49:24 The fate of the conspirators in Rome54:02 The defeat and death of Catiline57:03 Aftermath, political backlash, and Cicero's exile1:00:32 Cicero's final years and historical legacyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientRome
Hollywoods Odyssey: The Historians Verdict The Ancients 2026-07-26 | Christopher Nolan’s new Odyssey brings Homer’s epic roaring back to life and Tristan Hughes and Dr. Emily Hauser are here to unpack every storm, monster and star-making turn. From the brilliance of the adaptation to the ancient story beneath it, Tristan and Emily bring their expert historical knowledge to challenge what Nolan keeps, what he changes, and why Odysseus still captivates us after 2,500 years.0:00 Introduction1:08 Going to the 'The Odyssey' premiere4:42 Comparing Nolan’s narrative structure to Homer’s Odyssey8:52 Depicting the Greek gods and Zendaya as Athena14:44 Analysing the Cyclops scene and Matt Damon’s Odysseus22:00 Encountering the Laestrygonians26:21 Mutiny and magic with Samantha Morton as Circe32:03 Calypso, memory, and trauma with Charlize Theron38:40 Penelope, Melantho, and the power dynamic on Ithaca with Anne Hathaway and Mia Goth42:43 The slaughter of the suitors and Robert Pattinson’s Antinous48:45 Portraying the Trojan War and Elliot Page as Sinon52:38 Agamemnon’s Batman armour54:50 Bronze Age in The Odyssey: history, trade, and the Sea Peoples1:05:49 Using cinema as a gateway to ancient historyWe're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - final tickets are available here:https://fane.com.au/whats-on/an-evening-with-tristan-hughes/Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Natasha Hughes. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Odyssey
Slaughter of The Suitors: Odyssey Explained Part 2 The Ancients 2026-07-19 | When Odysseus finally returns to Ithaca, his homecoming turns into a ruthless reckoning. Tristan Hughes and Dr Emily Hauser dive into the shocking climax of Homer’s Odyssey, where hospitality, vengeance and survival collide in a blood-soaked finale. What drives Odysseus to unleash such fury, and what does the massacre reveal about power, justice and ancient heroism?We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - final tickets are available here:https://fane.com.au/whats-on/an-evening-with-tristan-hughes/00:00 Introduction02:23 The problem of the suitors04:46 What has Tiresias just revealed to Odysseus?11:36 Choosing between Scylla and Charybdis12:22 The song of the sirens19:14 The cattle of Helios22:14 Stranded on Calypso’s island27:54 The magical return to Ithaca31:20 Athena's disguise and the beggar's return35:21 Reunion with Telemachus41:43 Entering the palace in disguise47:03 Penelope's marriage contest53:28 The slaughter of the suitors57:22 Testing Odysseus and the marriage bed1:00:08 Civil war and the final fate of OdysseusWatch Tristan Hughes and Dan Snow retrace Odyssey in Greece in a new documentary on History Hit TV! Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week PLUS early access, ad-free podcasts and exclusive subscriber episodes. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Natasha Hughes. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Odyssey
Why Odysseus Is The Worst Hero The Ancients 2026-07-12 | What if the world’s most famous homecoming was really a nightmare of monsters, gods, and one very stubborn king trying to get back to Ithaca?In our new series Tristan Hughes and classicist Dr. Emily Hauser dive into Homer’s Odyssey, an epic of shipwrecks, sorcery, giants and divine meddling, where Odysseus is never quite sure whether the next shore will save him or destroy him.They trace his journey from the ruins of Troy to Calypso’s island, the Phaeacians, Circe, the Cyclops, and even the Underworld, asking what kind of hero Odysseus really is, and why his story has lasted for more than 2,500 years.Ahead of the release of Christopher Nolan's new epic film, get across the story and all the key characters and plot lines, including rich historical context.We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - final tickets are available here:https://fane.com.au/whats-on/an-evening-with-tristan-hughes/0:00 Introduction1:51 What is the Odyssey?3:47 Who was Homer?6:03 The Bronze Age origins of the text8:14 Why were hero stories so popular in ancient Greece?10:07 What did a hero mean to the ancient Greeks?12:05 The geopolitical landscape of the Odyssey13:51 The mystery of Ithaca's location15:57 Odysseus's background and early life18:07 Odysseus and the Trojan War conscription20:23 Odysseus's role and cunning at Troy23:26 The dark aftermath of the fall of Troy25:23 What does polytropos mean?27:00 Calypso's island and the start of the epic28:04 The Telemachy and the fates of other heroes30:42 The role of the gods in the Odyssey31:56 Washing up on the island of the Phaeacians41:10 Odysseus reveals his identity43:40 Leaving Troy and the lotus eaters45:38 Trapped by Polyphemus the Cyclops49:45 The curse of Poseidon51:23 Landing on Circe's island56:55 Summoning the dead in the underworld1:01:25 The threat of the suitors at homePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Natasha Hughes. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Odyssey
Eric Cline On The Bronze Age Myth Of The Trojan War The Ancients 2026-07-02 | The story of Achilles, Odysseus and the siege of Troy has captivated audiences for millennia, but behind the legends lies a deeper mystery. Was this epic war a myth, a memory of a real Bronze Age conflict, or something in between?Today Tristan Hughes is joined by Eric Cline to explore the reality behind Homer’s greatest tale. From the legendary heroes of The Iliad to the ruins of Troy, discover what archaeology and ancient texts reveal about the Trojan War, and whether the story of Helen, Paris and the fall of Troy truly has a historical foundation.We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets https://fane.com.au/whats-on/an-evening-with-tristan-hughes/0:00 Introduction4:09 The Trojan War myth and story9:42 The Homeric question and compilation timeline13:19 Beyond the Iliad: The epic complete picture14:59 The late Bronze Age world19:24 Troy as a strategic trading hub24:21 Heinrich Schliemann and amateur luck32:32 The Mycenaeans and Hittites: Two major powers45:20 Proof of the Trojan War47:49 The political structure of Ahhiyawa: King of kings53:07 Real Trojan warfare and chariots 58:05 Earthquakes and human destruction at Troy1:03:25 Geopolitical motives behind the conflict1:05:37 Was the Trojan horse real?Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Trojan
Delphi: Centre of the Ancient World The Ancients 2026-06-28 | For more than a thousand years, Delphi was considered the centre of the ancient world. Every year a throng of pilgrims climbed the slopes of Mount Parnassus to seek the words of Apollo through the famous Oracle of Delphi.Today Tristan Hughes is joined by Michael Scott to uncover Delphi's story, the sanctuary that shaped the ancient Mediterranean. How did the Pythia become the most famous oracle of antiquity? Why did rulers travel from across the Greek world to seek its guidance? And what can Delphi’s temples, monuments and Olympic-like festivals reveal about the power and influence of this extraordinary sacred site?We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets https://fane.com.au/whats-on/an-evening-with-tristan-hughes/0:00 Introduction0:30 Who was the Oracle of Delphi?1:16 Professor Michael Scott's connection to Delphi3:26 What exactly was the ancient oracle?4:36 Live show announcement: The Ancients on tour5:26 The spectacular mountain location of Delphi8:10 Mythological origins: Why is Delphi the centre of the world?12:00 How did Delphi maintain its power for centuries?15:36 Archaeological excavations: Uncovering the lost city19:17 The evolution of the Temple of Apollo22:04 Monument wars: How city-states used Delphi for propaganda28:32 The shift from prophecy to athletic and musical entertainment30:30 The Pythian Games and ancient celebrity status49:05 The discovery of the famous bronze charioteer50:54 Invasions, Christianity, and the final legacy of DelphiPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Natasha Hughes. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Delphi
The Barbarians: How Rome Lost Control The Ancients 2026-06-21 | How did the Huns, Goths, and Vandals help bring down the Roman Empire - and sack the city of Rome itself, not once but twice?Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Peter Heather to explore the dramatic wave of invasions that shook Rome in the late 4th and early 5th centuries. From the arrival of the Huns to the sacks of Rome by the Goths in 410 and the Vandals in 455, we trace how the advance of innumerable barbarian tribes brewed decades of tension, betrayal, and bloodshed which helped bring the empire to its knees.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Video editor is Matthew Wilson. Produced by Joseph Knight and McKenna Fernandez. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.00:00 Introduction01:17 The Roman Empire Was Thriving04:20 What Did Romans Mean By "Barbarians"?08:13 The Goths, Franks, Saxons & Other Frontier Peoples10:38 The Arrival of the Huns13:04 Why Barbarian Groups Moved Towards Rome16:15 376 AD: The Gothic Crisis Begins18:33 Why Valens Let the Goths Into the Empire21:37 Betrayal, Revolt & Rising Tensions23:12 The Battle of Adrianople (378)25:57 Rome's Response to Disaster29:13 Alaric and the Gothic Revolt31:27 The Western Empire Under Pressure36:17 Why Alaric Marched On Rome41:06 The Sack of Rome (410)44:20 Who Were the Vandals?49:46 The Vandals Invade North Africa51:18 Why the Vandals Sacked Rome54:33 The Real Reason the Western Empire Fell59:27 Attila the Hun and the Balance of Power1:03:07 The Goths Become KingmakersPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #
Biologys Big Bang: The Cambrian Explosion The Ancients 2026-06-14 | 538 million years ago, life on Earth changed forever. In an evolutionary burst known as the Cambrian Explosion, complex animals rapidly appeared in the oceans, laying the foundations for almost every major animal group alive today.Tristan Hughes is joined by the mighty Henry Gee to explore biology’s 'Big Bang'. What triggered this extraordinary leap in evolutionary complexity? Why did creatures with eyes, shells and limbs emerge so suddenly in the fossil record? And what can the Cambrian Explosion reveal about the origins of animal life and the history of our planet?0:00 Introduction0:53 Introducing Henry Gee: Palaeontologist and evolutionary biologist2:12 Darwin's dilemma: The mysterious gap in the Victorian fossil record3:51 Skeletons and armour: What can actually become a fossil4:22 Dating the detonation: Pinpointing the start of the Cambrian period6:21 The Ancients live tour announcement7:31 Setting the scale: How much further back is the Cambrian than dinosaurs8:22 Before the bang: The Great Oxidation Event and multicellular life10:05 Rodinia breaking up: Supercontinents and snowball Earth episodes11:20 Squishy sea creatures: The mysterious Ediacaran fauna12:47 Finding 600-million-year-old fossils in a public park in Leicester14:00 The Garden of Ediacara: An ecology without predators or prey16:17 Sponges and minerals: Oxygenating the oceans with calcium18:07 Mountains crumbling to the sea: The ultimate geological storm19:42 Direction of travel: The groundbreaking evolution of the anus21:47 The eyes have it: Andrew Parker's light switch theory22:26 Cloudina and trilobites: The earliest records of teeth and predation23:56 Iconic adaptable woodlice: The marvellous diversity of the trilobite28:05 Hallucigenia and velvet worms: The dreamlike armoured creatures29:12 Opabinia: The Teletubbies Noo-Noo of the prehistoric world30:00 Anomalocaris: The terrifying T-Rex of the Cambrian seas31:56 The arthropod head problem: Reconstructing fossilised nervous systems36:12 Joining the backbone club: What defines a vertebrate38:11 Pikaia, Haikouichthys and the evolution of the earliest four-eyed fish40:08 From lenses to bio-rhythms: How extra eyes became the pineal gland42:03 Sucking seawater: Why sea squirts are our closest living relatives47:21 Upgrading defences: Jawless armoured fish and nightmarish sea scorpions51:09 Extending the detonation: How long did the Cambrian explosion last54:53 Vanishing from the record: The hidden history of ancient parasites58:10 The modern kaleidoscope: How biodiversity has flourished since the first floweringPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Evolution
How Great Was Darius The Great REALLY? The Ancients 2026-06-07 | One of the most famous and recognisable Persian kings of antiquity, Darius the Great was an Achaemenid superstar, ruling the Achaemenid Persian Empire some 2,500 years ago. His tale is preserved in the writings of the Greek historian Herodotus; Darius’ story stretches from India to Ukraine and the Great Steppe.Reverend Professor Lloyd LLewellyn-Jones joins Tristan Hughes to discuss the rise, reign and fall of one of the most extraordinary Persian kings; Darius I, ‘Darius the Great’.0:00 Introduction2:14 Who was Darius the Great?3:49 The Behistun Inscription as historical PR5:20 Key sources for the life of Darius7:51 Background and the gang of seven14:21 Legitimising the throne through marriage and myth17:22 Quelling rebellions across the Persian Empire20:09 Fictionalising the Achaemenid ancestry22:16 Representation of Darius in imperial art24:41 The lawmaker and the establishment of world order27:17 Religious beliefs and the concept of Arta32:03 Imperial restructuring and the tax system33:44 The royal road and Aramaic bureaucracy39:27 The royal household and naming Xerxes as heir43:04 Campaigns in Scythia and the clash with Greece50:47 The end of Darius's life and his historical legacyWe're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here: https://fane.com.au/whats-on/an-evening-with-tristan-hughes/Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #PersianEmpire
This Is Spartacus! The Ancients 2026-05-31 | In 73 BC, a gladiator escaped slavery and launched a rebellion that shook the Roman Republic to its core. His name was Spartacus, and his uprising became one of the greatest threats Rome had ever faced from within.Tristan Hughes is joined by Ben Kane to explore the dramatic story of Spartacus and his slave revolt that swept across Italy. Together, they cover the breakout at Capua to the battles against Roman armies and discover how Spartacus transformed a small band of fugitives into a force capable of humiliating Rome. Was he fighting for freedom, revenge, or something more?0:00 Introduction1:25 Sourcing the history of Spartacus3:02 The origins of Spartacus5:26 The political context of the Roman Republic6:45 Enslavement and the gladiator schools10:25 Slavery within the Roman Republic13:36 Gladiators as Roman entertainment19:37 The escape from Capua24:59 The Battle of Mount Vesuvius31:44 The growth of the rebel army37:33 Early victories against the Romans42:35 The defeat of Crixus46:04 Defeating the consular armies51:18 Marcus Licinius Crassus takes command55:16 Roman discipline and decimation58:53 The Sicilian pirate betrayal1:01:21 Trapped by the Crassus fortifications1:02:41 The final battle and death of Spartacus1:09:52 Mass crucifixion on the Via Appia1:11:34 The modern legacy of SpartacusPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Spartacus
What Archeology Tells Us About Iron Age Britain The Ancients 2026-05-24 | What if Iron Age Britain was never a land of barbarians at all, but a world of skilled farmers, powerful women, trade, ritual, and spectacle? Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Tom Moore to reveal a far richer pre-Roman Britain, from roundhouses and hillforts to chariots, feasts, and buried offerings. Archaeology uncovers a society shaped by movement, identity, violence, and belief, where the Iron Age still echoes into Roman Britain and beyond.0:00 Introduction1:05 What is the Melsonby Hoard?2:06 Defining the British Iron Age period3:34 Dismantling the myth of Barbarians7:03 How modern archaeology transforms our understanding8:14 The evolution of iron technology and the Celts myth12:39 Farming life and symbolic roundhouses18:44 The diverse functions of hillforts25:49 What were oppida?33:53 High-status women and power in Iron Age Britain40:32 Human remains, burials, and ritual practice44:00 War, violence, and the warrior elite debate47:49 Religion, the landscape, and the Druid enigma53:51 The symbolic importance of horses and coinage56:05 The lasting legacy of Iron Age BritainPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#Podcast #TheAncients #IronAge
Earliest Humans: We Were Not Alone The Ancients 2026-05-17 | For most of human history, we were not alone. Human evolution was shaped by multiple human species living side by side, from Neanderthals in Europe to Denisovans in Asia, before all but one disappeared.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Ella Al-Shamahi to explore the story of the early humans who once shared our world. How did these different species evolve? Did they compete or coexist? And what do the latest discoveries reveal about the tangled story of human evolution and the survival of Homo sapiens?0:00 Introduction1:38 Why being the only human species is unusual2:48 The golden age of paleoanthropology3:41 Discovery of the Hobbit species on Flores6:58 Specialists vs the new kid on the block8:02 Debunking the linear march of progress9:05 The difficulty of defining a species11:54 Ghost lineages and ancient DNA in Africa13:33 Meet the granddaddy: Homo erectus20:21 The mystery of the Denisovans and Dragon Man30:42 Homo naledi and the evidence for ritual burial37:45 Why Homo sapiens survived and others didn'tPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Evolution
Eric Cline on The REAL Armageddon The Ancients 2026-05-10 | 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 The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by friend of the show Eric Cline to uncover the true story of the real Armageddon. Why did Megiddo become associated with the world’s final battle? What made this city so strategically important for millennia? From Bronze Age kingdoms to biblical tradition and modern archaeology, discover the remarkable history behind one of the most famous names in history and myth.0:00 Introduction0:43 The true origins of the name Armageddon2:07 Archaeology and excavations at Megiddo4:40 Biblical Armageddon and the book of Revelation6:23 Why Megiddo became the site of the end times9:54 Geography and the strategic importance of the Jezrael Valley13:11 The battle of Thutmose III: history's first recorded battle20:36 Searching for King Solomon's city24:51 The Chicago excavations and famous discoveries37:20 From the Neolithic dawn to the Bronze Age city-state51:01 Secrets of the gold and ivory hoards55:11 Iron Age Megiddo and the eventual abandonment of the sitePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Armageddon
Shocking DNA Study Reveals The Plague Is Prehistoric The Ancients 2026-05-03 | Yersinia Pestis - the most feared disease in human history - has long been thought to be the Plague of Justinian in 541 AD. But new studies of ancient DNA have revealed traces of Yersinia pestis dating back more than 5000 years. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Laura Spinney to explore the origins of prehistoric plague. How did this disease emerge in the Neolithic world? Where did it come from? And could it have triggered a Stone Age collapse which signalled the dawn of the Bronze Age in Europe? Discover how this deadly pathogen reshaped entire Stone Age societies, long before the advent of written history. Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are McKenna Fernandez & Joseph Knight , senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. The channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #DNA
People of Pompeii: Life and Death Under The Volcano The Ancients 2026-04-26 | In 79 AD, life in Pompeii unfolded beneath the shadow of a tremoring Mount Vesuvius. Streets bustled, businesses thrived, and merchants built fortunes, unaware disaster was hours away. But what happened when that disaster struck? How did these ordinary Roman citizens seek to survive the last days of Pompeii? In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Jessica Venner to uncover the final moments before and during the eruption. From the famous garum trade to the chaos of ash and fire, discover how ordinary Pompeians experienced one of history’s most devastating disasters, and what their stories reveal about life and death in the Roman world.0:00 Introduction to Pompeii2:03 The Fertile Region of Campania4:28 Fish Sauce, Cherries, and Cabbages7:00 The Warning Signs: Earthquakes of 62 AD11:45 Population Debates and Urban Gardens15:59 Eruption Date Controversy19:19 7 Real People: The Lost Voices of Pompeii25:35 The Fish Sauce Magnate of the Ancient World34:42 The Cult of Isis and Egyptian Influence41:15 Local Politics and the People's Man46:34 Hour-by-Hour: The Destruction of 79 AD1:01:48 The Afterlife: Survivors and RefugeesPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Pompeii
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Greeces Themistocles The Ancients 2026-04-19 | A legend of the great Greek city of Athens, Themistocles rose from obscurity to save ancient Greece and helped shape one of the greatest naval powers in history. Yet his story ends in exile, condemned as a traitor and serving the very empire he once defeated: Persia.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Michael Scott to explore the extraordinary life of Themistocles. Together Tristan and Michael delve into the political intrigue of early Athenian democracy, charting Themistocles’ dramatic rise and equally dramatic fall. How did he persuade Athens to invest in its fleet and defeat Persia's great navy? Why did his career end in disgrace? And how did this architect of Greek victory ultimately find himself in the service of the Persian Empire, the very enemy he swore to destroy?0:00 Introduction to Themistocles2:45 The Rises and Falls of a Life Lived4:53 Building the Athenian Navy: The Silver Mines7:05 The Battle of Salamis and Naval Strategy9:29 Sources: Herodotus, Plutarch, and Archaeology12:44 Growing Up in a Revolution: The Birth of Democracy18:22 Climbing the Greasy Pole: From Water Commissioner to Archon23:00 The Scariest Side of Democracy: Ostracism and Rivals34:04 The Wooden Wall: The Delphi Oracle’s Prophecy42:04 The Final Fall: Exile, Treason, and the Persian King47:50 Rehabilitating a Legend: The Hero of the EmpirePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientGreece
The Real Story of Judas Iscariot The Ancients 2026-04-05 | **Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence, including suicide**What really happened to Judas Iscariot? From shifting accounts in the Gospels to the 30 pieces of silver, Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Paul Middleton to trace the stories that made Judas Christianity’s most infamous villain.Along the way, they explore the kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane, the conflicting accounts of Judas’s death, and the long debate over whether he was a historical figure or a later invention.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Judas #Bible
The Brutal Life Of A Roman Centurion The Ancients 2026-03-29 | What did it take to become a Roman centurion? To command, to punish and to lead from the very front of Rome’s armies?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Ben Kane to uncover the reality behind one of the most iconic ranks of the ancient world. From the brutal discipline of life on campaign to the prestige and pressure of command, discover how centurions became the backbone of the Roman military. How were they chosen? What kept their soldiers in line? And why were they so crucial to Rome’s success on battlefields across the empire?0:00 Introduction to the Roman Centurion1:14 Defining the Backbone of the Roman Army3:10 The Legion Hierarchy: From Optio to Legate5:37 Fragmentary Evidence: Jigsaw of Ancient Sources8:52 1,200 Years of Evolution in Roman Gear12:25 Equipment of the Republic vs the Empire21:01 Anatomy of the Centurion’s Imperial Helmet27:31 Armor, Medals, and the Jingly Groin Guard31:37 Debunking the Myths: Whistles and Laces33:13 The Vine Stick: Discipline and "Bring Me Another"50:00 Promotion Paths: From Ranks to Riches57:34 The Legacy of Ancient CommandPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientRome
King of Sparta: Who Was Leonidas? The Ancients 2026-03-22 | Who was the real Leonidas from the movie 300? In this podcast episode of the Ancients with Dr Andrew Bayliss and Tristan Hughes, they uncover the ancient historical figure of King Leonidas.In 480 BC, at the narrow pass of Thermopylae, a vastly outnumbered Greek force prepares to face the advancing army of the Persian king Xerxes. At its head stands Leonidas, king of Sparta, ready to make a final stand that will become one of the most famous moments in ancient history.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Andrew Bayliss to peel back the myth and uncover the real story of Leonidas. Tracing Leonidas's origins amid the turbulent politics of Sparta’s Agiad dynasty to his denouement at the hot gates of Thermopylae, they explore Leonidas's journey to power, his dogged defiance against the Persians and what his story reveals about Spartan society, kingship and warfare at the height of the Greco-Persian Wars.0:00 Introduction to Leonidas2:35 The Sources: Herodotus and the Legend6:18 The Spartan Royal Houses: A Unique Dierarchy12:50 The Death of Anaxandridas and the Rise of Cleomenes13:33 Inside the Agoge: Leonidas’s Brutal Upbringing18:46 The Scandalous Reign of King Cleomenes23:32 Dorieus: The Angry Brother and the Failed Colony27:32 The Mysterious Death of Cleomenes32:58 The Road to Thermopylae40:16 The Three Days of Fighting at the Hot Gates52:45 The Death and Legacy of a Spartan IconPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #300 #Leonidas
Who Was Herodotus? The Ancients 2026-03-15 | Roel Konijnendijk is on this new episode of The Ancients with Tristian Hughes about Herodotus. What drove Herodotus to write the first great story of history? Tristan Hughes speaks with Dr. Roel Konijnendijk to uncover the world of Herodotus of Halicarnassus—the traveler, investigator, and storyteller behind The Histories. From Persian kings to Greek heroes, they explore his methods, digressions, and the quest to explain why empires rose, wars raged, and memory became history.0:00 Introduction to Herodotus1:15 The Father of History: Inventing the Narrative3:13 The Man Behind the Work: Life in Halicarnassus6:00 A World Traveller: Exploring the Mediterranean10:00 Presenting History as Ancient Entertainment12:20 The Purpose of the Histories: Greeks vs Barbarians15:55 Ethnography and the Strange Customs of Foreigners18:30 Sources and Reliability: Fact or Hearsay?27:00 Structure of the Histories: From Cyrus to Xerxes31:11 Herodotus as a Source for Ancient Sparta39:00 The Climax: Narrating the Greco-Persian WarsPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Herodotus
The Impressive Bronze Age Nebra Sky Disk The Ancients 2026-03-08 | Discover the Ancient Bronze Age Nebra Sky Disk with Raven Todd DaSilva and Tristan Hughes in this full episode of the Ancient podcast. In 1999, a mysterious bronze disc buried for millennia in central Europe transformed how we see the prehistoric world. The Nebra Sky Disk - forged 3,600 years ago - is the oldest known depiction of the night sky.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined, once again, by archaeologist Raven Todd DaSilva to uncover the remarkable story of this Bronze Age star map. Discovered in Germany in thrilling and illegal circumstances, this precious artefact reveals a sophisticated understanding of the heavens long before classical astronomy. Together, Tristan and Raven explore how ancient Europeans mapped the stars, what the disk’s symbols may represent, and why this extraordinary object continues to reshape our understanding of prehistoric science and belief.0:00 Introduction to the Nebra Sky Disc1:56 The Illegal Discovery and Police Sting4:56 Challenging the "Barbarian" Narrative6:19 Dimensions and Cornwall Gold7:59 Decoding the Sun, Moon, and Stars9:09 Horizon Arcs and the Solar Bark11:00 The Únětice Culture: Masters of Bronze12:28 Aligning the Disc with the Solstice20:22 The Four Phases of the Disc25:30 Lost Knowledge and Ritual Destruction33:44 Princes, Priests, and Human SacrificePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Astrology
The Impact Of Ancient Egypts Pharaoh Ramesses IIs Death The Ancients 2026-03-01 | This podcast episode is about Ancient Egypt and the fall of Ramesses II. “Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair.” Ramesses II reigned as Egypt's unchallenged champion for more than sixty years. But within decades, the dynasty of Egypt’s greatest pharaoh had fallen apart. In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined once again by Dr Campbell Price to chart the reign of Ramesses the Great and how his house descended into slow collapse. From monumental building projects that once proclaimed eternal power to the advent of instability, rebellion and the looming threat of the Sea Peoples, discover how Egypt’s New Kingdom began to fracture under the weight of its own success. This is the dramatic final chapter in the story of the House of Ramesses.0:00 Introduction to Ramses the Great3:17 The Battle of Kadesh and the Art of Spin5:05 The World’s Oldest Peace Treaty and Diplomatic Marriages8:52 Pi-Ramesses: A Strategic New Capital14:06 The Decline of Art and the Drive for Quantity20:26 Abu Simbel: The Pharaoh as a Living God24:34 Prince Khaemwaset: The First Egyptologist28:43 The Nile, Family, and the Challenge of Succession31:18 The Ramesseum and the Cult of the King35:11 Merneptah and the Threats to Egypt’s Borders42:01 The End of a Dynasty: Queen Tawosret and the Rise of New Blood51:50 Ozymandias: The Legacy of Ramses II in ModernityPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientEgypt
Campbell Price On The Rise Of Ramesses II The Ancients 2026-02-22 | The name of Ramesses the Great is etched deeper into Egypt than almost any other ruler. Colossal statues moulded in his image tower over the Nile. Reliefs of his victories are carved into countless temple walls. But where did Ramesses II come from? And how was this legend of Egyptian history born?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Campbell Price to uncover the rise of the House of Ramesses and the century of crisis that paved the way for Egypt’s most famous pharaoh. From dynastic turmoil and religious upheaval to military revival and monumental propaganda, discover how Ramesses II seized his moment and shaped a legacy that has endured for over 3,000 years. Was he Egypt’s greatest ruler or its greatest architect of reputation?0:00 Introduction to the 19th Dynasty1:08 The Legacy of Ramesses the Great4:20 The Zenith and Decline of the 18th Dynasty10:05 Egyptian Empire and Spheres of Influence14:55 Akhenaten’s Revolution and its Economic Impact17:51 Tutankhamun and the Post-Amarna Recovery20:03 Horemheb: The Military Coup and Transition26:48 The Rise of Ramesses I and the New Line34:12 Seti I: The Renaissance and Hall of Ancestors37:48 Military Campaigns and the North Wall of Karnak49:15 The Battle of Kadesh: Legend vs RealityPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. The channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientEgypt
The Mysterious Plastered Skulls of Jericho with Raven Todd Da Silva The Ancients 2026-02-15 | 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 haunting figures meant to represent?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by archaeologist Raven Todd DeSilva to explore the mysterious plastered skulls of Jericho. Dating to the Neolithic period, these striking objects reveal complex beliefs about memory, identity and the dead in some of the world’s earliest farming communities. How were they made? What did they mean? And why did this unusual practice spread across the Levant? Join us to dive into one of prehistory’s most compelling archaeological discoveries.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Michael McDaid. The channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #
Irving Finkel Writes In Ancient Cuneiform The Ancients 2026-02-08 | In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Irving Finkel to uncover how cuneiform actually worked and how you would write it yourself. More than five thousand 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.From humble beginnings as simple pictograms tracking beer and grain, to the wedge-shaped signs that recorded myths, laws and epic tales long before the Bible, this episode explores how cuneiform spread across Sumer, Babylon, Assyria and Persia — and why these clay tablets remain one of archaeology’s richest windows into the ancient world.0:00 Introduction to Cuneiform 1:40 The Oldest Script Known to Archaeology 3:10 Sumerian: The Language Without Relatives 5:05 Akkadian and the Spread of Cuneiform 8:45 The Behistun Inscription: Unlocking the Code 13:15 Why Clay? The Ultimate Data Storage 16:15 From Pictograms to Protocuneiform 23:55 The Shift to Straight Edges and Wedges 28:50 Accounting for Beer: Early Tablet Bookkeeping 37:30 How to Write: The Three Basic Strokes 38:02 Dr. Finkel Writes Cuneiform 1:08:00 The Decline and Legacy of the ScriptPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #IrvingFinkel
Who Were Adam And Eve? The Ancients 2026-02-01 | Adam and Eve: parents of humanity, or characters in a dark 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, starting with the question, Was there really an apple? They discuss the origins and multiple layers within the story and consider Eden as a royal garden, and the tale of lost immortality that echoes through Gilgamesh, Sumerian rivers, and the earliest biblical texts.0:00 Introduction to the Garden of Eden 1:52 Was the Forbidden Fruit an Apple? 2:58 The Geographical Location of Eden 4:15 When was Genesis Written? 6:00 Life Before the Flood: The Sumerian Connection 7:18 The Two Creation Stories in the Bible 9:41 The Meaning of Adam: Man vs. Name 12:25 The Two Trees and the Four Rivers 15:38 The Snake, the Sin, and Consciousness 18:35 Divine Punishment and the Loss of Immortality 24:12 Kingship and Wisdom in Ancient Myths 31:18 Parallels with Gilgamesh and Enkidu 47:10 The Symbolism of the Royal GardenPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Genesis
Who Was Xerxes the Great? The Ancients 2026-01-25 | 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 of the show Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to explore the life and reign of Persia's most revered king, who ruled the largest empire the world had yet seen. From his royal upbringing and court politics to religion, monumental building projects and imperial power, this episode goes beyond Greek battle narratives to uncover who Xerxes really was — and how the Achaemenid empire functioned at the height of his power.0:00 Introduction to Xerxes I 1:07 The Name 'Xerxes' and Persian Self-Perception 2:01 Sourcing the 'Persian Version' of History 5:03 The Empire Xerxes Inherited from Darius 7:26 Succession and the Power of Queen Mother Atossa 11:22 Building Persepolis: The Gate of All Nations 15:14 Managing the Satrapies and Royal Family 23:04 Inside the Royal Harim and the Role of Eunuchs 28:42 Was the Invasion of Greece Actually a Success? 35:31 Themistocles: The Greek Hero in the Persian Court 37:21 The Religious Revolution and the Daiva Inscriptions 42:13 The Assassination of Xerxes and the Fall of the Old GuardPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Xerxes
Ancient DNA Reveal New Truth About Our Ancestors The Ancients 2026-01-18 | What can ancient DNA tell us about the first homo sapiens to arrive in Arabia over 50,000 years ago? Tristan Hughes is joined by Prof. Pierre Zalloua to delve into the groundbreaking advances in ancient DNA research that illuminate the complex journeys of these early human populations. They discuss the challenges of extracting ancient DNA in harsh desert environments, the role of climate in human migration, and the archaeological evidence of early human presence, which shows continuous population movements over millennia.0:00 Introduction to the First Arabians 1:55 The Ancient DNA Paradigm Shift 4:40 How to Extract DNA from Ancient Bones 8:17 Why Humans Left Africa: Climate Drivers 10:50 The Lost Refugees of the Persian Gulf 14:55 Neanderthals and Sapiens in the Levant 19:40 Rethinking the 400,000-Year Timeline 24:35 The Migration from the North into Arabia 31:15 Who Were the Natufians? 35:36 When Did the Word 'Arab' First Appear? 43:00 How Culture and Geography Shape Our DNA 50:30 Identity Beyond Genetics: 'Ancestors'Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Arabia
Why Did Medea Kill Her Children? | Ancient Greek Mythology The Ancients 2026-01-11 | She helped Jason win the Golden Fleece, betrayed her own family, and became one of the most feared figures in Greek myth. Medea’s name has echoed through the ancient world for over two millennia, a byword for passion and revenge but was she really a villain?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by acclaimed classicist and bestselling author Natalie Haynes to unravel the full story of Medea. From her origins in distant Colchis on the edge of the Greek imagination to her unforgettable portrayal in Euripides’ tragedy, they explore how the ancient Greeks understood Medea, why her vengeance shocked audiences, and whether she was ever truly the villain of her own story?0:00 Introduction to Medea 2:26 Earliest Sources: Homer, Hesiod, and Pindar 6:38 The Evolution of Medea’s Character 10:45 Colchis: Medea’s Origins in Modern Georgia 12:35 The "Barbarian" in Greek Tragedy 15:35 The Meeting of Jason and Medea 20:05 The Murder of Absyrtus: Toddler vs Older Brother 23:14 Seeking Sanctuary: Medea in Athens 26:38 Jason and Medea: A Toxic Power Couple 32:30 The Famous Monologues of Euripides 43:35 The Ending: Deosex Machina and the Sun Chariot 46:30 Roman Perspectives: Ovid and Women’s AgencyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Medea
Christianitys Rise In The Roman Empire: From Persecution To Domination The Ancients 2026-01-04 | How did the persecuted Christian minority religion rise to be embraced and enforced by mighty Roman Emperors?Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Peter Heather to chart the dramatic rise of Christianity, exploring how Emperors such as Constantine the Great were forced to hide their true religions and the suppression of paganism across the world. 0:00 Introduction to the Rise of Christianity 2:52 Defining Official Christianity 6:38 The State of the Church in 300 AD 14:42 The Great Persecution of Diocletian 20:44 The Conversion of Constantine 32:26 The Council of Nicaea and the Trinity 38:42 The Sons of Constantine and Religious Change 41:14 Julian the Apostate: The Last Pagan Emperor 48:50 Theodosius and the Destruction of Temples 55:10 Closing Paganism in the Countryside 1:01:46 Legacy of the 4th Century RevolutionPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Christianity #AncientRome
Eric Cline On The Sea Peoples Invasion of Ancient Egypt The Ancients 2025-12-28 | Sea Peoples, Bronze Age Collapse, and Eric Cline are the focus of today's deep-dive podcast. Tristan Hughes is joined by world-renowned archaeologist and author Eric Cline to interrogate the enigmatic groups that allegedly brought the "G8 of the ancient world" to its knees. We explore the primary Egyptian inscriptions of Merneptah and Ramesses III, the haunting letters from the burning city of Ugarit, and why the Sea Peoples might have been victims of a "perfect storm" rather than just bloodthirsty invaders.In this episode, we break down the nine distinct groups that formed this confederation, including the Peleset (Philistines) and the Shardana. Professor Cline discusses groundbreaking new DNA evidence from Ashkelon that hints at the European origins of these migrants. From the naval battles in the Nile Delta to the climate-driven migrations that mirror modern crises, this is a comprehensive look at the mystery of 1177 BC.0:00 Introduction to the Sea Peoples 1:20 The Bronze Age G8: A Globalised World 2:55 The Three Lines of Archaeological Evidence 5:40 Pharaoh Merneptah and the First Wave (1207 BC) 15:00 Ramesses III and the Battle of Medinet Habu 24:30 Decoding the Inscriptions: Who were the Shardana? 31:10 Identifying the Peleset and the Ahhiyawa 39:40 Migration vs Invasion: The Refugee Theory 44:55 New DNA Evidence from Ashkelon 51:00 The Destruction of Ugarit: A Smoking Gun 1:01:50 A Perfect Storm: What Caused the Collapse?Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientEgypt
Diocletian: The Peasant Who Saved Rome | The Ancients The Ancients 2025-12-21 | Rome was coming apart at the seams. Civil wars, economic collapse, breakaway empires, invading armies - the Third Century Crisis pushed the ancient superpower to the edge of extinction. Then an obscure soldier from the Balkans stepped into the chaos.In this episode, we interview Dr. David Gwynn to explore the rise of Emperor Diocletian. From his brutal path to the throne to the creation of the Tetrarchy, Diocletian rebuilt a shattered empire through radical reforms, ruthless centralisation, and a complete reimagining of imperial power.0:00 Introduction to Emperor Diocletian and the Later Roman Empire1:51 What are Our Sources for Diocletian's Rule?3:07 Diocletian’s Rise to Power in the 3rd Century Crisis5:52 The Incredible Instability of Imperial Power Before Diocletian9:36 Why Diocletian Created the Diarchy with Maximian15:19 Diocletian's Radical Decision: Establishing the Tetrarchy (Rule of Four)19:38 Propaganda and Iconography of the Tetrarchy: The Porphyry Statue25:07 Diocletian's Administrative Reforms: Smaller Provinces and New Officials34:05 Diocletian and the Growing Christian Minority in the Empire39:19 From Manicheans to the Start of the Great Christian Persecution48:35 The Failed End of the Great Persecution and Diocletian's AbdicationPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Rome
Inside The Bizarre Biology Of The Stegosaurs The Ancients 2025-12-14 | Few dinosaurs are as instantly recognisable as the plated titan Stegosaurus - it's the Jurassic giant with a brain the size of a walnut and a tail that could kill.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Susannah Maidment of London’s Natural History Museum to uncover the secrets of its incredible armour, explore the latest theories behind its bizarre anatomy, and journey back to the Jurassic World it dominated to understand how this unique giant truly lived and fought. Join us to dive into the latest research and discover the surprising truth behind one of prehistory’s most beloved dinosaursPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Stegasorus
The REAL Translation Of The 10 Commandments | The Ancients The Ancients 2025-12-07 | Uncover the historical, archaeological, and religious context of the Ten Commandments (the Decalogue) with Dr. Dylan Johnson.Historian and biblical scholar Dr. Dylan Johnson joins Tristan Hughes to delve into the complex history of one of the world’s most famous texts. We go beyond the biblical narrative—found in Exodus and Deuteronomy—to explore the Ancient Near Eastern influences on the commandments, including parallels with Mesopotamian law codes and Assyrian vassal treaties. We look for archaeological evidence of the stone tablets, debate the true meaning of controversial rules like "You shall not kill" and "Don't covet," and discuss why the Decalogue was composed in a way that intentionally removed the human king from the relationship between Yahweh and the people of Israel.0:00 Introduction to the Ten Commandments 2:58 The Biblical Narrative: Moses, Sinai, and the Golden Calf 5:29 Moses Ascends the Mountain: God's Writing on Stone 7:48 The Smashing of the Tablets & The Second Copy 11:24 The First Commandments: Yahweh and the Ban on Idols 15:10 Misusing God's Name & Observing the Sabbath Day 18:54 Honouring Parents & Thou Shalt Not Murder (The Short Commandments) 23:09 "You Shall Not Covet": Prohibiting an Internal Emotion 25:09 The Decalogue in Deuteronomy: A Second Law 30:20 Dating the Composition: Early Iron Age Context 36:55 Monumental Texts & Archaeological Parallels: Moabite Stone 44:19 A Unique Relationship: The King Written Out of the CovenantPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Bible
How The Fall of Rome Built Angkor Wat! | Ancient Asia The Ancients 2025-11-30 | How did Indian culture shape the wonders of Southeast Asia?Tristan Hughes is joined by William Dalrymple to explore the fascinating first millennium AD, from vibrant trade dynamics with the Roman Empire to the establishment of powerful Indian trading guilds and the spread of Hinduism and Buddhism after Rome's decline. They dig in to the construction of the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world which boasts a central area four times the size of Vatican City, with carvings depicting epic Hindu legends.0:00 Introduction to Angkor Wat and the Khmer Empire 1:06 Welcoming William Dalrymple & The Scale of Angkor Wat 2:45 Hinduism and Buddhism Spread to Southeast Asia 4:47 The Economic Crisis in India After the Fall of Rome 6:00 Pliny's Complaint: Roman Gold and the Luxury Trade Drain 7:23 India's Pivot East & The Trading Guilds of the 500 9:28 Indian Settlement, Sanskrit, and Brahmin Influence in Southeast Asia 11:05 The Role of Brahmans and the Spread of Indian Culture 12:41 The Birth of Curve-Linear Scripts & Sanskritization 17:23 The Rise of the Khmer Empire and Srivijaya 19:12 Jayavarman II & The Founding of the Angkor Dynasty 22:19 LiDAR and the Great Hydraulic Civilisation of Angkor 24:50 "India Yet I Could Not Recognise Her": The Unique Khmer Culture 25:07 King Suryavarman II and the Building of Angkor Wat 29:27 The Hindu Mythology of Angkor Wat's Imagery 31:30 Angkor Wat as a Sacred Zone within Greater Angkor 35:50 A Monumental Pivot: The Red Sea to the Mekong DeltaPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientHistory
Tiberius: Ancient Epstein or Underrated Emperor? The Ancients 2025-11-23 | *WARNING: This podcast contains adult themes and discussion of paedophilia* A brilliant general. A brooding autocrat. A recluse surrounded by scandal. Few Roman emperors divide opinion like Tiberius. But was he truly a monster, or the victim of centuries of salacious storytelling?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Daisy Dunn to uncover the real man behind the myths. From Tiberius’ early brilliance on campaign to his troubled and bloody reign in Rome, and finally his notorious withdrawal to Capri, they explore how much of this lurid legacy holds up. Was Tiberius an underrated statesman undone by grief and politics, or the twisted tyrant historians have claimed? Join us to dive into the truth behind Rome’s most tragic emperor.0:00 Introduction to Tiberius 2:20 Setting the Scene: Roman History and the Sources 4:49 Tiberius's Difficult Early Life and Family Background 10:05 Tiberius's Early Career, Philosophy and Retreat to Rhodes 12:49 The Line of Succession: Why Tiberius Became Augustus's Heir 17:15 Tiberius's Marriage to Julia and the Adultery Scandal 21:07 The Succession to Emperor in AD 14 25:47 The Rise of Sejanus and the Treason Trials 33:04 The Praetorian Guard and the Fall of Germanicus’s Family 38:35 The Death of Tiberius's Son Drusus and Sejanus's Treachery 40:26 Tiberius's Mental Breakdown and Retreat to Capri 48:44 The End of Tiberius's Reign and Final LegacyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Tiberius
Medieval VS Ancient: Historians Battle Over Their Domain The Ancients 2025-11-14 | Tristan Hughes and Matt Lewis (host of 'Gone Medieval') have a lively debate about the blurred boundary between the ancient and medieval worlds. Can Tristan champion Roman Emperor Justinian as an Ancient? What about Charlemagne? Which period can lay claim to the worst year in history? And was there a single moment when people woke up and realised they'd entered a new era? 0:00 Introduction to the Ancient to Medieval Transition 3:32 The Battle of Tours and Charles Martel (732 AD) 5:58 Debating the Fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD) 10:45 The Crisis of the Third Century (286 AD) 16:18 The Visigoth Sack of Rome (410 AD) 23:49 Emperor Justinian and the Byzantine Empire 30:52 Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Empire (c. 800 AD) 36:11 Emperor Constantine and the Rise of Christianity 40:02 The Arab Conquests and the Rise of Islam (630s AD) 44:00 The Challenge of Periodisation in Mesoamerica and Asia 46:40 Final Thoughts on the Ancient/Medieval DividePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #AncientRome
Who Were Antony and Cleopatra? The Ancients 2025-11-09 | Rome. Egypt. Love. War. Over 2,000 years ago, the fates of two ancient worlds collided in one of history’s most legendary love stories: Antony and Cleopatra.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Daisy Dunn to uncover the truth behind the myth - from their first meeting at Tarsus to the political intrigue that scandalised Rome. It was an affair that ignited a civil war, forged an empire that lasted for an age and gave rise to one of world history's most dramatic and tragic deaths, so join us to discover how passion, ambition, and betrayal reshaped the ancient Mediterranean world. 0:00 Introduction to Mark Antony & Cleopatra 3:23 Mark Antony's Rise After Caesar's Death 6:59 Cleopatra: The Last Pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt 11:36 Cleopatra in Rome and Julius Caesar's Assassination 17:08 The Luxurious First Meeting at Tarsus 21:05 Love, Politics, and the Sun & Moon Twins 23:51 The Perusine War and Antony's Wife Fulvia 30:48 Mark Antony Marries Octavia (Octavian's Sister) 35:54 The Disaster of the Parthian Expedition 38:48 The Donations of Alexandria and Propaganda War 42:55 The Climactic Battle of Actium and Their Final FatePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #RomanEmpire
Inside The Bizarre Biology Of Ancient Sharks The Ancients 2025-11-02 | Did you know fossil sharks are older than the dinosaurs and even the rings of Saturn?Tristan Hughes and leading palaeontologist Professor John Long delve into the epic evolutionary journey of these ocean survivors, from the earliest microscopic scales to the monstrous apex predators of the 'Golden Age of Sharks'. Professor Long, an expert in early sharks and fossil fish, details the explosion of shark diversity during the Devonian and Carboniferous periods (419 to 300 million years ago). We discover how the cartilage skeleton gave them an advantage over armoured fish (placoderms), the rise of colossal hunters like Tenacanthus, the bizarre buzzsaw shark (Helicoprion) with a circular jaw, and how their survival was secured by adapting to diverse environments, including deep ocean and freshwater rivers. We also cover the incredible discovery of the 380-million-year-old Gogoselachus in Australia.0:00 Introduction to prehistoric sharks and the geological timescale1:56 Fossils as the main tool for studying early shark evolution4:12 The origins of sharks: Scales from the Ordovician period5:49 The Devonian period: The first great leap in shark evolution9:04 The Devonian revolution: Life invades the land and sea11:18 The cartilage skeleton: The key advantage of early sharks13:08 Mass extinctions and the rise of apex predatory sharks15:19 The Carboniferous golden age of sharks and the Bear's Den shark18:47 Incredible diversity: Filter feeders and crushing tooth plates27:00 The Permian period and the giant buzzsaw shark (Helicoprion)30:56 Xenacanths: Kings of the freshwater rivers and shark cannibalism37:34 Professor Long's discovery of Gogoselachus and bone cells40:00 Antarctica expedition for Devonian shark fossils48:26 The Great Dying and the birth of modern sharks (Neo-Selachians)Presented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Sharks
Ancient Arctic: How The Inuit Survived The Frozen Tundra | The Ancients The Ancients 2025-11-02 | Tristan Hughes and Raven Todd Dilva discuss Arctic archaeology, revealing the Thule Inuit, an ancient civilisation that mastered survival across northern Canada and Greenland. This episode explores the remarkable migration of the Thule Inuit from Alaska around 1000 CE, their eventual replacement of the earlier Dorset culture, and the development of their unique lifestyle. Archaeologist and author Raven Todd Dilva discusses how they engineered subterranean, multi-room winter homes with whale bone roofs and air-trapping entrances, allowing them to thrive in 40-degree conditions. Discover the Thule Inuit's sophisticated hunting technology, including harpoons and umiaks (large boats) for hunting huge prey like the bowhead whale, and innovative tools like snow goggles (ilgaak) and baine snow beaters. We also touch upon the Little Ice Age's impact, early contact with the Norse, and how the Thule are the direct ancestors of the modern Inuit.0:00 Introduction to Arctic archaeology and the Thule Inuit 2:09 Who were the early Thule Inuit? 4:43 Sources for Thule Inuit archaeology and oral history 7:52 The unfathomable migration: Alaska to Greenland in 100 years 10:43 The importance of bowhead whales and whaling technology 13:33 The Thule Inuit's replacement of the Dorset culture 16:42 Subterranean winter houses and ingenious arctic architecture 25:25 Cyclical lifestyle and diverse Thule Inuit hunting techniques 31:00 Walrus bone armour and maximising the carcass 35:35 Thule Inuit contact with the Norse and later Europeans 38:09 The Little Ice Age and transition to modern Inuit culturePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, Senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Inuit #NativeHistory
Who was Nero? The Ancients 2025-11-02 | Tristan Hughes and Conn Iggulden talk all about Emperor Nero's traumatic rise to power in the Julio-Claudian dynasty, featuring Agrippina the Younger, Caligula, and Claudius in this episode of the Ancients.In this in-depth ancient history podcast, host Tristan Hughes welcomes acclaimed historical fiction author Conn Iggulden to delve into the shocking and tumultuous early life of Emperor Nero. They explore the bloody family history, including the psychological damage from his chaotic childhood and the political machinations of his mother, Agrippina the Younger, to secure his place as heir.Conn and Tristan discuss the fragility of historical sources, comparing the bias of writers like Tacitus and Suetonius, and how Nero was influenced by his tutors, the philosopher Seneca and the Praetorian Prefect Burrus. They cover Nero's tumultuous marriage to Octavia, the poisonings surrounding Claudius' death that secured his accession at age 16, and the enduring tragedy of a promising figure corrupted by absolute power.0:00 Introduction to Emperor Nero's rise to power 2:53 Surviving sources on the Julio-Claudian dynasty 4:36 The tragedy of missing historical documents 8:49 Nero's traumatic childhood: A tragic figure 12:18 The origins of Nero: Agrippina and Ahenobarbus 17:09 Claudius, Messalina, and the plot against Nero 25:02 Agrippina marries Claudius and secures the heirship 33:44 Nero's education with Seneca and Burrus 48:33 Chariot racing and low status pursuits in Rome 53:18 The poisoning of Emperor Claudius 1:00:50 Propaganda and power on Roman coinagePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez. Senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Rome #Nero
Irish Myths: Uncovering Lost Prehistoric Legends | The Ancients The Ancients 2025-11-02 | Was the Eye of Sauron based on ancient Irish mythology? What can we know about these prehistoric legends and their effect on our stories today?Tristan Hughes and ancient history expert Anthony Murphy dive deep into the written tales to uncover how the seemingly "pagan" stories, written down by Christian medieval monks, contain surprisingly accurate memories of Stone Age monuments and customs, including the astronomical alignment of Newgrange, the River Boyne, and the legendary Salmon of Knowledge. Irish mythology's prehistoric origins are revealed, from the Tuatha Dé Danann gods to the epic heroes and warriors. Explore the cycles of Irish myth, the fascinating tale of the Tuatha Dé Danann's arrival and their battle with the pirate-giants the Fomorians and their leader Balor of the Baleful Eye. Discover how modern archaeology and DNA science are proving powerful correspondences between the mythological tales and the archaeological record, suggesting a deep-time folk memory hidden in these stories of gods, kings, and heroes like Finn McCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill), and how these myths are inextricably linked to the most important prehistoric landscapes of Ireland, such as the Hill of Tara and the shee-mounds.0:00 Introduction to Irish mythology and its prehistoric past 1:35 The vast corpus of Irish mythology 2:46 How Christian monks saved the pagan myths 5:30 The four distinct cycles of Irish mythology 8:45 Finding historical references in ancient myths 13:25 Prehistoric links: incest and the Newgrange DNA proof 16:47 Newgrange’s alignment: a 4,000-year-old mythological memory 20:15 The Dindsenchas: lore of eminent places 31:17 The Tuatha Dé Danann and the story of the invasions of Ireland 49:48 The giants: Balor of the Baleful Eye and the Fomorians 57:19 The Salmon of Knowledge and the birth of FinnPresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Mythology
What (Or WHO) Caused The Fall Of Babylon? | The Ancients The Ancients 2025-11-01 | Ancient Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, and the Persian Empire clash in this deep dive into the 539 BC conquest. Tristan Hughes and Reverend Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones discuss the unexpected fall of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the rise of Cyrus the Great's Achaemenid Persia. They explore the pivotal moment when the ancient world's largest, most magnificent city, Babylon, capitulated without bloodshed, examining the critical role of its final king, Nabonidus, his son Belshazzar, and the political/religious machinations that paved the way for the new Persian overlords.Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones sheds light on Nabonidus's controversial devotion to the moon god Sin over Babylon's chief deity Marduk, the political manoeuvring of his mother Adad-Gupi, and the devastating, yet strategic, sack of the nearby city of Opis. They also address the Bible's account of the 'writing on the wall' in the Book of Daniel, highlighting how historical sources like the Cyrus Cylinder paint a pragmatic picture of a bloodless takeover that saw Babylon retain its prestige as the 'jewel in the Persian crown' for centuries to come.0:00 Introduction to the fall of Babylon1:14 From the Babylonian Empire to the Persian Empire3:37 Babylon: the greatest city in the mid-6th century BC6:55 Nebuchadnezzar's golden age and Nabonidus's accession8:37 Adad-Gupi: the mother who engineered her son's rise14:09 Nabonidus's neglect of Marduk and voluntary religious exile16:52 Belshazzar: regent king, son of Nabonidus21:05 Cyrus the Great's army advances on Babylon24:49 The brutal sack of Opis and Belshazzar's death26:59 The bloodless takeover of Babylon by Cyrus28:15 The Cyrus Cylinder: propaganda and the new king of Babylon39:09 The writing on the wall: Belshazzar's demise in the Bible43:55 Babylon's continued power in the Persian EmpirePresented by Tristan Hughes. Producers are Joseph Knight & McKenna Fernandez, and the senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff. Editor is Matthew Wilson. Channel manager is Vilde Øksnes. Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at historyhit.com/subscribe. All music from Epidemic Sounds.#HistoryHitPodcast #TheAncients #Babylon
