Messalina: Empress of Rome
The Ancients11 Maj 2023

Messalina: Empress of Rome

In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes speaks with historian Honor Cargill-Martin about the notorious Empress Messalina, third wife of Emperor Claudius. A lot has been said about Messalina over two millennia: that she was a nymphomaniac who organised orgies and engaged in prostitution, even going so far as to work as a prostitute in the streets of Rome, or had sex with 25 men in 24 hours, are just a few examples. Cargill-Martin sheds light on the political and social climate of ancient Rome during Messalina's reign and how she was a complex figure who deserves a more nuanced understanding.


Produced by Elena Guthrie, edited by Aidan Longergan.


For more History Hit content, subscribe to our newsletters 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!

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

Avsnitt(609)

Spartacus: Life or Legend?

Spartacus: Life or Legend?

‘I’m Spartacus!’ In the field of epic film making, the 1960 historical drama ‘Spartacus’, is legendary. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, adapted from the Howard Fast novel by Red Scare blacklisted screenw...

3 Dec 202047min

Dura-Europos: The Syrian Pompeii

Dura-Europos: The Syrian Pompeii

When we think of Pompeii, we remember the city which became frozen in time after a natural catastrophe. Well, in 1920, exactly 100 years ago, another 'frozen city' was rediscovered. This time it was D...

29 Nov 202049min

Pompeii and the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Pompeii and the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Pompeii is back in the news. An extraordinary new, touching discovery, found during the Great Pompeii Project of Professor Massimo Osanna and his team. Roughly 700 metres northwest of Pompeii, in the ...

26 Nov 202051min

Linothorax: Kevlar of the Ancients

Linothorax: Kevlar of the Ancients

The House of the Faun in Pompeii is known for being one of the largest and most impressive private residences in the ancient city. Among its many works of art is a depiction of Alexander the Great in ...

22 Nov 202048min

Volcanic Vineyards of Pompeii

Volcanic Vineyards of Pompeii

An ancient town, buried and preserved beneath volcanic ash, Pompeii is a gift to archaeologists and historians seeking to find out more about the lives of the civilians in a regular Roman town. Beyond...

19 Nov 202035min

Terror in the Teutoburg Forest

Terror in the Teutoburg Forest

Its been used for nationalist propaganda across the ages and its just been dramatised for Netflix, but what do we actually know about the Battle of Teutoburg Forest? For a start, where was it? Dr Joan...

15 Nov 202048min

Agrippa and Augustus: The Golden Age

Agrippa and Augustus: The Golden Age

The Romans, an ancient conquering civilisation with an empire that spread from Europe across the Balkans to the Middle East and North Africa. For this episode, we are returning to our study of one of ...

12 Nov 20201h 7min

The Other Alexander

The Other Alexander

Alexander, an Ancient Greek king and a victorious conqueror. No, not that one, not Alexander the Great. This time, we’re talking about his uncle, Alexander I of Molossia. In 334BC, when Alexander the ...

8 Nov 202038min

Populärt inom Historia

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