The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?
The Ancients24 Dec 2020

The Mystery of Mithras: A Pagan Christmas?

The clichéd Christmas: white snow, hot fires, mulled wine and a feast. This might not be the case were the holiday not to fall on 25 December and, although many things have been missed in 2020, the usual questions of whether this is the right date arrived reliably on time. So, for this episode, Tristan spoke to Professor Matthew McCarty to find out whether Christmas Day was really placed in December to supplant non-Christian worship, in particular that of Mithras. Matthew is Assistant Professor of Roman Archaeology at the University of British Columbia. He has been directing the field excavation of a mithraeum in Apulum (Romania), the first scientifically excavated mithraeum in the province of Dacia. In this festive episode, he shares his insight into the social dynamics of ritual practices in the sanctuary at Apulum and elsewhere.

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

Avsnitt(600)

Alexander the Great's Greatest Victory

Alexander the Great's Greatest Victory

In October 331 BC, one of the most important battles of world history occurred on the plain of Gaugamela. Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, had been campaigning east of th...

10 Okt 20211h 20min

Nefertiti

Nefertiti

Very few figures in history are recognizable from their silhouettes, but included in this small group is Nefertiti, one of the most famous queens of Ancient Egypt. Professor Joyce Tyldesley speaks to ...

7 Okt 202151min

The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great

The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great

In his lifetime King Alexander III of Macedon, better known as Alexander the Great, forged one of the largest empires in ancient history. But it was what happened to Alexander following his demise – h...

3 Okt 202155min

The Oldest Human Footprints in North America

The Oldest Human Footprints in North America

This week our understanding of when humans first inhabited the North American continent has been turned on its head … by a set of c.22,000 year old footprints. In this episode, hear how footprints can...

30 Sep 202128min

Roman Weapons

Roman Weapons

Legendary leaders and notorious battles, we imagine the sound of clinking armour. But what did the Romans take with them into battle? In the second of our episodes recorded at Chalke Valley History Fe...

26 Sep 202144min

Werewolves and Strix-Witches

Werewolves and Strix-Witches

It’s werewolf time on the Ancients! In this episode Exeter University’s Professor Daniel Ogden highlights how these mythical creatures have their origins in ancient times and thrived in a story world ...

23 Sep 202141min

Fortress Cilicia: Megastructures in the Near East

Fortress Cilicia: Megastructures in the Near East

In the aftermath of Alexander the Great’s death, his empire became the subject of a series of titanic clashes: the Wars of the Successors. In this episode of the podcast, Dr Nick Rauh takes us through...

21 Sep 202154min

Clodius: Best Villain of the Roman Republic?

Clodius: Best Villain of the Roman Republic?

Historian and author Dr. Emma Southon returns to the Ancients to shine a light on the life - and murder - of Publius Claudius Pulcher (aka Clodius), and why this horrible, colourful figure was so sign...

19 Sep 202146min

Populärt inom Historia

motiv
massmordarpodden
historiska-brott
p3-historia
historiepodden-se
olosta-mord
rss-brottsligt
rss-massmordarpodden
rss-seriemordarpodden
historianu-med-urban-lindstedt
konspirationsteorier
militarhistoriepodden
nu-blir-det-historia
palmemordet
krigshistoriepodden
rss-historien-om
rss-arkiv-stieg
vetenskapsradion-historia
bedragare
harrisons-dramatiska-historia