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In this episode I'm continuing the #NightofTheLivyDead Halloween tradition with a look at witches and demons in ancient Mesopotamia. How were they viewed? What made a witch? How did you counter a demon? And how does a magical river battle figure in all this? Listen and find out! Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).  

In the 4th century BCE the region of Thessaly underwent a transformation. It went from being fractured to becoming a unified state under the leadership of Jason. In a short time Jason became a prominent player in Greece, earning the admiration of Xenophon and calling the shots after Leuctra. But then it all ended abruptly. How did he achieve this? What were his intentions and why is he overlooked? Join us and find out. Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

It's the final of my Theban trilogy. In this episode I discuss the highs and lows for Thebes in the 4th century BCE. Along with covering the whirlwind of alliances and reprisals I help answer questions about ridding yourself of a Spartan garrison and interpreting gloomy spiders.  Lots to cover so why not give it a go? If you haven't listened to the previous two then why not binge listen? Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).  

In this episode I discuss Thebes in the 5th century BCE. How did it fare after Plataea and what position was it in by the end of the century? Revenge, a sporting controversy and even the big stage feature. Lots to listen to! Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this episode I talk with guest expert Jessica Venner all about what the gardens in Pompeii can tell us. We chat about what the gardens looked like, the problems of keeping up with the neighbours, what was grown and how they are comparable to gardens today. Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).    

As part of a look at Thebes I start with the mythical foundation of the city before moving through to the very real aftermath of the Persian invasion. Athletic cows, wedding drama and walls. Something for everyone. I'll be releasing more episodes on Thebes in the future to continue the story of what happened next. Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss out. Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental). Artwork from Assassin's Creed Odyssey. Play it, it's a great game!

Here's yours truly giving a pep talk as to why you might want to subscribe to the show.

Leptis Magna became a celebrated Roman city on the African shore and was the birthplace of the Emperor Septimius Severus. In this episode I chat with special guest Maria Lloyd all about how the city developed and grew. We then discuss Severus, how did he rise to power and what did he do? Politics, intrigue, betrayal and even whether it's Leptis or Lepcis. We cover loads -  so get listening! Music by Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Classical Athens is famous for the introduction of theatre and Tragedy. But it didn't just appear out of nowhere. In this episode I try and piece together how it developed and ended up as a main component of the City Dionysia at Athens. All this with rude puppets, wild processions, the odd phallus and politics. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).        

In this special episode I chat with LJ Trafford who has written books covering AD 69 and the four emperors. LJ Trafford has a new book out titled 'How to Survive in Ancient Rome' and we talk about what Rome would have been like for the average person as well as how the turmoil of AD 69 came about and what happened. Join us as we discuss this as well as whose eels had makeovers, a truly goth banquet and why alcohol and sieges don't mix. LJ Trafford's 'How to Survive in Ancient Rome' is out now! Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).  

It's Halloween so time for the third NOTLD episode. In this episode I talk about hauntings and instances of ghosts in Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. From festivals aiming to placate them through to reports of hauntings and even ways to counter a ghost. There's even a very dangerous trick with a walnut. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

In this Olympic length episode I discuss the origin of the games and how both they and the site developed over time. I'll also be picking up the wider aspects of it all from politics to nudity and even foul play. Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

In this episode I discuss four mountains which featured in ancient Greece. How did they feature in the local myths? What happened on them? I cover this as well as the more obscure mountain associations, from bizarre marital advice, singing competitions to very bad family cooking. Notes to the episode can be found at www.ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental) Modified picture courtesy of https://theblogofdimi.com/  

It's time to turn my attention to the references made to eclipses in antiquity. They appear in palace records, poems and historical writings and across the Mediterranean (including Mesopotamia). How where they understood? What rituals were observed and how can they be used to date and locate an event? Join me to find out more. Notes to the episode can also be found at ancientblogger.com Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

It's time for the final King, Tarquinius Superbus. I chat about his reign, the expulsion and the emergence of the Republic. Tarquin was a King who did as much inside Rome as outside of it. Plenty to talk about. (content includes reference to sexual assault). Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

Reform, negligent chariot driving and mild pyrotechnics. It's the turn of Servius Tullis, Rome's 6th King to feature. Servius' rise, his fall, reforms and a few puns are all included so get listening. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

Rebranding, tyrants, clothes, racing, omens, hydraulic engineering, formal wear and possibly a very long held grudge. The story of Rome's 5th king is certainly entertaining and in this podcast I talk about some of the aspects of his reign. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

It's time for Rome's fourth King, Ancus Marcius to come into the spotlight. I discuss what he did and didn't build as well as play detective in a murder mystery. Spoiler alert, he probably did it. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

Continuing my examination of the Roman kings I talk about Tullus Hostilius, the third Roman king. Tulls was primarily associated with Rome's military exploits and had a hand in a famous myth. He also had more than a hand in a death which shocked even Livy. From war to religious problems and a bizarre death. It's all here. Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

In this podcast I run the rule over the Roman Saturnalia a festival which started around the 17th December. What did it involve exactly, how did these elements appear and why? Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai instrumental)