The Ancients

The Trojan War

Did the Trojan War actually happen, or is the epic siege just a legendary myth built on Bronze Age reality?

The Flood Myth

Discover the origins of the original flood myth in the ancient Babylonian epic that predates the story of Noah.

Delphi: Centre of the Ancient World

Uncover how a remote mountain sanctuary became the navel of the ancient world through prophecy, art, and competition.

Stonehenge with Ken Follett

Ken Follett explores the lives, trade, and engineering marvels of the Stone Age people who built Stonehenge.

The Library of Alexandria

Explore the rise, state-sponsored obsession, and myth-busting reality of the legendary Library of Alexandria.

Boudica and the Iceni

Boudica united Britain against Roman rule, leading a brutal revolt sparked by imperial cruelty and family betrayal.

The Cambrian Explosion: When Life Began?

Explore the mystery of the Cambrian explosion, the pivotal era when complex animal life erupted onto the planet.

The Pharisees

Discover the true identity of the Pharisees, moving beyond New Testament stereotypes to reveal a complex Jewish sect.

The Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone was the key to unlocking the secrets of hieroglyphs and deciphering the story of ancient Egypt.

Neanderthal Art

New research reveals that Neanderthals were sophisticated artists capable of complex symbolic thought and expression.

Spartacus

From a gladiator school breakout to a massive armed revolt, discover the true story of the legendary slave Spartacus.

The Fall of Hadrian's Wall

Discover what happened to the communities of Hadrians Wall after the Roman military left Britain for good.

Iron Age Britain

Modern archaeology is debunking myths of barbarian tribes by revealing a complex, sophisticated Iron Age Britain.

Prehistoric Greenland

Frozen in permafrost for centuries, Greenland’s archaeological sites and rich oral myths reveal how populations survived.

The Other Humans: Why We Survived?

Thousands of years ago, Homo sapiens shared the earth with multiple human species that we are only now discovering.

What If Alexander Fought Rome?

Could Alexander the Great have toppled the rising Roman Republic if he had marched west instead of dying in Babylon?

The Real Armageddon

Megiddo is the true historical site behind the biblical Armageddon, serving as a strategic crossroads of ancient war.

Ancient China: The Warring States

Centuries of total war and philosophical revolution transformed a fragmented China into the world's first empire.

The Prehistoric Plague

Ancient DNA evidence reveals that the bubonic plague devastated Eurasia 5,000 years before its first recorded outbreak.

The Roman Centurion

In this episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes sits down with historian Dr. Ben Kane to explore the life and legacy of the Roman centurion. Often regarded as the backbone of the Roman military machine, these officers held a unique position of both immense prestige and crushing responsibility. The discussion delves into the rigorous selection process for the rank and the brutal discipline required to maintain order within the legions. Listeners will gain insight into the day-to-day realities of campaigning, the psychological pressure of leading from the front lines, and the tactical expertise that made these men essential to Rome's expansion across the ancient world. By examining the duality of their roles as both brutal enforcers and vital battlefield commanders, the episode offers a comprehensive look at what it truly took to survive and succeed as an officer in Rome’s legendary armies.