logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2024
2h 9m

Women Leaders, part 2: Cleopatra's Legac...

Vulgar History | Realm
About this episode

There was no way I could revisit the Cleopatra episode and score without getting Gina Berry's assistance! She was a guest on our epic Nefertiti and Hatshepsut episodes, and now she's here to talk all things Cleo. As ever, when the two of us get together, it will be at LEAST 2 hours of episode.

I recommend listening to the Cleopatra episode first before diving into this discussion, but you do you.

Reference:

Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff

Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories at common.era.com/vulgar or go to commonera.com and use code VULGAR at checkout

Get Vulgar History merch at vulgarhistory.com/store (best for US shipping) and vulgarhistory.redbubble.com (better for international shipping)

Support Vulgar History on Patreon 

Vulgar History is an affiliate of Bookshop.org, which means that a small percentage of any books you click through and purchase will come back to Vulgar History as a commission. Use this link to shop there and support Vulgar History.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 20
Marie Antoinette's Mother, Empress Maria Theresa
We're in our Marie Antoinette era, and you can't understand her story without knowing about her mother, Empress Maria Theresa! Because Maria Theresa is largely responsible for what happened to Marie Antoinette! Because she was not a good mother! But what Maria Theresa was skilled ... Show More
2h 14m
Aug 6
The Vice President's Black Wife
You may not have heard of America's ninth Vice President, Richard Mentor Johnson (he served one term under Martin Van Buren). And you almost certainly have not heard of his enslaved Black wife, Julia Chinn. Until now!! Everything we know about Julia is thanks to the decade of res ... Show More
1h 32m
Jul 30
Fulvia: The Woman Who Broke All the Rules in Ancient Rome
Now that we've learned about expectations for Ancient Roman women, time to learn about a woman who broke all the rules! You may not have heard of Fulvia, but you've heard of her third husband (pre-Cleopatra Marc Anthony!). And get ready to enjoy the downfall of her number one hat ... Show More
1h 26m
Recommended Episodes
Aug 1
Royal Sex: Cleopatra
Did Cleopatra have a bee-powered vibrator? Why did she marry both of her brothers? And how serious were her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony?Kate is joined by Egyptologist Sarah Parcak to find out where Cleopatra's seductress reputation came from, and whether she ... Show More
47m 28s
Aug 2024
The Real Cleopatra
Cleopatra. One of the most famous people from history, and remembered for her beauty, power and scandalous love affairs. But how accurate is her legacy? Did you know she married not one, but two of her brothers? Or that she could speak eight languages? Or that she lived closer to ... Show More
45m 34s
Apr 2025
The Truth About Medusa
You could be forgiven for thinking the Greek myth of Medusa has zero relevance to us today. Snake for hair?! But as you'll hear in today's episode, she's a woman who was vilified for her femininity and sexuality. She was literally cast out of society for it - into a cave, of all ... Show More
32m 7s
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
Jun 2024
The REAL Bridgerton: Historians React To Season 3
*SPOILER ALERT: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS DETAILS OF SEASON 3 OF BRIDGERTON* With the second part of season 3 of Bridgerton dropping on Netflix in the last few days, Kate is joined by Catherine Curzon, author of Inside the World of Bridgerton: True Stories of Regency High Society, to ... Show More
44m 5s
Aug 2024
Life Lessons From Historical Women
When women's stories aren't being flat-out ignored from the history books, they can often be sidelined. Well not here! Joining Kate today is the comedian and author of Life Lessons from Historical Women, Eleanor Morton, to share some of her favourite stories of inspirational wome ... Show More
35m 48s
Aug 2024
The Real Anne Boleyn: Sex, Scandal & Betrayal
Anne Boleyn was smart, sophisticated and had SO much charisma. She kept Henry VIII waiting for SEVEN YEARS before they finally got together, and even then it was on her terms. So where did it all go wrong for Anne Boleyn? Were any of the wild accusations made against her true? An ... Show More
50m 56s
Jul 25
Royal Sex: Elizabeth I
Was Elizabeth I really a virgin? When we talk about queens being remembered for their sex lives, we absolutely have to mention the woman so often remembered for her lack of one.Kate is joined by Professor Anna Whitelock, author of ‘Elizabeth’s Bedfellows: An Intimate History of t ... Show More
47m 43s
Mar 2025
The Myth of Aspasia, Woman, Politician, Philosopher, Wh*re
Aspasia was an intelligent, independent and influential woman at the heart of Classical Athenian politics. She was also a sex worker. This is the instagram reel this episode is 'responding' to. Submit your question for the next Q&A via email or a voice note. Get ad-free episodes ... Show More
39m 44s
Feb 2025
The Trojan War (Encore)
Sometime about 3,200 years ago, one of the most famous wars in ancient history took place. Maybe.It has been the subject of some of the greatest works of Western literature, and it has given us some of the most enduring cultural references. It was also the subject of one of the g ... Show More
13m 23s