The Ancients

History Hit

A podcast for all ancient history fans! The Ancients is dedicated to discussing our distant past. Featuring interviews with historians and archaeologists, each episode covers a specific theme from antiquity. From Neolithic Britain to the Fall of Rome. ...

  • 47 minutes 36 seconds
    Doggerland: The North Sea Atlantis?

    Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Rachel Bynoe who has literally dived into the enigmatic world of Doggerland, a prehistoric landmass now submerged beneath the North Sea.


    They discuss how archaeological research is conducted underwater, the challenges and discoveries associated with Doggerland, and insights into human and animal life dating back 200,000 years. Follow the journey through past climates, the habitats of early human settlers, and the fascinating story of the once-thriving landscape that connected Britain to the continent.


    MORE

    The First Britons

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/5cKCCdeptxhxOMRD8HGavq

    Ice Age Britain; Finding the First Homo Sapiens

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/4u19HuMXM6JlicPr8FGok3


    LIVE SHOW: Buy tickets for The Ancients at the London Podcast Festival here: https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/words/the-ancients-2/


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and 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

    10 July 2025, 2:00 am
  • 55 minutes 55 seconds
    Hannibal's March on Rome

    It was perhaps Hannibal’s greatest gamble — after years of victories, not least his famed trek across the snow-capped Alps, could he strike at Rome itself?


    In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Louis Rawlings to explore the dramatic years after Hannibal’s crushing triumph at Cannae. With Rome refusing to surrender despite horrific losses, Hannibal changed strategy in 211 BC and set his sights on the Roman capital. Join us to discover how the Carthaginian genius kept his army alive deep in enemy territory, why Rome’s resilience frustrated him, and how close he came to rewriting history.


    MORE

    Rise of Hannibal:

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ZSg0gwceToyk01XXNJtCb

    Hannibal: Crossing the Alps:

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/7a4XOqxY8J3GhEaRDwX315


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and 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

    6 July 2025, 2:00 am
  • 55 minutes 27 seconds
    Plato's Republic

    Today we journey into the creation of Plato's Republic. Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. James Romm to discover how Plato's encounters with the tyrant-ruled city of Syracuse and its rulers, Dionysius the Elder and Dionysius the Younger, deeply influenced his philosophical masterpiece.

    Plato's involvement in a civil war, Syracuse's power struggles and Plato's own missteps contributed to the timeless ideas of justice and governance in 'The Republic.'

    Tristan and James demystify the divine image of Plato to reveal a profoundly human philosopher shaped by real-world political intrigue and conflict.


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    Atlantis

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/4XdAg3rreBhW6Od4WIUne7

    Watch Tristan and Roel argue over Ancient Greek Theories:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd7-guKlr40


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, 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


    3 July 2025, 2:00 am
  • 38 minutes 8 seconds
    The Apocryphal Gospels

    If you've heard of the mysterious and often controversial Apocryphal Gospels, you may have been told that they weren't important, or useful; that they 'didn't make the cut' to be included in the Canonical Bible. Not at all, these early Christian texts were hugely significant and influential as well as completely fascinating.


    Tristan Hughes is joined by Catherine Nixey to hear stories including the Infancy Gospel of James, where a midwife's hand is burnt off after doubting Mary's virginity, and the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, portraying a young Jesus with startling powers and a fiery temper. Together they discuss how these writings reveal the radical thoughts of some early Christians - from alternative crucifixion narratives to magical texts showing Jesus using a wand - and shed light on the vibrant diversity and theological debates of early Christianity.


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    The Wise Men

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/30JcS3z8gUODOvbR8k47mh

    Jesus of Nazareth

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6qFWoLLNQFgL0FmBhUoKe2


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and 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

    29 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 45 minutes 50 seconds
    Seahenge

    As a 4,000-year-old timber circle uncovered on a Norfolk beach, Seahenge is one of Britain’s most remarkable prehistoric finds. Discovered in 1998, it drew quick comparison as a 'Stonehenge by the sea' - but who built it and what was it used for?


    In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Sue Greaney to explore the mystery of Seahenge. Preserved beneath the sands for millennia, this Bronze Age wooden monument offers extraordinary insight into ancient rituals, beliefs, and woodworking skills. Join us as Tristan discovers why this enigmatic site continues to intrigue archaeologists and challenge our understanding of prehistoric Britain.


    MORE

    Stonehenge

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/19LqOpDMGBtFTygVsJJfsw

    The Beaker People

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6EDEArLo5e33uPLjpmzvT7


    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

    26 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Rise of Nero

    Before he became one of Rome’s most infamous tyrants, Nero was a golden boy - young, talented, and full of promise.


    In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by bestselling author Conn Iggulden to explore Nero’s early years, from his powerful mother Agrippina and his philosopher tutor Seneca, to the poisonous politics of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Was Nero always doomed to fall? Or could the seeds of infamy have been planted in his troubled rise to power? Join us to dive into the drama of Rome’s blood-soaked game of succession.


    MORE

    Divorced, Murdered, Survived: Nero's Wives

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/0TVHRVEvZYvCIdSdqqEylP


    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

    22 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Pirates of the Mediterranean

    As Rome rose to power, pirates seized the seas - wreaking havoc from Spain to Syria and challenging Roman dominance in the ancient Mediterranean.


    In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Nick Rauh and Dr Adam Dawson to explore the explosive rise of piracy across the 2nd and 1st centuries BC. From Cilicia’s rugged coastline to pirate raids on Roman nobles, discover how these ancient raiders turned the Mediterranean into a battleground—and how Rome’s own ambitions helped fuel the chaos at sea.


    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

    19 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 1 hour 10 minutes
    The Amazons

    What makes the Amazons one of the most captivating myths in ancient Greek culture?


    Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. David Braund, Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter, to explore and celebrate the legends of the Amazons in ancient Greek culture. From their portrayal through iconic myths involving Heracles, Achilles, and Theseus to modern misconceptions, Tristan and David reveal the Amazons' roles in epic tales like the Trojan War and their artistic representations on ancient Greek vases and temple reliefs.


    These formidable warrior women were not only central figures in mythology but also revered city founders, astronomers and festival creators, far more than their popular depiction as alluring and dangerous figures.


    MORE

    Achilles

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uNHjwkzMHT5Ql2NHixZvl?si=7098cc9c847141e4

    The Thracians

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6uvIfj2fkYhoJZsn4y1SDX?si=1yLefV8PSSO2ZzZzY5T9yA

    Ares: God of War

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6mER4RZ11k56eqV1uoVvNs


    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

    15 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 59 minutes 20 seconds
    The Kushan Empire

    Embark on an epic journey with Tristan Hughes and acclaimed author William Dalrymple as they unravel the enigma of the Kushan Empire, the ancient superpower of Central Asia. Together they tell the riveting stories behind the Empire's rise in Bactria (modern-day Afghanistan), their astonishing spread into Northern India, and the profound impact of Indian religious traditions on their culture.


    An unforgettable exploration of one of history's most fascinating yet overlooked empires.


    MORE

    The Origins of Buddhism

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/52mGOQenJdnN8NvYDDYsti

    Origins of the Silk Road

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GBcXUsq6V54S2ywICDbM9


    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

    12 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 44 minutes 44 seconds
    Rise of the Minoans

    Tristan Hughes journeys into the heart of one of history's most intriguing civilisations: the Minoans. With Professor Nicoletta Momigliano, he explores the origins and rise of these Bronze Age titans on Crete around 7,000 BC, their early settlements, and the emergence of complex societies.


    Packed with archaeological insights, Tristan hears about the enigma of the Minoans early settlements, the mysteries of their undeciphered writing system, to the grandeur of their monumental palaces such as Knossos. A fascinating discussion on one of history's most mysterious Bronze Age societies.


    MORE

    The Minotaur

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/72Efg0BmVFYunKg2FsDOQO

    The Legacy of the Minoans

    https://shows.acast.com/the-ancients/episodes/thelegacyoftheminoans


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and 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

    8 June 2025, 2:00 am
  • 59 minutes 54 seconds
    The Kingdom of Aksum

    How is the unique narrative of the Ark of the Covenant deeply rooted in Ethiopian culture and tradition?


    Embark on a journey to the Kingdom of Aksum with host Tristan Hughes and archeologist Dil Singh Basanti, located in present-day northern Ethiopia and Eritrea. They discuss how fourth-century African merchants from Axum sailed from Eritrea to India, trading goods like ivory and gold for steel and spices. They uncover the secrets of Aksum's burial practices, including the monumental stele and the rituals that honoured the dead, and learn how the cosmopolitan port city of Adulis boomed with diverse religious influences, from Christianity to possible traces of Buddhism. This episode offers a captivating glimpse into daily life and the vast trade networks that made Aksum a powerful ancient empire.


    MORE

    The Kingdom of Kush

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6QXTNyMH3Ov6UweDXEsf67

    The Romans and India with William Dalrymple

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/0RSacQ0ngYW2YjrE2UMeVF


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall, 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

    5 June 2025, 2:00 am
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