The Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and Salamis
The Ancients27 Feb 2025

The Persian Wars: Xerxes, Thermopylae and Salamis

In 486 BC, King Xerxes ascended the Persian throne, inheriting its vast and glittering world empire. But his ambition didn’t stop there - he sought revenge on Greece.


In this episode of The Ancients, the culmination of our two-part series on the Persian Wars, Tristan Hughes is joined once again by Dr. Roel Konijnendijk and Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones to explore Xerxes' massive invasion. From the assembling of his colossal army to the legendary battles of Thermopylae and Salamis featured in the accounts of Herodotus, discover the earth-shattering conclusion to the largest invasion ancient Greece had ever faced.


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.


All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds


The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.


You can take part in our listener survey here:

https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

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

Episoder(595)

Keros: Bronze Age Mystery

Keros: Bronze Age Mystery

While a small, uninhabited island today, Keros held significant importance during the Bronze Age. As a crucial centre for cultural practices, trade, and unique rituals nearly 5,000 years ago, it's dif...

22 Nov 202341min

Treasures of Pompeii

Treasures of Pompeii

Despite being uncovered in the 16th Century - new finds are still being discovered daily in Pompeii. With each new discovery offering a fresh insight into what life was like 2000 years ago, we're able...

19 Nov 202338min

Kazakhstan's Valley of Kings

Kazakhstan's Valley of Kings

Gold and horses! Few ancient civilisations were greater masters of metalworking and horse riding than the Saka culture of Central Asia. Also known as the ‘Eastern Scythians’, these peoples ruled over ...

16 Nov 202356min

Persephone: Queen of the Underworld

Persephone: Queen of the Underworld

This episode contains references to death and sexual assault.Persephone is Queen of the Underworld in Ancient Greek mythology. Wife of Hades, and daughter of Zeus and Demeter, Persephone's journey to ...

11 Nov 202341min

The Illyrians: Pirates of the Adriatic

The Illyrians: Pirates of the Adriatic

Inhabiting the Balkans in antiquity, the Illyrians played a vital role in Ancient History. From their renowned reputation as skilled craftsmen, through to their seafaring ways - the Illyrians left the...

8 Nov 202340min

Origins of Gaza

Origins of Gaza

Throughout history, the area today known as Gaza has often been a contentious site. Its historical significance is a history that spans nearly 3 millennia, and archaeological evidence shows us that it...

4 Nov 202339min

Human Evolution: Dragon Man

Human Evolution: Dragon Man

Homo longi, also known as Dragon Man, is an extinct archaic human species - with a nearly complete skull found near Harbin, China, dating back to at least 146,000 years ago. Discovered in 1933 during ...

1 Nov 202335min

Witches

Witches

From seductive sorceresses to withered necromancers, witches play a varied - and vital - role in ancient history. Recorded in classical epics by the likes of Homer, and immortalised in tragedies by Eu...

29 Okt 202351min

Populært innen Historie

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