The Epic of Gilgamesh: Quest for Immortality
The Ancients8 Helmi 2024

The Epic of Gilgamesh: Quest for Immortality

The Epic of Gilgamesh is one of the oldest surviving works of storytelling in history. It begins with the tale of Gilgamesh’s friendship with the wild man Enkidu. But after Enkidu is killed, King Gilgamesh embarks on a journey into his distant past in search for immortality.


In this episode of the Ancients, the second part of our series on the Epic of Gilgamesh, Dr Sophus Helle returns to speak to Tristan Hughes about Gilgamesh’s quest and his encounters with a mysterious sage called Ut-napishtim - who some claim may have been the inspiration behind the biblical figure of Noah & his famous Ark.


The first part of our Gilgamesh series, The Epic of Gilgamesh: Rise of Enkidu can be found here


This episode was produced by Joseph Knight and edited by Aidan Lonergan


Discover the past with exclusive history documentaries and ad-free podcasts presented by world-renowned historians from History Hit. Watch them on your smart TV or on the go with your mobile device. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code ANCIENTS sign up now for your 14-day free trial HERE.


You can take part in our listener survey here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jaksot(561)

Iron Age British and Roman Racing Chariots

Iron Age British and Roman Racing Chariots

How truthful are modern depictions of ancient chariots? In this second episode, Mike Loades explores the reality behind the scythed chariot shown in Boudica's Westminster statue. He then draws upon his experimental archaeology to discuss the truth about racing chariots in Ancient Rome. How many horses did they use, and how big were they? Would the riders really have been standing? Mike is a writer, television presenter, director and military historian who has personally tested many replica chariots, including on the streets of London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Kesä 202154min

Polynesian Mythology

Polynesian Mythology

From creation stories to voyager journeys, mythology and oral history are often key to our identities. In this episode Christina Thompson shines a light on some fascinating tales from Polynesian mythology and explains how these tales have been received in more recent history. Christina is the author of Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3 Kesä 202129min

The Golden Age of Chariots

The Golden Age of Chariots

Taxis to the front line or ancient tanks? Through archaeological remains and ancient depictions, we have some idea of what the ancient military vehicles of the ancient world looked like, but how were they ridden and what for? In this first of two conversations, Mike Loades and Tristan discuss the chariots of Egypt, Anatolia, Troy and China. Mike is a writer, television presenter, director and military historian who has personally tested many replica chariots. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Touko 202153min

Alexander the Great's First Persian Victory

Alexander the Great's First Persian Victory

If there had been a different outcome to the Battle of Granicus, we might never have heard about Alexander the Great. Taking place in 334 BC, this was his first major victory against the Persian Empire. In this episode, Tristan is joined by Adrian Goldsworthy to discuss Alexander and his tactics right at the beginning of his campaign, before he had built up his formidable reputation. Adrian is a historian and novelist who specialises in Ancient Roman history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Touko 202152min

Ancient Polynesia: Pioneers of the Pacific

Ancient Polynesia: Pioneers of the Pacific

Despite sporadic food sources and the dangers of the deep sea, the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean have been home to Polynesians for more than a millennium. But what was life like for the first people to venture between Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island, to name a few? In this episode Christina Thompson explores the new evidence which can tell us more about what the ancient Polynesians ate and how they lived. From the DNA of ancient rats to the mystery of the sweet potato, this is an intriguing listen. Christina is the author of ‘Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22 Touko 202131min

The Truth About King Arthur

The Truth About King Arthur

The legend of King Arthur has been reworked many times, but is there any historical truth behind the tales? Dr Miles Russell believes there is and in this podcast he highlights how elements of King Arthur’s story derive from five key ancient figures. From British warlords that opposed the arrival of Julius Caesar to Roman emperors of Later Antiquity, Miles explores these individuals in ‘Arthur and the Kings of Britain: The Historical Truth Behind the Myths’. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Touko 202153min

Olympia: The Golden Age

Olympia: The Golden Age

For hundreds of years in antiquity, the sanctuary at Olympia was one of the most important religious sites in the Greek World, home to stunning art and architecture commissioned by tyrants and city-states situated across the length and breadth of the Mediterranean. And it was during the 5th and 4th centuries BC, that this sanctuary arguably entered its golden age. In this third and final episode of our mini-series on ancient Olympia, Professor Judy Barringer from the University of Edinburgh talks in detail about some of the most striking art and architecture that survives from Classical Olympia. From the pediments of the Temple of Zeus to the Winged Nike of Paionios. Judy is the author of Olympia: A Cultural History. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Touko 202134min

Ancient Afghanistan: The Land of a Thousand Cities

Ancient Afghanistan: The Land of a Thousand Cities

Situated north of the Hindu Kush and south of the Oxus (Amu Darya) River, the history of the ancient region of Bactria is rich and diverse. From the Oxus Civilisation that flourished in the Bronze Age to the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, the Greco-Bactrians and the Kushans.In this podcast Tristan chats to David Adams, Australian photo journalist and documentary film maker, who has been fortunate enough to explore many of the archaeological sites of Bactria. From the 'City of Lady Moon' to the whereabouts of Bactra, 'Mother of All Cities', join David and Tristan as they discuss some of the most extraordinary ancient sites in the world.Arcadia Expeditions: https://www.arcadiaexpeditions.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Touko 202151min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
mayday-fi
huijarit
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mystista
konginkangas
tsunami
rss-ikiuni
totuus-vai-salaliitto
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
rss-peter-peter
rss-outoja-uutisia-pohjois-suomesta
historiaa-suomeksi
rouva-diktaattori
hippokrateen-vastaanotolla
maailmanpuu
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-kikka-forever