Few elements of ancient Rome have inspired quite such lurid speculation – by the Romans as well as ourselves – as the vestal virgins. Mary and Charlotte enter the (imaginary) temple of Vesta to separate fact from myth.
The Vestal Virgins were six (at any given time) priestesses who tended the eternal flame at the Temple of Vesta - goddess of hearth, h ... Show More
Yesterday
How Homer's Odyssey Conquered the Ancient World
Ever since the Odyssey was composed, people have retold the story, played with it or used it as a departure point for similar or related stories. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte look at what happened next. How the Odyssey inspired other writers long before Christopher Nolan t ... Show More
53m 7s
Aug 27
Classic Chats: Robert Harris on ‘Agrippa’
Mary and Charlotte talk to best-selling author Robert Harris about his new novel ‘Agrippa’. Robert Harris has published 16 novels, of which nine have been made into films, including The Ghost Writer, Enigma and the Oscar-winning papal thriller Conclave. Five of Robert’s novels ar ... Show More
54m 27s
Aug 20
Marcus Agrippa: Power behind the throne
Of all the Roman Emperors, Augustus has the reputation of being the most… well… august. That is to say, competent, level-headed and judicious. Not to mention one of the few who died of natural causes. But, according to Mary and Charlotte, the main reason Augustus got anything don ... Show More
54m 8s
Feb 2022
Sappho: The Poet from Lesbos
<p>Famous throughout antiquity, yet retold only in fragments today - who is Sappho? Her poetry inspired generations, from Catullus to Byron, so how come we know so little about her life? This week Tristan is joined by Professor Margaret Reynolds from Queen Mary University in ... Show More
32m 20s
Dec 2020
Poetess of the Ancient World, Sappho (with Ellie and Alyse of the Sweetbitter Podcast)
Finally, Sappho! Along with Ellie and Alyse of the Sweetbitter podcast devoted to her, Liv discusses Sappho, the very real Greek poet and overall badass woman. Make sure to subscribe to the Sweetbitter podcast where ever you listen, or visit sweetbitterpodcast.com. Liv is on thei ... Show More
58m 4s
Mar 2025
The Iliad
<p>A story of war, honour, and destiny, <em>The Iliad</em> is one of the greatest epics in history. Written by Homer and featuring legendary figures like Achilles, Hector, and Agamemnon, it captures the drama and devastation of the final days of the Trojan War.</p><br><p>In this ... Show More
53m 28s