Is the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur just a bedtime story for morbid children or does it contain the kernels of real history? This week we dive into this classic myth and discover how it might hold clues about a real conflict between ancient bronze-age civilizations. Tune in to discover how bull jumpers, volcanic eruptions, boys with double-daddys, and th ... Show More
Feb 3
Bonus Episode - Ponzi Empires, Thieving Saints, and Skin Grafts
In this Bonus Episode Sebastian takes questions from listeners about the series on the original Ponzi Scheme. The host investigates the history of the expression "robbing Peter to pay Paul", locates early usages of the phrase "getting Ponzied", and muses about whether all expansi ... Show More
35m 41s
Sep 2024
Myth of the Minotaur: Half Man Half Bull
<p>The myth of the Minotaur has endured thousands of years for good reason... it's hard to forget! Today, Maddy Pelling tells Anthony Delaney the story of King Minos of Crete, the monster in his maze, and the son of Athens that comes to kill it, thanks largely to the cunning of P ... Show More
35m 55s
May 2025
The Dark Side of Ancient Egypt
<p>When people talk about Ancient Egypt, they often focus on the amazing pyramids, mummies, and the advanced civilisation.</p><br><p>At After Dark, we love to explore the grim reality of all of this: what was life like for the people who built those pyramids? What happened if yo ... Show More
41m 41s
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
Jul 2024
El Dorado: Mitos y Leyendas de la Ciudad que Nunca Fue - El Dorado: Myths and Legends of the City that Never Was
<p>Discover the true story behind the legend of El Dorado, a tale that has fascinated explorers and treasure hunters for centuries. We'll discuss the Muisca people's golden rituals, how the Spanish conquistadors embellished the myth, and the cultural misunderstandings t ... Show More
31 m
Sep 2025
The Definitely Real, Totally Accurate Story of Cyrus (Herodotus The Histories Bk 1, Part 3)
And we are back again with another week of Herodotus and his Histories. This time, we go backwards to explore how the Persian Empire got power within Asia. Isn't that fun? There certainly will not be any tangents here! No, not at all. Why would you think that?Submit your question ... Show More
34m 45s