The oldest known piece of literature on the planet is the epic tale of Gilgamesh, king of the Mesopotamian city-state of Uruk. The story was a staple of middle-eastern storytelling for well over a thousand years. However, after the destruction of Assyrian city of Nineveh in the 600's BC, key manuscripts were lost and the tale faded from memory. When ... Show More
Sep 30
Bonus Episode - Marble Thieves, Museums, and Dictators
In this bonus episode Sebastian answers questions from listeners about the recent series on the Parthenon Marbles. The host tangles with the ethics of repatriation requests from notorious dictators, the role of the Parthenon Marbles in inspiring the Greek Independence movement, a ... Show More
31m 39s
May 2025
CLASSIC: The Story of Atlantis
The legendary civilization of Atlantis was first mentioned in the works of Plato, in dialogues that claimed to recount information from translations of ancient Egyptian texts. And people have been searching for this city ever since. So what was Atlantis, exactly? A metaphor, a wo ... Show More
1h 3m
Mar 2025
The Epic of Gilgamesh | Sleep Story for Grown Ups | Sumerian Mythology | Bedtime Sleep Stories
Relax with a gentle retelling of the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the oldest stories ever told. Follow the mighty king of Uruk on a journey of friendship, loss, and the search for meaning. Including the stories of Enkidu, Cedar Forest, Humbada, Ishtar, Bull of Heaven, eternal life, ... Show More
1h 6m
Oct 2024
Nefertiti: The Greatest Ancient Egyptian Queen?
Ancient Egyptian rulers, incest, the Nazis and female empowerment, all in one episode! 'But how?' You say. 'What story could possibly bring all of these things together?'
This is the story of Queen Nefertiti and her bust. Kate is joined by Joyce Tyldesley and Monica Hanna to find ... Show More
1 h
Oct 2024
GILGAMESH - Accepter notre mortalité
"L'Épopée de Gilgamesh" est le plus ancien texte connu de l'humanité. Il relate les aventures d'un roi de Mésopotamie qui, après avoir vu mourir son meilleur ami, se retrouve hanté par l'angoisse de la mortalité. Un mythe aux allures de conte philosophique, dont nous allons faire ... Show More
33m 46s
Sep 25
Inanna: Mesopotamian Sex Goddess
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Kate Lister to take us on a journey through the fascinating history of Innana, an ancient goddess of love, war, fertility, and political power. They delve into her evolution from a humble agricultural deity to one of the most powerful and complex f ... Show More
41m 43s