Let’s be honest: you’re probably here because you’ve realized that knowing the intricacies of Mesopotamian irrigation systems makes you infinitely more interesting at parties than discussing last night’s reality TV drama. Or maybe you just want to understand all those Roman Empire memes your friends keep posting. Either way, welcome to the wonderful world of ancient history podcasts, where passionate historians will spend three hours explaining why a particular pottery shard is absolutely revolutionary for our understanding of Bronze Age trade routes, and make it riveting enough that you’ll miss your subway stop.
Whether you’re a hardcore history nerd who can recite the complete list of Ptolemaic pharaohs or someone who just thinks gladiators are cool, there’s a podcast out there ready to transport you back thousands of years, all while you’re doing dishes or pretending to pay attention in that endless Zoom meeting. So grab your metaphorical toga, because we’re about to explore the best ancient history podcasts that prove the past is never really past.
The Ancients
This podcast caters to enthusiasts of humanity’s earliest eras. The Ancients devotes itself to exploring civilizations from long ago. Presenting conversations with scholars of history and experts in archaeological studies, every installment examines a particular subject from the ancient world. Spanning topics from Stone Age Britain through to Rome’s collapse.
Roman Emperors: Totalus Rankium
Evaluating every ruler of Rome throughout the Roman Empire’s existence (more or less)
Ancient History Fangirl
A podcast focused on humanity’s distant past, produced by a pair of women from the Millennial generation. Unruly rulers, deadly poisoners, and chaotic legends from mythology comprise the content; the show resembles a fusion of Hardcore History and My Favorite Murder set in antiquity, accompanied by generous amounts of alcohol and humor.
History of the World podcast
The remarkable tale of humanity’s past across the globe. Listeners are invited to accompany them on this extraordinary voyage through time.
Ancient Warfare Podcast
Conversations featured in Ancient Warfare Magazine. What drove prehistoric societies to engage in combat? Who commanded their armies? What experiences defined the lives of the first warriors? Ancient Warfare Magazine seeks to explore these inquiries. Military conflict from two millennia in the past.
The History of China
An exploration across five millennia of recorded history preserved by one of humanity’s most enduring and unbroken civilizations.
The Ancient World
Spanning from humanity’s earliest organized societies through to the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
The Hellenistic Age Podcast
A podcast covering the era of ancient history following Classical Greece.
Viking Age Podcast
Exploring Scandinavian history throughout the Viking Age through episodic audio programs. The show examines Norse expeditions, commerce, colonization, and the cultural life of their homeland territories. Listeners discover comprehensive knowledge about the people history remembers as the Vikings.
Ancient Anecdotes
Ancient Anecdotes presents Indian tales rich in symbolic meaning that engage youth and grown-ups alike. The collection provides applicable wisdom for everyday challenges while showcasing traditional Indian heritage. ListenCubs delivers these narratives authentically to benefit their target audiences.
History of Persia
A podcast examining Persian history and its powerful empires, starting with the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus the Great. This imperial heritage influenced ancient societies from Rome to China. The show explores the cultures, armed forces, faiths, triumphs, and setbacks of antiquity’s most significant empires.
The Partial Historians
Dr Rad and Dr G debate, discuss, and joke about various elements of ancient Rome. Their primary series, From the Foundation of the City, chronicles Roman history annually starting from 753 BCE. They also speak with scholars worldwide about history and Rome’s portrayal in modern media.
Casting Through Ancient Greece
A podcast covering ancient Greek history for both newcomers and enthusiasts. Casting Through Ancient Greece narrates the story from prehistory through the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic eras. The series highlights significant events including the Greek and Persian wars, the Peloponnesian war, and Alexander the Great’s Persian campaign.
Western Civ
A brisk exploration of Western history from antiquity to today. The podcast examines how Western global dominance was never inevitable, tracing civilization’s evolution from the ancient Near East through Greece and Rome, past the Western Roman Empire’s fall into the Dark Ages, and following European and American history as the West rose to world prominence.
Spartan History Podcast
This podcast delivers a sequential chronicle of the ancient Spartan civilization, commencing with their initial appearances in Homer’s epic works, the Iliad and Odyssey, and continuing through to the decline of Spartan supremacy in the 4th century BCE.
In Our Time
Covering history, religion, culture, science, and philosophy, In Our Time from BBC Radio 4 engages intellectually curious listeners. Host Melvyn Bragg and expert guests examine influential figures, events, and discoveries, from Napoleon and the Russian Revolution to Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette, from Buddhism to the Protestant Reformation.
Ancient Art Podcast
Ancient Worlds, the audio component of the Ancient Art Podcast, uses individual artworks as creative starting points. The series examines ancient stories, history, mythology, and culture through a contemporary, humorous perspective. Host Lucas Livingston explores Ancient Mediterranean art and culture, investigating the civilizations that influenced today’s world through detailed analyses of pieces from the Art Institute of Chicago and other collections, alongside broader artistic and cultural themes.
The Roman World
The Roman World examines ancient Roman society, literature, and art through major figures like Julius Caesar, Augustus, Nero, Virgil, and Ovid. The course explores Rome’s position in the Mediterranean, its ties to Greece, Egypt, and Gaul, and how constant warfare and empire-building influenced Roman culture through slavery and luxury goods. It covers how first-century BCE civil conflicts impacted Roman identity via propaganda and monumental architecture, plus Rome’s enduring influence on modern books and films.
Tides of History
Remnants of history surround humanity on all sides. These remnants shape the borders of nations and territories, methods of worship and warfare. They influence currency and labor, language and child-rearing practices. From Wondery, host Patrick Wyman, PhD (Fall Of Rome), guides audiences in comprehending the contemporary world and the forces that molded it into its present form.
Fall of Civilizations
A historical audio program examining the downfall of a distinct civilization in every installment. The show explores shared characteristics among these societies, the causes behind their decline, and the experience of witnessing their collapse unfold.
The Archaeology Show
The Archaeology Show originates from the Archaeology Podcast Network. Archaeologists Chris Webster and Rachel Roden serve as hosts. The program features conversations with individuals globally covering diverse subjects. Listeners are invited to enjoy the experience.
Peopling the Past
Hosts Dr. Chelsea Gardner and Dr. Melissa Funke guide audiences through lesser-known facets of archaeology, history, and daily existence in the ancient Mediterranean. Each week the program showcases a specialist whose innovative research illuminates the actual individuals who inhabited ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, and surrounding regions.
A History of the World in 100 Objects
Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, presents 100 episodes that recount human history through the artifacts humanity has created.
Ancient Civilisations
The ancient world contained extraordinary achievements: engineering feats like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge, remarkable civilizations including the Aztecs, Romans, and Mongols, and legendary figures such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, and Herod the Great. Inventors, explorers, builders, and thinkers shaped today’s world.
Ancient History Hound
This podcast focuses on ancient history, inviting listeners to explore Greece, Rome, and other civilizations from antiquity. The host covers various topics accessible to audiences at all knowledge levels. Listeners are encouraged to browse and begin their journey.
Museum Secrets
Curators from the University of Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum have created concise stories about the fascinating and occasionally surprising inner workings of museum life. They eagerly anticipate sharing these narratives with audiences. Lucie Dawkins produces and presents Museum Secrets.
The History of Byzantium
A podcast chronicling the history of the Roman (Byzantine) Empire spanning from 476 AD through 1453.
Emperors of Rome
“Great empires are not maintained by timidity.” – Tacitus. A podcast series examining the leaders of the ancient Roman empire, presented by Dr Rhiannon Evans and Matt Smith.
The History of Egypt
Ancient Egypt, spanning from Creation through to Cleopatra. This podcast recounts the narrative of pharaonic Egypt through its own historical voice. Utilizing archaeological findings, ancient writings, and contemporary scholarship, the program reveals the civilization of the Nile Valley and its inhabitants.
History in the Bible
A guide to biblical history for all audiences, presented by an independent podcaster and biblical studies enthusiast. The show explores ancient Israelite religion, Christianity’s origins, and Abrahamic traditions through 200 CE, discussing every book across all Bible versions. Delivered with humor, critical analysis, and unabashed subjectivity.
Earth Ancients
Earth Ancients examines emerging evidence of forgotten civilizations, their ruins, and artifacts reflecting advanced technology. These erased cultures mapped the heavens and achieved scientific breakthroughs rivaling or exceeding modern capabilities. The show invites listeners to uncover this lost history.
The Prehistory Guys
From the creators of Standing with Stones, this podcast delivers news, perspectives, personalities, and concepts from the realm of prehistoric archaeology.
History of Japan
This podcast, created by a former History PhD student from the University of Washington, encompasses the complete timeline of Japanese history. Each episode addresses a different subject, spanning from prehistoric Japan to contemporary times.
The History of Rome
A weekly podcast chronicling the Roman Empire’s history, commencing with Aeneas’s landing in Italy and concluding with the banishment of Romulus Augustulus, the final Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. The series is now finished.
History on Fire
Where historical fact meets legendary drama, History on Fire is a podcast hosted by author and university professor Daniele Bolelli.
Dive & Dig
Welcome to Dive & Dig, hosted by Bettany Hughes and Dr Lucy Blue, the podcast transporting listeners on a subaquatic voyage beyond imagination. The program descends into the hidden realm of humanity’s ancient history, made accessible through contemporary deep-diving technology, revealing remarkable archaeological finds along the way.
Great Battles in History
Welcome to Great Battles in History. This podcast examines significant battles from ancient times through World War II, exploring each conflict’s origins, combat details, and consequences. Episodes feature legendary armies, commanders like Hannibal Barca, Saladin, Napoleon, and Chester Nimitz, plus individual warrior experiences from Spartan hoplites to Soviet tankers. The show questions whether battles truly change history’s course, revealing that few qualify as decisive turning points.
Oldest Stories
History and mythology of bronze age Mesopotamia, the Cradle of Civilization, starting with writing’s emergence. The podcast spans 2500 years from Gilgamesh to Nabonidas, featuring divine legends, heroic tales, and daily life stories. Coverage includes Sumer, Akkad, Old Babylon, Hittites, and Israel, with current episodes exploring the Assyrian Empire.
The Fall of Rome Podcast
Barbarians, political disintegration, economic ruin, mass migrations, and looting characterized Rome’s fall. While long studied, genetics, climate science, forensics, network analysis, and globalization research have transformed understanding of this pivotal historical moment. PhD historian Patrick Wyman presents cutting-edge scholarship in accessible language.
History of Africa
This comprehensive podcast offers an immersive exploration of African history. Spanning from Casablanca to Cape Town, the program illuminates the continent’s magnificent yet frequently overlooked past.
Life Of Caesar
An extended-format podcast examining the lives of the Julio-Claudian dynasty and subsequent eras.
The History of Ancient Greece
The History of Ancient Greece Podcast explores one of history’s most influential civilizations across two millennia, from the Bronze Age through Roman conquest. Host Ryan Stitt presents military, political, and social history alongside Greek culture, art, architecture, philosophy, literature, religion, and science, while contextualizing Greece within the broader multicultural Mediterranean world where civilizations mutually influenced one another.
The Maritime History Podcast
The Maritime History Podcast presents a chronological examination of maritime history and its various dimensions. Starting from ancient times, the program explores trade, exploration, vessel construction, economics, and the ocean’s role in shaping societal and cultural development throughout history.
Dan Snow’s History Hit
Historian Dan Snow travels worldwide to recount the narratives of history’s pivotal events. From Rome’s Colosseum to China’s Great Wall, from Waterloo’s battlefields to Tutankhamun’s Tomb, the program follows Dan as he examines the circumstances and motivations behind the world’s greatest monuments, conflicts, heroes, villains, and transformative occurrences.
Cost of Glory
The most influential biographies ever written, revered for nearly 2,000 years: Plutarch’s Parallel Lives. Essential for those pursuing greatness. Former professor Alex Petkas revives these stories for contemporary listeners, featuring statesmen, generals, orators, and founders whose actions shaped Western civilization’s future. Glory always demands a steep price.
The Toldinstone Podcast
This podcast complements the toldinstone YouTube channel by featuring conversations with scholars and creators engaged in compelling ancient history subjects.
Lost Roman Heroes
Delving into the existence and eras of forgotten champions of Rome, spanning from Aeneas through to Constantine XI, known as the Marble Emperor, and evaluating them according to their remarkable heroic qualities….
Do you know of another Ancient History podcast that you think should be on this list? Let me know
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