When you think about ancient gladiators, you likely have a certain vision that comes to mind: slaves forced to fight to the death for the entertainment of bloodthirsty Romans.But much of what we think we know about gladiators is actually wrong.Today on the show, Alexander Mariotti will separate the just-as-fascinating fact from popular-culture-derived fictio ... Show More
Yesterday
Restless, Rooted — What the Odyssey Reveals About Americans' Divided Souls
With the release of Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Odyssey, it seems like everyone's been talking about a 3,000-year-old epic again. But my guest thinks this ancient tale offers a framework for understanding our modern lives that you probably haven't heard before.Patrick D ... Show More
52m 37s
Jul 21
The Secret Skills of Master Negotiators
When most people think of negotiation, they picture big, high-stakes moments: haggling over the price of a house, negotiating a starting salary, or hammering out the terms of a business deal. But negotiation is also something we do every day. It’s working out who’s taking on whic ... Show More
1 h
Oct 2025
Gladiators: A Day in the Life
The Colosseum packed with roaring crowds, the sand stained with sweat and blood. But today, you’re not watching - you’re fighting. Welcome to a day in the life of a Roman gladiator.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by historian and author Dr Harry Sidebott ... Show More
59m 56s
Feb 2018
EPISODE 30 Gladiators in Ancient Rome (Part 1): Are You Not Entertained?
"The stupid crowd is waiting eagerly
For the two valiant heroes to contend.
No farther than their noses can they see;
A spectacle is all they comprehend.”
— Ludovico Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, 30.27Ancient Romans were obsessed with gladiatorial combat. In this two-part series, we ... Show More
1h 48m