Two Friends Talk History

This week's episode is 'Killer Queens'. Liam explores the life of Queen Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, who joined the rebellion against the British East India Company in the mid 19th century. Zofia meanwhile looks at a different type of Queen, William Dorsey Swann, who led a fascinating life as a black, gay man during the 19th century and who was possibly the first identifiable 'drag queen'!
Tangents include: colonialism sucks, Shieldmaidens and Drag Race.

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Music by the wonderfully talented Chris Sharples

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This week's episode is Where they Fear to Thread where we look into places off the beaten track... and for good reason! Zofia dives deep into ancient cave systems of Cobán, Guatemala, the location of none other than the Mayan underworld of Xibalba. Liam gives the history of North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean where trespassers are likely to be peppered with a few arrows. Tangents include: The Descent, the multiple uses of Himalayan pink salt, everyone has dog heads, say no to over-foraging.

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Explore more resources and topics about the ancient world on ArchaeoArtist

Music by the wonderfully talented Chris Sharples

If you'd like to get in touch, email at [email protected]

This week's episode is Isolated Islands where we question whether islands are ever truly isolated. Liam looks at the Irish monks of Skellig Michael who sought solitude at the edge of Europe... until some pretty scary dudes arrived in boats (hint hint beards and longships). Zofia explores the small but immensely important Greek island of Delos, the Disney Land of the ancient Mediterranean. Tangents include: monks with great asses, crazy island gossip, Athens being a total dick and was Mithridates the first Karen?

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Explore more resources and topics about the ancient world on ArchaeoArtist

Music by the wonderfully talented Chris Sharples

If you'd like to get in touch, email at [email protected]

This week's episode is Greed & Grift where we discuss the terrible consequences of rich old dudes who can't be satisfied. Zofia dives back in time to the Roman Republic to explore the richest man you've probably never heard of: Marcus Crassus. Liam looks at the not so noble life of King Leopold II of the Belgians and his harrowing and brutal exploitation of the Belgian Congo (spoiler: he ain't nice). Tangents include: the origins (maybe) of the golden crown from Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones and the Arc of the Covenant, how NOT to leave your riches to your mistress and why it's a bad idea to make a human zoo.

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Music by the wonderfully talented Chris Sharples

Join us as we explore Patrons of the Arts. Liam delves into the life of Tokugawa Masako, a 17th century Japanese empress who was a driving force behind an aesthetic for a new age. Zofia tells the story of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun who was a prominent French painter of the 18th century and was patronised by none other than Marie Antoinette. Tangents include: the scandal of showing teeth in paintings, how giant wigs were used to control women, penis horses and the tackiness of the nouveau riche.

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Explore more resources and topics about the ancient world on ArchaeoArtist

Music by the wonderfully talented Chris Sharples

If you'd like to get in touch, email at [email protected]

Join us for our first ever episode. Zofia focuses on the Antonine plague that struck the Roman Empire during the 2nd century CE as well as the story of Glycon, the original snake oil man. Liam explores how the concoction of deadly diseases and viruses that Europeans brought to the New World resulted in catastrophic consequences for the peoples and societies of the Americas. Tangents include: appropriate wigs for magic snakes, prophetic octopi, who REALLY 'discovered' the Americas and the question everyone is asking: do snakes control Trump?

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Music by the wonderfully talented Chris Sharples

If you'd like to get in touch, email at [email protected]