Palmyra: Pearl of the Desert
The Ancients18 Feb 2021

Palmyra: Pearl of the Desert

Palmyra features in headlines today as a casualty of IS destruction, but during its heyday it was a monumental city set on an oasis in the Syrian desert. First mentioned in the second millennium BC, it gained wealth from the caravan trade which moved goods across the desert. What makes it unique, however, is not its wealth but its multicultural, multilingual nature. Buildings in Palmyra featured inscriptions in Greek and Palmyrene and, after becoming a subject of the Roman Empire in the first century AD, Latin. To find out more about this beautiful site, Tristan spoke to Ted Kaizer from Durham University. Ted is Senior Lecturer in Roman Culture and History, and takes us through the growth of Palmyra, its position on the crossroads of cultures and whether or not it was really subject to Roman rule.

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

Episoder(594)

Roman Toilets

Roman Toilets

They built roads, aqueducts, and bathhouses but what about toilets?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Hannah Platts, to uncover the surprisingly fascinating world of Roman toilets, faeces and sewers. From...

13 Nov 20251h 3min

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

The Ancients Recommends: History Daily

Today in this bonus episode Tristan introduces us to History Daily podcast, where host Lindsay Graham takes us back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history.Whether ...

11 Nov 202532min

Antony and Cleopatra

Antony and Cleopatra

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 Hu...

9 Nov 202553min

Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age

Proto-Vikings: The Nordic Bronze Age

Who were the Vikings' ancient ancestors? In this episode Tristan Hughes explores the fascinating maritime culture, sophisticated trade networks and social hierarchies of the Nordic Bronze Age c. 1800–...

6 Nov 202553min

Fall of Babylon

Fall of Babylon

The year is 539 BC. The greatest city of the ancient world has fallen. Babylon has opened it's gates to a new conqueror: the mighty Persian king Cyrus the Great.In this episode of The Ancients, Trista...

2 Nov 202547min

Origins of Yoga

Origins of Yoga

Warrior, Cobra, Downward Dog. If you do Yoga today, those are poses you’re surely aware of. But where and when did Yoga originate?In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Jim Ma...

30 Okt 202554min

Boudica's Tribe: How the Iceni Survived the Romans

Boudica's Tribe: How the Iceni Survived the Romans

Join us for a special episode of The Ancients, recorded on-site in Norfolk, as we delve into the fascinating history of the Iceni tribe both before and after Boudica's famed revolt against the legions...

26 Okt 20251h

Bog Bodies

Bog Bodies

What lurks under the surface of the dense black peat pits strewn across northern Europe? Bog bodies, naturally mummified humans, have fascinated archeologists for decades as they offer unique insights...

23 Okt 20251h 2min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-benadet
henrettelsespodden
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-historiske-romanser
sektledere
rss-gamle-greier
historiepodden
rss-frontkjemperne
sannhet-eller-konspirasjon
historiepodden-ww2
rss-historiepodden-ww2
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
med-egne-oyne
undersattene
vare-historier
taakeprat