Sistory History

By Sistory History

We're two sisters who love history and are on a mission to help more people enjoy it. In each episode we take a historical event or experience, find some relevant source material and have a light-hear... more

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FAQs about Sistory History:

How many episodes does Sistory History have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.

Sistory History episodes:

November 15, 2023 Ancient Greece - Show Time! (Greek Theatre)
Join us as we explore the world of Ancient Greek theatre-going. Was it anything like the modern experience? How big were the theatres? Do we need to do another sacrifice? And, most importantly...were there snacks??
The sources for this episode are:
- Theatre mask dating from 4th/3rd century BCE - check out the photo on X, Instagram or our website: Photos for S02E04: Ancient Greece - Show Time! (sistoryhistory.co.uk)
(Photo credit: Giovanni Dall'Orto, 9th November 2009, mask on display in the Ancient Agora Museum in Athens).
- Demosthenes, Against Androtion, 68

- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, book 10 chapter 5
- Inscription from the Athenian Treasury - IG 1496.80f
Intrigued to find out more? Try these:
Teaching History with 100 Objects - A Greek theatre mask (teachinghistory100.org)
Costume & Masks | Greek Theatre (wordpress.com)
The Theater at Epidaurus | Acoustic Design | ASI ArchitecturalMystery of Exceptional Sound at Greece's Epidaurus Theater Solved (greekreporter.com)
Ancient Greek Theatres: Facts, History, Drama (realgreekexperiences.com)
Music credit goes to our two resident composers: Phil Russell and Alice Morgan (you can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys).

Finally, if you like what you hear then don't be shy! Please do take the time to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.
Web: ⁠https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/⁠
X (Twitter): @sistoryhistory
Instagram: @sistoryhistory
email: [email protected]
...more
30min
November 08, 2023BONUS EPISODE - Villa Ventorum @ The Newt
Join us for a whistle-stop tour of the Villa Ventorum, a replica Roman villa located at the Newt Hotel in Somerset. We take a look at the luxury bathhouse, (we definitely have mosaic envy!) and discuss the merits of dice towers... Here we talk you through some of our favourite sensory things.
To see the photos, head over to Instagram, X or our website:
https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/blog
If you're then in the mood for some more bathhouse action, try our season 1 episode, "The Romans - Bath Time!":
https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/podcast

The Romans - Bath Time! - Sistory History | Podcast on Spotify
Music credit goes to our two resident composers: Phil Russell and Alice Morgan (you can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys).

Finally, if you like what you hear then don't be shy! Please do take the time to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.
Web: https://www.sistoryhistory.co.uk/

X (Twitter): @sistoryhistory

Instagram: @sistoryhistory

email: [email protected]
...more
15min
October 25, 2023 Ancient Greece - What Ails Thee? (Greek Medicine)
In this episode we explore the medicine cabinet of the Ancient Greeks, whilst regaling you with fun facts and medical anecdotes. Plus we reveal why you definitely shouldn't go peony gathering with a woodpecker...
Our sources for this episode are:
- Cure Inscription 8, Stele 1 (from Epidaurus, mid-4th century BCE)
Cure Inscriptions from the Asclepieion of
Epidaurus
- Aristophanes, Wealth, lines 660-669
- Hippocrates, Regimen in Health, section 5
- Hippocrates, On the Nature of Women, section 3
If you'd like to find out more about Ancient Greek medicine, try these:
Medicine in
Greek mythology - Hektoen International (hekint.org)

Greek
anatomical votives - Google Search

Strange Beauty of
Ancient Anatomical Votives | DailyArt Magazine

The Four Humours of Ancient
Greek Medicine | Herbal Academy (theherbalacademy.com)

10
Little-known Natural Home Remedies from Ancient Greece (greekreporter.com)
Follow sistoryhistory on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), and contact us at [email protected]. Music credit goes to our two resident composers: Phil Russell and Alice Morgan (you can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys).

If you like what you hear then don't be shy! Please do take the time to like, rate, subscribe and share, as this helps new listeners to find us.
...more
32min
October 11, 2023 Ancient Greece - The Body Politic (Greek Politics)
How many jurors is too many jurors? We'll ponder this important question alongside other topics such as men dressed as wasps, spiky balls and massive urns...
And if you'd like to know how to make your own ancient water clock using only gardening paraphernalia, we can help with that too.
Have a listen and learn something fun!
The sources for this episode are:
- Visual source: Ancient Water Clock - 'Clepsydra'. Check out the photo on Twitter (X) and Instagram, and also this website: Agora Image 2008.19.0037 (LCT-149) - ASCSA.net
- Aristotle, Athenian Constitution, 68
- Aristophanes, Wasps, 93-109
- Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 1.86/87
Fancy some homework? We're happy to oblige:
Ancient
Greek Democracy - Facts, Voting & Decline | HISTORY
How People Voted
in Ancient Elections | HISTORY
Ostracism:
'Cancel culture' Ancient Greek-style | Sky HISTORY TV Channel
Follow sistoryhistory on Instagram and Twitter (X), and contact us at [email protected]. Music credit goes to our two resident composers: Phil Russell and Alice Morgan (you can find Alice on Instagram - missalicekeys).

If you like what you hear then don't be shy - please do take the time to like, rate, subscribe and share!
...more
30min
September 27, 2023 Ancient Greece - Talking With the Gods (Delphi & Divination)
What do bread, acorns and smoke have in common? Any idea? Yes, it's divination! But we wouldn't blame you for not guessing that - these aren't exactly standard techniques for fortune-telling. These were however perfectly valid methods used by the Ancient Greeks for communicating with the gods, and searching out knowledge of the future.
Intrigued? Then join us as we seek divine inspiration from these contemporary sources in our quest to learn more:
- Euripides, Ion, lines 80-125
- Aristophanes, Birds, lines 955-1017
- Plato, Phaedrus, 275b
- Plato, Republic, book 5
Keen for more knowledge? Try these:
7 Ancient Greek methods for predicting the future | Sky HISTORY TV Channel
HorribleHistories: Groovy Greeks - The Great & Wise Oracle
Virtual Reality Oracle Project
(vroracle.co.uk)
Google
Image Search: Pythia
Follow sistoryhistory on Instagram and Twitter (X), and contact us at [email protected]. Music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan, who you can also find on Instagram - missalicekeys.

If you like what you hear then don't be shy - please do take the time to like, rate, subscribe and share!
...more
29min
September 14, 2023 Season 2 Trailer - Ancient Greece
Welcome back to Sistory History! The sensory history podcast, hosted by sisters Laura & Caroline.
This season we've time-travelled back to Ancient Greece and the Classical period. We've got lots for you to look forward to - from drinking parties and high drama, to democracy and naked wrestling...
Make sure you subscribe now so that you don't miss an episode!
You can follow Sistory History on Instagram and Twitter/X, and email us at [email protected]
...more
1min
August 11, 2023 BONUS EPISODE - Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality
Have you ever wondered whether you need a bull's head wine pouring vessel for your next dinner party? Let us assure you that you definitely do!
We took a Sistory roadtrip to Oxford in July 2023 and had the pleasure of taking in an excellent exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum - "Labyrinth: Knossos, Myth & Reality".
Here we take you through some of our favourite exhibits, with our usual sensory focus. Head over to Instagram or Twitter to see the accompanying photos, which will help bring everything to life:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cvz3_1CKB7m/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
If Knossos, Minoans and bull-themed tableware have captured your interest, here are some ideas for further reading...
The exhibition is no longer showing but the Ashmolean Museum have some great Knossos-themed articles on their website:
1. REBUILDING
THE PALACE OF MINOS AT KNOSSOS | Ashmolean Museum
2. DINING WITH
THE MINOANS | Ashmolean Museum
3. Ashmolean
Museum Exhibition - LABYRINTH Knossos: Myth & Reality
(Or why not visit the Aegean World Gallery, which houses a permanent collection of artefacts from Knossos and beyond).
Google Image Search - Bull Relief Fresco
Minoan
Civilization - World History Encyclopedia
You can follow sistoryhistory on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter (X), and contact us at [email protected].
Music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan, who you can also find on Instagram - missalicekeys.
...more
13min
July 13, 2023 BONUS EPISODE - Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians (Georgian Fashion)
Fancy finding out about a Georgian bumbag? Need to source the most effective tools for applying your hair powder? And are you wondering, just what did Queen Charlotte wear to her coronation? If so, then look no further! Join us for some sensory sartorial insights, courtesy of the Royal Collection Trust's exhibition - "Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians". Showing at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace until 8th October 2023.
If you'd like the benefit of visual accompaniment, then head on over to our Instagram page (sistoryhistory), where you'll find photos of all the exhibits we talk about in this episode:
https://instagram.com/sistoryhistory?igshid=MzNlNGNkZWQ4Mg==
Also check out this book by Anna Reynolds that accompanies the exhibition - "Style & Society: Dressing the Georgians" https://amzn.eu/d/61Joftw
If you like what you hear then don't be shy - please do take the time to like, rate and subscribe.
You can follow sistoryhistory on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and contact us at [email protected].
Music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan, who you can also find on Instagram - missalicekeys.
...more
16min
May 24, 2023 The Romans - Festivals & Fasti
Gift-giving, feasting, ill-advised excessive drinking...these all sound pretty familiar in the context of festivals and public holidays. But the ancient Romans really took it to the next level - giant phalluses, naked priests, people dressed as goats... Join us for the season finale as we take a good look at the colourful topic of Roman festivals, via this selection of contemporary sources:
- Fasti Antiates Maiores (the oldest surviving Roman calendar - see the first link below and also the close up photos we've posted on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook)
- Ovid, Fasti Book 5 (3rd May - Floralia)
- Ovid , Fasti Book 5 (9th May - Lemuria)
- Plutarch, Life of Caesar, 61.1-4

Suggestions for further reading if you fancy:

https://penelope.uchicago.edu/~grout/encyclopaedia_romana/calendar/antiates.html

https://imperiumromanum.pl/en/roman-religion/roman-feasts/amp/

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/lupercalia

"The Sensory Experience of Blood Sacrifice in the Roman Imperial Cult" (Candace Weddle, 2013)

Follow sistoryhistory on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and contact us at [email protected]. Music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan, who you can also find on Instagram - missalicekeys.

If you like what you hear then don't be shy - please do take the time to like, rate and subscribe!
...more
34min
May 03, 2023 The Romans - Army Life (Roman Military & Warfare)
Do you know your cornets from your trumpets? Can you spot the difference between a centurion and a military tribune? Any why was everyone so keen on the fish sauce???
Join us as we take a sensory delve into the depths of the Roman army, ably assisted by another 4 pieces of source material:
- Julius Caesar, "Gallic Wars" Book 1 Ch.25
- Vegetius, "De Re Militari" Book 1.4 (Size of Recruits)
- Vegetius, "De Re Militari" Book 2.15 (Legionary Music)
- Vindolanda Tablet 302
Fancy some homework? Check out these links:
Buccina- Google image search

Vindolanda Tablet 302. Ink writing tablet | Roman Inscriptions of Britain

Roman Legions: The Backbone Of The Roman Military | HistoryExtra

Romans in Britain - Recipe for Posca (romanobritain.org)

YouTube - Horrible Histories (Surviving in the Roman Army)
Roman camp «IMPERIUM ROMANUM
Follow sistoryhistory on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and contact us at [email protected]. Music credit goes to our resident composer Alice Morgan, who you can also find on Instagram - missalicekeys.

If you like what you hear then don't be shy - please do take the time to like, rate and subscribe!
...more
28min

FAQs about Sistory History:

How many episodes does Sistory History have?

The podcast currently has 38 episodes available.