The Herodotus Podcast is a podcast devoted to ”The Histories” by the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. Join us as we delve into his epic narrative of the Persian Empire‘s attempt to conquer the Greeks, and their struggle to preserve their freedom. Stick around for the captivating, sometimes outrageous stories that go along with the narrative: murders, ghosts, magic dolphins, and giant gold-digging ants.
Episodes
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Episode 13: Croesus on the Pyre (1.85-92)
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Tuesday May 28, 2024
Staring death in the face, Croesus channels his inner sage, and saves his own life.
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Episode 12: The Fall of Sardis (1.79-84)
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Cyrus uses the power of camels to defeat Croesus, and a botched prophecy allows him to capture Sardis. Plus, Spartan hair styles!
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Episode 11: Crossing the Halys (1.71-78)
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Thursday Jun 29, 2023
Croesus makes his opening move against the Persians—guess how well that goes? Plus cannibalism, a solar eclipse, and ancient hydraulics.
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Episode 10: Grave Concerns at Sparta (1.65-70)
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
Wednesday Feb 22, 2023
We get a look at how Sparta became the militarized city-state that we know and love(??), and Croesus picks his Greek ally.
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Episode 9: The Tyrant of Athens (1.56-64)
Monday Oct 17, 2022
Monday Oct 17, 2022
As Croesus chooses between the Athenians and the Spartans as allies against the Persians, Herodotus introduces us to Pisistratus, the tyrant of Athens, who used trickery to conquer Athens on three separate occasions. We also explore what it meant to be a tyrant and what Herodotus actually thought of the whole tyranny thing.
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Episode 8: Turtle Soup (1.46-56)
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Croesus decides to play Bachelor with some Greek oracles to figure out which is the True One, and so we take a long look at the Delphic Oracle. Plus, the voice of Apollo!
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Episode 7: Unfortunate Son (1.34-45)
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Wednesday May 11, 2022
Croesus meets with tragedy.
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Episode 6: A Fool, and His Money (1.26-35)
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
In this episode, we finally meet Croesus, hear about his domination of Anatolia, and witness his schooling by the sage Solon of Athens. We'll also learn more about Lydia, and take some time to talk about the origin of money.
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
Episode 5: War on Land and Music at Sea (1.15-25)
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022
We look at King Alyattes of Lydia's novel war tactics and Arion's magic dolphin ride. Also: what really happened to Gyges?
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Episode 4: Naked Ambition (1.6-14)
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
Thursday Nov 18, 2021
We delve into the family history of King Croesus of Lydia, whom Herodotus identifies as the first Easterner to wage war on Greeks. Croesus' great-great-grandfather, Gyges, takes the Lydian throne in an unexpected way, setting the stage for tragedy five generations in the future.