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The Ancients

The Ancients

By: History Hit
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A podcast for all ancient history fans! The Ancients is dedicated to discussing our distant past. Featuring interviews with historians and archaeologists, each episode covers a specific theme from antiquity. From Neolithic Britain to the Fall of Rome. Hosted by Tristan Hughes.


New episodes every Sunday and Thursday.


From History Hit, the world's best history channel and creators of award-winning podcasts Dan Snow's History Hit, Gone Medieval, and Betwixt the Sheets.

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.

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

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Episodes
  • The Age of Dinosaurs with Henry Gee
    Mar 5 2026

    Before Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops, Earth was rebuilding from catastrophe. Out of the ashes of the Great Dying rose a new prehistoric world and with it came the age of the dinosaurs.


    In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Henry Gee to explore the full sweep of dinosaur history, from their emergence on the supercontinent Pangaea to their 150-million-year dominance of the planet. Discover how early reptiles evolved into the giants of the Jurassic and Cretaceous, how ecosystems transformed around them, and why their reign finally came to a dramatic end.


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    Rise of Humans

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    Feathered Dinosaurs

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    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor and producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

    All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

    The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


    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:

    https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

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

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Ramesses the Great: Death of a Dynasty
    Mar 1 2026

    “Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair.” Ramesses II reigned as Egypt's unchallenged champion for more than sixty years. But within decades the dynasty of Egypt’s greatest pharaoh had fallen apart.


    Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Campbell Price to chart how the reign of Ramesses the Great descended into slow collapse. From monumental building projects that once proclaimed eternal power to the advent of instability to the looming threat of the Sea Peoples, discover how Egypt’s New Kingdom began to fracture under the weight of its own success. This is the dramatic final chapter in the story of the House of Ramesses.


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    The House of Ramesses II: Egypt's Greatest Pharaoh?

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    The Legend of Osiris: King of the Dead

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    Watch this episode on our YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcast


    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

    All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

    The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


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


    You can take part in our listener survey here:

    https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

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

    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
  • Alexander the Great | Lord of Asia
    Feb 26 2026

    As friendships fracture and old alliances break, Tristan Hughes and Dr Adrian Goldsworthy chronicle the epic downfall of Alexander the Great.


    Alexander’s relentless campaigns from Bactria to Babylon push his empire, army and inner circle to breaking point, hear the battles, betrayals and decisions that hastened a legendary conqueror’s tragic end.


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    The Romans and India with William Dalrymple

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    Successors of Alexander the Great

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    Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan and the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.

    All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds

    The Ancients is a History Hit podcast.


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


    You can take part in our listener survey here:

    https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on

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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 17 mins
All stars
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he title was good enjoyed listening to the audiobook. the story line was interesting. nice

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I am really like this podcast. nice content. fantastic and excellent narration in this content.

Great!

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Incredibly interesting and so many diverse topics - I would highly recommend for anyone interested in history.

Excellent podcast

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So informative, great host and guests. I have learned a lot of things other podcasts don't seem to cover. Ancient History in depth.

Love this podcast

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