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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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World
Episodes
  • The Rosetta Stone
    Jun 7 2026

    In July 1799, French soldiers unearthed a stone that would transform our understanding of the ancient world. Discovered in a fort at Rashid, the Rosetta Stone became the key to deciphering Egypt’s long-lost hieroglyphs. Within two decades, scholars began unlocking its secrets. But what does it actually say? Tristan speaks with Dr Ilona Regulski to explore the stone, the script, and the race to decode it.


    MORE

    How Ancient Egypt Stayed Egyptian

    Listen on Apple


    The Lost Tomb of Alexander the Great

    Listen on Apple

    Listen on Spotify


    We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.


    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, plus early access, ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.

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

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • Neanderthal Art
    Jun 4 2026

    Fifty thousand years ago, Neanderthal artists in Ice Age Europe painted symbols and handprints deep inside caves, leaving behind some of the oldest known art on the continent. These discoveries are transforming how we understand our closest human relatives.


    Today, Tristan Hughes is joined by Genevieve von Petzinger to explore the fascinating story of Neanderthal art. What kinds of images did Neanderthals create? What did these markings mean? And how might their artistic traditions have influenced the first groups of Homo sapiens who later arrived in Europe?


    MORE

    Homo Sapiens v Neanderthals

    Listen on Apple

    Listen on Spotify


    Lascaux Cave: Ice Age Art

    Listen on Apple

    Listen on Spotify


    We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.


    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 plus early access ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.

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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Spartacus
    May 31 2026


    In 73 BC, a gladiator escaped slavery and launched a rebellion that shook the Roman Republic to its core. His name was Spartacus, and his uprising became one of the greatest threats Rome had ever faced from within.


    Tristan Hughes is joined by Ben Kane to explore the dramatic story of Spartacus and his slave revolt that swept across Italy. Together, they cover the breakout at Capua to the battles against Roman armies and discover how Spartacus transformed a small band of fugitives into a force capable of humiliating Rome. Was he fighting for freedom, revenge, or something more?


    MORE

    The Roman Centurion

    Listen on Apple

    Listen on Spotify


    How to Survive in Ancient Rome

    Listen on Apple

    Listen on Spotify


    The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch here: @TheAncientsPodcast


    We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.


    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 and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe.

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

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
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I am really like this podcast. nice content. fantastic and excellent narration in this content.

Great!

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he title was good enjoyed listening to the audiobook. the story line was interesting. nice

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

Excellent podcast

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I love the variety of stories. while it is heavy on the Romans and Greeks, it frequently goes beyond European societies or even humans.
but sometimes the interviewed historians are of varying 'quality' as a podcasting voice or interview partner (not a reflection of their qualifications as a historian/archeologist)

variety of stories beyond Europe or humans even

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