Sistory History

Welcome to Sistory History and to the finale of our Hadrian's Wall miniseries!

And to end we're honouring the noble horse with a full episode, thinking about the equine experience on the northern edge of the Roman empire.

We bring you bells, tin facts, good luck charms and, (inevitably), a phallus.

Check out the episode photos on our social media or website: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/post/photos-for-bonus-episode-wonders-of-the-wall-hadrian-s-horses

If you'd like to visit The Roman Army Museum, Magna Fort or Corbridge Roman Town, you can find everything you need to know here:

https://romanarmymuseum.com/

https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/corbridge-roman-town-hadrians-wall/?utm_source=Google%20Business&utm_campaign=Local%20Listings&utm_medium=Google%20Business%20Profiles&utm_content=corbridge%20roman%20town

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to episode 3 of our Hadrian's Wall miniseries!

We've left Vindolanda and marched 13 miles east to Chesters Roman Fort, a cavalry fort that was home to a regiment of around 500 men (and their horses) at its peak.

Listen along to find out about the caltrop, a tiny but lethal weapon that's still used today, a potential tax scam, and a lovely selection of altars.

You'll find photos of everything we talk about on our website & social media:

Sistory History Blog - Chesters Roman Fort

If you'd like to visit Chesters, you can find everything you need to know here:

English Heritage - Chesters Roman Fort & Museum

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to episode 2 of our Hadrian's Wall miniseries!

And we're still lingering at Vindolanda. We tried to leave but there was much to see, so we decided another episode was in order. Plus the cafe is lovely, which gave us an excuse to have a shandy whilst comparing notes...

Today we talk ancient Roman condiments, hit the tavern for a boxing match and think about what Britain did for Rome for a change.

You'll find photos of everything we talk about on our website & social media:

Sistory History Blog - Vindolanda Part 2

If you'd like to visit Vindolanda then find out more here: https://www.vindolanda.com/

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to episode 1 of our Hadrian's Wall miniseries!

In June 2026 we spent 3 glorious days in Northumberland, exploring the sites along the wall. We were blessed with fine weather, so the gods must have been smiling on our endeavour. Over the next 4 episodes we'll share with you a selection of sensorial treats from across those sites.

We start at Vindolanda, a Roman fort near Hexham, where we consider the merits (or otherwise) of the socks + sandals trend, (it started earlier than you think!), AND the best place to put the latrine. Unrelated, but definitely important.

You'll find photos of everything we talk about on our website & social media:

https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/blog

If you'd like to visit Vindolanda (and you definitely should!), then find out more here:

https://www.vindolanda.com/

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to our fourth Kidstory episode! With special guest Felix. These episodes are dedicated to budding historians, those studying history or wanting help with their history homework, or anyone who likes listening to fun and interesting stuff.

Today we explore life at sea for kids during the Age of Sail, whether you were an officer's son training for a future career, a child helping to support family back home or an orphan in search of a better life. It was hard work, it could definitely be dangerous, but for some children, navy warships were a place they could call home.

Check out our website or social media to see the objects we talk about in the episode:

Photos for Kidstory Bonus Episode: Tales From the Dockyard

If you´d like to visit the ships we talk about today or find out more about life at sea, we can highly recommend Portsmouth and Chatham Dockyards:

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The Historic Dockyard Chatham - Your Big Day Out in Kent

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to part 2 of Military Matters - our Roman army Q&A with special guest Neil from the Ancient History Hound podcast. This time we´re launching into the realities of battle. The importance of weaponry, logistics and psychological warfare, plus an interesting consideration of how the Romans might have approached mental health and the impact of combat.

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions - Neil had a ball researching them and we loved listening to his answers... We hope you enjoy the episode.

Neil is the creator and host of the excellent Ancient History Hound podcast, and you can find him on Blue Sky, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube - just search for ancientblogger.

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to part 1 of Military Matters - a Q&A with special guest Neil from the Ancient History Hound podcast, focused on the Ancient Roman military and army life. In this episode we cover army ranks, the role of women, kit, rations, camp nightlife and much more besides.

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions - if you don´t hear yours in this episode then be sure to tune in for the next. For now though, sit back and relax as Neil regales us with tales of bakeries, bees and bathhouses...

Neil is the creator and host of the excellent Ancient History Hound podcast, and you can find him on Blue Sky, Instagram, TikTok & YouTube - just search for ancientblogger.

As always, music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to our first fun facts bonus episode.

We've gathered together the weird & wonderful titbits from season 4 and packaged them into a neat 10-minute episode for you. Perfect for a coffee break or quick stroll to the shops. (Well, as long as exploding toilets float your boat...)

Music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to the season 4 finale!

And we end with a heady mix of flutes, treasure and animal excrement. Plus a puzzling fixation on elephants, courtesy of Pompey & Caesar, and a truly impressive amount of dining furniture...

Join us for a sensory dive into that very Roman celebration - the military triumph.

In this episode we´re joined by these fabulous fellows:

Plutarch, "Parallel Lives", Life of Marcellus 22.1-4

Livy, "History of Rome", extracts from 34.52

Suetonius, "Life of Julius Caesar", 37.1-2

Plutarch, "Life of Aemilius Paullus", extracts from 32.1-34.7

Thank you for your company this season - we hope you´ll join us for the next.

Music credit goes to our resident composers: Phil Russell & Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History

Welcome to season 4, episode 5!

How clean was your regular Roman? How often did they bathe? Did they have proper toilets, and is that rumour about the sponge on the stick really true? Join us as we explore the story of water in Ancient Rome. As well as the inevitable toilet-based anecdotes, we can promise you fabulous fountains, healthful hydrotherapy and remarkable rivers (albeit with some questionable qualities...).

Our sources for today are:

Petronius, "Satyricon", 47

Seneca the Younger, "Epistulae Morales", book 86, sections 8-9 & 11-12 (On Scipio´s Villa)

Pliny the Younger, "Letters", extracts from 5.6

Pliny the Elder, "Natural History", book 31, section 6

Music credit goes to our resident composers: Phil Russell & Alice Morgan. You can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys.

Finally, if you like what you hear today then please don´t be shy! Feel free to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.

Blue sky: @sistoryhistory.bskysocial

Instagram: sistoryhistory

Email: [email protected]

Web: Sistory History | sensory history and podcast

© 2026 by Sistory History