Spartacus: Life or Legend
The Ancients22 Touko 2024

Spartacus: Life or Legend

‘I am Spartacus!’ In the field of epic film making, the 1960 historical drama ‘Spartacus’ is legendary. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, and starring Kirk Douglas and Laurence Olivier, it is undoubtedly a classic. But how much of the plot has emerged from the true story of a Thracian gladiator and slave who escaped his Roman captors and led an unsuccessful but impressive rebellion against their oppressors? And how much of the film’s message was formed by the personalities involved in its creation, and the context in which it was made?


In her own words, Dr Fiona Radford devoted years of her life to the man with the most memorable chin cleft in the world - Kirk Douglas, specifically as Spartacus. Her thesis traced the production history of this film, examining in particular the effect that the turbulent process had on the portrayal of female characters. Having taught at Macquarie University, ANU and the University of Sydney, she currently teaches history at secondary school level, and her conversation with Tristan in this episode is an eye-opener to 1950s film making as well as the legend of Spartacus.


Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 per month for 3 months with code ANCIENTS - sign up here.


You can take part in our listener survey here.

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

Jaksot(594)

Sargon of Akkad

Sargon of Akkad

Over 4,000 years ago, Sargon of Akkad carved his name into history by forging what many consider the world’s first empire. But who was this enigmatic warlord, and how did he transform from a man witho...

12 Tammi 202543min

Rome's Crisis of the Third Century

Rome's Crisis of the Third Century

What happens when emperors are murdered more often than they die of natural causes? Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Gwynn to unravel the Crisis of the Third Century, a pivotal, turbulent era in ...

9 Tammi 20251h 2min

Atlantis

Atlantis

The story of Atlantis is one of history's enduring legends. So what’s the actual, ancient tale of Atlantis? Where does it come from? Was Atlantis real? And if not, why has the name become a byword for...

5 Tammi 202535min

Who Was the Real King Arthur?

Who Was the Real King Arthur?

Was King Arthur a real historical figure or merely a mythical hero?Tristan Hughes and Dr. Miles Russell delve into the myth and mystery of King Arthur, exploring the historical figures who may have in...

2 Tammi 202553min

Emperor Constantine

Emperor Constantine

How did Constantine the Great conquer his rivals and shape the Roman Empire?Tristan Hughes discusses the dramatic rise of Roman Emperor Constantine I with Professor David Potter. They discuss the scan...

29 Joulu 202451min

Tomb of King Herod

Tomb of King Herod

Did Herod really order the massacre of thousands of infants? Tristan Hughes revisits the scandalous and captivating story of the discovery of King Herod's Tomb.He's joined by Professor Jodi Magnus as ...

26 Joulu 202455min

Druids

Druids

Aligning with the winter solstice of 2024, Tristan Hughes and Professor Ronald Hutton delve into the ancient Druids of Britain and France.They discuss how Julius Caesar encountered this feared enemy i...

22 Joulu 202445min

The Birth of Money

The Birth of Money

Gold has shaped human history for several millennia. But how and when did it first turn into currency? And what can it tell us about the birth of money?In today's episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hugh...

19 Joulu 202442min

Suosittua kategoriassa Historia

olipa-kerran-otsikko
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
mayday-fi
huijarit
mystista
tsunami
konginkangas
totuus-vai-salaliitto
rss-ikiuni
rouva-diktaattori
rss-subjektiivinen-todistaja
sotaa-ja-historiaa-podi
rss-peter-peter
rss-i-dont-like-mondays-2
rss-kirkon-ihmeellisimmat-tarinat
rss-iltanuotiolla
maailmanpuu
rss-sattuu-sita-suomessakin
apinan-vuosi
rss-outoja-uutisia-pohjois-suomesta