Everybody loves a good podcast. If you are reading this I’m assuming that you are especially interested in ancient history. Are you looking for a new one to binge? OR do you want to find out more about some of my own research? Then you are at the right address! Below you can find a few of the History podcasts that that are perfect to listen to on your way to work, while doing household chores or when you’re simply relaxing.

Hellenistic History on Ancient Federalism

The Hellenistic Age Podcast : Hellenistic Federalism

A few months ago I was a guest on the Hellenistic Age podcast where I got to talk about one of my all time research projects:  the Hellenistic federal states. I had a great time and really enjoyed talking about this again! If you want to find out more about the history of federalism in Ancient Greece, check out the episode and its description below.

The proliferation of the Greek Federal states, those such as Achaean and Aetolian Leagues, was a major political development in the Greek Peninsula during the 3rd century. Despite being in an age of kings, several poleis were able to present a unified front against the Successor dynasties, allowing them to act as allies or rivals depending upon their need. Dr. Elke Close, creator of HellenisticHistory.com, joins the podcast to discuss the significance of the Leagues and how we are able to view them through the lens of those like the Achaean historian Polybius. 

Two Friends talk History : Ancient Greek Federalism and the Achaean Koinon

I also went on the Two Friends Talk History Podcast hosted by my friend Zofia Guertin to talk a bit more about the Achaean koinon and some of the tools I used during my PhD research. Do you want to find out more about Polybius and the Achaean War of 146 against the Romans, be sure to give it a listen! Check out the episode description below.

In this episode, Zofia is joined by the creator of Hellenistic History website and outreach, Dr Elke Close, to discuss the Achaean League (koinon) of the Greeks during the second century BCE. We chat about the different tools she used to investigate ancient federalism from Polybius, epigraphy to numismatics, and ultimately, the showdown with Rome at the Battle of Corinth in 146 BCE. Tangents include: Polybius picking fights, the magical city of Megalopolis and more!

Two Friends talk History : Polybius’ Histories

In this episode, Zofia interviews Dr Elke Close about Polybius, the Achaean statesman, teacher, and historian from the Hellenistic period. Polybius was active in Megalopolis at the tail end of the period of Greek independence following the wars of the Hellenistic kings and the rise of the Roman empire. Elke discusses the social context and political realities that Polybius faced while held in Rome as a hostage, which, fortunately, he lodged with the famous Cornelii Scipiones family. From his position among one of Rome’s most prominent families, Polybius rode shotgun on several watershed moments of the Republic.

Ancient history 

The Hellenistic Age Podcast: 

This history podcast covers the period of Eurasian and North African History known as the Hellenistic Age, which roughly stretches from the death of Alexander the Great to the Battle of Actium (~336 – 30 B.C.). If you want to find out more about the Hellenistic Period and don’t really know where to start, this is your pick. The episodes are extremely well researched by the host Derek and structured in such a way that it is so easy to listen to and delve into the wonderful period that is the post-Alexandrian world. Click here to go to the website!

Two Friends Talk History:

Two Friends Talk History is a podcast where my friend and public historian, Zofia, chats with scholars, archaeologists, researchers and more to explore fascinating histories. They look behind the scenes and ask the big question that’s missing in much academic discourse: so what? Why is this relevant today? Every episode deals with a different topic connected to history and ancient history and offers a great chance to learn about more niche topics such as Hellenistic queens, Roman curses and love magic or Archaeobotany. Click here to go to the website!

Let’s Talk about Myths, Baby:

This is an extremely well researched and funny podcast series dealing with a range of topics connected to the Greek and Roman mythology. I love the way in which the host Liv takes on different themes and gives her own unique view and spin! She’s just started a series on Sparta! Head on over to the website to find out more about the podcast and connected topics!  

The Ancient History Hound Podcast

This is a particular favourite of mine. Like TFTH, this podcast discussed a range of different topics connected to the world of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Some of the more niche topics discussed by the host alone or with a guest have proven to be extremely entertaining and interesting to listen to. A good episode to start with, is the episode about AD 69 and daily life in ancient Rome’. Click here to listen!

The Ancient World Podcast

A podcast about the ancient world which delves into particular topics in longer series. Past topics have included stories of the modern scholars and adventurers who rediscovered the ancient world, tracing the descendants of Mark Antony and Cleopatra over ten generations and the disintegration of the Seleucid Empire. I can especially recommend the Bloodline (B-episodes). Click here to find out more!

Spartan History Podcast

When talking about Greek poleis, Sparta is one of those cities that has always intrigued historians. This podcast aims to understand the Spartans and their role in the greater scope of ancient Greek history and it starts by going all the way back to Bronze Age Greece. Go to the website to start now.

The Partial Historians

Do you want to find out more about specific aspects of Roman history or society? I can point you to the Partial Historians Podcast. These two women have an extensive knowledge of Roman society and their discussions about the Women of Rome is particularly interesting! Click here for more!

Are you actually craving a fuller and more comprehensive overview of the history of Rome? You might want to check out the History of Rome Podcast which traces the history of the Roman Empire, beginning with Aeneas’s arrival in Italy and ending with the exile of Romulus Augustulus, last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. 

Ancient History Fangirl Podcast

Aside from having awesome artwork to introduce their podcast, the hosts discuss some of the very cool and quirky parts of ancient history in such a fun way, it makes for a great listen without having to do much thinking. Definitely check out their episode about Sex Workers in the ancient world. 

Ancient Greece Declassified

Are you just getting into Greek history but do you find it difficult to find reliable and easily accessible information? Give Ancient Greece Declassified a listen. This podcast is all about making the “Classics” accessible to everyone. Thanks to archaeology and modern scholarship, we now know more about the ancient world than we ever did before. However, the average person today doesn’t have access to free, reliable, up-to-date information about ancient Greece and the podcast aims at changing this. Have a listen here!

The Ozymandias Project: Ancient Office Hours 

This podcast is a little different as it does not focus on ancient history itself but rather talk to academics and other people in the field about how they got into their field, their current research/projects, and how the ancient world inspires them. The goal of the podcast is to increase access to information about the ancient world and the people who are influenced by it. Click to here to go to the website.

Casting Through Ancient Greece Podcast

This podcast covers the history of Ancient Greece from the prehistoric times until the beginning of the Hellenistic period. The podcast offers a nice overview of Greek history and has so far dealt with several key points of Classical Greek history. A particular interesting episode is episode 37 which discusses the reliability of the historian Herodotos. Click here for more!