Achilles
The Ancients25 Jun 2023

Achilles

This episode contains themes of a sexual nature


Achilles is one of the greatest heroes in Greek mythology. The son of Peleus, a Greek King, and Thetis, a divine sea nymph, Achilles was a demigod with extraordinary strength and courage. The perfect combination to make a great warrior, he is perhaps best known from Homer's epic poem the Iliad, which details his adventures in the final year of the Trojan War.


He's also gone down in history for his passionate love for his companion, Patroclus. Sources and mythology differ was to the nature of their relationship, and in this episode, we ask the question: was it really erotic? What do the sources say? Does our definition of love differ to that of the Ancient Greeks? And how did it inspire one of the greatest military generals in history: Alexander of Macedon?


To help explore these themes, host Tristan Hughes is joined by returning guest Professor Alastair Blanshard from University of Queensland.


Voiceover: Lucy Davidson

Script Writer: Andrew Hulse

Editor: Aidan Lonergan

Assistant Producer: Annie Coloe

Senior Producer: Elena Guthrie


Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsely, Matt Lewis, Tristan Hughes and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code ANCIENTS. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up here.


You can take part in our listener survey here.


For more Ancient's content, subscribe to our Ancient's newsletter here.

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

Episoder(596)

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism

A faith born in the distant prehistoric past, rooted in ancient Iranian texts over 4,000 years old, Zoroastrianism is one of the world’s oldest living religions. and one that shaped empires.In this ep...

20 Nov 20251h

Decline & Fall of the Ancient World

Decline & Fall of the Ancient World

Tristan Hughes invites Matt Lewis, host The Ancients's sister podcast Gone Medieval, for a lively debate with about the blurred boundary between the ancient and medieval worlds. Can Tristan champion R...

16 Nov 202546min

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

Populært innen Historie

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