logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
47m 8s

Dark Side of Ancient Mesopotamia

History Hit
About this episode

A four thousand(ish) year old murder trial. A procession of the dead. Kings who believed they could escape the gods by dressing gardeners in royal clothes...then killing them. Welcome to the Dark Side of Ancient Mesopotamia! Guiding Maddy and Anthony through this most ancient and most fascinating civilisation is the incredible Professor Amanda Podany, author of 'Weavers, Scribes and Kings: A New History of the Ancient Near East'.


Edited by Tomos Delarggy. Produced by Freddy Chick. Senior Producer is Charlotte Long.


You can now watch After Dark on Youtube: www.youtube.com/@afterdarkhistoryhit


Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.  


You can take part in our listener survey here.


All music from Epidemic Sounds.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
Who was the Last Witch of Scotland?
<p>With the nights closing in, what better time to re-visit a favourite episode of ours.</p><br><p>In 1727, Janet Horne of the Highland community of Dornoch became the last person in Britain to be tried and executed for witchcraft.</p><br><p>As the poet Edwin Morgan put it; They ... Show More
29m 2s
Nov 20
Could you Survive the Medieval Apocalypse?
<p>For Medieval Europe, the Apocalypse wasn’t just a metaphor - it was very real and very imminent.</p><p>We are talking about the four horsemen, locusts the size of horses, the beast of the abyss, the Whore of Babylon, and, obviously, the anti-christ.</p><p>We’re going to go thr ... Show More
45m 18s
Nov 17
Why Did Henry VIII Kill Catherine Howard?
<p>In 1540 Henry VIII was getting old, and his eyes turned to teenager Catherine Howard.</p><br><p>He fell hard and fast for Catherine - his "rose without a thorn" - but when he found out about her past, all hell broke loose.</p><br><p>Amidst all the panic and confusion, who was ... Show More
52m 18s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
The Ultimate Mesopotamian Mystery
<p>For thousands of years, ancient cuneiform - the script of the ancient Mesopotamians was lost to time, until being dramatically rediscovered in the 19th century by an adventurous group of unlikely Victorians. A dashing archaeologist, an officer turned diplomat and a reclusive c ... Show More
38m 7s
Mar 2025
Murderous Women
<p><strong>**This podcast contains graphic descriptions of murders and the punishments of those convicted**</strong></p><br><p>Gruesome murders carried out by women captivated the public imagination in Early Modern Britain. Pamphlets, ballads, and woodcuts spread the stories of t ... Show More
53m 26s
Sep 25
Inanna: Mesopotamian Sex Goddess
Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Kate Lister to take us on a journey through the fascinating history of Innana, an ancient goddess of love, war, fertility, and political power. They delve into her evolution from a humble agricultural deity to one of the most powerful and complex f ... Show More
41m 43s
Sep 22
ONRYO - The Ancient Curse That Still Haunts Modern Japan
Journey into Japan's terrifying world of Onryō – vengeful spirits so powerful they toppled emperors and reshaped civilizations, born from injustices so profound that death itself couldn't contain their rage. Discover more TERRIFYING podcasts at http://eeriecast.com/ Follow Carman ... Show More
45m 42s
Oct 6
THE JUNIPER TREE - A German Tale of Murder, Cannibalism, and Resurrection
When a stepmother's jealousy transforms domestic life into unspeakable horror, a murdered child's bones sing out for justice from beneath an ancient tree—proving that some truths refuse to stay buried. Discover more TERRIFYING podcasts at http://eeriecast.com/ Follow Carman Carri ... Show More
44m 16s
Aug 21
Ashurbanipal: The Last Great King of Assyria
Known as the 'King of the World' and the last great king of Assyria, Ashurbanipal bestrode the ancient Mesopotamian world as a warrior but also a scholar, ruling the great Assyrian empire at the height of its power.In this episode, Tristan Hughes is joined by Assyriologist Dr Sel ... Show More
52m 11s
Apr 2025
Uncovering The Mysteries of Ancient Egypt
Journey deep into the ancient sands of Egypt as host Danny Leibowitz uncovers the secrets of the Tomb of Abydos—a site shrouded in myth, mystery, and forgotten history. From rumored portals to the gods to unexplained carvings, this episode explores what lies beneath one of Egypt’ ... Show More
7m 15s
Sep 28
The First Pharaohs
Unveiling the Enigmatic Story of Egypt's First Pharaohs, roughly 5,000 years ago. Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Aidan Dodson to discuss the renowned Scorpion King and early dynasties, the unifying figure of Narmer, as well as the evolution of early Egyptian tombs and trad ... Show More
45m 58s
Oct 30
Building the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings
<p>Millions of people called ancient Egypt home, and the vast majority of them weren't kings or high priests; they were humble farmers and laborers making their living from the rich black soil surrounding the Nile. That extraordinary land produced so much surplus grain that thous ... Show More
43m 55s
Aug 10
How to Survive in Carthage
From towering tenements to Punic porridge — step into the streets of ancient Carthage.In this immersive episode of The Ancients, Tristan travels back to 210 BC to explore daily life in the heart of one of the ancient world’s richest and most vibrant cities. Joined by Dr Eve MacDo ... Show More
1h 8m