Best Ancient History Fangirl Podcasts (2024)

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The Lighthouse of Alexandria: Part 2 54:37

7h ago54:37

54:37

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In our last episode, we discussed the Lighthouse of Alexandria during its early years--the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. In this episode, we'll take a look at its later history--during the Islamic era, which is where many of our most detailed descriptions--and fantastical legends about the lig…

1
300 (2006), with Roel Konijnendijk 1:23:39

19m ago1:23:39

1:23:39

Podcasters, what is your profession? If it's bragging about how you don't have a job, then you might be a Spartan! We return once again to the film that launched a thousand memes: Zack Snyder's 2006 adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel 300. Joined by super-special guest and military history extraordinaire, Roel Konijnendijk, we approach this …

1
Interview with the Creators of Blood of Zeus (2020-2024), with Vlas and Charley Parlapanides 1:17:44

12d ago1:17:44

1:17:44

Straight from the Oracle's mouth! Once again, we have the great pleasure of chatting with the Parlapanides Bros about the second season of Netflix's Blood of Zeus. We discuss everything from the season's delayed production, themes of justice and forgiveness, and all our favorite mythological, archaeological, and Classics media Easter eggs! The Fate…

1
AHFG Book Club: Lady Assassins and Horny Dragons with Kit Rocha 1:14:13

7d ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! This week, we teamed up with the dynamic duo of Donna Herren and Bree Bridges--writing under the bestselling pseudonym of Kit Rocha. They're best known for gritty dystopian romances featuring queer relationships, why choose sexiness, badass mercenary heroines, and an extra dash of kinkines…

1
The Lighthouse of Alexandria: Part 1 1:00:56

14d ago1:00:56

1:00:56

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The Lighthouse of Alexandria became iconic in both the ancient and medieval worlds. People began to call it ‘The Pharos,” after the island it stood on. It changed drastically over the years—and so has what it represented. It was built during the reign of the Ptolemies in Egypt, and stood f…

1
Blood of Zeus, Season 2 (2024); with Zoe E Thomas 1:12:19

21d ago1:12:19

1:12:19

Long awaited and much anticipated, we return for the second season of Netflix's anime fantasy series Blood of Zeus. We dig into this show's many references and Easter-eggs, both ancient and modern, along with its larger themes on godhood, humanity, vengeance and forgiveness. And the Hades+Persephone of it all. How could we leave that out?…

1
RE-RELEASE: Cleopatra and the Urban War 52:33

21d ago52:33

52:33

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! We're re-releasing this episode because it mentions a Seven Wonder that appears in our next brand new episode! When Cleopatra met Julius Caesar, sparks flew. The daring Egyptian queen beguiled the conquering Roman general—and then enlisted him to fight her battles. Outnumbered five to one …

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Movies We Dig Does a Conference! CAMWS 2024 1:24:38

28d ago1:24:38

1:24:38

Pack your bags because we are headed to St. Louis for the Classical Association of the Midwest and South’s annual conference! That’s right, your hosts are not just nerds who really enjoy Classically-inspired media; they’re also serious scholars! Our host Christie talks to various participants (some of which are old friends of the podcast) to learn …

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The Great Pyramid of Giza: Part 2 1:11:44

28d ago1:11:44

1:11:44

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In our last episode, we took you on a tour of the Great Pyramid of Giza: perhaps the greatest of all the Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one that still exists today. We explored the outside of the Pyramid, the inside of the pyramid, we poked into all the nooks and crannies, and …

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RE-RELEASE: Is the Sphinx 10,000 Years Old? 1:39:06

1M ago1:39:06

1:39:06

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Carved from the very living bedrock of the Giza plateau, the Sphinx is shrouded in mystery. Archaeologists believe it’s about 4,500 years old. But there’s a fringe theory—the Sphinx Water Erosion Theory—that suggests it’s much, much older. Join us as we explore this wild theory that comple…

1
Spartacus: War of the Damned (2013), with Ancient History Fangirl 1:32:18

1M ago1:32:18

1:32:18

We all knew Spartacus and his followers would meet a tragic end, but damn if they didn't make it look sexy as hell! Joining us for one final Girls' Night at MWD are the hosts of Ancient History Fangirl podcast, Jenny Williamson and Genn McMenemy. Listen as we laugh and discuss the terrible outfit choices, surfer-boy Julius Caesar's dubious alias , …

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The Great Pyramid of Giza: Part 1 1:29:22

1M ago1:29:22

1:29:22

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The list of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World has changed over the centuries. But there’s one item that’s almost always included—and when it’s not, the list-maker has to make it the honorary eighth wonder. Because leaving it out is so egregious. This is the oldest and largest of the Seven…

1
AHFG Book Club: Sexy Dragons and Dangerous Dukes with Elizabeth May 1:19:32

2M ago1:19:32

1:19:32

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! It’s our inaugural episode of AHFG Book Club, and we are so thrilled to feature Sunday Times bestselling author Elizabeth May! Join us for a wild conversation where we talk about our favorite tropes, writing queer romance, ne’er-do-well con artist heroes, and why we’re all so into dukes an…

1
Spartacus: Vengeance (2012), with Christina Hotalen 1:16:07

2M ago1:16:07

1:16:07

What happens when a bunch of gladiators break out of a ludus? They loot villas, burn down an arena, and party with some Germans, that's what! And all in the name of lov... I mean "VENGEANCE!" The ladies of MWD are joined by special return guest, Christina Hotalen, to discuss the second season of Starz's Spartacus. This season might be the most fun …

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Orphia x Eurydicius and the Enduring Power of Women’s Voices (With Elyse John) 58:07

2M ago58:07

58:07

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a tragic story of love and loss. In this gender-bent version, author and prize-winning poet Elyse John crafts the tale of the warrior-poet Orphia, her love for the handsome shieldmaker Eurydicius, and the lasting power of women’s voices. Join us and aut…

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RE-RELEASE: The Sacred Band of Thebes: All in One Place 2:45:33

2M ago2:45:33

2:45:33

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! We're re-releasing our epic story about the Sacred Band--all three episodes in one place! The time was the 300s BC. The place was Thebes. And in this place, in this time, there was an elite military force—the best of the best special ops shock troops—made up of 150 male lovers. Their love …

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Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011), with Liv Albert 1:28:35

2M ago1:28:35

1:28:35

Present ears for listening and broach subject! Joined by our special guest doctore, author and host of Let's Talk About Myths, Baby!, Liv Albert, we strip down to our subligacula to break down the prequel series of the Spartacus franchise: Gods of the Arena. Hear us discuss this show's hyper-stylized cocktail of blood, sweat and sex. Opinions vary …

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The Statue of Zeus at Olympia: Sweaty, Oily, and Judging You 1:39:19

2M ago1:39:19

1:39:19

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The Statue of Zeus at Olympia is not well remembered today. But in its time, it seared itself into the minds and memories of all who saw it. An enormous, glowering, formidable statue built into a temple of otherworldly, translucent light, it was as tall as a three-storey building. People s…

1
Spartacus: Blood and Sand (2010), with Alexandra Sills 1:32:25

3M ago1:32:25

1:32:25

The ladies decided to have a good ol' Girls' Night! And what better series to discuss than the first season of Starz's Spartacus? With its Zack Snyder aesthetic, impressive gladiatorial fights, and sad attempt to include romance, where could we go wrong? Joining in is our resident Roman spectacle specialist, Alexandra Sills, to help us distill the …

1
The Murderous Magic of Medea (With Rosie Hewlett) 50:39

3M ago50:39

50:39

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Perhaps the most infamous bad girl of ancient Greek mythology, Medea is also so much more complex than her end game makes her appear. She’s also a betrayed wife, an isolated immigrant in a hostile new country, and a woman trying to survive in a dark and violent world—who is ultimately driv…

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Movies We Dig Trailer 0:58

3M ago0:58

0:58

Find out what we're all about! Please be sure to rate, review, and subscribe if you like what you hear and follow us on social media. Thanks for listening!By Movies We Dig

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Xena: Warrior Princess (1995-2001), with Amy Pistone 1:22:58

3M ago1:22:58

1:22:58

Girls can be warlords too! To celebrate Women's History Month we're looking back at the 90's cult classic series Xena: Warrior Princess. Joined by super special warrior-guest Amy Pistone, we carve up this show's sparagmatic approach to antiquity, storytelling, fan-fiction, feminism, queer representation and all things 90's. ***INSERT XENA WAR CRY**…

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History of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World 1:08:40

3M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Perhaps the first list of Seven Wonders was written by Herodotus sometime in the 400s BC. But the list didn’t really get popularized until the 200s. Why was that? What did this list mean, and why did lists of “Wonders” become popular at this time in the ancient Greek world? Before we get i…

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RE-RELEASE: Could You Survive Pompeii? A Choose Your Own Adventure Episode 1:22:43

4M ago1:22:43

1:22:43

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! You’ve been transported almost 2,000 years into the past, to the streets of Pompeii. It’s a brisk autumn morning, around, oh…10 AM…and all hell is about to break loose. What's your next move? You could live through it, maybe. If you were lucky. And made all the right choices. At exactly th…

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(Retcon) Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 2010, with Hannah Bazinaw 1:08:41

4M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

After completion of the Disney+ Percy Jackson series, the MWD crew thought it would be a good(?) idea to revisit the original film with new perspectives and participants. Has time improved our overall view of the film? Maybe the better question to ask is which of the hosts end up hating this film the most. Grab your magical pens with the same level…

1
RE-RELEASE: The Pompeii Refugee Crisis (With Elodie Harper) 53:49

4M ago53:49

53:49

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! We’ve covered the deadly day in 79 AD when Mt. Vesuvius erupted, burying Pompeii in a suffocating layer of ash and pumice. But we haven’t covered the aftermath: where did the survivors go? How were they received? And what did the recovery effort look like? Today, we’re joined by Elodie Har…

1
RE-RELEASE: The Invisible Thread: Life after Slavery in Pompeii (With Elodie Harper) 1:02:15

4M ago1:02:15

1:02:15

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! What happened to people in ancient Rome who were freed from slavery? Turns out there were still invisible threads--economic pressures, imbalances of status, and debts owed to wealthy patrons--that kept many of them in bondage. On the streets of Pompeii, freedom came at a steep price--espec…

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Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023), with Hannah Bazinaw 1:15:55

4M ago1:15:55

1:15:55

We wrap up our in-depth analysis on Disney+'s newest adaptation of Rick Riordan's series, Percy Jackson and The Olympians! Joined by special guest and PJ-expert, Hannah Bazinaw, we review our final thoughts on this series now that it's wrapped. What about this show did we love? What did we hate? what did we love to hate? Get it here, as we talk fam…

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RE-RELEASE: Women of the Wolf Den: Sex Workers of Pompeii (With Elodie Harper) 1:01:07

4M ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The Lupanar, or “Wolf Den,” is the infamous brothel of Pompeii. Elodie Harper’s bestselling novel follows the lives of the sex workers who lived and worked there—their passions, their heartbreaks, and the tightly-knit community they built for themselves. Today, we’ve invited Elodie on the …

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Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 8 Minisode, with Laura Porto 42:49

5M ago42:49

42:49

Season 1 of Percy Jackson and The Olympians comes to an end. All deals are completed; the traitor is revealed; and our trio is headed off on their next ventures (while giving Disney a shameless plug). Special guest Laura Porto joins Christie to discuss the good and bad of the season finale. While the episode mostly ends on a high note of Percy reun…

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RE-RELEASE: The Cult of Aphrodite 1:10:37

5M ago1:10:37

1:10:37

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! If you know anything about Aphrodite, then you know she is the ancient Greek goddess primarily associated with love, beauty, sex, reproduction, and passion. She was also the patron goddess of sex workers in the ancient Classical world. Join us as we explore how Aphrodite was worshipped in …

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Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 7 Minisode, with Emma Coffey 45:32

5M ago45:32

45:32

What is a hero without a good katabasis to their name? Special guest Emma Coffey joins us the discuss the trio's descent to the Underworld, arguably one of the best arcs in the series thus far. Percy and the gang must contend with Charon, Cerberus, the Asphodel Fields, and a (dare I say) reasonable Hades. No complaints on that front, but what happe…

1
Extremely Strained and Incredibly Forced: The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Rattlesnakes (2023), with Alexandra Sills 1:15:04

5M ago1:15:04

1:15:04

We're back with another of our special installment series: Extremely Strained and Incredibly Forced. this Week, Alexandra Sills returns to talk about the connection between civic trauma and gladiators as we get into classical allusions and parallels in the new film, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. We talk Rome, Carthage, Troy, t…

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RE-RELEASE: Aspasia x Pericles: Love in the Time of Plague 48:58

5M ago48:58

48:58

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Last week, we told you about the lives of five courtesans in Classical Athens. But we left someone out--perhaps the most elite hetaera of them all. Long-term partner of a leading Athenian statesman, darling of the philosophical set, survivor of the plague of Athens—she threw her own partie…

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Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 6 Minisode, with Colin MacCormack 43:58

5M ago43:58

43:58

As the master of all time and space, host Colin joins us to analyze the sixth episode of Disney's Percy Jackson! While there is not much to say about the Lotus Eaters themselves, we do discuss the unnaturalness of casinos and the meta-ness of the entire Riordanverse. Then there are questions regarding Lin-Manuel Miranda's fashion choices as Hermes.…

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RE-RELEASE: Hustlers, Harlots, Heroines: The Elite Courtesans Who Ruled Classical Athens 1:31:07

5M ago1:31:07

1:31:07

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! In our last few episodes on sex workers in ancient Greece, we tried to paint a picture of a group of women, in some cases, with more freedom and independence than most in the ancient Greek world could dream of. But that freedom came at a price. Now, we’re going to tell you about the lives …

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Thermae Romae Novae (2022), with Chiara Sulprizio 1:11:23

5M ago1:11:23

1:11:23

It's time to get wet! Joined by special return guest, Chiara Sulprizio, professor at Vanderbilt University and creator of Animated Antiquity, we dive into Netflix's anime adaptation of Mari Yamazaki's time-traveling bath manga. We talk history, baths and the absolute unmitigated charm of this show. Grab your towel and your sponge stick because it's…

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RE-RELEASE: Dangers of the Symposium 56:18

5M ago56:18

56:18

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The symposia--all-male drinking parties--were the playground and hunting ground of Athens' elite courtesans. But they had their dangers, too. Join us as we attend a symposium with the fast set of Ancient Athens. We’re going to hang out with the hetaerae, drink our faces off, flirt outrageo…

1
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023) Ep. 5 Minisode, with Merri Willis 39:26

5M ago39:26

39:26

We are over half-way through the first season of Percy Jackson and we get to meet two godly brothers that have a lot more in common than you might initially realize. Our demi-gods and their "Big Cousins" Ares and Hephaestus are all just looking for some love from their parents, but at what cost? Hannah officially takes on the role of co-host for th…

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RE-RELEASE: Rules of the Game: Sex Workers of Ancient Greece 1:03:48

5M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! The conventional wisdom is that sex workers in ancient Greece were divided into two main categories: pornai who were enslaved in brothels, and hetaerae, who were elite courtesans. That’s actually a drastic oversimplification. This is the beginning of a journey into the world of sex workers…

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Percy Jackson & The Olympians (2023), Ep. 4 Minisode 41:00

6M ago41:00

41:00

After the previous week's tough take on Medusa, we are excited to meet Echidna: Mother of Monsters in this episode. And apparently nothing strikes more fear into the hearts of young demi-gods (and us mere mortals) than a suburban mom with a chihuahua...er...I mean, Chimera. Christie and Hannah break down the episode and provide some new questions f…

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Domina, Season 2 (2023) 1:19:21

6M ago1:19:21

1:19:21

We brush up on the latest season of the historical TV drama, Domina. Join us as our conversation wanders all over the politics and intrigue surrounding Rome's most (in)famous first lady. We talk about the push-and-pull of navigating history in story-telling, baboon attacks, ghosts (literal and figurative), and how everything in Roman history can be…

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RE-RELEASE: Janus: God of the New Year 57:34

6M ago57:34

57:34

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Janus is the two-faced god of the Roman pantheon. He was the god of beginnings and endings, of dual natures, of passageways and passage through time. He’s the god of thresholds and doorways and gates, and the god of change, both concrete and abstract. He’s constantly in motion; he’s the go…

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Percy Jackson & the Olympians (2023), ep. 3 Minisode 43:57

6M ago43:57

43:57

It's the episode we've all been anticipating...and dreading. Can a third attempt at Medusa's story in the Percy Jackson world prove successful in a post- #MeToo world? Christie and special guest/host, Hannah Bazinaw, breakdown episode 3 of the new Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians. *Update: Reposted with improved volume levels. We hav…

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Domina, Season 1 (2021), with Christina Hotalen 1:21:20

6M ago1:21:20

1:21:20

We continue our survey of ancient Rome on the small screen with our review of the first season of the British-Italian historical drama television series, Domina. Joined by special guest, Christina Hotalen, we dig into this re-re-envisioning of Rome's most infamous first lady, Livia Drusilla. We talk feminist retellings, history vs. narrative and th…

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End of Season 11 Announcement 21:39

6M ago21:39

21:39

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! It's the end of Season 11--and we had so much fun putting this season together! We've got some big changes in store for Season 12--tune in to find out more! Sponsors & Advertising This podcast is a member of Airwave Media podcast network. Want to advertise on our show? Please direct advert…

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RE-RELEASE: Frau Holle: Wicked Woman of Yule 1:16:34

6M ago1:16:34

1:16:34

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! This year, we’ve found one of the most metal and wild Yuletide goddesses yet – Frau Holle. Human sacrifices, spindles in yer vag, plague, starvation, caves of offerings and bones, the Grimms brothers, golden showers, child cannibalism, ZOMBIES – are any of these putting you in the Yuletide…

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Percy Jackson & the Olympians (2023), eps. 1-2 minisode 43:59

6M ago43:59

43:59

To keep up with increasing demand and this timely release, we're trying a new format: minisodes! This week, Christie and new special guest/host, Hannah Bazinaw, breakdown the first two episodes of the new Disney+ series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians.By Movies We Dig

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St. Nicholas and the Christmas Cannibals 1:19:15

6M ago1:19:15

1:19:15

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! Ah, Christmas—it's a time of cheer, of gift-giving and generosity; and a time to eat yer babies. This year, we’re focusing on two different cannibalistic monsters from Christmas folklore: Père Fouettard and Hans Trapp. Because it turns out that child cannibalism really is the reason for th…

1
RE-RELEASE: You Don't Know Yule 1:25:19

6M ago1:25:19

1:25:19

Help keep our podcast going by contributing to our Patreon! What do you know about Yule? Maybe a lot. The holiday is widely celebrated in Scandinavian countries, and it's an important part of Wiccan and Pagan tradition. But for many of us, the version that's come down through history is strongly associated with Christmas--and heavily sanitized. Whe…

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Ancient History Fangirl Podcasts

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