Ancient Civilisations

18h ago

The last of the Ptolemaic Pharoahs, the enduring legend of Cleopatra has captivated imaginations for centuries. Though some write her off as a manipulative femme fatale, her competence as a ruler restored her country to a world superpower. But what were the early experiences that shaped her? How did she form both political and personal alliances with two great Roman generals? And what is the true story of her dramatic death? This is a Short History of Cleopatra. Written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Joyce Tyldesley, archaeologist and author of Cleopatra: Last Queen of Egypt. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 12

Older than the pyramids and just as cryptic, the prehistoric British site of Stonehenge has dominated its landscape for thousands of years. But what is Stonehenge? A celestial clock? An ancient computer to predict eclipses? Was it a temple, a cemetery, or a site of execution? And who were the people who lived and died to create this Stone Age masterpiece? This is a Short History of Stonehenge. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Julian Richards, archaeologist, broadcaster and author of the official Stonehenge guidebook. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dec 5

In the thirteenth century, Marco Polo spent decades travelling the world. His adventures took him from his home in Venice as far east as the Yellow Sea, where he was a valued courtier of the legendary Mongol emperor Kublai Khan. Later, in prison, he wrote the world’s first travel book. But how did his name become synonymous with adventure? What compelled him to stay away for so long? And why is his story still remembered almost eight centuries later? This is a Short History of Marco Polo. Written by Chris McDonald. With thanks to Denis Belliveau: author and Emmy-nominated filmmaker of In The Footsteps of Marco Polo. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 28

In 480BC, the Spartans secured their place in history when 300 of their soldiers fought to the death against the mighty Persian army at Thermopylae. Their reputation for brutal decisiveness and simple living have been admired for thousands of years. But what about the darker side of Spartan ideology, a society that culled weak babies, forced children to fight, and enslaved its neighbours? Was Sparta really a utopia? Or was Aristotle right when he said that Spartans simply made men into machines? This is a Short History of the Spartans. Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Dr Andrew Bayliss, Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Birmingham, UK, and author of The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 21

Covering thousands of miles in the Andes, the Inca Trail was the backbone of the ancient empire, connecting the millions of people who lived under its rule. The jewel in its crown, Machu Picchu, was recently named one of the seven wonders of the modern world. But who were the Incas? What was the purpose of their complex road system? And why did they build a stone citadel on a mountain ridge, only to abandon it a century later? A ⁠Noiser⁠ podcast production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Javier Puente, associate professor of Latin American studies at Smith College in Massachusetts. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 14

For almost two hundred years, the Knights Templar were one of the most fearsome military forces in the world. Despite their strict vows of individual poverty, the Order was a global financial powerhouse, with valuable holdings across Europe and the Middle East. Even today, the myth of the Templars endures. But who were the men who devoted themselves to the mysterious order? And how did such a powerful international organisation find itself suddenly brought down? A ⁠Noiser⁠ podcast production, written by Duncan Barrett. With thanks to Thierry Do Espirito, author of The Knights Templar for Dummies, and to Michel Carnet, voice of the French nobleman. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠⁠Noiser+⁠⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nov 7

It’s November 28th, 1809. The Imperial fleet in Tung Chung Bay is aflame. But the crew of Zheng I Sao’s ship watch on and cheer. This is the greatest victory of the Pirate Queen, scourge of the South China Sea. At its peak, her fleet was more than twice the size of the Spanish Armada. But who was Zheng I Sao? How did she become one of the most successful pirates of all time? And why did she go under the radar for so long? A Noiser podcast production, written by Joel Duddell. With thanks to Dian Murray, historian, and author of Pirates of the South China Coast. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠Noiser+⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 31

Sakkara, Egypt, 2,630BC. A man stands atop a structure of dizzying height as the final block grinds into place. For Imhotep, it is the culmination of his life’s work: a mountain made by man. He checks the joint while his workers wait in silence. Then, he gives a barely perceptible nod. It is done. Imhotep’s pyramid is the first, but more will come. Bigger pyramids, more beautiful pyramids, tombs filled with treasure, chambers inscribed with complex, sacred writings. But what motivated these ancient people to toil for decades over their vast monuments? What purpose did the structures serve? And what mysteries might still remain inside? A ⁠Noiser⁠ production, written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Salima Ikram, Professor of Egyptology at the American University of Cairo. For ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser network, join ⁠Noiser+⁠ . Now available for Apple and Android users. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to ⁠noiser.com/subscriptions⁠ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices