Creepy Classics

The Athenian army fight and win a famous victory at Marathon, but Tolmis finds himself living the battle over again and again in an endless loop... This story is inspired by Pausanias, 1.32.3-5 and based partly on Herodotus, 6.112-117. It's followed by a discussion of the Battle of Marathon, battlefield ghosts, and the history of the site itself.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

Rome is at war, and strange ships accompanied by men in shining white are seen in the sky... This story is inspired by Livy, History of Rome, 21.62.5 and 24.10.10, and is followed by a discussion including ancient UFOs, dream interpreters, and dream books.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

On New Year's Eve, a mysterious Green Knight rides into King Arthur's Christmastide feast and challenges Arthur and his knights to a deadly game... Adapted from the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, this story is followed by a discussion including medieval Christmas, Green Men, and the history of Father Christmas - and exactly what colour robes he "traditionally" wore!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

The night before battle, a nervous young officer consults a witch, who promises to raise the dead to prophesy for him... Adapted from Lucan, Civil War, 6.413-830, followed by a discussion of Roman witches, zombies, and a lengthy digression on horse rearing!

Content warning: The story is a lot gorier than usual, and there are references to suicide and to abortion and birth trauma in the commentary.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

A young girl has a strange dream about a conversation between famous historical women, including her own mother, which takes a turn into the macabre towards the end... Based on the 1798 unpublished manuscript 'Ithuriel, the Angel of Truth, Thus Restateth an Event of the Heavens' by Jane Porter and an unknown co-author. Followed by a discussion about the history behind the text and the women featured; Mary Wollstonecraft, Lady Jane Grey, Aspasia, Sappho, and Boudicca.

Content warning: The commentary following the story discusses miscarriage, maternal and infant mortality (in some detail, especially on death in childbirth, and including SIDS), suicide, and mentions rape.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

A group of strangers tell stories about the mysterious White Island (now called Snake Island, Ukraine) where the spirit of Achilles lives eternally, but they can't quite agree on the details... This story is based on Pausanias, Description of Greece, 3.19.11-13, Arrian, Periplus of the Euxine Sea, 32-34, and Philostratus, On Heroes, 54.1-56.4. Followed by a discussion including Trojan War stories, ancient Greek hero cult, and conflicting folklore tales.

This episode is dedicated to the Ukrainian defence forces.

Content warning: war and warfare, including reference to the current conflict in Ukraine.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

Brutus and Cassius lead a conspiracy to murder Julius Caesar to save Rome from a tyrannical king, but Brutus finds himself confronted by a mysterious spirit that may or may not represent his Fate... This story is adapted from Plutarch, Life of Brutus 36 and 48, and Life of Caesar 69. It's followed by a discussion of the death of Julius Caesar and his relationship with Brutus, the ways in which Shakespeare adapted Plutarch's biography for his play Julius Caesar, and exactly what kind of "spirit" it was that Plutarch claims Brutus saw.

Content warning: violence, a very brief reference to sexual abuse.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

A troubled soul in life, Emperor Gaius Caligula's spirit remains restless in death... This story is adapted from Suetonius, Life of Caligula, 59 and is followed by a discussion about Caligula, King Herod Agrippa, and Roman funerary rites.

Content warning: Some gory details, descriptions of fire, brief reference to infanticide, discussion of mental health including use of a term some may find uncomfortable in the commentary.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com

On New Year's Day 1091, the priest Walchelin has an experience that will leave its mark on him forever... This story has been adapted from Orderic Vitalis, Historia Ecclesiastica, 8.17, and is followed by a discussion of medieval faith and belief, ghostly armies and wild hunts.

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Do you dare set foot in the Emperor Augustus' childhood nursery? They say anyone who does is seized by shuddering and terror... This story has been inspired by Suetonius, Augustus, 6 & 94, and is followed by a discussion of the Emperor Augustus, his life and achievements, and ancient poltergeists.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit julietteharrisson.substack.com