logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2024
17m 42s

Unity and Disunity | The Diadochi Succes...

15-Minute History Podcast
About this episode

Hubris, an excessive pride in oneself, is a common trait among history's greatest figures. In the decades that followed the death of Alexander the Great, the Diadochi "successors" fought each other for control of the vast empire their leader had built. In the end, the unity created by the mighty king fell to ruin and led to the rise of an even greater power in the Mediterranean world.

Join us as we discuss the Diadochi successors, learn the lessons of history and the dangers of hubris, and walk with us through history in fifteen minutes.

Up next
Apr 16
Sketches in History | Men of Steel and Oil
Welcome back to Sketches in History! This segment, just for kids, shows that history isn't just a story, it's an adventure. Join Lottie Archer as she dives into her extraordinary notebook, where sketches from history come to life!In this episode, Lottie finds a telegram on her gr ... Show More
13m 23s
Apr 13
Henry Ford | The American Contradiction
Henry Ford didn't just build a car. He built the world we drive through, the suburb we live in, and the weekend we take for granted. He paid his workers more than anyone thought reasonable, and beat them when they tried to organize. He gave ordinary Americans freedom of movement ... Show More
18m 5s
Apr 9
Pop Quiz | What the Founders Got Wrong
Let's step into a time machine and tell the American Founding Fathers what they should have done as they were writing the Constitution!Join us every Thursday for Pop Quizzes and Sketches in History, and be sure to tune in on Mondays for our episodes and discussions. We love to he ... Show More
7 m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2021
EPISODE 6 - Emperor Tewodros II
The Shifta, The “Mad-Man”, The Visionary, Robin-Hood, the Uniter... There are many names to describe one of the most important and praised figures in Ethiopian History, yes, Emperor Tewodros himself. Join us as we discuss his past, his coming to power, how he, "the son of a Kosso ... Show More
1h 12m
Sep 2025
Fall of the Sumerians
Tristan Hughes continues our special series on Great Disasters, journeying back to ancient Mesopotamia with Dr Paul Collins to explore the fall of the Sumerians.4,000 years ago, the great cities of Sumer — Ur, Uruk, Lagash, Girsu — stood as glittering centres of power, crowned wi ... Show More
1h 1m
Aug 2024
Constantinople
From humble beginnings as a modest Greek colony, through its later grandeur as part of the Roman and Ottoman Empire, the city of Constantinople has witnessed centuries of transformation. A melting pot of cultures and religions, it was the bridge between the East and West, where i ... Show More
56m 55s
Jun 2020
Attila the Hun
Known as the Scourge of God, Attila the Hun was one of the greatest Barbarian rulers in history. Renowned for his brutality, sacking and pillaging the lands and cities he conquered, Attila became one of the most feared enemies of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. But how did ... Show More
25m 47s
Jun 2025
The Kushan Empire
<p>Embark on an epic journey with Tristan Hughes and acclaimed author William Dalrymple as they unravel the enigma of the Kushan Empire, the ancient superpower of Central Asia. Together they tell the riveting stories behind the Empire's rise in Bactria (modern-day Afghanistan), t ... Show More
59m 20s
Dec 2024
520. Warlords of the West: Barbarian Heirs of Rome (Part 1)
The Rise of the Franks - a mighty host of warlords; forefathers of the western world and forgers of medieval civilisation, under the totemic leadership of history’s most glorious King: Charlemagne. It is a tale rich in fantasy and myth, transporting us into a distant age and the ... Show More
51m 54s
Oct 2024
Pyrrhus: Warlord of Ancient Greece
<p>It’s 279 BC. On a large plain in Southern Italy near the town of Asculum, a famous Greek warlord likened to Alexander the Great faces down the legions of the Roman Republic. His name was Pyrrhus of Epirus. And the victory that he won at Asculum would come to define his legacy. ... Show More
1h 7m
Nov 2024
Caracalla & Geta: The Real Emperors of Gladiator II
<p>The new Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator II features two of Rome's most villainous emperors - the brothers Caracalla and Geta.</p><br><p>And in today's episode of The Ancients were delving into the real history of these scheming siblings. Their story is a blood-stained and chil ... Show More
54m 35s
Nov 2025
Antony and Cleopatra
Rome. Egypt. Love. War. Over 2,000 years ago, the fates of two ancient worlds collided in one of history’s most legendary love stories: Antony and Cleopatra.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Daisy Dunn to uncover the truth behind the myth - from thei ... Show More
53m 27s