The Ancients Podcast

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#5 in History
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74.4K - 124.1K listeners Female/Male 4.7 rating 4963 reviews 525 episodes USA
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30s Ad: $2,184 - $2,482 60s Ad: $2,581 - $2,879 CPM Category: Society & Culture
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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. Hosted by Tristan Hughes. 


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Recent Hosts, Guests & Topics

Here's a quick summary of the last 5 episodes on The Ancients.

Hosts

Previous Guests

William Dalrymple is an acclaimed author known for his works on history and culture, particularly relating to India and the Silk Road.
An archaeologist specializing in African ancient history, particularly the Kingdom of Aksum and its archaeological sites.
Director of Pompeii, involved in archaeological excavations and research at the site, specializing in ancient Roman history and archaeology.
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@historyhit
History Hit

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Biography

Discover the past with exclusive history documentaries and ad-free podcasts presented by top historians released weekly.

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on The Ancients.

0:00 59:20

The Kushan Empire

Hosts
Tristan Hughes
Guests
William Dalrymple
Keywords
Kushan Empire Central Asia Bactria India Indian religious traditions Buddhism Silk Road

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. 


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0:00 44:44

Rise of the Minoans

Hosts
Tristan Hughes
Guests
Professor Nicoletta Momigliano
Keywords
Minoans Bronze Age Crete archaeology Knossos undeciphered writing system monumental palaces Neolithic Britain Fall of Rome

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

0:00 59:54

The Kingdom of Aksum

Hosts
Tristan Hughes
Guests
Dil Singh Basanti
Keywords
Aksum Ethiopian culture Ark of the Covenant Neolithic Britain Fall of Rome ancient trade networks monumental stele Aksumite burial practices Adulis port Christianity in Aksum Buddhism in Africa

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

0:00 52:14

Pompeii: The Buried City

Hosts
Tristan Hughes
Guests
Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel
Keywords
ancient Rome Pompeii archaeology excavations history slavery gladiators early Christianity

Buried in ash, frozen in time—Pompeii offers one of the most extraordinary windows into everyday life in ancient Rome.


In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of Pompeii, to explore the latest discoveries at this iconic site. From slave quarters and gladiator graffiti to possible signs of early Christianity, uncover how new excavations are reshaping what we know about the lives—and final moments—of Pompeii’s ancient inhabitants.


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Max Carrey, 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

0:00 53:33

Origins of Astronomy

Hosts
Tristan Hughes
Guests
Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid
Keywords
ancient Mesopotamians astronomy stars planets eclipses zodiac omens eclipse prediction clay tablets history of astronomy

Long before telescopes or space agencies, ancient Mesopotamians were decoding the secrets of the cosmos. Beneath skies unpolluted by modern light, they tracked the movements of planets, charted eclipses, and read the stars not just for science—but for signs from the gods.


In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Moudhy Al-Rashid to uncover the origins of written astronomy and the extraordinary legacy of left by the Mesopotamians that studied it. Their observations shaped empires, guided kings, and laid the groundwork for astronomy as we know it. From clay tablets to the zodiac, from omens to eclipse prediction—this is the story of how ancient Mesopotamians turned stargazing into science.


View the Balasi tablet - https://oracc.museum.upenn.edu//saao/saa10/P334428/html

Photo of tablet - https://cdli.earth/artifacts/334428


Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Max Carrey, 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

Ratings

Global:
4.7 rating 4963 reviews

USA

4.7 ratings 2600 reviews

UK

4.7 ratings 1100 reviews

Australia

4.8 ratings 583 reviews

Canada

4.7 ratings 437 reviews

New Zealand

4.8 ratings 118 reviews

Ireland

4.6 ratings 71 reviews

South Africa

4.8 ratings 39 reviews

Singapore

4.9 ratings 15 reviews