Feb 2025

Corruption down the coalmines

In 1840, an investigation was launched to inspect conditions in Britain’s coalmines. But what the inspectors found down the mines would soon become a national scandal. In this first series of History’s Greatest Scandals, Professor Rosalind Crone and Ellie Cawthorne uncover some o ... Show More

45m 2s

Jan 2025

The dark heart of Victorian London

In July 1885, the Pall Mall Gazette ran an exposé so shocking that ‘squeamish’ readers were encouraged not to read it. It followed undercover journalist WT Stead on a mission to expose child exploitation in London – and, as it turned out, Stead was prepared to go to extraordinary ... Show More

43m 15s

Jan 2025

Bone-crushing hunger in Britain’s workhouses

We all know the story of Oliver Twist begging for ‘more’ in the workhouse. But were these institutions really as nasty, grim and brutal as Dickens depicts? In this first series of History’s Greatest Scandals, Professor Rosalind Crone and Ellie Cawthorne uncover some of the most i ... Show More

42m 40s

Apr 7

History's Greatest Cities | Season 4

How did the world’s greatest cities become just that – great? Was it location, determination or simple serendipity? This is the question behind History’s Greatest Cities, from HistoryExtra. Join travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield for the latest series, as he ventures ... Show More

1m 2s

Dec 2024

Edinburgh

How was Edinburgh transformed from an ancient defensive site on top of a volcanic crag into a major centre of power, faith, commerce, and learning? In this second of our two festive bonus episodes, travel writer and history buff Paul Bloomfield is joined by historian Rosemary Gor ... Show More

41m 47s

Feb 2025

Introducing History's Greatest Battles | New Podcast

Vicious civil wars. Gruelling sieges. Rebellious provinces, galling betrayals and tribes seeking revenge… Join us for the first series of History’s Greatest Battles, where we’re heading back to the Roman empire. Emily Briffett is joined by historian Dr Adrian Goldsworthy to look ... Show More

1m 15s

Dec 2024

Munich

Munich may be well-known for its sparkling, aromatic Christmas markets. But beyond the foaming steins of beer and the wafting aroma of glühwein, it’s also a city that has experienced both greatness and turbulence over more than eight centuries, growing from ecclesiastical beginni ... Show More

38m 37s

May 1

Experiencing the Battle of Cannae

The Battle of Cannae was the worst defeat Rome ever suffered, and one of the worst battlefield losses in history. What was it like to be there? We explore the battle from the perspective of a common Roman soldier and try to make sense of the unexplainable.Patrick's book is now av ... Show More

37m 11s

Jan 2025

The Tyrants of Syracuse and the Wars with Carthage

As the fourth century drew to a close, Rome wasn't the only rising power in the central Mediterranean; Syracuse and Carthage were battling for dominance in Sicily and beyond, fighting devastating wars of ever-increasing scale that led directly to the eventual conflicts we know as ... Show More

42m 10s

Jan 2025

What If: Alexander the Great had Died at the Granicus River?

How would history look different if Alexander the Great had died in 334 BC? Would Macedonia still have conquered most of Asia?Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by P ... Show More

32m 54s

Apr 2023

Oslo

In this series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most historic cities, Eleanor Rosamund Barraclough leads an expedition through the Norwegian capital’s lengthy historyIn episode seven of this new series exploring the sights and stories of Europe’s most beautiful, intri ... Show More

50m 50s

May 8

Why Didn't Cannae Win the War for Hannibal?

Cannae was a crushing victory for Hannibal, but it didn't win the war for him. Why? The answer lies in the nature of the Roman political system, which prioritized resilience, manpower, and the diffusion of authority.Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Ren ... Show More

39m 16s

May 22

Why Was Carthage Such a Threat to Rome? Interview with Dr. Bret Devereaux, Part 2

Dr. Bret Devereaux returns to the show to discuss why, exactly, Carthage was such a threat to the Roman Republic. The answer lies in the fact that more than any other state in the ancient world, Carthage most closely resembled Rome.Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: ... Show More

59m 39s

Introducing History's Greatest Battles |...