logo
episode-header-image
Nov 2020
32m 55s

1. Greatness

Goalhanger
About this episode
How did certain people come to be called ‘the Great’? Is the notion of great men and women outmoded? Can anyone today be reckoned ‘great’? Historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook take a wide ranging stroll through the annals of time, from Nero to Nixon, with a bit of Trump thrown in for good measure. Produced by Jack Davenport Exec Producer Tony Pastor ... Show More
Up next
Oct 7
712. The Terror: The Fall of Robespierre (Part 6)
Why did the Terror reach unprecedented levels of bloodshed in 1794? Who was running France by this point? And, how was Robespierre finally destroyed, and dragged to the guillotine by his former allies…? Join Dominic and Tom as they reach the terrifying, climactic conclusion to th ... Show More
1h 36m
Oct 4
711. The Terror: Killing God (Part 5)
Why did Robespierre hold a vast, eccentric festival in 1794 when The Reign of Terror was at its most frenzied? What does it reveal about his psychology and belief in the divine? And, did he really believe that the French Revolution could succeed in supplanting the Christian God? ... Show More
1h 16m
Sep 30
710. The Terror: Death at the Guillotine (Part 4)
How did two of the French Revolution's leading figures, Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre, differ in their views on how to further the cause? Which scandalous conspiracy was Danton accused of being involved in that would lead him to the guillotine? And, was it true? Or th ... Show More
1h 31m
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Empire: the big historical questions
There has been an absolute sea change in the study of empire in recent years. But what are the challenges of grappling with often difficult imperial history, and how does it shape our view of the world today? Professor Toby Green, Dr Sudhir Hazareesingh and Professor Olivette Ote ... Show More
52m 20s
May 2023
The Rest is History
Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook's podcast The Rest is History takes inspiration from the political issues of the day to historical "what-ifs" and beyond. 
23m 23s
Feb 2021
The Roman emperors: everything you wanted to know
Shushma Malik discusses some of the most admired and reviled Roman emperors, and considers whether the legends surrounding them stand up to scrutiny   In the latest in our series tackling the big questions on major historical topics, historian Shushma Malik responds to your quest ... Show More
1h 8m
Sep 2018
The extraordinary history of ordinary things
Historians Sam Willis and James Daybell explore some of the fascinating stories that appear in their Histories of the Unexpected book and podcast, from signatures to lions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcast ... Show More
35m 42s
Jul 2024
The History of the World podcast Magazine - 29th July 2024
<p>HISTORY A TO Z (5) - The first of two episodes exploring people and events that begin with the letter D. In this broadcast we feature both Darius I and Darius III of Achaemenid Persia, the great Greek orator, Demosthenes and the poignant death of Socrates. </p> 
41m 13s
Jun 2023
Badass of the Week, Part 1: An Origin Story
What makes an historical figure larger than life? Since 2004, author and historian Ben Thompson has been writing about the most badass people in history, from generals to saints, from pioneers to criminals. In the first part of this special two-part series, Ben (Bowlin), Noel, an ... Show More
33m 1s
Aug 2021
What’s next for period drama?
Which stories and historical periods should we be seeing dramatised on screen? What influence can historians have on how these stories are told? And how much does historical accuracy really matter to audiences? On today’s podcast, a panel of experts – Amanda-Rae Prescott, Anthony ... Show More
59m 52s
May 2024
The History of the World podcast Magazine - 5th May 2024
<p>HISTORY A TO Z (1) - Let&#39;s start with the As. Aristotle, Alexander the Great, Archimedes, Augustus, Attila the Hun and Alfred the Great.</p> 
54m 9s