In the 1800s, a movement spread across Great Britain that convinced thousands of Englishmen they were part of an ancient Jewish tribe. It was based on a legend about an evangelizer, Joseph of Arimathea. Another ancient legend — this time about Prince Menelik and the stolen Ark of the Covenant — places the lost tribes in Ethiopia. More recently, claims by the ... Show More
Feb 18
Did the Pope Cover Up His Son's Murder?
When Juan Borgia died in 1497, his father, Pope Alexander VI, swore he’d find the killer. But just two weeks later, the Pope suddenly closed the case – without naming or punishing the murderer. The Pope might have covered up the killer’s identity for political reasons… or because ... Show More
47m 14s
Feb 11
The Spymaster and the Exiled Queen: Was Mary Queen of Scots Framed?
By the time she was 25, Mary, Queen of Scots had lost her thrones in two countries, France and Scotland. And officially, she was executed for conspiring to take a third throne: England’s. But was Mary naive enough to get caught committing treason? Or was she a shrewd politician w ... Show More
54m 37s
Aug 2020
The Hidden History of Jewish Pirates, Part 2: Famous Privateers
During the age of European expansion, members of the Jewish diaspora traveled to Caribbean and the continents of North and South America, often escaping the intense persecution of the Inquisition. Some became merchants, others explorers -- and some became pirates. Join Ben and No ... Show More
40 m
Aug 2020
The Hidden History of Jewish Pirates, Part 1: Escaping Europe
During the age of European expansion, members of the Jewish diaspora traveled to Caribbean and the continents of North and South America, often escaping the intense persecution of the Inquisition. Some became merchants, others explorers -- and some became pirates. Join Ben and No ... Show More
21 m
Feb 2019
The Epic of Gilgamesh Pt. 1
The half-god king, Gilgamesh, finds himself growing bored with his power, so the gods create a wild man who can challenge his strength. When these two fearsome men meet, they will live on in their stories for millennia to come. This Mesopotamian epic poem, composed in 2100 BCE, i ... Show More
43m 23s
Dec 2020
Ancient Egypt & Geopolitics
One of the luxuries of living in Ancient Egypt was that you were surrounded by massive deserts, protecting you from people who wanted to cut your head off. Well, at some point between 1650 – 1550 BC (who knows really), the Kingdom is invaded by barbarian hill people. The occupati ... Show More
1h 38m
Jan 2013
01: The Two Lands (Egypt's Unification)
Five thousand years ago, a kingdom emerged on the banks of the Nile. The "Two Lands" of Southern and Northern Egypt slowly unified, and rulers like Narmer established their authority. The origins of the kingdom are murky, but archaeology can uncover secrets. In this episode, we m ... Show More
33m 39s
Feb 2020
Mythology Rewind: The Epic of Gilgamesh Pt. 1
On the last Sunday of every month, Parcast Rewind replays a classic episode of Mythology that you might have missed! The half-god king, Gilgamesh, finds himself growing bored with his power, so the gods create a wild man who can challenge his strength. When these two fearsome men ... Show More
42m 29s