Podcasts About Ancient Empires

5 podcast episodes on a theme, each week curated by a different person

Still Thinking About Rome?

Podcasts About Ancient Empires

Curated by...
Sam Baker (she/her)

Why did you choose this theme?
As someone working on a history podcast at the moment, I've been thinking a lot about the things from the past that we fixate on — and those we avoid, or which have been actively forgotten.

With the recent cultural moment of women asking men how often they think about ancient Rome, I thought about how we remember this empire and others. So, I wanted to share a few of my favorite shows that dip into the past looking for lessons and insights for today, or that just tell stories that offer a more holistic understanding of history.

PODCAST PICKS:

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You're Dead to Me
Agrippina the Younger

You're Dead to Me is a delightful show that brings together a comedian and a historian for a laugh and a look back at a specific chunk of history, or in some cases, a specific figure. In contrast to what we might typically think of when it comes to ancient Rome — gladiators and senators and territorial conquest — this episode tells the story of a woman who really played the political game in this society.

Noble Blood
Boudica Victoria 

EarBuds curator Sam enjoyed this episode about folk heroine Boudica, who fought against Roman occupiers in Great Britain alongside thousands of troops. Sam loves Noble Blood for its beautiful sound design and for storytelling that brings people to life who often haven't been for a very long time.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Epictetus

How can philosophy from Ancient Rome apply today? Check out The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos for the series "Happiness Lessons of the Ancients." This episode explores the ideas of Epictetus and lessons from Ancient Greece, China, and the world's oldest religions.

Stuff The British Stole
A Tiger and a Scream

If thinking about the Roman Empire has you rolling your eyes, how about looking into an empire whose mark is still felt in many parts of the world today? Stuff the British Stole examines the stories left off placards at British institutions that would rather forget the history of the objects they hold in their collections. Start with this first episode, where host Marc Fennell nearly misses his flight to see a gruesome toy tiger that tells the story of the British East India Company and the Kingdom of Mysore.

Empire
Queen Elizabeth II & Empire (with David Olusoga)

When thinking about the Roman Empire, it's hard to not become curious about other empires and how they changed the world. In this aptly named show, the hosts explore various empires in depth. This episode reflects on the long shadow of the British Empire and is a great entry point as to why learning about empires is so important for us all. 

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COMMUNITY:

🎤This week in Podcast The Newsletter: Lauren Passell writes: "I can't be the only one in the history of the universe who didn't know what Eurovision was until she heard about it on Helen Zaltman's The Allusionist. MaxFun has dropped Eurovangelists, a complete deep dive into the latest Eurovision news, the crazy stories from the past, why this competition matters, all the things normal un-super fans would not notice. The best part seems to be that every single person can have a different favorite song, favorite group… Eurovision is ripe for discussion."

🌍Global Treasures is an overview of the history, legends, and people that make the UNESCO World Heritage Sites so unique and amazing to human history and culture. Join us as we explore each of these incredible sites.

🎧Led by Eileen Dunn, a seasoned clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst, The Art of Listening explores the transformative power within the space between speaker and listener. Join us and our guests on this collective journey of self-discovery, as we navigate the depths of human connection and the power of listening.

💗In You’re Not the Only One F*cking Up: Breaking the Endless Cycle of Dating Mistakes, Lane Moore explores the trials and tribulations of real people who have been through the struggle of navigating the dating pool, yet still surfaced to the top. Drawing from a diverse range of perspectives and experiences, their firsthand stories paint a comprehensive picture of the pitfalls that come with modern dating. She also shares moments from her own personal battles with this cycle, while reassuring listeners how each of these mistakes made over… and over… ultimately can lead us back to trusting what works for our own selves. 

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CLASSIFIEDS:

♟️Elon Musk tweets — and then deletes — a supposed “joke” about a young Grandmaster cheating in over-the-board chess via vibrating anal beads. An uproarious media frenzy ensues as the honour of the game of chess is suddenly thrown into the spotlight. But what the headlines missed is the complicated web of accusations, slander, lies, cheating, lawsuits, and overall drama that continues to cast a long shadow on the once noble game of chess... even one year after the alleged scandal has taken place. The mission of Rooked: The Cheaters' Gambit is to look for answers as this true-ish crime story continues to unfold in the manner of a modern whodunnit. The clues are hidden in the holes of a chessboard, the deepest of internet rabbit holes... and maybe some other holes, too. This titillating story made headlines around the world... but anal beads are just the tip of the iceberg in this wild tale. 

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SPOTLIGHT:

Murder in Boston

1989 Boston. The crack epidemic is raging, the murder rate soaring, and white flight has taken hold. Charles Stuart and his pregnant wife, Carol, are carjacked, drawn deep into a dangerous “inner city” neighborhood, and allegedly shot by a Black man. All of Boston — and the nation — is gripped by the hunt for the suspect. What follows will reveal truths about the city... and ourselves.

Presented by The Boston Globe and HBO Documentary Films, Murder in Boston: The Untold Story of the Charles and Carol Stuart Shooting is hosted by Adrian Walker who, along with a team of Pulitzer-winning investigative reporters, unveils explosive new findings and change the narrative of a story long cemented in the city’s lore. The HBO Documentary Series Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning is available to stream on Max starting December 4.

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