Ancient Heroes

Classical and Biblical archaeologist Jodi Magness joins to talk about the history of Jerusalem, a sacred city in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We talk about the city's origins, its development into a major religious site, the lost Ark of the Covenant, and much more.

What is meant by human "prehistory" and how do we understand the story of our species? Historian Stefanos Geroulanos makes the case that modern ideas about human prehistory often say more about us than they do about our ancestors from the distant past.

My thoughts on the controversial new miniseries about the campaign of Alexander the Great.

Modern-day traveling bard Joe Goodkin joins to talk about Homer, Achilles, and the legendary war at the heart of Greek mythology. He also performs a few of his original songs inspired by the Iliad.

I rank these seven legendary structures from least impressive to most impressive.

Journalist and bestselling author Douglas Preston joins to discuss his first-hand investigations into some of archaeology's greatest mysteries.

What was the Lighthouse of Alexandria actually like? Why is it included in the list of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World? We talk to scientist and scholar Michael Denis Higgins about the famous lighthouse and how it evolved over the centuries.

How did fossils inspire ancient Greek and Roman myth? Were the Amazons real? Historian and classical folklorist Adrienne Mayor joins me to answer these questions and many more.

The Elgin Marbles at the British Museum have long been a lightning rod for debate about whether museums are obligated to return artifacts that were taken from other parts of the world. I talk about the factors I would consider when trying to decide what the right answer is.

The Antonine Plague was a mysterious pandemic that hit the Roman Empire at the peak of its power. Historian Colin Elliott and I discuss what this historical pandemic was like, how the Romans reacted, parallels to the COVID-19 pandemic, and much more.

Inca expert Christopher Heaney joins the show to talk about this fascinating historic civilization of Peru and the Andes Mountains. We also talk about the controversies and challenges of Inca and other artifacts being owned by foreign museums.

We dive into the 700-year rivalry between the Roman and Persian Empires and how it shaped two superpowers of the ancient world.

Widely regarded as one of history's greatest philosophers, Plato is our leading source on the legend of Atlantis and the life and death of Socrates. Who was Plato and what can we learn from him? We talk to one of the world's top experts.

A primer on the famous story of Atlantis and the debate it has inspired. What do we actually know? What do the experts think?

Egyptologist Dr. Campbell Price comes on the show to talk about the real purpose of mummification, common misconceptions about ancient Egypt, and much more.

The Society for American Archaeology sent an open letter to Netflix with a list of complaints and requests in reaction to its hit show "Ancient Apocalypse". I give my analysis and reaction.

I give my initial reaction to the popular new Netflix show Ancient Apocalypse and Graham Hancock's work more generally.

The Persian Empire was one of the ancient world's greatest powers. Historian Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones joins me to discuss the rise, reign, and fall of this massive (and massively misunderstood) empire.

Millions around the world heard the Ukrainian soldiers on Snake Island tell a Russian warship to "go fuck yourself". In this episode, I talk about the island's surprising connection to ancient mythology and reflect on the nature of warfare.

Achilles is one of the most revered and misunderstood heroes in Greek myth. Historian Marta González González joins us to discuss his controversial relationship with Patroclus, the true motivations behind his choice to sacrifice his life, and much more.

How is the modern world of exercise connected to antiquity? Writer and researcher Bill Hayes comes on to talk about how physical training has changed and evolved through human history.

What were pandemics like in ancient times? How do they compare to what the world has been going through with COVID-19? Historian and expert in ancient disasters Lee Mordechai joins us.

Historian Michele Salzman joins me to discuss the events and people that contributed to the demise of the once-mighty Roman Empire.

The first few centuries after the death of Jesus make up possibly the most mysterious and crucial era in the history of Christianity. Religion scholar Erin Vearncombe joins us to talk about who these early followers of Jesus were and how their behavior was much different than conventional wisdom may have us believe.

Historian Roderick Beaton joins us to discuss the evolution of the Greek world during ancient times and its lasting legacy.

Archaeologist and historian John Hale joins us to talk about the pivotal conflicts between the Persian Empire and the city-states of ancient Greece in the 5th century BCE, as well as other related subjects.

We've all heard of the Rosetta Stone, but few know the real story of how it was discovered and decoded. Author Edward Dolnick joins us to tell us about the people who finally cracked the code and what it meant for understanding ancient Egyptian civilization.

How did Alexander the Great die and what was his actual succession plan? Author and researcher David Grant joins us to discuss his investigation into what Alexander wanted for his massive empire after his death, as well as other related subjects.

What were the gladiator games of Ancient Rome really like? How did they utilize deadly animals? Did women compete as gladiators? Ancient historian and leading gladiator expert Chris Epplett joins us to answer these questions and many more.

Were there any limits on the power of the Pharaohs? Why were there more female rulers in Egypt than in other ancient civilizations? Egyptologist Kara Cooney comes on to discuss how political power was wielded in Ancient Egypt and how those principles are still relevant today.

What did the ancient Greeks believe about the journey of Odysseus? Should we look for historical places and events behind Greek mythology? Jonathan Burgess, Professor of Classics at the University of Toronto, helps us answer these questions and much more.

What do we know about the first Egyptian rulers? Leading Egyptologist Aidan Dodson comes on the show to discuss the beginnings of ancient Egyptian civilization and much more.

Did the ancient Greeks and Romans believe in supernatural phenomena? Did they believe mythological monsters and gods really existed? Author and academic Garett Ryan comes on the show to help answer these questions and many more.

Why is ancient Egyptian civilization, including the Great Pyramids, the subject of so many conspiracy theories? Author Jason Colavito joins me to discuss how and why the history of Egypt has been rewritten and manipulated over the centuries.

Would a fighter from the ancient Mediterranean world stand a chance against today's greatest champion in a no holds barred contest? I dive into the history of mixed martial arts in ancient Greece and examine the key factors to consider in this timeless debate.

The Ark of the Covenant, which allegedly held the stone tablets of the 10 Commandments, was among the holiest (and most feared) objects of ancient history. We look at the story of the Ark and what may have happened to it on the week of the 40th anniversary of the release of the iconic Indiana Jones film "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

The Sacred Band was an elite fighting force responsible for the rise of Thebes as the Greek superpower in the 4th century BC. According to ancient sources, it was also formed of 150 pairs of adult male lovers. I talk to historian and author James Romm about the origins and eventual defeat of the Sacred Band of Thebes.

Heracles (aka Hercules) was known as the greatest of all the Greek heroes. I talk to the world's leading expert in Heracles mythology Emma Stafford about who the hero was and what he meant to the people of the ancient world.

I talk to author and intelligence professional Myke Cole about his provocative upcoming book "The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy".

A lot of people have asked me about my background and how I got into studying ancient history, podcasting, etc. so I dive into all of that in the latest episode of the show.

This past Sunday's episode of "The Daily" podcast by the New York Times focused on the role that the discipline of the Classics has played in furthering racism throughout history. Here's my initial reaction to some of the points made in the episode.

How does "300" hold up to historical scrutiny? I talk about the weird, interesting, and misleading aspects of the popular 2006 film.

Socrates is one of the best known and most influential ancient historical figures. But the truth of who Socrates was, what he did, and how he died remains elusive. I talk to scholar, translator, and author Robin Waterfield about the historical Socrates in Part II of our conversation.

How did the Olympic Games begin in Greece and what can they tell us about this ancient culture? I talk to scholar, translator, and author Robin Waterfield about the ancient Greek Olympics in Part I of our conversation.

What ancient civilizations have been overlooked, ignored, or lost through the ages? I talk to British author and historian Philip (Maty) Matyszak about these forgotten peoples, the myths of Hercules, and much more. Note: I apologize for the audio level inconsistency. I needed to boost things to make it easier to hear Maty.

The Kingdom of Pontus was one of the most significant powers of the Hellenistic Era and a major rival to Rome. American historian Duane Roller joins me to talk about the rise and fall of this fascinating and mysterious civilization.

Historian and archeologist Greg Woolf joins me to talk about how ancient cities developed, why we often have the wrong impression about them, and much more.

What mysteries lie below the ocean's surface? We talk to underwater archaeologist Peter Campbell about the ancient relics he is looking for in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.

How did the Kingdom of Macedon go from a Greek backwater to controlling one of the largest empires of the ancient world? Historian Adrian Goldsworthy joins me to discuss Alexander the Great and his influential father Philip II.

Thebes was once the most powerful city-state in Greece, but it has largely been overshadowed in popular culture by Athens and Sparta. Historian Paul Cartledge and I discuss the rise and fall of Thebes, and what impact it made on the ancient world.

Maybe Homer's Trojan War didn't happen after all. In this episode, we talk to Mediterranean archaeologist Josho Brouwers about the so-called Greek "Age of Heroes" and what it was really like.

What caused the mysterious collapse of so many civilizations in the 12th century BCE? Did the Trojan War really happen? Were Achilles and Helen real people? Eric Cline, one of the world's leading ancient historians and archaeologists, helps answer these questions and more in the latest episode of Ancient Heroes.

The relationship between the heroes Achilles and Patroclus is one of the controversial subjects in Greek mythology. I look at the sources, consider multiple perspectives, and offer my thoughts.

British historian and author Andrew Chugg reveals the new evidence he has uncovered in his search for the lost tomb of Alexander the Great.