Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchPlato: the world’s greatest philosopher?
Episode 1680
He learned from Socrates, taught Aristotle and is often described as the key figure in the history of philosophy. But what do we actually know about the life of Plato of Athens? And why was his work …
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
How women helped sustain the slave trade
Episode 1679
Slavery was a system that pervaded life in the American South, and as historian Stephanie E Jones-Rogers reveals in her book They Were Her Property, women played crucial roles in perpetuating that sy…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
The fall and rise of Henry III
Episode 1678
King Henry III was one of England’s longest reigning monarchs, but his time on the throne saw a long period of peace punctured by an extraordinary revolution. Professor David Carpenter talks to David…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
The SAS in WW2: everything you wanted to know
Episode 1677
The SAS – or Special Air Service – is Britain’s elite special forces unit. Founded in the deserts of North Africa during the Second World War, it has become famous across the globe for the physical a…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Plot or paranoia? The Amboyna conspiracy trial
Episode 1676
In 1623, at a Dutch fort on the remote island of Ambon, in modern-day Indonesia, a young Japanese mercenary was arrested for asking suspicious questions – and interrogated using torture. Within just …
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Messalina: sex, slander & scandal in imperial Rome
Episode 1675
Even in the ancient Roman world of ruthless politicking, suspicious deaths and high-stakes schemes, the scandalous reputation of Empress Valeria Messalina stands out. The third wife of Emperor Claudi…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Amazing archaeological discoveries that trounce Indiana Jones
Episode 1674
You may think that Indiana Jones created a swashbuckling vision of archaeology that only exists on the silver screen – but, in fact, real archaeological history is also packed full of exciting and aw…
Published on 2 years, 6 months ago
Living the life of luxury with the Persians & Greeks
Episode 1673
When Greek soldiers captured the royal command tent of the Persian king during the Greco-Persian wars, they were stunned by what they saw. Their mighty adversary’s seat of power was absolutely drippi…
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago
Simon Schama on how inoculation changed the world
Episode 1672
As the recent past will attest, the discovery of vaccines can not only save lives, but also change the course of human history. Speaking with Matt Elton, Simon Schama explores the story of inoculatio…
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago
Mountaineering on Everest: everything you want to know
Episode 1671
When were the first attempts to summit Mount Everest? Did Mallory really say he wanted to climb it just “because it’s there”? How did climbing expeditions spark diplomatic crises in the 20th century …
Published on 2 years, 7 months ago