Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington has gone down in history as one of Britain's most formidable military commanders. But how did he earn such an impressive reputation? In today's Life of the Week episode, Dr Zack White guides Ellie Cawthorne through Wellington's successes on the battlefield, as well as his controversial tenure as a politician and salac ... Show More
Nov 3
Ancient goddesses: love, violence and ecstatic experiences
What do goddesses of love have in common with goddesses of war? Historian Ronald Hutton argues that some of the ancient world’s most powerful female deities were united by a potent combination of sex, violence and ecstatic experience. Speaking to Danny Bird, Hutton traces a linea ... Show More
29m 56s
Feb 2023
185 - Adrian Carton de Wiart
<p>In this episode, I discuss one of the most remarkable soldiers of the British Army, Adrian Carton de Wiart.</p> <p>Belgium by birth, he would fight in the Boer War, lose an eye in the Somaliland Campaign, win a VC and lose a hand in First World War, command the British troops ... Show More
48m 12s
Jan 2024
Alexander The Great Sex's Life
Was he as great in bed as he was at conquering the Persian empire?Whether he even had time for it, is another question. In today's episode, we're revisiting a conversation Kate had with History Hit's Tristan Hughes, host of our sister podcast The Ancients.What did young Alexander ... Show More
47m 1s
Mar 2014
#15 - E. Zhou 4: The Art of War
The magnum opus of the legendary general and tactician of the Spring and Autumn Period, Sun Tzu. In this episode, we go over the life of the military genius, as well as an overview of his manual to success on the battlefield, and how it remains relevant and insightful even today ... Show More
41m 43s
<p><em>This episode contains strong language, graphic scenes of torture and sexual content</em></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The chances are, when we think of William Wallace, we think of Mel Gibson in <em>Braveheart</em>, charging down a hill in a kilt with his face painted bl ... Show More