The Odyssey is trending so I though I would pick out some elements from the poem and discuss them. From trying to advocate for the suitors through to a theme I think is often missed, there is a lot to chat about.

I also include a promo for something you might be interested in, Alexandria: A Hellenistic World podcast.

Find me across social media and the like here and don't forget to check out the Ancient History Hound subreddit

Reading / sources used

The Odyssey (translated by Emily Wilson), this has a great introduction which covers a couple of the points raised.

Gazing at Helen with Stesichorus, Kampakoglu & A. Novokatko

Odyssey 5.234-53 and Homeric Ship Construction: A Reappraisal. Samuel E Mark.

Bronze and iron in Homer. Andrew Lang

Megarons and ΜΕΓΑΡΑ: Homer and Archaeology. Mary O Knox.

Artemidorus at the dream gates: Myth, theory, and the restoration of liminality. Vered Lev Kenaan

Hades, Homer and the Hittites. Gunnel Ekroth.

(for a great piece on katabasis and how it wasn't undertaken by Odysseus by Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts click here)

Priam's Katabasis: Traces of the Epic Journey to Hades in Iliad 24. Miguel Herrero de Jauregui

In this episode I get speculative and try to piece together what happened at the Consualia and an infamous event in Rome's early history. Alongside that there's Roman women saving the day, the strange disappearance of Romulus and more.

You can find me here.

If you can review or recommend that would be great, feel free to use those links (or email me at [email protected]) to say hi!

In the final part of the miniseries I look at Spartan marriage, money and mothers as well as a range of other topics. I hope you've enjoyed these Sparta episodes, why not let me know?

Find me via these links

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Reading list and modern sources used:

Bershadsky, N. The Argive Women, Beards and Democracy

Dwight, Z. Maidens and the Spartan Marriage Practice.

Hodkinson, S. 'Blind Ploutos'?: Contemporary images of the role of wealth in classical Sparta

Kennell, NM. Gymnasium of Virtue: education & culture in ancient Sparta

Millender, EG. Spartan Literacy revisited

Pomeroy, S. Spartan Women

Scott, AG. Plural Marriage and the Spartan State

In this episode I get into a famous event and a famous non-event. Did Hannibal really take Rome by surprise by crossing the Alps and why didn't he attack Rome directly after Cannae? I tackle both of these questions whilst throwing in the Celts and army attrition for good measure.

Links below but you can find me on most social media platforms as 'ancientblogger' and can email me at [email protected]

Find me here

Feel free to find me and say hi! If you can rate or review please do but more importantly thanks for listening.

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this episode I look at how the Spartan soldier fared in battle. What advantages had they been given through the agoge and syssitia? What was hoplite battle like and how good were the Spartans? I also look at a couple of Plutarch's sayings about the Spartans in the context of war and weigh up whether they were just a later invention or if there was something more to them.

Find me on X, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok as ancientblogger (see links below). There's my AncientBlogger YouTube channel and the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Come say hello (you can even go full old school and email me on [email protected]).

Find me here

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Reading list and sources used

Bardunias, P. Storm of spears & press of shields

Bardunias, P & Eugene Ray Jnr, F. Hoplites at War

Cartledge, P. The Spartans

Cole, M. The Bronze Lie

Echeverrrai, F. Hoplite and Phalanx in archaic and Classical Greece a reassessment

Taktike Techne – the neglected element in classical 'hoplite battles'

Rusch, SM. Sparta at War

Special shoutout to the excellent BadAncient website,the In Our Time Sparta episode and the Sparta episodes on The Ancients podcast.

Sparta, what do we know about it exactly and what's been exaggerated, or just made up? In the first of three episodes I look at the education system (agoge), communal mess (syssitia) and get into the Krypteia (not literally though). What do the sources say about these and how do they differ from ways they are sometimes depicted?

In addition to all of this I have a quick overview of the sources which have their part to play and get into a few anecdotes.

Find me on X, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok as ancientblogger (see links below). There's my AncientBlogger YouTube channel and the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Come say hello (you can even go full old school and email me on [email protected]).

Find me here

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Reading list and sources used

Berry, PE & Knotterus JD. Spartan Society: Structural ritualization in an ancient social system

Cartledge, P. The Spartans

Davidson, J. The Greeks and Greek Love

Figueira, T. Mess contributions and subsistence at Sparta

Kennell, NM. Gymnasium of Virtue: education & culture in ancient Sparta

Luraghi & Alcock. Helots and their masters in Laconia and Messenia

Matyszak, P. Sparta, rise of a warrior nation

Miller, S.G. Ancient Greek Athletics.

Special shoutout to the excellent BadAncient website,the In Our Time Sparta episode and the Life in Sparta and the truth about Sparta episode on The Ancients podcast.

Time for a quick update about what to expect in 2026 and when the next episode will drop.

Let me know what you think, I'm @ancientblogger on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok. There's also the Ancient History Hound subreddit and AncientBlogger YouTube channel. Or just good old email [email protected]

Thanks for listening and here's to a 2026 with more ancient history content.

Cheers,

Neil (and Bodhi).

This is the second of two episodes where I was a guest back in 2024 on the Partial Historians, a fantastic podcast which I suggest you check out. Over two epsiodes we discuss the places in ancient Rome linked to the Regal period, or at least tied to it by the later sources.

In the second episode I get into a fruit controversy at the Tullianum, what I think is the most important structure in early Rome, Ostia and more.

Thanks again to the Partial Historians for letting me share these episodes. You can find their podcast via the link and also read their books, 'Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome' and 'Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire', both well worth a read.

Feedback is always welcome (as are reviews). Feel free to contact me on social media (@ancientblogger on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X). There's also the Ancient History Hound subreddit and my Ancient Blogger YouTube channel. If you are really old school there's [email protected]

I hope you enjoy the second episode and thanks for taking the time to listen.

This is the first of two episodes where I was a guest back in 2024 on the Partial Historians, a fantastic podcast which I suggest you check out. Over two epsiodes we discuss the places in ancient Rome linked to the Regal period, or at least tied to it by the later sources.

In the first episode it's time to consider the strategic position of Rome, some of the hills, the Tiber, Pomerium and much more. Plenty of tangents ensued which were all my fault as you will hear. Dr G and Dr Rad were fab hosts and I hope you enjoy the chat we had.

Thanks again to the Partial Historians for letting me share these episodes. You can find their podcast via the link and also read their books, 'Rex: The Seven Kings of Rome' and 'Your Cheeky Guide to the Roman Empire', both well worth a read.

I'm keen to know your thoughts on how I came across, I was both nervy and excited and a bit manic but I think I did ok. Feel free to contact me on social media (@ancientblogger on TikTok, Instagram, Bluesky, and X). There's also the Ancient History Hound subreddit and my Ancient Blogger YouTube channel. If you are really old school there's [email protected]

Reviews and such are always greatly appreciated. Part two will be uploaded in a couple of weeks.

Till then, keep safe and stay well.

Dr Jo Ball returns as a guest on the podcast to talk about Tacfarinas, the subject of her latest book.

In the early 1st century AD Tacfarinas led a rebellion against Rome in north west Africa. Listen to find out how Rome responded, what we know about Tacfarinas and much, much more.

The problems with triumphs, nepotism, psychology and how dangerous this rebellion was are amongst some of the other areas covered. You'll also get to hear what made the emperor Tiberius angrier than he had ever been.

Find Dr Ball on TikTok, Instagram and X as @drjeball.

You can find me here

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

If you can leave a review please do and check out the Ancient History Hound subreddit