What a Classic!

Tune in to this listener-requested episode on Classical Symbolism, where we explore key symbols from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.

Grouping symbols together into broad themes, this episode covers: 

• The Golden Fleece 

• Poseidon’s Trident 

• Zeus’ Eagle and Lightning Bolt 

• The Ankh and the Was Sceptre 

• Anubis 

• Imagery of love: Eros and Cupid 

• Medusa 

• Nike 

• The River Styx 

• Egyptian Funerary Masks 

• Persephone’s pomegranate 

And so many more! 

What were they, what did they represent, and where are the modern parallels? We explore these key questions throughout.

In this episode, we explore the Athenian legal system, focusing on how justice was administered and the role of citizens in upholding the law. We start by looking at the Scythians as a historical comparison, before examining the courts (dikasteria), the jury (dikastai), and the trial process itself. 

Join us as we break down how large juries of ordinary citizens were used to decide verdicts, the strengths and weaknesses of this system, and the ways emotion, persuasion, and social status could influence outcomes. We also reflect on who was excluded from participation and how this shaped Athenian ideas of justice and fairness. 

Discover how the legal system functioned alongside other democratic institutions, the balance it tried to achieve between citizen involvement and expertise, and what lessons we can draw from it about civic responsibility and political power. 

Whether you’re curious about ancient law, the role of citizens in democracy, or the roots of trial and justice, this episode provides a clear and engaging look at how Athens sought to govern fairly in the Classical period. 

Episode Schedule: 

• New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays 

• New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays 

In this episode of The Classical Companion, we explore the inner workings of Athenian democracy, focusing on how power was structured and balanced to prevent monopolisation.

We start with the Ekklesia (Assembly), the largest democratic body made up of all eligible citizens, before examining the Boule (Council of 500), the Strategoi (Military Generals), the practice of ostracism, and the Archons (Magistrates).

Join us as we break down how these institutions worked together to ensure citizen participation, influence military and political decisions, and prevent any one individual from dominating Athenian politics. 

Discover how this system shaped civic life, encouraged debate, and laid the foundations for the democratic ideas that continue to inspire the modern world. 

Whether you’re curious about ancient governance, civic responsibility, or the roots of democracy, this episode provides a clear and engaging introduction to how Athens ran itself in the Classical period. 

Episode Schedule: 

• New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays 

• New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays 

Book 11 plunges into relentless battle as dawn brings the goddess of Strife to rouse both armies. Agamemnon leads a fierce Greek assault, killing Trojan warriors –  including Priam’s sons – until he is wounded and forced from the fight. Zeus seizes the moment, empowering Hector’s counterattack. 

One by one, Greek champions –  Agamemnon, Diomedes, Odysseus, Machaon and Eurypylos – are struck down. Hector drives the Greeks back towards their ships, with only Ajax holding the line. 

Meanwhile, Nestor carries the injured Machaon to safety, catching Achilles’ attention. Patroclus is sent to investigate and hears a long, pointed tale from Nestor, quietly setting the stage for his own tragic role. 

Tune in for: 

• The goddess of Strife sparking the renewal of a fierce battle, led by Agamemnon. 

• The wounding of many of our favourite Greek heroes 

• Patroclus and Achilles’ fate slowly being set in motion 

In this episode of The Classical Companion, we explore the road to Athenian democracy. 

Join us as we break down Athens’ transition from monarchy to aristocracy, the role of early kings and archons, and the social tensions caused by debt and inequality. Discover how Draco’s harsh laws and Solon’s reforms helped reshape Athenian society, laying the foundations for broader citizen participation and the eventual rise of democracy. 

Whether you’re curious about ancient politics, law, or the origins of democratic principles, this episode provides a clear and engaging look at the complex journey that shaped Athens’ political world. 

Episode Schedule: 

• New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays 

• New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays. 

In this episode of What a Classic!, we explore Book 10 of Homer’s Iliad.

The battlefield sleeps, but the war does not. In this thrilling nighttime episode of the Iliad, Odysseus and Diomedes set out on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.

What drives Agamemnon to risk everything in the dark? Why is Odysseus the perfect partner for Diomedes? And what happens when heroism depends more on cunning than courage? 

This episode explores: 
• The eerie atmosphere of the Iliad’s only night-time book 
• Cunning, fear and ruthless pragmatism in Greek warfare 
• The strange, tragic figure of Dolon 
• What happens to morality when no one is watching 

A story of silence, shadows, and horses that were never meant to gallop. 

In this first episode of The Classical Companion, we explore the fascinating world of Ancient Greece.  

Join us as we break down the geography, city-states, and historical periods that shaped Greek civilisation, from the Bronze Age Minoans and Mycenaeans through the Dark Age to the Archaic and Classical periods.  

Discover how Athens and Sparta emerged as major powers, the origins of democracy, and why the Classical Period is often considered the height of Greek culture.  

Whether you’re curious about ancient politics, philosophy, or daily life, this episode provides a clear and engaging introduction to the world of the Hellenes. 

Episode Schedule: 

• New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays  

• New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays. 

In this episode of What a Classic!, we explore Book 9 of Homer’s Iliad, where the Greek war effort hangs in the balance.

With the Trojans pressing hard, Agamemnon sends an important delegation – Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix – to persuade the mighty Achilles to set aside his anger and return to fight. But Achilles, deeply wounded by pride and insult, refuses their pleas, choosing personal honour over the needs of his comrades. 

We unpack the intense emotions behind Achilles’ stubbornness and examine what this moment reveals about ancient Greek ideas of kleos (glory) and heroic identity. Alongside the persuasive speeches, we consider the complexities of loyalty, friendship, and the high cost of pride. 

Join us as we delve into the drama, passion, and consequences of this pivotal chapter in the epic. 

In this electrifying episode of What a Classic!, we dive into Book 8 of the Iliad, where the gods’ power takes centre stage and the fate of the war hangs in the balance.

Zeus, the king of the gods, issues a divine decree that shifts the tide, unleashing the Trojan forces in a fierce advance against the Greeks. With mortal warriors pushed to their limits and the battlefield erupting into chaos, we explore how divine will and human courage collide. 

Join us as we uncover the significance of Zeus’s promise to Thetis, the desperate struggles of the Greek defenders, and the relentless Trojan push forward.

Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Homer’s epic, this episode offers a vivid journey through the drama, heroism, and cosmic forces that shape one of literature’s greatest tales. 

Tune in and experience the thunderous clash of gods and men! 

In this episode, we dive into Book 7 of The Iliad, where the tension between the Greeks and Trojans reaches a new height.

Following the gods’ influence over the battle, the two armies are set to face off once again, but this time, a challenge is issued that brings a hero from each side to the forefront. 

Hector, the Trojan prince, steps forward to challenge any Greek to single combat. This brave act sets the stage for a duel that will be pivotal in determining the course of the war. As the challenge is taken up, Ajax the Greater is chosen to fight Hector in a battle that will be remembered for its intensity and its symbolism. But what is at stake in this battle beyond the clash of shields and spears? 

The outcome of their combat brings a sense of stalemate, and both sides call for a break from the bloodshed, leading to a temporary truce. As both armies take counsel, we witness the delicate balance of war, the power of fate, and the role of the gods. Will this ceasefire bring peace, or will the gods continue to manipulate the course of the war? 

Join us as we explore the conflict, heroism, and the complex role of the gods in shaping the Trojan War.