The Classics Podcast

PODCAST

The Classics Podcast is your gateway to the ancient world. There’s a series for everyone – whether you’re nuts about numismatics or amused by Aristophanes!

James Renshaw, host of TCP does Ancient History

The Classics Podcast features content all about the ancient world – from revision material for students of classical subjects to stories inspired by classical mythology, to interviews with famous voices and people from all walks of life discussing the classical past, there’s something for everyone. Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

Why not delve into modern interpretations of ancient myths in our series EPIC: Modern Writers, Ancient Stories? Or explore the perspectives of ancient historians in Urban History with Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill, and measure them up against ancient epigraphy in Inscriptions in Ancient Rome with Dr Abigail Graham?

Aimed primarily at students and teachers – but fascinating for all! – our TCP Does Ancient History A Level, and its accompanying bitesize REVISION series, are fantastic educational resources which cover key events, themes, sources and debates in the OCR Ancient History A Level, whilst if you want to learn more about Virgil’s epic masterpiece, the Aeneid, our YouTube and podcast series has you covered!

Across our episodes, we are privileged to be joined by an array of fascinating guests. In our expansive Classics and Careers series, we meet people from all walks of life who have a connection to the ancient world and discuss where studying the past can take you; in our Talking Disability series we meet classicists who share how cerebral palsy, autism and dyslexia have influenced their lives and research interests; and in our Expert in Residence Q&As, leading researchers answer your questions and share what it’s really like to work at the forefront of classical studies. Click below to start exploring the ancient world today!

Podcasts

TCP Talking Disability

For 2025 UK Disability History Month, we explored experiences of disability and the study of the ancient world with classicists at a range of career levels on The Classics Podcast. This mini series...

Virgil’s Aeneid – Ep 13...

Our final episode is a special one with Oxford don and Virgil super expert, Prof. Llewelyn Morgan of Brasenose College, Oxford. Find out what he thinks about our traitor theories and Aeneas’ character...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 12 –...

This penultimate episode has a summary of the series to date and then jumps into Book 3 as Katrina explains why ‘The Wanderings’ is a bit of a misnomer, and Caroline takes us...

Virgil’s Aeneid – Ep 11...

Virgil’s Purple Prose? No, definitely not, but the Aeneid is replete with interesting uses of the word ‘purpureus’ and in this episode we look at purple as a colour of beauty, death, danger...

Virgil’s Aeneid – Ep 10...

Is the Aeneid fundamentally a melancholy poem? We revisit the Optimists and Pessimists whilst looking at examples of ‘tears’ and weeping, learning about the scholar Adam Parry, exploring Virgil’s use of apostrophes and...

Roman Urban Living – Claudius...

“That doesn’t work for an Emperor – you’ve got to be popular!” In this final episode looking at the Julio-Claudians’ impact on urban living in Rome, Andrew considers how Claudius had to fight...

Roman Urban Living – Augustus,...

“Being an emperor is like holding a wolf by the ears” In these summary sections looking at the Julio-Claudians’ impact on urban living in Rome, Andrew explains Augustus’ transformation of the urban environment...

Roman Urban Living – Who...

A short summary for the thematic section of this mini-series, as Andrew shares whom he thinks benefitted from these developments in urban living that we’ve been exploring. Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of...

Roman Urban Living – Bread...

This is bitesize episode in our mini-series covers ‘panem et circenses’, entertainment for the people of Rome and the imperial response to ancient rioting. Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridge and Director...

Roman Urban Living – Local...

This is a super bitesize episode in our mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient Rome, in which Andrew tells James about methods of local government. Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridge and...

Roman Urban Living – Fire...

In part four of our bitesize episode mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient Rome, it’s time to talk fire hazards, life in the insulae, and the social impact of Roman housing. Prof. Andrew...

Roman Urban Living – Water...

In part three of our bitesize episode mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient Rome, it’s time to talk aqueducts, daily baths, whether the Romans did their recycling, and just what was the Cloaca...

Roman Urban Living – Food

Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridge and Director of the British School at Rome) chats with James Renshaw in the second part of our bitesize episode mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient...

Roman Urban Living – Population

Prof. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill (formerly University of Cambridge and Director of the British School at Rome) chats with James Renshaw in the first part of our bitesize episode mini-series on Urban Life in Ancient...

Neronian Coins

In the final episode of this mini-series, Sam discusses several coins that reflect the different periods of Nero’s rule – from his accession through to the Vindex rebellion, covering his mother’s influence and...

Tiberian Coins

Tiberian, Caligulan, Claudian Coins In Episode 3, Sam tells James about how coin imagery developed across these three very different imperial reigns. Look out for the following time stamps: 6.05 & 9.08 Gaius Caligula’s...

Augustan Coins

Episode 2 focuses on Augustus, and how his coinage changed to reflect his victory in the civil war, his creation of the principate, his military victories and self-image as ‘father of the homeland’....

Intro to Roman Coins

Dr Sam Moorhead gives us the perfect introduction to Roman coins: what were they made from, where were they made, what did they depict and how were they spread across the empire? What...

Roman Inscriptions – Claudius

In the third and final episode of this mini series designed to support the OCR Ancient History A Level, ⁠⁠⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠⁠⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) explores the Emperor Claudius’ use of epigraphy,...

Roman Inscriptions – Tiberius

In the second episode of this mini series designed to support the OCR Ancient History A Level, ⁠⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) moves on from Augustus to explore how Tiberius presented...

Roman Inscriptions – Augustus

After an introduction to Roman epigraphy (what do we mean by inscriptions and how can we go about reading them?), ⁠Dr Abigail Graham⁠ (Institute of Classical Studies) explores how we should analyse these...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 9 –...

Last time, we explored the concept of pietas towards the gods, country and family and this week we’re sticking with the latter theme to examine father-son relationships in Virgil’s text (spoiler: they mostly...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 8 –...

Was Aeneas a pious Faithful or a deceptive Traitor? Caroline and Katrina explore the importance of ‘pietas’ in the Aeneid, spill the tea on the latest episodes of Celebrity Traitors and discuss morality and heroism –...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 7 –...

This week’s episode is a trip to the Underworld, as imagined by Virgil in Book VI. But what does ‘viscum’ mean? A ‘parasitic plant’ (no, not a new description of Aeneas!) and have...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 6 –...

It’s our Dido episode at last! In Book VI Line 69 Virgil describes Dido as a ‘cerva’ – a ‘doe’, wounded by an arrow in one of his most impressive and ambiguous similes....

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 5 –...

We’re sticking with the theme of song and Katrina explains the relevance of some of the minor characters in the Aeneid from Iopas the bard to the unfortunate Cretheus from book 9, with some comparisons to...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 4 –...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep. 4 – cano cano – ‘I sing’! We’re heading back to the beginning, to Book 1, and in this episode, Caroline and Katrina explore the opening lines of the poem, translation...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 3 –...

Following straight on from our last episode, we’re finding thresholds in Books 5-8 – featuring footraces, fatherly mentors, a fearsome Fury and The Shining. In this series, podcast host Katrina Kelly is joined by...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 2 –...

Starting with the word for ‘threshold’, Katrina and Caroline explore storytelling techniques and the stages of the Hero’s Journey; the links between Paddington Bear and Aeneas; and dalliances with death, talismans, chihuahuas and...

Virgil’s Aeneid Ep 1 –...

In Episode 1, we jump straight to Book 8 – in medias res, as Virgil would say – and a simile that has caught Caroline’s attention. We’ll discuss wheelie bins and copper bowls, Aeneas’...

Classics and Careers Season 2...

We have a bonus episode for you…what better way to close out Season 2 than with an interview with one of the most fascinating people we’ve ever met – Baroness Black. Sue, as she...

Expert in Residence: Louise O’Brien

Introducing Dr Louise O’Brien, our new Expert in Residence! Click below to listen to her first episode with The Classics Podcast. Louise recently completed her PhD in Egyptology at the University of Liverpool, having...

Q&A with Louise O’Brien, our...

Click below to listen to a Q&A with our new Expert in Residence, Louise O’Brien. Featuring ancient sourdough, hippos, ritual instruments, obelisks in Rome, Hadrian’s lover Antinous, and Louise’s favourite ancient god! Follow The...

EPIC: An Audiobook

EPIC: Modern Writers, Ancient Stories is a compilation of short stories written by entrants in the 2022 Classical Association Creative Writing Competition, inspired by Stephen Fry’s trilogy Mythos, Heroes and Troy. Featuring narrations by well-known authors and scholars...

TCP Does Rome: Josephus introduction

Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Greece:...

The Classics Podcast Does Ancient History A Level Episode 6: Aristophanes with Rosie Wyles Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Greece:...

The Classics Podcast Does Ancient History A Level Episode 5: Plutarch with Judith Mossman Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Greece:...

The Classics Podcast Does Ancient History A Level Episode 4: Attic Inscriptions with Peter Liddel Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Greece:...

The Classics Podcast Does Ancient History A Level Episode 3: Why did the Athenians fail to win the Peloponnesian Wars? Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a...

The Classics Podcast Does Greece:...

The Classics Podcast Does Ancient History A Level Episode 2: The Causes of the Peloponnesian Wars Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Greece:...

The Classics Podcast Does Ancient History A Level Episode 1: Greek Victory in the Persian Wars Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Roman...

Click below to listen to each episode on the historian Cassius Dio with our expert Dr Christopher Burden-Strevens (University of Kent). Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram – give us a follow to make sure...

The Classics Podcast Does Roman...

Click below to listen to each episode on the Roman historian Suetonius with our expert Professor Catharine Edwards (Birkbeck, University of London) Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram – give us a follow to make...

Jennifer Saint, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 9: Jennifer Saint, bestselling author Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Roman...

Click below to listen to each episode on the Roman historian Tacitus. Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram – give us a follow to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

TCP Does Rome: Cassius Dio...

Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

The Classics Podcast Does Rome:...

Revision

If you’ve enjoyed our longer form Greek Series to support you with the Ancient History A Level syllabus (or if you’re just interested in ancient history!), you can also find bitesize versions of the...

Amanda Dylina Morse, Classics &...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 8: Amanda Dylina Morse, Social Epidemiologist Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

George Maher, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 7: Dr George Maher, actuary and Roman economist Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a...

Sabah Hussain, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 6: Sabah Hussain, Rights and Security International Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single...

Sam Betley, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 5: Sam Betley, Senior Policy Adviser at HM Treasury Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on...

Jonathan Goddard, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 4: Jonathan Goddard, Educator and Rapper Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a single episode!

Clare Marchetti, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 3: Clare Marchetti, Carbon and Sustainability Manager at Historic England Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out...

Tristan Hughes, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 2: Tristan Hughes, Producer and Presenter at History Hit Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on...

Helena Lee, Classics & Careers...

Classics and Careers Season 1, Episode 1: Helena Lee, Features Director at Harper’s Bazaar Follow The Classics Podcast on Podcasters, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Instagram to make sure you don’t miss out on a...