Ares: God of War

Often thought of as an ancient, mythical idea, immortalised in the works of Homer, it's hard to imagine Troy as real place. But when Heinrich Schliemann started excavations of the city in the late 19th Century, our understanding of the ancient world would change forever. Troy stood for over millennia, and in that period was destroyed and rebuilt time and time again. So what do we know about the real people who lived there, and what does the modern archaeology tell us?In today's episode Tristan is joined by Professor C. Brian Rose, the James B. Pritchard Professor of Archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania, to take us through this city's magnificent past. Looking at the people who first occupied the settlement, through to the modern age beauty contests that still take place on the surrounding slopes, there's a wide breadth of history to be covered. So what really happened during the Trojan War, if it actually happened at all? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Mars 202349min

This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and cruelty against animals.The Romans were - and still are - infamous for the brutal gladiatorial contests they held in their ancient amphitheatres. But often what made their games so spectacular were the exotic animals they put on show. Viciously hunted on an industrial scale, elephants, lions, crocodiles and even rhinos were thrust onto the arena floor and slaughtered, all for the pleasure of the Roman crowds.In today’s episode of The Ancients, Tristan talks to Caroline Freeman-Cuerdan to explore these beast hunts and the massive industry that lay behind them. Together they discover how the animals acted as both ‘hunter and hunted’ and why Roman statesmen were so obsessed with beasts from far-away lands. The Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie.The Assistant Producer was Annie Coloe.Edited by Joseph Knight.For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here. If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - subscribe today! To download, go to Android or Apple store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Mars 202333min

Shrouded in mystery, the Nuragic culture was an enigmatic Bronze Age Civilisation that lived on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. With their name deriving from the Island's iconic fortress-like Nuraghe monument - they have not only defined Bronze Age history, but even the very land from which they originated. But why were the Nuragic so obsessed with building these fortresses, and what can we learn from them?In this episode, Tristan is joined by Fitzwilliam Museum curator, Dr Anastasia Christophilopoulou, to unravel the mysteries of ancient Sardinia. The builders of the nuraghes left no written records, but new discoveries have shed light on the civilisation and its people. So who what can we learn from the archaeology, and is it possible to find out where they went?Anastasia is the curator of the new Fitzwilliam Museum exhibit Islanders: The Making of the Mediterranean.Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie. The Assistant Producer was Annie Coloe. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Mars 202342min

Over 100 miles further than the northern reaches of Britain, beyond Orkney, are a remote group of islands that make up Shetland. It’s one of the best kept secrets of prehistoric Scotland, containing evidence of the lives that were lived there some 5,000 years ago. With Viking archeology as well as prehistoric remains, it's a one of a kind insight into the past.In today’s episode, Tristan talks to Dr Val Turner, one of Shetland's regional archaeologists. Together they take us to this edge of the prehistoric world, to find out about what life on these distant islands would have been like. From the axe factories that were discovered there, to the incredible Iron Age skyscrapers that are the brochs, what can we learn about this remote part of the world?Senior Producer was Elena Guthrie. The Assistant Producer was Annie Coloe. Edited by Stuart Beckwith. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Mars 202345min

Perhaps best known from the Biblical tale of David and Goliath, the Philistines were an ancient civilisation who lived on the south coast of Canaan. Despite living over a millennia ago, their name has been rebranded as a description of someone who disregards intellectual pursuits - but how, and why, was this connection made? Just who were the philistines, and what do we know about them?In today's episode, Tristan is joined by archaeologist, and leading Philistine expert, Dr Aren Maeir, leader of excavations for several years at Gath, the ancient Philistine city. Looking at the archaeology, Aren is able to build a picture of how Philistine civilisation functioned, and what they were really like. So is it fair to use their culture as an insult, or have we been wrong this entire time? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Mars 202341min

Given his incredible career, you'd perhaps expect the name of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus to be better known. Born in North Africa in 145AD, he rose to power after distinguishing himself as a military commander at a time of great instability in the Roman Empire. Finally bringing the Year of the Five Emperors to an end, Severus was in power for nearly two decades - so how did he end up perishing in York?In this episode, Tristan welcomes back author (and Severus' unofficial 21st Century biographer) Dr Simon Elliot. Together, they explore the life and legacy of Septimius Severus - looking at his impact on the history of Ancient Rome, as well as the bloody events surrounding his campaign in Scotland, and asking how one of the most powerful men in the world was eventually bought down.For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here. If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - enter promo code ANCIENTS for a free trial, plus 50% off your first three months' subscription. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Mars 202341min

Around 66 million years ago, an asteroid the size of Mount Everest slammed into our planet, triggering the mass extinction of the dinosaurs and countless other species unable to adapt to the sudden environmental catastrophe that followed. What exactly happened on that fateful day, and what about the thousands of years after? Why did the most prominent creatures on the planet, the huge dinosaurs we know and love, die instantly, and how did other creatures like birds and crocodiles survive through to today?In this episode, Tristan is joined by author Riley Black to take a deep dive into the disaster’s immediate effects, including the massive shockwaves, earthquakes, tsunamis and years of darkness that would trigger the extinction of three-quarters of all plant and animal species on our planet. Welcome to the single worst day in the history of life on Earth.Riley's new book The Last Days of the DInosaurs is available here.For more Ancients content, subscribe to our Ancients newsletter here. If you'd like to learn even more, we have hundreds of history documentaries, ad free podcasts and audiobooks at History Hit - enter promo code ANCIENTS for a free trial, plus 50% off your first three months' subscription. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Mars 202342min