logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2025
15m 36s

Roman Gods and Goddesses

Gary Arndt
About this episode
Like many ancient civilizations, the Romans had a vast pantheon of gods.  Unlike other civilizations, the Romans were very flexible in where their gods came from.  In particular, they adopted many of their gods from the Greek pantheon. It wasn’t just a matter of copying them. They would often rename the gods and alter their mythology to align with Roman vi ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
March Madness: The History of the NCAA Basketball Tournament
Every March, the United States experiences a period known as March Madness. It is the time when college basketball teams compete for a national championship. The process of crowning a national champion is a months-long process where teams vie for a chance to make the national tou ... Show More
15m 42s
Mar 21
Uninhabited US Territories: America's Crumbs
In 1856, the United States passed a law allowing American citizens to claim islands in the country’s name, provided that no other country claimed them and that no one lived there. The result was a host of scattered islands with zero population becoming part of the country. Today, ... Show More
14m 32s
Mar 20
Maori Settlement of New Zealand: How Polynesians Reached Aotearoa
For millions of years, the islands of New Zealand remained a pristine wilderness, untouched by human footsteps. That changed in the 13th century when the world’s most elite mariners executed one of history’s greatest feats of navigation. Guided by the stars and ocean swells, the ... Show More
14m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2025
How an Empire Ends: Gothic Christianity
⁠⁠⁠⁠Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! When Alaric of the Visigoths sacked Rome, it shocked the world—not least because Rome hadn’t been sacked in a thousand years. But also, while Rome was a Christian city by now—it had been for decades—the Visigoths wer ... Show More
1h 33m
Sep 2024
#443 – Gregory Aldrete: The Roman Empire – Rise and Fall of Ancient Rome
Gregory Aldrete is a historian specializing in ancient Rome and military history. Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep443-sc See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc. Transcript: ... Show More
3h 48m
Nov 2024
RE-AIR: But What About Rome?! Roman Mythology & the Great Mother Cybele
Naturally, as soon as Liv was ready to get settled in Toronto, she came down with a terrible cold and sounds half human half lawnmower, so today we're bringing you a little more ancient Rome, since it's all the rage right now. Liv dives (or perhaps wades into the shallows) of Rom ... Show More
43m 3s
Oct 2024
Hermes Historia: We Yearn for the Grave
In this (late, it's still free for a reason) Hermes Historia episode, Michaela shares a brief history of ancient Greek funerary practices. Because Spooky Season. Sign up for a new newsletter to stay in the loop about the upcoming ad-free subscriptions where future Hermes' Histori ... Show More
50m 21s
Jun 2024
Tales of the Greek Gods - Jun 27, 2024
In today’s episode we’re joined by Nick and Wonton Don to discuss the pantheon of Greek gods. Join us as we explore the origins, powers, and personalities of the Olympian deities who ruled the ancient world from their celestial abode on Mount Olympus. We'll delve into the mighty ... Show More
2h 10m
Oct 2025
BONUS! Hermes Historia: We Yearn for the Grave (Re-air)
Hey, did you know that Michaela and Liv are running a bonus history series over on the show's Patreon?! Last year we aired a few Hermes Historia episodes before putting the rest behind the Patreon paywall. This was the inaugural Spooooky Hermes Historia episode... Michaela shares ... Show More
49m 34s
Sep 2025
602. Greek Myths: Zeus, King of the Gods (Part 1)
What are the mythic origins of Zeus, King of the Olympians, and the other Greek gods? From what period did the earliest of the Greek myths derive? Who was Hesiod - alongside Homer, the greatest of the Greek poets, and the father of European literature - who first recorded Zeus’ s ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2025
605. Greek Myths: Jason & The Quest for the Golden Fleece (Part 4)
What terrifying trials did Jason and the Argonauts have to overcome to win the famous Golden Fleece from a fire-breathing dragon, in one of the greatest greek myths of all time? When and where does this thrilling story come from? How does it tie together the tales of Odysseus, Or ... Show More
1h 3m
Sep 2025
How Greece Shaped Rome with Mary Beard
Professor Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins join Tristan in this episode all about Greece and Rome - the two greatest civilisations of classical antiquity.How did the Romans borrow, adapt, and sometimes rival Greek culture? What did they admire and what did they reject? From templ ... Show More
53m 59s
Sep 2023
History of Everything: Atilla The Hun, The Scourge of God
Also called Flagellum Dei, or the “scourge of God,” Attila was known to Romans for his brutality and a penchant for sacking and pillaging Roman cities. He's considered one of the greatest “barbarian” rulers in history, having successfully expanded the rule of the Huns and maintai ... Show More
1h 13m