It is finally time to meet Hercules/Heracles!! We start with a little context then dive into the story of how Hercules came to be, why he was extra special, and the reason he gets stuck doing possibly the worst to do list of all time!

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This is not Hercules/Heracles. I’m really sorry, but since we introduced Ancient Greece and I briefly mentioned Kythera last episode, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to talk about the islands and a very special archaeological find. The Anti-Kythera Mechanism is an ancient analog computer dating to around 60BC. But how could a computer have existed before electricity? And what does it mean for our understanding of ancient people? To discuss these very important topics, I have a special guest this week. Matt Crum is currently in his 5th year of study for his PhD at UC San Diego. He specialized in studying Roman identity, specifically in the period we would now refer to as the Byzantine Empire. Matt has been working on Kythera with Timothy and Lita Gregory, some of the foremost experts on Kytherian archaeology and historical study, during field seasons since 2014.

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This episode, we are setting the stage of the epic tale of Hercules/Heracles! With plentiful obscure Disney references, we cover: Ancient Greece, who that Heracles guy is, the Olympic gods, and so much more!

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Today we are going back to my roots and talking about the theoretical framework that shaped anthropological theory! Sound boring? I was hoping to avoid that, so I brought on a special guest to make the episode a tad more conversational. Further, its impossible to talk about the beginnings of anthropology without acknowledging the problematic views on evolution, culture, and race in the human species that many of the early anthropologists shared. We dig into all of that and more this episode, I hope you learn something interesting!

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Ever wondered why some people in Ireland have Spanish ancestry? Well that can be traced back to events that happened directly following the logistically challenged Spanish Armada! Tune in for a recap of the failed invasion and how it connects to my family history!

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Spain, Ireland, personal disappoints, and legacy that lives on to this day. Don’t miss the conclusion of Elizabeth’s life and reign!

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Elizabeth’s on throne, now what? We know that she ended up having one of the most successful reigns in English history, but she certainly didn’t know it starting out. This week we cover: bachelors, pirates, and an annoying cousin.

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Everyone knows about Elizabeth I, but did you know there was another queen right before her? Mary I was Elizabeth’s older half sister and the first true ruling queen of England. What was Elizabeth’s life like while her sister ruled? Tune in to find out!

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Four step moms, Flemish, an important life lesson, and an awkward family Christmas dinner. Let’s explore the future Elizabeth I’s early years! Actually Interesting History is a podcast by Madeleine Smith.

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Our first season will cover Elizabeth I! But what is a Tudor? And how did they end up on the throne? Tune in the find out!

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