Another year, another episode of the Ancient World Magazine podcast! In this episode, Josho Brouwers is joined by contributing editor Joshua Hall, regular contributor Arianna Sacco, and special guest Silvannen Gerrard to talk about chariots. A chariot is a fast and light vehicle with two spoked wheels, drawn by a team of at least two horses. In this sense, it should not be confused with the heavier two-wheeled carts or with waggons, which have four wheels. We start with a brief survey of the origins of the chariot, including the Sumerian battle-carts of the third millennium BC. We then turn our attention to the introduction of the chariot proper, its use in the armies of the Bronze Age kingdoms, and how they eventually made way, in the Early Iron Age, to what we refer to as "true" cavalry. Still, even after the introduction of cavalry, chariots did not immediately fall out of the use. They continued to be used in the armies of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and we also encounter them in a military context on ancient Greek vases. As usual, there are problems of interpretation, but chariots did continue in use on the battlefield for some time. The best late examples are probably the scythed chariots of the Hellenistic era.

Another year, another episode of the Ancient World Magazine podcast! In this episode, Josho Brouwers is joined by contributing editor Joshua Hall, regular contributor Arianna Sacco, and special guest Silvannen Gerrard to talk about chariots. A chariot is a fast and light vehicle with two spoked wheels, drawn by a team of at least two horses. In this sense, it should not be confused with the heavier two-wheeled carts or with waggons, which have four wheels. We start with a brief survey of the origins of the chariot, including the Sumerian battle-carts of the third millennium BC. We then turn our attention to the introduction of the chariot proper, its use in the armies of the Bronze Age kingdoms, and how they eventually made way, in the Early Iron Age, to what we refer to as "true" cavalry. Still, even after the introduction of cavalry, chariots did not immediately fall out of the use. They continued to be used in the armies of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, and we also encounter them in a military context on ancient Greek vases. As usual, there are problems of interpretation, but chariots did continue in use on the battlefield for some time. The best late examples are probably the scythed chariots of the Hellenistic era.

Chariots

It’s been a while, but here’s finally a new episode of the Ancient World Magazine podcast. In this episode, Dr Joshua Hall talks with Dr Ulla Rajala (Stockholm University) about Early Rome, with special reference to a number of books that have recently been published on this topic. The first of these books is Nicola Terrenato’s The Early Roman Expansion into Italy: Elite Negotiation and Family Agendas (2019). The second is Gabriele Cifani’s The Origins of the Roman Economy: From the Iron Age to the Early Republic in a Mediterranean Perspective (2021). Both books have been published by Cambridge University Press. The discussion also includes a reference to The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (2021) by David Graeber and David Wengrow, and in particular to Christopher Smith’s review of the book, which you can read for yourself on his website.

It’s been a while, but here’s finally a new episode of the Ancient World Magazine podcast. In this episode, Dr Joshua Hall talks with Dr Ulla Rajala (Stockholm University) about Early Rome, with special reference to a number of books that have recently been published on this topic. The first of these books is Nicola Terrenato’s The Early Roman Expansion into Italy: Elite Negotiation and Family Agendas (2019). The second is Gabriele Cifani’s The Origins of the Roman Economy: From the Iron Age to the Early Republic in a Mediterranean Perspective (2021). Both books have been published by Cambridge University Press. The discussion also includes a reference to The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (2021) by David Graeber and David Wengrow, and in particular to Christopher Smith’s review of the book, which you can read for yourself <a href="https://anatomiesofpower.wordpress.com/2021/10/25/on-first-looking-into-the-dawn-of-everything1/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">on his website</a>.

Early Rome

Special guest Dr Helena Meskanen joins the regular team of Matthew Lloyd, Joshua Hall, and Josho Brouwers to talk about museums, including some that are not strictly archaeological. We talk about our favourite museums, relate personal experiences when visiting them, and discuss what the role of archaeological museums should be. We also touch upon open air or “living history” museums.

Special guest Dr Helena Meskanen joins the regular team of Matthew Lloyd, Joshua Hall, and Josho Brouwers to talk about museums, including some that are not strictly archaeological. We talk about our favourite museums, relate personal experiences when visiting them, and discuss what the role of archaeological museums should be. We also touch upon open air or “living history” museums.

Archaeological museums

This episode picks up from where we left off last time by focusing on ancient Greek sculpture of the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Among other things, we devote quite a bit of time to talking about male and female nudity, and what this says about Classical and Hellenistic perceptions of the role of men and women in the ancient Greek world. We also talk about the sculpture of Etruria and Central Italy, and touch upon statuary from Magna Graecia.

This episode picks up from where we left off last time by focusing on ancient Greek sculpture of the Classical and Hellenistic periods. Among other things, we devote quite a bit of time to talking about male and female nudity, and what this says about Classical and Hellenistic perceptions of the role of men and women in the ancient Greek world. We also talk about the sculpture of Etruria and Central Italy, and touch upon statuary from Magna Graecia.

Sculpture in the ancient Greek world, part 2

The team talk about sculpture in the ancient Greek world. There was a lot of ground to cover so we decided to spread it out across two episodes. In part 1, our focus is on the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and Archaic period, so down to ca. 500 BC. Part 2 will be uploaded in the next few days. That episode picks up where we leave off here by examining sculpture of the Classical age and beyond.

The team talk about sculpture in the ancient Greek world. There was a lot of ground to cover so we decided to spread it out across two episodes. In part 1, our focus is on the Bronze Age, Early Iron Age, and Archaic period, so down to ca. 500 BC. Part 2 will be uploaded in the next few days. That episode picks up where we leave off here by examining sculpture of the Classical age and beyond.

Sculpture in the ancient Greek world, part 1

Joshua Hall, Matthew Lloyd, and Josho Brouwers talk about sanctuaries in ancient Greece. We define what a "sanctuary" is and what kind of sacred places there in the ancient Greek world. Sanctuaries are the focal point for religion, so we naturally also talk about priests and priestesses, festivals, and sacrifices. Greek plays and athletic competitions were usually organized in honour of the gods. We also talk about the main elements of the typical sanctuary and pay particular attention to the altar, which was also a place of refuge for those fearing for their lives.

Joshua Hall, Matthew Lloyd, and Josho Brouwers talk about sanctuaries in ancient Greece. We define what a "sanctuary" is and what kind of sacred places there in the ancient Greek world. Sanctuaries are the focal point for religion, so we naturally also talk about priests and priestesses, festivals, and sacrifices. Greek plays and athletic competitions were usually organized in honour of the gods. We also talk about the main elements of the typical sanctuary and pay particular attention to the altar, which was also a place of refuge for those fearing for their lives.

Sanctuaries in ancient Greece

In this episode, Joshua Hall and Josho Brouwers are joined by experts Stephanie Craven and Hannah Ringheim to discuss mercenaries in the ancient world. This podcast is dedicated to the memory of Matthew Trundle. His scholarship had a significant impact on our discussion of mercenaries. The introduction and closing are handled by contributing editor Matthew Lloyd.

In this episode, Joshua Hall and Josho Brouwers are joined by experts Stephanie Craven and Hannah Ringheim to discuss mercenaries in the ancient world. This podcast is dedicated to the memory of Matthew Trundle. His scholarship had a significant impact on our discussion of mercenaries. The introduction and closing are handled by contributing editor Matthew Lloyd.

Mercenaries in the ancient world

Joshua Hall, Matthew Lloyd, and Josho Brouwers are joined by special guest Dr Lieve Donnellan of Aarhus University to talk about networks and interconnectivity in the ancient Mediterranean. The discussion is prompted by our reading of Cyprian Broodbank’s monumental work, The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World, published in 2013 by Thames &amp; Hudson.

Joshua Hall, Matthew Lloyd, and Josho Brouwers are joined by special guest Dr Lieve Donnellan of Aarhus University to talk about networks and interconnectivity in the ancient Mediterranean. The discussion is prompted by our reading of Cyprian Broodbank’s monumental work, The Making of the Middle Sea: A History of the Mediterranean from the Beginning to the Emergence of the Classical World, published in 2013 by Thames &amp; Hudson.

Networks in the ancient Mediterranean

This is the first instalment of a series that deals with the history of Carthage. Joshua Hall talks with Josho Brouwers about Phoenicia, the Phoenicians (whoever they might be), and colonization in the Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. We also touch upon the differences between territorial states and city-states in the Levant, and how the Phoenician cities interacted with their neighbours. A key question to ask is who the Phoenicians were. We talk about the problems involved in ascribing a Phoenician "ethnicity", referring to among others Jospehine Quinn's recent book on the Phoenicians, and on the perception of the Phoenicians in Greek and Roman sources.

This is the first instalment of a series that deals with the history of Carthage. Joshua Hall talks with Josho Brouwers about Phoenicia, the Phoenicians (whoever they might be), and colonization in the Mediterranean during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. We also touch upon the differences between territorial states and city-states in the Levant, and how the Phoenician cities interacted with their neighbours. A key question to ask is who the Phoenicians were. We talk about the problems involved in ascribing a Phoenician "ethnicity", referring to among others Jospehine Quinn's recent book on the Phoenicians, and on the perception of the Phoenicians in Greek and Roman sources.

History of Carthage, part 1

We've been writing a lot about the Trojan War on Ancient World Magazine and also devoted  an earlier episode of the podcast to chat about the 2004-movie Troy. Virgil's Aeneid is a useful topic of discussion, since it connects the world of Greek mythology with that of Roman legend, and also connects myth to history. Virgil (70–19 BC) consciously modelled the Aeneid after the two Homeric epics, Iliad and Odyssey. The first half of the poem (books 1 through 6) focus on Aeneas' wanderings and are analogous to the Odyssey. The second half (books 7 through 12) focus on Aeneas struggles in Latium and the war against the Rutulians and their allies, with clear allusions to the Iliad. Virgil's poem is an intricate work of literature, incorporating Greek and Italic myths, legends, and folklore. A key theme of the poem is the tension between pietas (piety) on the one hand, and furor (violence, rage) on the other. More specifically, Virgil asks us whether the end justifies the means. Is human suffering in the short term worth the establishment of peace and order in the long term?

We've been writing a lot about the <a href="https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/tags/trojan-war/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trojan War</a> on Ancient World Magazine and also devoted <a href="https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/podcast/movie-troy-2004/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> an earlier episode</a> of the podcast to chat about the 2004-movie Troy. Virgil's Aeneid is a useful topic of discussion, since it connects the world of Greek mythology with that of Roman legend, and also connects myth to history. Virgil (70–19 BC) consciously modelled the Aeneid after the two Homeric epics, Iliad and Odyssey. The first half of the poem (books 1 through 6) focus on Aeneas' wanderings and are analogous to the Odyssey. The second half (books 7 through 12) focus on Aeneas struggles in Latium and the war against the Rutulians and their allies, with clear allusions to the Iliad. Virgil's poem is an intricate work of literature, incorporating Greek and Italic myths, legends, and folklore. A key theme of the poem is the tension between pietas (piety) on the one hand, and furor (violence, rage) on the other. More specifically, Virgil asks us whether the end justifies the means. Is human suffering in the short term worth the establishment of peace and order in the long term?

Virgil's Aeneid

Ancient World Magazine consists of a group of ancient historians and archaeologists who are passionate about the past. Our mission is to share engaging and well-researched information about the ancient world with our readers.

The content of the show is extremely interesting, though be warned if you walk in with zero familiarity with the subjects they talk about. The wide array of subjects and opinions keeps my interest up, but I wish there were more episodes. Keep up the great work!

A scholarly approach to the ancient world

I really love the intelligence, knowledge, and camraderie of the hosts of this podcast. As a layman with an intense interest in the ancient Mediterranean, the level of detail is just right. I also love the evident joy with which they treat their subject. Among my favorites was the discussion of the movie Troy because of the fun they had with it while respecting what the creators got right in terms of real historical background. It really helps to have read some Homer - especially, of course, the Iliad.

Love this stuff!

Ancient World Magazine Podcast

Ancient Egypt is often seen as a monolithic entity, something that sprang into being around 3000 BC and then remained virtually unchanged for several millennia. In the popular imagination, Egypt is the land of gold masks and pyramids. And surely, we know all that there is to know about ancient Egypt, don't we? In this fourth episode of the podcast, we try to show that ancient Egypt was every bit as dynamic as any other region of the world (ancient or modern), with plenty of change over time and a large amount of regional variation. Furthermore, modern research looks beyond the eye-catching treasures and massive monuments to better understand what made ancient Egyptian society tick. Host Josho Brouwers is joined by two Italian researchers who are both writing their PhD theses at Leiden University, Renata Schiavo and Arianna Sacco. In the episode, Renata references an article by J. Moreno García, "The cursed discipline? The peculiarities of Egyptology at the turn of the twenty-first century", in: W. Carruthers (ed.), Histories of Egyptology: Interdisciplinary Measures (2014), pp. 50-63. The article is available for download on  the author's Academia profile.

Ancient Egypt is often seen as a monolithic entity, something that sprang into being around 3000 BC and then remained virtually unchanged for several millennia. In the popular imagination, Egypt is the land of gold masks and pyramids. And surely, we know all that there is to know about ancient Egypt, don't we? In this fourth episode of the podcast, we try to show that ancient Egypt was every bit as dynamic as any other region of the world (ancient or modern), with plenty of change over time and a large amount of regional variation. Furthermore, modern research looks beyond the eye-catching treasures and massive monuments to better understand what made ancient Egyptian society tick. Host <a href="../../../admin/access/users/josho-brouwers/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Josho Brouwers</a> is joined by two Italian researchers who are both writing their PhD theses at Leiden University, Renata Schiavo and <a href="../../../admin/access/users/arianna-sacco/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arianna Sacco</a>. In the episode, Renata references an article by J. Moreno García, "The cursed discipline? The peculiarities of Egyptology at the turn of the twenty-first century", in: W. Carruthers (ed.), Histories of Egyptology: Interdisciplinary Measures (2014), pp. 50-63. The article is available for download on <a href="https://www.academia.edu/8814190/_The_cursed_discipline_The_peculiarities_of_Egyptology_at_the_turn_of_the_Twenty-First_century_._In_W._Carruthers_ed._Histories_of_Egyptology_Interdisciplinary_Measures_London_2014_p._50-63" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> the author's Academia profile</a>.

Modern approaches to ancient Egypt

In this third episode, we discuss the Brad Pitt vehicle Troy, a 2004-movie directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The movie doesn't focus exclusively on the Homeric epics, but draws from the entire Epic Cycle, covering the whole of the Trojan War, from its immediate cause (the abduction of the Spartan queen Helen) to the sack of the city. The team for this episode consists of archaeologists Matthew Lloyd and Josho Brouwers, and ancient historian Roel Konijnendijk. They talk at length about the film: the choices made in fitting the story within a fairly limited running length (a little over three hours for the Director's Cut); the curious mix of Bronze Age and Archaic/Classical elements in set design, props, and costumes for a movie ostensibly set around 1200 BC; the performances, ranging from amazingly hammy to not so great; why more Sean Bean is the best reason to watch the Director's Cut, and more.

In this third episode, we discuss the Brad Pitt vehicle Troy, a 2004-movie directed by Wolfgang Petersen. The movie doesn't focus exclusively on the Homeric epics, but draws from the entire Epic Cycle, covering the whole of the Trojan War, from its immediate cause (the abduction of the Spartan queen Helen) to the sack of the city. The team for this episode consists of archaeologists Matthew Lloyd and Josho Brouwers, and ancient historian Roel Konijnendijk. They talk at length about the film: the choices made in fitting the story within a fairly limited running length (a little over three hours for the Director's Cut); the curious mix of Bronze Age and Archaic/Classical elements in set design, props, and costumes for a movie ostensibly set around 1200 BC; the performances, ranging from amazingly hammy to not so great; why more Sean Bean is the best reason to watch the Director's Cut, and more.

The movie Troy (2004)

The best podcast episodes on physical health. Episodes talk about your diet, sleep, exercise and all the things that people do to improve their physical health and live a healthier life. This topic is for everyone, with applications in all of our everyday lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Physical Health & Your Body

The best podcast episodes on Startups. For anyone working in a startup, or anyone interested in the incredible stories behind how people built companies like Instagram, and Facebook. Offering both practical advice and insights, as well as the stories for how many of the biggest startups got to where they are today. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!