TELEVISION
About
Meet some of the most consequential yet under-appreciated figures from across the ancient world, from philosophers and warrior queens to con men and farmers.
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Episodes
1. Cimon of Athens: From Glory to Disgrace
37m
Alexander the Great and Socrates are household names. But what about antiquity's lesser-known figures-the intellectuals, inventors, queens, and con men who shaped history for better and for worse? Kick off the course by getting to know Cimon, a Greek politician and military general, who helped transform Athens into a world power.
2. Polycrates of Samos: The Tale of a Tyrant
32m
Long considered the cradle of democracy, Greece was also home to despotic governments-many of them quite successful. Become acquainted with one of Greece's most impressive tyrants: Polycrates of Samos. Survey the tremendous military, economic, and material successes that transformed Samos from a sleepy island to a major regional power under his leadership.
3. Epaminondas of Thebes: Slayer of Spartans
33m
When we think of ancient Greek city-states, we most often think of Athens and Sparta. But in 400 BC, the quiet city of Thebes surged to the top, led by the frugal but fierce Epaminondas. See how Epaminondas organized a potent fighting force in his home region to throw off the yoke of Spartan oppression.
4. Ctesibius and Hero: Alexandrian Inventors
32m
Turn your attention to two obscure Alexandrian inventors: Ctesibius and Hero. See how the inventions of the pump, improved water clock, and catapult of Ctseibius redefined pneumatics to shape the material world we live in today. And, look closely at the ingenuity behind some of Hero's most elaborate inventions-from automated puppet theaters to holy water vending machines.
5. Olympians: Ancient Athletic Champions
33m
Athletes enjoyed near mythic reverence and popularity in the ancient world. Get to know some of the amateur sportsmen who dominated athletics thousands of years ago, like the skilled wrestler Milo of Croton, the powerful boxer Theagenes of Thasos, the Diagoras of Rhodes sports dynasty, and master long-jumper Phayllus of Croton.
6. Jugurtha of Numidia: African Freedom Fighter
34m
One of the most fearsome empires in world history, Rome encountered rebellion and resistance from a host of defiant subjects, with the most potent threat being a charismatic and cunning North African prince named Jugurtha. Examine Jugurtha's brutal rise to power within Numidia, before reflecting on the legacy he left behind.
7. Mithridates of Pontus: Rome's Implacable Foe
33m
Born under a passing comet and divinely marked by lightning, Mithridates of Pontus contended for power in 119 BC. Survey the Pontic leader's bloody conquest across Asia Minor. Investigate how Rome responded to these burgeoning territorial ambitions, both militarily and politically. And, reckon with the mysterious astrological events that punctuated Mithridates's life.
8. Strabo and Pausanias: Describers of the World
32m
Carefully crafted maps and tourist guidebooks have gotten us where we need to go for centuries. Among the most influential geographers in antiquity were Strabo and Pausanias. What was the role of the travel writer in antiquity? And how did Strabo and Pausanias revolutionize the craft?
9. Clodia Metelli: Scandalous Woman of Rome?
32m
In the study of ancient history, women are strikingly absent from the written record. That is largely why Clodia Metelli-a Roman woman whose name repeatedly shows up in speeches, poems, and letters-is so unique. Explore the political struggles and sex scandals that made Clodia Metelli famous among her peers.
10. Sextus Pompey: He Could Have Been Emperor
33m
A brutal power struggle followed the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Among those jockeying for influence was Sextus Pompey, a capable admiral who came dangerously close to seizing control of Rome. Dive into his life, from his illustrious upbringing to the military and political opportunities he failed to grasp in his prime.
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