Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe plague that brought the Roman empire to its knees
Episode 2074
In AD 165, the Roman empire was enjoying a period of seemingly unprecedented prosperity and stability. Then, the Antonine Plague arrived, bringing wi…
2 years, 1 month ago
Ancient Egypt | 2. everyday life
Episode 2073
Ever wondered where an ancient Egyptian did their food shop? Or how crocodile dung could cure your ailments? In this second episode of our series Anc…
2 years, 1 month ago
False rumps & rotten teeth: 400 years of bizarre beauty practices
Episode 2072
From false rumps and fake teeth to toxic skincare and insect-laden wigs, over the past 400 years, British women have resorted to extraordinary length…
2 years, 1 month ago
Emperor Vespasian: life of the week
Episode 2071
The year AD 69 found the Roman empire in a state of chaos. Three emperors had come and gone. Civil war reigned supreme. Rome's enemies smelled blood.…
2 years, 1 month ago
An audacious escape from slavery
Episode 2070
On 20 December 1848, Ellen Craft placed a top hat on her head, slipped her arm into a sling, and perched dark green glasses on her nose. Once her dis…
2 years, 1 month ago
The Abbasid caliphate: everything you wanted to know
Episode 2069
The Abbasid caliphs sat at the head of a vast Islamic empire that stretched from Tunisia to the frontiers of India, which they ruled over for several…
2 years, 1 month ago
Crusader criminals: how the Holy Land became a hotbed of lawlessness
Episode 2068
The medieval crusades are remembered for their sweeping military campaigns. But they also engendered a brutality that went beyond the battlefield – i…
2 years, 1 month ago
Ancient Egypt | 1. civilisation
Episode 2067
You’re probably familiar with the idea of godly pharaohs, menacing mummies and their deadly curses. But how much do you actually know about the funda…
2 years, 1 month ago
Ancient Egypt: the big questions | Trailer
From the secrets of the pyramids to the mysteries of mummification, ancient Egypt has captivated the popular imagination for centuries. In HistoryExt…
2 years, 1 month ago
Gulag doctors: saving lives in Stalin's prison camps
Episode 2066
The Soviet gulag was a place of brutality, exploitation and death. But it was also home to tens of thousands of medical personnel who had to overcome…
2 years, 1 month ago