What Did Ancient People Believe About Death and the Afterlife?

Robert Garland explores how Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and other ancient cultures understood death, grief, burial, and the afterlife. 

This episode is for anyone fascinated by ancient history, mythology, religion, and the human experience of death. 

Classicist Robert Garland discusses how ancient civilizations approached mortality: from Greek ideas of Hades and the afterlife to Egyptian burial practices, reincarnation, grief, cremation, and ritual. Drawing from his book What to Expect When You’re Dead, he reveals how ancient beliefs about death shaped culture, religion, and everyday life. 

If you’ve ever wondered how the ancient world dealt with life’s biggest mystery, this conversation offers a fascinating and surprisingly human exploration of death across civilizations. 

KEY TOPICS COVERED

Ancient Greek beliefs about the afterlife 

Homer’s Odyssey and the underworld 

Egyptian burial rituals and mummification 

Reincarnation and Pythagoras 

Greek funeral customs and expressions of grief 

The Eleusinian Mysteries and salvation beliefs 

Roman views of death and punishment after death 

Ancient cremation and burial practices 

The psychology of grief in the ancient world 

What ancient cultures can teach us about mortality today.

If you enjoy conversations about ancient history, mythology, and philosophy, subscribe for more deep dives into the ancient world. 

Which ancient belief about death or the afterlife surprised you most? Let us know in the comments. 

LINKS

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1

👉 Buy Robert Garland's book "What To Expect When You're Dead": https://www.amazon.com/What-Expect-When-Youre-Dead/dp/0691266174

GUEST 

Robert Garland is the Roy D. and Margaret B. Wooster Professor Emeritus of the Classics at Colgate University. He’s written extensively about ancient life and death in books like The Greek Way of Death, Wandering Greeks, and What to Expect When You're Dead: An Ancient Tour of Death and the Afterlife. #AncientHistory #GreekMythology #Afterlife #RobertGarland #AncientGreece

This episode is for anyone interested in ancient Greece, democracy, political history, and rhetoric, especially if you want to understand how the past connects to modern political challenges. 

You’ll learn who Demosthenes was, how he rose to power through oratory and persuasion, and why he became known as democracy’s defender during the rise of Macedon under Philip II. This conversation explores the fragility of democracy, the role of speech in politics, and the dangers of misinformation: issues that feel just as urgent today. 

If you want a deeper understanding of how **ancient political systems worked AND failed** this episode offers powerful insights.

KEY IDEAS 

Who Demosthenes was and why he matters Ancient Athenian democracy explained 

The rise of Macedon and Philip II 

Democracy vs monarchy in ancient Greece 

The power of rhetoric and political persuasion 

Rivalry between Demosthenes and Aeschines 

The Battle of Chaeronea and Athens’ defeat 

How misinformation and emotional speech shaped politics

Lessons from ancient democracy for today’s world 

Why Demosthenes remains a controversial figure 

TIMESTAMPS 

00:00 Introduction & James Romm 

00:50 Setting the stage: Athens in the 4th century BC 

04:08 Rise of political oratory in Athens 

05:20 Democracy and the power of speech 

08:06 Rise of Philip II and Macedon 

10:31 Democracy vs monarchy 

12:07 Why Athens was treated differently 

14:24 Demosthenes’ early life and speech training 

19:08 Political rivals and propaganda 

20:19 Fake news and attacks in ancient politics 

22:30 Athens decides to fight Macedon 

23:29 The Battle of Chaeronea 

24:06 Did Demosthenes fail? 

25:13 His legacy and historical debate 

26:31 What we can learn from ancient democracy 

27:05 Misinformation and political chaos 

28:03 Trust, leadership, and public decision-making 

29:32 Final reflections on democracy

If you’re fascinated by ancient history and its connection to modern politics, subscribe for more deep dives like this. 

What do you think: was Demosthenes a hero or a misguided idealist? 

Share your thoughts below. 

LINKS

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 

👉 Watch the FULL episode: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/democracys-last-defender 

👉 Buy Demosthenes: Democracy's  https://www.amazon.com/Demosthenes-Democracys-Defender-Ancient-Lives/dp/0300269382 

GUEST 

James Romm is Professor of Classics at Bard College and acclaimed author of multiple books on ancient Greece, specializing in Greek history, politics, and biography. 

He will also be speaking at our upcoming LIVE event "Why Myth Matters", as part of an incredible group of prestigious philosophers, preeminent professors and best-selling authors.

Learn more and register to join us HERE: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/why-myth-matters-tickets-1988334531107?aff=oddtdtcreator 

#AncientGreece #Demosthenes #GreekHistory #Democracy #PoliticalHistory 

What does the story of Demeter really tell us about loss, power, and the human experience? 

In this episode, renowned translator and classicist Diane Rayor unpacks the Homeric Hymn to Demeter: one of the most powerful and enduring myths from ancient Greece. 

Far more than just a story about gods, this hymn explores grief, motherhood, identity, and the fragile balance between life and death. Diane Rayor brings her deep expertise and fresh translation work to the conversation, revealing layers of meaning that are often missed in traditional readings. 

Together, we explore how this ancient text speaks to universal human emotions, and why it still resonates thousands of years later. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN 

The core story of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter and its significance 

How Demeter’s grief shapes the natural world and human experience 

The role of Persephone and what her story represents 

Why this hymn was central to ancient Greek religion and ritual 

How translation choices affect our understanding of ancient texts 

What this myth can (and can’t) tell us about life today 

TIMESTAMPS 

00:00 Introduction & Diane Rayor 

01:30 What is the Homeric Hymn to Demeter? 

04:10 The story of Demeter and Persephone 

08:45 Themes of grief, loss, and motherhood 

12:20 The Eleusinian Mysteries and religious context 

16:00 Translation choices and interpretation 

20:10 Why this myth still matters today 

If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about ancient texts and their meaning, subscribe for more episodes with leading scholars and translators. What does this myth mean to you? 

LINKS 

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 

👉 Diane's Translations of the Homeric Hymns: https://www.amazon.com/Homeric-Hymns-Translation-Introduction-Literature/dp/0520282116 

👉 Audio Recordings of Sappho: A New Translation of the Complete Works: cambridge.org/sappho 

👉 No Reply Press: https://www.noreplypress.com/ 

Featuring guest Diane Rayor: 

Diane J. Rayor, Professor Emerita of Classics, Grand Valley State University, Michigan and acclaimed translator known for her accessible and poetic translations of ancient Greek works, including Homer and Sappho. 

#AncientGreece #GreekMythology #Demeter #Persephone #Classics #DianeRayor 

What is the point of studying Classics today? 

Mary Beard explains why the ancient world still shocks, challenges, and reshapes how we think. Discover how Greek and Roman history can change your perspective, without offering easy answers. 

In this conversation, renowned classicist Mary Beard explores how ancient Greece and Rome remain deeply relevant today, not as a guidebook for life, but as a way to see modern problems differently. You’ll learn how to approach classical history without intimidation, why “the shock of the old” still matters, and how anyone can join the conversation.

If you’ve ever wondered how ancient history connects to today’s world, this episode will change how you think about the past and the present. 

KEY IDEAS: 

• Why studying Classics isn’t about finding “answers” 

• The idea of “The Shock of the Old” and why it still matters 

• How ancient texts like Medea continue to unsettle us 

• The danger of over-revering Greek and Roman history 

• How Classics helps challenge modern “presentism”

• Can the ancient world teach us anything useful today? 

• How to get into Classics without knowing Latin or Greek 

• Why Classics has no single political agenda 

• How the past has been used by both left and right movements 

• Finding wonder (“thauma”) in ancient history

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction to Mary Beard & Talking Classics 

00:23 Why the Classics still matter 

01:24 Why we should revere the ancient world less 

02:39 The “shock” of ancient culture (Medea example) 

04:48 Wonder and awe in the ancient world 

05:44 The Egyptian bread story (first encounter with history) 

07:29 Making Classics accessible to everyone 

08:43 Do the Greeks and Romans offer life lessons? 

10:06 Using Classics to rethink modern problems 

11:37 Presentism vs learning from the past 

13:22 How to start engaging with Classics 

15:04 Podcasts, media, and entry points into history 

16:20 Seeing the classical world all around us 

19:08 Technology (VR) and experiencing the past 

21:05 Is Classics political? 

22:25 How different ideologies use ancient history 

24:48 Classics and democracy, revolution, and reform 

25:38 Who “owns” the past? 

26:18 Final thoughts 

If you enjoyed this conversation, make sure to subscribe for more deep dives into history and ideas. 

Learn More! Check out these LINKS 

👉 Subscribe: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 

👉 Watch the full episode: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/mary-beard-why-you-should-argue-with 

👉 Mary Beard's "Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old:: https://profilebooks.com/work/talking-classics/

What do you think: can the ancient world still teach us something today? Let me know in the comments. 

GUEST Mary Beard – One of the world’s most influential classicists, Professor Emerita at Cambridge, and bestselling author of SPQR and Twelve Caesars. Known for making ancient history accessible, relevant, and thought-provoking. 

#Classics #AncientHistory #MaryBeard #GreekHistory #RomanHistory 

An age of apocalyptic thinking, a clash of empires, and a legacy that still shapes the world today... 

Today Anya is joined by Professor Barry Strauss to discuss the Jewish Revolts against the Roman Empire. Discover what fueled these uprisings, and how their dramatic outcome has shaped centuries. 

Barry Strauss is the Corliss Page Dean Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University as well as the Bryce and Edith M. Bowmar Professor in Humanistic Studies Emeritus at Cornell University, where he is the former Chair of the Department of History as well as Professor of History and Classics. 

He is the author of many bestselling books, including most recently Jews Vs Rome, which you can buy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Jews-vs-Rome-Centuries-Rebellion/dp/1668009595 

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. 

Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe?coupon=b28f7da1 

And access the extended version of this episode HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/jews-vs-rome 

Barbarian, witch, murderer… and mother.

Today Anya is joined by author and broadcaster Natalie Haynes to discuss one of Greek mythology’s most famous and dramatic characters, Medea. 

Discover the complex legends and legacy of Medea, from her daring love story with Jason to its dark aftermath… and how the Greek tragedian Euripides transformed her how her story is told, forever.

Natalie Haynes is the author of several acclaimed books about women in Greek mythology, including Divine Might, Stone Blind, and most recently No Friend to This House, her own much-anticipated retelling of the myth of Medea. 

You can buy a copy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/No-Friend-This-House-Novel/dp/0063258447 

Natalie Haynes is an author and comedian as well as a broadcaster for the BBC, and she has written for The Times, The Independent, The Guardian, and The Observer. Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. 

To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

What were the secrets of Roman warfare?

What is the best way to defeat an enemy… and what does all this have to do with aqueducts?

Today Anya is joined by George Thomas to discuss the life of Frontinus, an ancient Roman general and governor of Roman Britain. In particular, they’re looking at Stratagems, his manual for war, which looked to ancient history to distil key lessons in military strategy and leadership. 

George Thomas, also known by his pen name, Quintus Curtius, is an acclaimed translator of ancient texts, including those by Cicero, Sallust, and Cornelius Nepos.

He is an MIT graduate, a former officer in the US Marine Corps, a founding partner of the law firm, Phillips and Thomas.

His most recent work is a translation Frontius' Stratagems, of which we speak about today.

You can buy it HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Stratagems-Translation-Sextus-Julius-Frontinus/dp/B0FPBTNCY5

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. 

Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

And access the extended version HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/a-forgotten-roman-masterclass-in

Long before crowds stormed Bastille or Winter Palace, Greek thinkers treated revolution as the ultimate civic nightmare. So how did an existential danger morph into a promise of liberation—and what happens when that promise curdles into violence? 

In this dynamic online forum, Dan Edelstein, Professor of French at Stanford University, is joined by classical-political heavyweights Josiah Ober, Professor of Political Science and Classics at Stanford University, and Melissa Lane, Professorship of Politics at Princeton University, to excavate the deep past of an idea that still jolts headlines and rattles parliaments. 

Hosted by Anya Leonard. 

Brought to you by Classical Wisdom, a site dedicated to bringing ancient wisdom to modern minds. Learn more about our mission and sign up for the free newsletter here: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/

Existing at the very edge of the Classical world, in both time and geography, Saint Augustine has proven to be immensely influential on the modern world… but not always in a good way.

Today Anya is joined by Tony Alimi to discuss the life and philosophy of Saint Augustine, how he was influenced by Roman philosophers, and the ‘entanglements’ that complicate his legacy. In particular, how his theology was used to justify slavery. 

Discover how philosophy has been abused by history, and why Augustine still isn't through with us today... 

Tony Alimi is assistant professor in the Sage School of Philosophy at Cornell University and author of Slaves of God: Augustine and Other Romans on Religion and Politics. You can buy it HERE: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691244235/slaves-of-god?srsltid=AfmBOoqe902LK8mqeBd3lUa4L8I9roc6Ouy7KmiNS3xrG-xnotPz5BRw 

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe 

And access the extended version HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/slave-of-god-rethinking-augustine 

What can Plato tell us about life TODAY?

Quite a lot, it turns out…

Today Anya is joined by Professor Angie Hobbs to discuss the essential and enduringly relevant nature of Plato’s ideas. Discover how they are infused in our modern world, in everything from politics to our personal lives.

Angie Hobbs is Professor Emerita of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield and author of Plato and the Hero, Plato’s Republic: A Ladybird Expert Book, and most recently, Why Plato Matters Now.

You can buy a copy HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Why-Plato-Matters-Now-Interfaces/dp/1399403370

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com

An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. Become a Member HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/subscribe

And access the extended version HERE: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/why-plato-matters-now-more-than-ever

Was King Arthur real?

What can his story tells us about British history and identity? And what exactly happened to Britain after the Romans left? 

Today Anya is joined by Murray Dahm, an independent academic researcher and freelance historian based in Sydney, Australia. 

Discover how the era of post-Roman Britain is both a beginning and an ending, the thin line between history and myth, and how the dark age was MUCH shorter than commonly thought. 

Murray Dahm is the author of several books, including Finis Britanniae: A Military History of Late Roman Britain and the Saxon Conquest. You can buy it HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Finis-Britanniae-Military-History-Conquest/dp/1398118273 

Hosted by Anya Leonard of Classical Wisdom. To learn more about Classical Wisdom, and sign up for our free newsletter, please go to https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/ 

An extended version of this podcast is available to Members of Classical Wisdom. This can be found here: https://classicalwisdom.substack.com/p/roman-britain-origin-or-decline