Best Ancient Blogger Podcasts (2025)

1
Film review: The Return with Lottie Luke. 51:27

7d ago51:27

51:27

Join me and guest Lottie Luke as we discuss The Return, a film about Odysseus, well, returning to Ithaca. How did the film differ from the Odyssey poem and what were our general thoughts? As you might imagine there is reference to some nasty stuff - just be aware. You can find Lottie Luke as @myclassicsportal on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. There…

1
Ancient Sicily (pt7). Dionysius I: Poetry and Politics. 34:10

17d ago34:10

34:10

Bad poetry, bad behaviour and a bizarre use for heated walnut shells. In this episode I pick and and finish with Dionysius I of Syracuse. It's quite a rollercoaster with a dramatic finish. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com and if you a reading this then be a star and rate and review. Thanks to all those who keep coming back for more, your kin…

1
Podcast update! 3:01

2M ago3:01

3:01

Don't worry, nothing serious but just to keep you in the loop. The next episode will be out mid-April. Apologies for the delay but it's not always easy to schedule regularly when you are a solo podcaster who has a full time job and other commitments. It'll be worth the wait - trust me! Till then why not check out the podcast back catalogue? You can…

1
Pliny the Younger 30:16

3M ago30:16

30:16

In this episode I cover the life of Pliny the Younger and his famous letters. In his writings he gave a eye witness account of the eruption of Vesuvius and pondered how to deal with Christians. As well as looking into these instances I talk about what his letters tell us about him and the world he lived in. Whatever platform you are using - leave a…

1
Minisode: Gifts. 14:21

4M ago14:21

14:21

(please note that there is reference to suicide and murder as per the myths involved). In this minisode I pick out some examples of gifts in ancient Mesopotamia and Greece where the outcome wasn't as planned or it just went plain wrong. Let me know what you think by leaving a review or getting in touch. You can find me as @ancientblogger on social …

1
Ancient Sicily (pt6). Dionysius I: Countering Carthage. 37:00

5M ago37:00

37:00

It's time for Dionysius I to face Carthage. How would he deal with an unstoppable force coming his way? Lots to talk about including a surprise wedding (or two). Please rate and review where you can! Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

1
Curse tablets and figurines. 38:35

6M ago38:35

38:35

In this Night of the Livy Dead Halloween special I discuss the types of curses which made it onto tablets and figurines from antiquity. Starting with ancient Egypt and ending in the later Roman period I look into what they were used for, who they were used against and what it tells us about how people were living. As you might imagine it can get ve…

1
Guest Episode - The Partial Historians on Spartacus. 27:56

7M ago27:56

27:56

This is a guest episode which features the Partial Historians and is all about Spartacus. To celebrate their upcoming book, Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire, Dr Radford recorded an episode on that famous gladiator turned rebel. Here it is and I hope you enjoy. I was on their podcast earlier this year, a two parter all about Regal Rome and some…

1
The Teutoburg Disaster with Dr Ball: Part Two. 1:01:36

8M ago1:01:36

1:01:36

In the second episode on the Teutoburg Disaster Dr Ball gets into the sometimes harrowing details of the fate which befell those Romans in AD 9. We discuss the sequence of events and weigh up what the sources said, and didn't say, about it all. Don't forget to rate and review and thanks for listening! Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).…

1
The Teutoburg Disaster with Dr Ball: Part One. 44:19

8M ago44:19

44:19

In AD 9 Rome lost three legions in an attack made by Germanic tribes. It became an infamous event in Rome's history dealing a huge blow both to its manpower and prestige. So how had this come to be? In the first of two episodes on this event I'm joined by Dr Jo Ball who is an expert on the Teutoburg Disaster. Dr Ball discusses the battlefield (incl…

1
Ancient Sicily (pt5). Revenge & Ruin. 33:18

9M ago33:18

33:18

In this episode of the miniseries on ancient Sicily I pick up with what happened after the Sicilian Expedition. Syracuse was celebrating victory but if they had any ideas that it would all be peaceful they were sorely mistaken. As one empire retreated to lick its wounds another would emerge and at Syracuse an old habit was to return. Episode notes …

1
Ancient Sicily (pt4). The Sicilian Expedition. 39:31

10M ago39:31

39:31

Continuing my miniseries on ancient Sicily I pick up on the two separate incidents where Athens got directly involved in Sicilian affairs towards the end of the 5th century BC. Was it a good idea and what went wrong? Also, an attempt to describe Syracuse using just your hand. Oh, and a highly consequential eclipse. If you can rate or review the epi…

1
Tyrants in ancient Greece. 28:07

11M ago28:07

28:07

Every wonder what a tyrant was, how a tyrant became a tyrant and if there were any benefits in having a tyrant run your city? In this episode I answer these questions as I examine some tyrants from the Archaic period to the mid-5th century BC. A main source for this episode which I mention is James F McGlew: 'Tyranny and Political Culture in Ancien…

1
Ancient Sicily (pt3). Democracy & Ducetius. 31:54

12M ago31:54

31:54

Continuing the ancient Sicily miniseries I pick up with what happened to the tryant Thrasybulus in Syracuse in the 460s BC. There's a lot of civil unrest and democracy finally makes an appearance. Elsewhere on the island one of Sicily's most intriguing sons, a man called Ducetius, makes a play for power. If you're listening where you can leave a re…

1
Ancient Sicily (pt2). Tyrants and Tragedy. 36:12

1y ago36:12

36:12

In the second episode on ancient Sicily I turn to the rise of the tyrants and the changing political situation on the island. Covering the period between 600BC and the mid 5th century BC there is a lot to talk about, it's an episode packed with treachery, conquest and even some poetry. If you can leave a review wherever you listen to this please do…

1
Ancient Sicily (pt1). New neighbours. 31:58

1y ago31:58

31:58

The first of a mini series on ancient Sicily. I begin with a brief sojurn around the island and an overview of the original inhabitants. Then it's onto the Greeks and Phoenicians who founded colonies on the island. I unwrap what form these initially took and what can be inferred from them. If you can leave a review please do! Episode notes includin…

1
Ancient Rome's Worst Emperors with LJ Trafford 1:05:54

1+ y ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Ever wonder who the worst Roman Emperors were? Well, LJ Trafford has written a book on this question and we sit down to chat about three candidates I selected from it. This is LJ's third appearance on the podcast and as ever she was fab to chat to. Have a listen and see if you agree! If you can rate and/or review on the platform you are using to li…

1
The Saturnalia. 37:32

1+ y ago37:32

37:32

It's that time of the year for a look at the Roman Saturnalia. This was a Roman midwinter festival in which people gave presents, partied and even slaves got time off. In this episode I look into the important themes behind it, what was added, what was changed and how it all fitted together. Plus I take a look at what present options there were and…

1
Episode Swap: Roman street food and urban kitchens with The Delicious legacy Podcast. 45:02

1+ y ago45:02

45:02

My first go at an episode swap and it's with The Delicious Legacy Podcast which explores food throughout history. In this episode Thomas travels back to ancient Rome to consider what the average Roman ate. He unwraps the workings of a Roman kitchen and how the Romans cooked their food. Food and ancient history - what's not to love!…

1
Night of the Livy Dead VII 21:43

1+ y ago21:43

21:43

In this Halloween special I pick out a few characters from antiquity who you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley, or pretty much anywhere. A Mesopotamian demon, shapeshifters and a terrifying trio all feature. You can find previous Night of the Livy Dead episodes on here - just scroll down. For episode notes (reading list, transcription, links an…

1
Re-release: Witches and Demons in Mesopotamia. 27:40

1+ y ago27:40

27:40

A re-release of a previous Night of the Livy Dead Halloween special. This one was all about witchcraft and demons in Mesopotamia and how you might counter them. If you enjoy this why not have a scroll through and find other Night of the Livy Dead Halloween specials? Any reviews on the platform you use to listen are always greatly appreciated. If yo…

1
THESE 14 THINGS HELPS US TO CONTROL OUR MIND - SELF CONTROL ACCORDING AYURVED 13:08

1+ y ago13:08

13:08

MANO VYAPAR NIYAM Its all about how we can control our mind Just practice these 14 things in your daily routine--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
Bees BC: Bees and honey in Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece. 33:49

1+ y ago33:49

33:49

Bees and honey have been incredibly important for different peoples for a long, long time. In this episode I discuss exactly how bees were kept, how honey was produced and what it was used for. I also get into how the bee manifested in different cultures. Episode notes, including a transcript at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Ins…

1
21 THINGS SHOULD BE AVOID BY PREGNANT WOMEN AND THEIR CONSIQUENCE ON BABY ACCORDING AYURVED. 9:50

1+ y ago9:50

9:50

Wrong Diet and daily habits affect the health of baby --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
DIET AND LIFE STYLE SHOULD BE CONTRAINDICATED FOR PREGNANT WOMEN (GARBH UPAGHATKARA BHAV) 19:51

1+ y ago19:51

19:51

In this episode detail explained according to Ayurveda which diet and activities should be avoided by pregnant women for 9 months for the good health of mother and baby. Referenced 6 ancient text books for this podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message…

1
MONTHLY AYURVEDA DIET IN PREGNANCY FROM FIRST MONTH TILL NINE MONTH 27:54

1+ y ago27:54

27:54

For this podcast used following samhita Charak samhita, Sushrut, Ashtang hruday, Kashyap samhita, Bhel samhita, Harit samhita, Astangh sangrah --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
Hannibal: from Cannae to Zama 37:09

1+ y ago37:09

37:09

The story of Hannibal didn't stop at Cannae. Following this victory he met obstacle and success as he took on Rome in southern Italy. In this episode I unwrap what happened and how it all led to his final battle with Rome at Zama (which I also discuss). Episode notes with a readling list, transcription and other useful content is on my website www.…

1
Magna Graecia: Greeks in Southern Italy. 37:37

2y ago37:37

37:37

The Greeks established numerous colonies in southern Italy. In this episode I'm delving into the history of them, how they interacted with local peoples and of course each other. Dancing animals, a drunken diplomatic incident and 'hands-off' pottery all feature. Episode notes (including transcription) on www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le…

1
Helots of Sparta 35:54

2y ago35:54

35:54

The helots of Sparta were a people who were indispensible for the Spartan state. But what did they do, how had Sparta acquired them and how did it go about controlling this population? Episode notes (including transcription) on www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

1
Archaic Athens and democracy. 32:16

2y ago32:16

32:16

At the beginning of the 6th century BC Athens was in crisis and by the end of it there was a new political system in place. In this episode I discuss the changes, characters and events which occured. Bizarre political campaigning, Spartans, tyrants and of course the new way of politics by the end of it all. It's an archaic rollercoaster ride! Episo…

1
IMPORTANT CONCEPT OF AAM OF AYURVED WHICH EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW WHO EXPECT LONG HEALTHY LIFE. 17:20

2y ago17:20

17:20

Aam is disease causative factor, for long healthy life we have to prevent the formation of aam in our body. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
The Lupercalia. 24:57

2y ago24:57

24:57

The Lupercalia was literally run on on the 15th February in ancient Rome. Apart from the nudity, running and goathide thongs there's a lot going on here. Indeed the Roman writers seem unsure of how it all started and in this episode I play detective in trying to work out how it started and what this tells us about Rome. I also talk about the festiv…

1
Romans in Scotland: The Campaigns with Dr Andrew Tibbs. 56:48

2y ago56:48

56:48

In the second of two episodes on Roman Scotland the chat turns to the three main campaigns which Rome undertook there. What was Rome trying to achieve? What do we really know about them? How did they differ and what can they tell us in a wider context? We discuss this and much more (including answering some questions sent in). Episode notes on www.…

1
Romans in Scotland: Fortifications with Dr Andrew Tibbs. 39:41

2+ y ago39:41

39:41

In the first of two episodes on Roman Scotland Dr Andrew Tibbs unwraps the different types of fortifications the Romans built. From the large forts through to the small watchtowers we can learn a lot about how the Roman army functioned in Scotland and in general. We also get to answer some questions you sent in which range from logistics to somethi…

1
Minisode. The Haloa 13:23

2+ y ago13:23

13:23

In the depths of winter a festival took place which celebrated the goddess Demeter, the Haloa. It was an all woman affair with drinking, fire and an all night feast. Oh, and rude language was a must. Episode notes on ancientblogger.com with images, a transcipt, sources and further reading. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).…

1
Rise of the Gladiator 40:58

2+ y ago40:58

40:58

How did gladiators take hold in Rome? Where did they come from and how was their use moulded by the big political events of the 1st century BC? In this episode I get into this and other aspects such as a few myths and their fighting stats. Thanks to Gladiator Doodles for the fab artwork! Full episode notes including a transcript, sources and images…

1
DIET & REGIME FOR WINTER SEASON (HEMANT RUTU) ACCORDING AYURVED 15:38

2+ y ago15:38

15:38

Which diet we have to consume ? Which diet we have to avoid ? In Our daily routine which things we have to add for specific winter season ? Reference - Charak samhita su 6/9 - 18 , Ashtanga hruday su 3. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
Night of the Livy Dead: The Greek Underworld. 30:39

2+ y ago30:39

30:39

Another #NightofTheLivyDead episode and this time it's a look at the Greek Underworld. What was the journey there like? What happened in it and what's with singing amphibians? From Odysseus to Orpheus and a question to consider on hangovers. There's lots covered so get listening (and leave a review if you can). Check out www.ancientblogger for epis…

1
Night of the Livy Dead Minisode: Werewolves in Greece and Rome. 13:30

2+ y ago13:30

13:30

There are two main stories concerning werewolves in Greece and Rome and in this minisode I briefly cover them. What went on on Mount Lykaion exactly and how did the werewolf differ from our modern interpretation. Thanks for taking the time to liste, if you can review please do or just pop over to ancientblogger.com for a piece which links in with t…

1
CONSIQUANCES OF SUPRESSION NATURAL URGE OF URINATION, DEFECATION AND FLATULENCE ACCORDING TO AYURVE 6:45

2+ y ago6:45

6:45

Frequently we supress naturally urge of urination, defecation and flatunence so by this podcast why we should and if we do so what will he consiquances in future. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
'Mad Honey'. 12:12

2+ y ago12:12

12:12

In this minisode I talk about two disasters which befell a Greek and Roman army due to something you can put on your toast. How did it happen and why? I also cover a nasty way to speed up a siege and a why there's no such thing as a free camp. Find me at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).…

1
Artemis with Dr Carla Ionescu. 1:21:14

2+ y ago1:21:14

1:21:14

In this episode I'm joined by a guest expert Dr Carla Ionescu to discuss the goddess Artemis. There's so much about Artemis which is often left in the background so here we look into the aspects and associations of her you may not have heard of. From bloody rituals to a cake based rescue she's a fascinating deity. Episode notes at www.ancientblogge…

1
According to Ayurveda this thing we should avoid while consumption of our daily meal 4:46

2+ y ago4:46

4:46

Effects of pyschology or thoughts on our health or digestive system or Agni which leads to disease in future --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
Pompeii. 13:02

2+ y ago13:02

13:02

In this minisode I unwrap the sequence of events which befell Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted. Modern studies and archaeology has enabled a narrative to be built of how the eruption played out. I also briefly cover a couple of controversies and myths of Pompeii. Given the situation there is reference to death and suffering. Find my other Pompeii cont…

1
Piracy in Ancient Greece. 35:24

2+ y ago35:24

35:24

How did piracy feature in ancient Greece? What was it and how did the Greeks respond? In this episode I give an overview from Homer through to the Hellenistic. Why not give it a listen and a review? Don't forget to head on over to www.ancientblogger.com for the episode notes! Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).…

1
Sappho's Ode to Aphrodite 15:28

3y ago15:28

15:28

In this mini episode I pick out some themes from Sappho's famous poem. But that's not all - I also include a performance of it in ancient Greek courtesy of Seikilo. For more info, a reading list, more about Seikilo and transcription of the episode head over to www.ancientblogger.com - as you'll hear it's had a bit of an overhaul. If you can review …

1
AYURVEDA DIET & REGIME FOR RAINY (वर्षा ऋतू) SEASON ACCORDING AYURVEDA 23:07

3y ago23:07

23:07

Charak samhita Sutrastan 6/33 - 40 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
The Oracle of Dodona. 26:52

3y ago26:52

26:52

Over the course of 400 years people travelled to the Oracle of Dodona and asked questions. Some of these have survived and give an fascinating insight into what the people of ancient Greece were thinking. In this episode I take you through the history and background of the oracle before getting stuck into those questions. Perhaps less pig theft but…

1
AYURVEDA DIET & LIFESTYLE FOR SUMMER SEASON 21:20

3y ago21:20

21:20

Reference - Charak samhita 6 and Ashtang Hruday sutrastan 3 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/drgauravdavee/message

1
The Second Punic War. Cannae. 39:33

3y ago39:33

39:33

Time for the big one. Cannae is one of the most famous battles of antiquity. Not only did Rome suffer a crushing defeat but the tactics behind the victory have been studied by generals and military tacticians ever since. In this episode I discuss what happened in the lead up to it, trust me there's a drama at every turn. From dictators to deceptive…

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