In this episode George is joined by neurodivergent academic and metal fan Dr Jeremy Swist who has identified adhd traits in ancient Roman Emperor Julian.
Jeremy talks about his own experiences with adhd both at school and later as an academic and discusses ancient sources that both condone and condemn the emperor for being impulsive, distractible and thinking outside the box; including the seismic decision to abandon Christianity in favour of older, pager beliefs.

Was emperor Julian neurodivergent? We may never know but what we do know is that neurodiversity predates the Roman Empire by millennia so there’s a likely chance…

Anomalia and Ekstasis: Studying the emperor Julian with ADHD

https://global.oup.com/academic/product/julian-augustus-9780197787519

ADHD Podcast Instagram: adhd_bce_podcast

For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/19

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com

APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet

APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet

APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet

APN Shop

Motion

While the ancient neurodivergent mind behind microlith technology didn’t leave us a written record, they did leave behind a legacy of precision, adaptability, and cognitive brilliance: the microlith!

In this episode, George dives into the origins and spread of microliths — tiny stone blades that sparked a revolution in human toolmaking. Through a blend of archaeology and imagination, we follow a fictional neurodivergent innovator named Aru who sees what others don’t, crafting the first microlith and passing that knowledge down through generations of clever, creative descendants.

• Wurz, S. (2002). Variability in the Middle Stone Age lithic sequence, 120,000–60,000 years ago, at Klasies River, South Africa. Journal of Archaeological Science
• Shea, J. J. (2013). Stone Tools in the Paleolithic and Neolithic Near East
• Stout, D., Toth, N., Schick, K., & Chaminade, T. (2008). Neurocognition and the emergence of tool use in hominins. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B
• Fitzgerald, M. (2004). Autism and Creativity: Is There a Link Between Autism in Men and Exceptional Ability?

For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/18

• Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
• Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
• Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

In episode 17 George ponders the possibility that infamous Viking leader of the Great Heathen Army, Ivar the Boneless was on the spectrum…

For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/17

• Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
• Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
• Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

In episode 16 George and Kathy chat about some glaring neurodivergent traits displayed by legendary Ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. Ultimately murdered by the state for being, well, Socrates, this potentially ancient neurodivergent individual was famed for his eccentric social skills (or lack of) as well as for his unparalleled ability to see through absolutely anything anyone said or did. In the end, we know nothing, and we will never be able to diagnose Socrates, but George and Kathy had a great time discussing the possibility.

• Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
• Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
• Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

In this episode George and Kathy discuss the infamous Cleopatra VII and whether her uncanny ability to navigate hostile political environments and think outside the box betray hitherto unrecognised neurodivergent traits?

For rough transcripts head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/adhdbce/15

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

• APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
• APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
• APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
• APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
• APN Shop

• Motion

In this episode George and Kathy explore the story of lesser known Celtic warlord Caratacus, who defied the Roman Empire for almost ten years. Displaying many neurodivergent traits, Caratacus thwarted countless Roman attempts to capture him until eventually being recognised and respected by emperor Claudius and the Senate. Who was Caratacus and could he have been neurodivergent?

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com

APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet

APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet

APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet

APN Shop

Motion

In this episode, Dr Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart returns to talk about neurodivergence, differences and the history of institutional prejudice.

ADHD BCE

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com

APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet

APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet

APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet

APN Shop

Motion

In this episode George talks to adhd specialist and psychotherapist Kathy Charlton about the legendary ‘father of history’ Herodotus and the many neurodivergent traits they displayed. Could Herodotus, the historian who delved deep into the cultures they wrote about have been driven by neurodivergent traits such as impulsivity and hyperfocus? Was history their special interest aka stone collecting? Are George and Kathy recklessly retroactively diagnosing ancient people or simply stimulating the debate? Listen to find out!

Kathy ADHD Therapist

ADHD BCE Podcast

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com

APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet

APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet

APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet

APN Shop

Motion

In this episode George talks to neurodivergent Historian Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart about their research in the fascinating area of neurodiverse jesters, fools and entertainers in renaissance Royal courts in England and Scotland.

Jessica can be contacted as a PhD Historian at [email protected] or [email protected], online as JessicasuAKA@twitter/Jessicaakas@insta/Jessica Secmezsoy-Urquhart@FB/Jessicasuaka@tiktok and as a writer at Bookseeker Agency.

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com

APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet

APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet

APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet

APN Store

Motion

In this episode George ponders the possibility that neurodivergent people played a major role in ancient migrations. Through the medium of his imagination George tells the fictional story of a neurodivergent hunter who takes the first steps in the Americas to creatively explore the neurodivergent migration theory.

Your Story by MusicbyAden | https://soundcloud.com/musicbyaden
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/
Creative Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com

APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet

APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet

APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet

Tee Public Store: https://www.teepublic.com/stores/archaeology-podcast-network?ref_id=5724

Motion