The show, episode by episode

Instant Classics

Vespucci

Join world-renowned classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins for Instant Classics — the weekly podcast that proves ancient history is still relevant. Ancient stories, modern twists… and no degree in Classics required. Discover The Odyssey and join the book club at:…

59 episodes tracked

Instant Classics

The Vestal Virgins - just how virginal were they?

Classic Chats: Robert Harris on ‘Agrippa’

Marcus Agrippa: Power behind the throne

BONUS Emily Wilson on translating the Odyssey

Classic Chats: Charlotte Higgins on Ukrainian Lessons

BONUS: Which Translation of the Odyssey should I read?

Classical Beach Reads

Classic Chats: Count Binface (Bonus episode)

Classic Chats: Tom Hiddleston on Pompeii

Christopher Nolan's Odyssey 3: The Pedants Revolt

Christopher Nolan's Odyssey 2: Instant Verdict

Christopher Nolan's Odyssey 1: What you need to know before you go

USA 250: “I’m Spartacus!”

USA 250: Building a new Rome

USA 250: President Jackson and the Emperor’s Tomb

USA 250: America’s Roman Revolution

What did the Romans dream about?

Cleopatra 5: Cleopatra on Screen

Cleopatra 4: Cleopatra on the Page

BONUS Mary & Charlotte on the latest trailer for Christopher Nolan's Odyssey

Cleopatra 3: Life After Death

Cleopatra 2: Cleopatra Meets the Romans

Cleopatra 1: Last Egyptian Pharaoh

Classic Chats: Grayson Perry on why he hates classical civilisation

Talking Classics with Mary Beard

Perpetua: A Martyr in Her Own Words

Antigone: Girl vs Tyrant

Roman Graffiti: The Writing on the Wall

The Great Plague of Athens

What Did the Romans Eat? Part 2: Plebs’ Food

What Did the Romans Eat? Part 1: Posh Food

Classic Chats: Tom Holland

Who's Afraid of Lupercalia?

Villain, Victim... Double Agent? The Many Lives of Helen of Troy pt 4

Villain, Victim... Double Agent? The Many Lives of Helen of Troy pt 3

BONUS Mary & Charlotte on the trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey

Villain, Victim... Double Agent? The Many Lives of Helen of Troy pt2

Villain, Victim... Double Agent? The Many Lives of Helen of Troy pt 1

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spartan: Spies and Spycraft in Ancient Greece

Underneath the Toga pt 2 (With Naomi Alderman)

Instant Answers: New Year’s Day Q&A

A Very Merry Saturnalia to You

A Day at the Theatre in Ancient Athens

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (or did it?)

Life, Death and Gladiators in Roman London

Athena: Private Life of a Greek Goddess

Boudica: The Woman Who Defied an Empire Pt2

Boudica: The Woman Who Defied an Empire pt 1

A Trip To The Underworld

Roman Ghostbusters

Did Nero Really Fiddle While Rome Burned?

Underneath The Toga

Cassandra: Prophet Of The Modern World?

How did Rome begin?

Decoding The Parthenon

Free Speech - An Ancient History

What Sappho Still Teaches Us About Love

A Day At The Races In Ancient Rome

Which Roman Emperor is Donald Trump?