Sir Isaac Newton became one of history’s most important scientists - all thanks, as legend has it, to an apple falling from a tree. But beyond the famous anecdote is the story of a polymath who revolutionised our grasp of how the universe works, and led a life plagued by rivalries, grudges, and accusations of plagiarism.

Loved by some, derided by others, why was Newton so controversial? What were his most enduring discoveries? And why did he step away from science? 

This is a Short History Of Sir Isaac Newton.

A Noiser production, written by Fiona Ford. With thanks to Dr Patricia Fara, a historian, Fellow of Cambridge University, and author of Life After Gravity: Isaac Newton’s London Career.

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Take a trip back in time to Ancient Rome, to discover the bizarre and barbaric world of the gladiators. But who were these mysterious warriors? And how much truth lies behind the legends? Take your seat in the Roman Colosseum, the games are about to begin.

This is a Short History Of the Gladiators.

A Noiser production, written by Addison Nugent. With thanks to Dr. Neville Morley, historian and author of The Roman Empire: Roots of Imperialism.

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The Lighthouse of Alexandria was a testament to human ingenuity and architectural brilliance. Built in the third century BC on the small island of Pharos, it was the first lighthouse in recorded history and the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Standing over 100 metres high, it provided a vital beacon for sailors navigating the treacherous waters of the Mediterranean Sea. 

But who built the lighthouse? How did it change during its 17 centuries overlooking the city? And, after its final collapse in the 1300s, how does its legend still endure?  

This is a Short History Of The Lighthouse of Alexandria.

A Noiser Production, written by Nicola Rayner. With thanks to Professor Islam Issa, British-Egyptian historian, and the author of Alexandria: The City that Changed the World. 

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Vlad the Impaler is one of history’s most terrifying villains. A leader who used torture, terrorism, and sadistic punishment to retain his grip on power. Though he was considered a folk hero by some in his homeland, for many, he’s the inspiration behind the most spine-chilling tale of all time: Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

But what sparked Vlad’s bloodthirsty obsession? How did he come to give his name - Dracul - to a vampire? And when it comes to medieval violence and tyranny, how did Vlad the Impaler keep raising the stakes?

This is a Short History Of Vlad the Impaler.

A Noiser production. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dacre Stoker, the great grandnephew of Bram Stoker, and a historian and writer of modern Dracula novels.

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The Trojan War was a time of heroes. From the swift-footed Achilles, and the hot-headed Prince Paris, to the beautiful Queen Helen, and the all-powerful gods, Zeus, Athena, and Aphrodite. In these early days of what we now call Ancient Greece, the story of Troy was already a saga from a bygone age, re-imagined by Homer, and told around the world ever since.

But was any of it true? Did those legendary heroes ever exist? How did Helen’s beauty launch a thousand ships? And could the Greeks really have breached the city walls by hiding inside a giant wooden horse?

This is a Short History Of The Trojan War.

A Noiser Production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Professor Armand D’Angour, a classical scholar at Jesus College, Oxford, and presenter of the podcast It’s All Greek (And Latin) To Me.

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Marie Curie was an extraordinary woman who, alongside her husband Pierre, turned the scientific world on its head. Their work led to the discovery of new elements, and a previously unknown process, called radioactivity. Over the course of a 40-year career, Marie Curie faced daunting challenges - from personal choices, to devastating health issues.

But how did one woman make the journey from struggling immigrant to internationally recognised scientist? How important was her partnership with her husband? And what is the legacy of the research she began in a disused storeroom over a century ago.

This is a Short History Of Marie Curie.

A Noiser Production. Written by Kate Harrison. With thanks to Susan Quinn, biographer and author of Marie Curie: A Life.

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Walter Raleigh remains one of the most famous figures of the late-Tudor and early-Stuart period. His life epitomised Elizabethan energy and ambition - though many of his grand schemes ended in failure. Raleigh was a soldier, sailor, courtier, writer, politician, explorer, and colonist. Depending on who you ask, he was also a pirate and traitor, or a patriot and hero.

So how did this perplexing figure rise from comparatively humble beginnings to become one of Queen Elizabeth’s favourites? Did he embark on overseas adventures for the sake of his nation, or for his own gain? And should we consider him an enlightened imperialist, or a man who oppressed and exploited indigenous communities?

This is a Short History Of….Walter Raleigh.

A Noiser Production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Dr Anna Beer, author of Patriot or Traitor: The Life and Death of Sir Walter Raleigh.

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This is a taster episode from our sister show, Real Survival Stories. Hosted by our very own John Hopkins, the show brings you astonishing tales of ordinary people thrust into extraordinary survival situations.

In this episode, we meet Pat and Pete Etheridge. One tranquil day on holiday in Sri Lanka, the island is engulfed by a wall of water. Swept away in the torrent, the couple will face their own individual battles to survive before they can even begin to find their way back to each other…

Real Survival Stories is released weekly, every Thursday. Find and follow the show wherever you get your podcasts. Or follow this link: https://podfollow.com/real-survival-stories/view

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The battle for Vietnam waged between the communist-ruled North of the country, and the US-backed south, lasted almost 20 years, from 1955. It spilled over into neighbouring countries, and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 3.8 million people - half of them civilians. It was a brutal, un-winnable conflict, which reshaped global geopolitics.

But how did what might have been a little local trouble in Southeast Asia evolve into an international conflict? Why did the rise of an anti-colonial, national movement prompt such a ferocious playing out of the Cold War? And what were its consequences?

This is a Short History Of The Vietnam War.

A Noiser Production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Max Hastings, a historian of the Vietnam War, and a former foreign correspondent in the country.

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The story of Sitting Bull is inextricably linked to that of his immense, untamed homeland, which he fought to protect and preserve. Sitting Bull was feared as a villain to white settlers, but regarded as a warrior, a shaman, and a hero to his own people. Determined to protect his people’s culture, heritage, and dignity, he was the greatest chief the Lakota people had ever known.

But why did his way of life become so threatened? How did he rise from a young warrior, to leader of the Lakota tribe? And how did his life - and his death - come to define the struggles of Native Americans?

This is a Short History Of…Sitting Bull.

A Noiser Production, written by Sean Coleman. With thanks to Mark Gardner, historian and author of ‘The Earth is all that Lasts: Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, and the Last Stand of the Great Sioux Nation’.

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Born amid the turmoil of 16th century British society, Mary Queen of Scots was a leader trapped between Scotland and England, Catholic and Protestant ideologies, as well as love and duty. But she was also a woman with burning ambition, and her obsession with securing the English throne would define her life, and death.

So, was Mary Stuart a plotter who would stop at nothing to realise her dreams? Or a wronged woman, manipulated by those around her? And did her dying father’s prophecy about her role in Scotland’s history prove correct?

This is a Short History Of…Mary Queen of Scots.

A Noiser Production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Tracy Borman, a historian and author of several books, including The Private Lives of the Tudors. 

Get every episode of Short History Of a week early with Noiser+. You’ll also get ad-free listening, bonus material, and early access to shows across the Noiser network. Click the Noiser+ banner to get started. Or, if you’re on Spotify or Android, go to noiser.com/subscriptions.

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