Are you obsessed with mythology and the ancient world? Does seeing Medusa in movies make you smile? Do you tell yourself “Just one more page!” at 3am when reading a novel based on an ancient myth? Do you drink tea (or any hot beverage of choice)? Then your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians have got you covered.
Join Megan and Lexie (with tea and snacks of course!) as they read and watch books, films, and T.V. shows set in the ancient world and dissect every aspect of them. This dynamic duo will try to cover everything from popular films, like the Brad Pitt Troy, to up and coming books like Wrath Goddess Sing. Whether you’ve read them, seen them, or never even heard of them, join us every week as we spill the tea on a ton of ancient stories!
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Are you obsessed with mythology and the ancient world? Does seeing Medusa in movies make you smile? Do you tell yourself “Just one more page!” at 3am when reading a novel based on an ancient myth? Do you drink tea (or any hot beverage of choice)? Then your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians have got you covered.
Join Megan and Lexie (with tea and snacks of course!) as they read and watch books, films, and T.V. shows set in the ancient world and dissect every aspect of them. This dynamic duo will try to cover everything from popular films, like the Brad Pitt Troy, to up and coming books like Wrath Goddess Sing. Whether you’ve read them, seen them, or never even heard of them, join us every week as we spill the tea on a ton of ancient stories!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome back for a very special bonus episode of The Reading Party podcast! Join us as we sit down with Melissanthi Mahut and Michael Antonakos, the voices behind Greek siblings Kassandra and Alexios in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The discussion dives into their backgrounds, their connections to Greek mythology, and their experiences working on the game. They explore the challenges and rewards of voice acting for a sprawling historical video game, reminisce about ancient Greek culture, and even brainstorm mythical quests they would love to see in the game. Tune in for an engaging talk sprinkled with humor, thoughtful insights into the ancient world, and a few fun tangents!
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In this final episode of season 3 of The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are discussing the 2016 film “Ben-Hur”. They share their thoughts on the film’s historical accuracy, the anachronisms in costume and set design, and the unexpected presence of Jesus in the narrative. From the dramatic chariot race to the film's ultimate message of forgiveness and redemption, they analyze what worked and what didn't in this modern retelling of a classic tale.
The film "Ben-Hur" (2016) attempts to weave together historical and biblical narratives, creating a complex tapestry that can both engage and frustrate viewers. The story centers on Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish man living in Roman-occupied Judea, and his adoptive brother Masala, who becomes a Roman officer. This setup inherently invites a blend of historical context and biblical themes, particularly with the inclusion of Jesus as a character.
Join Megan and Lexie as they navigate their way through historical inaccuracies, a confusing and frustrating amount of biblical tropes, and a welcome appearance of the wonderful Morgan Freeman.
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In this episode of The Reading Party, Megan and Lexie are joined by Dr. Victoria Austen to dive into the 2014 action-adventure film "Pompeii," starring Kit Harington. Join them as they explore the film's unique blend of romance, action, and historical disaster, all set against the backdrop of the infamous volcanic eruption.
Dr. Victoria Austen, an expert in the classics, shares her insights on Roman gardens, social history, and the reception of the ancient world in modern media. We discuss everything from the film's portrayal of Roman identity to the accuracy of its volcanic eruption depiction. Expect a lively discussion filled with humor, critical analysis, and plenty of questions about the social dynamics at play in the film. Whether you're a fan of ancient history or just curious about how Hollywood interprets it, this episode is sure to entertain and inform!
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In this episode of the Reading Party podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the 2011 film "The Eagle," adapted from Rosemary Sutcliffe's 1954 novel "The Eagle of the Ninth." Joining us is special guest Lindsay Allason-Jones, the historical consultant for the movie. Lindsay shares her extensive background in Roman Britain, having previously served as the Director of Archaeological Museums for Newcastle University, where she focused on Hadrian's Wall. She recounts how the filmmakers sought her expertise and the unique circumstances of their initial meeting. The episode highlights the filmmakers' long-standing passion for the source material and their collaboration with experts to bring authenticity to the cinematic portrayal of Roman Britain. Join us for an engaging conversation that blends history, literature, and film!
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On this episode of The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie offer an in-depth exploration of the animated film "Asterix versus Caesar," originally titled "Astérix et la Surprise de César," which was released in 1985. This film is an adaptation of the beloved French comic series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo, a significant part of French culture since its inception. Megan and Lexie provide an insightful exploration of "Asterix versus Caesar," emphasizing the differences between the French and English versions, particularly in character names and cultural references. The discussion highlights the challenges of translating humor and wordplay while also acknowledging the film's lighthearted approach to storytelling, despite the presence of outdated stereotypes. This analysis enriches the understanding of the film and invites viewers to appreciate the nuances of language and culture in adaptations.
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In this episode of the Reading Party podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the 2007 fantasy historical adventure film, The Last Legion. Set against the backdrop of the fall of the Roman Empire, the movie intertwines legendary elements such as the last Roman Emperor, Excalibur, Merlin, and King Arthur, creating a captivating narrative that blends historical fantasy with medieval Britain. "The Last Legion" ultimately serves as a unique cinematic experience that combines the fall of the Roman Empire with the enchanting world of Arthurian legend. While it is rife with historical inaccuracies, the film's charm lies in its ability to entertain and engage viewers with its fantastical elements. The blending of these two distinct narratives creates a story that, while not true to history, captures the imagination and invites audiences to explore the myths that have shaped our understanding of the past.
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Lexie and Megan are back for season 3! Welcome back to the Reading Party Podcast! In this exciting episode of our Rome Centric Season 3, we have not one, but two special guests: ancient historians Aaron Irvin and Jeff Stevens both experts on the Roman Empire, as well as consultants for Starz series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”. Join us as we dive deep into the world of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," focusing on episodes five and six.
In this episode, we recap the intense journey of Spartacus, a Thracian warrior turned gladiator, as he fights for survival and seeks to reunite with his wife. We discuss the brutal realities of gladiatorial life, the historical accuracy of the show's portrayal of the pits, and the complex social hierarchies within the ludus.
Aaron and Jeff share their insights on the historical context of gladiators, the motivations behind characters like Varro, and the significance of the show's representation of violence and sexuality. We also explore the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with modern sensibilities in storytelling.
Whether you're a fan of the series or just curious about ancient Rome, this episode is packed with fascinating discussions and expert analysis. Don't miss out!
Guests:
Aaron Irvin: A professor at Murray State University specializing in ancient Rome, Egypt, the ancient Near East, and ancient Greece. He contributed to the Spartacus series during his grad school years at UCLA.
Jeff Stevens: An ancient historian at the University of Missouri and the director of undergraduate studies. Like Aaron, he worked on the Spartacus series as a grad student at UCLA and is currently involved in archaeological digs in Italy.
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In this episode of the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the world of ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as they discuss the book "Desert God" by Wilbur Smith. Join them as they dissect the historical inaccuracies, character developments, and plot twists in this fifth installment of the Egyptian series. From the over-sexualization of characters to the questionable lore inconsistencies, Megan and Lexie provide a critical yet engaging analysis of the book.
Grab your favorite beverage and snacks as they spill the tea on the adventures of Taita, Mem, and the princesses in this epic journey through ancient lands. Tune in to explore the themes of misogyny, racism, and fantastical elements in this historical fantasy novel.
If you're a fan of ancient history, fantasy, or just enjoy a good book discussion, this episode is a must-listen. Join Megan and Lexie on their adventure through the pages of "Desert God" and get ready for some intriguing insights and lively commentary on this captivating tale.
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Today on the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie discuss the 2014 movie "Exodus: Gods and Kings" starring Christian Bale. Egyptologist Dr. Christian Casey, a postdoc at the Freie Universität Berlin working on the Zodiac Project, joins them to talk about ancient zodiacal terms and the development of horoscopes in Mesopotamia. Dr. Casey also shares insights on popular representations of ancient Egypt, focusing on accuracy and educating audiences about the reality of ancient Egyptian culture.
Dr. Casey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/osarnachthis/
Website: https://www.caseyegyptologist.com/
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On today’s episode of the Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are joined by Egyptologist Kara Cooney, to discuss Egypt during Cleopatra's reign.
Cleopatra's identity and heritage have been a subject of debate, with various theories suggesting different aspects of her ancestry. The episode discusses the possibility that Cleopatra may have had Egyptian ancestry, despite being part of the Macedonian Ptolemaic dynasty. One key piece of evidence supporting this theory is Cleopatra's ability to speak and read Egyptian, a language that was not commonly known among the ruling class of the Ptolemaic dynasty. This linguistic skill indicates a deeper connection to Egyptian culture and society than what was typical for a Ptolemaic ruler.
The podcast also touches on the cultural representations in the film, such as the depiction of Egyptian and African individuals in stereotypical roles. The use of blackface and racial stereotypes in the film's portrayal of Egyptian and African characters reflects the problematic racial attitudes prevalent in the entertainment industry at the time. These portrayals perpetuated harmful stereotypes and reinforced colonialist narratives about race and identity.
Ultimately, the complex relationship between Egypt and Rome, as explored in the podcast episode, highlights the power dynamics and political intricacies that shaped the interactions between these two ancient civilizations. Egypt's role as a provider of wealth and resources to Rome, coupled with Cleopatra's strategic maneuvers to maintain her rule, exemplifies the intricate web of alliances and conflicts that ultimately led to Egypt's absorption into the Roman Empire and the demise of its independent status.
Join your friendly neighborhood Ancient Historians as they delve into ancient history and the legacy of Egyptian queens!
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Today, Megan and Lexie are joined by Egyptologist Dr. Jill Waller, to discuss the 2017 movie "The Mummy". Definitely not cut from the same cloth as the original movies with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, Megan, Lexie, and Jill explore how the film deviates from actual Egyptian history and culture, resulting in a portrayal that is far from accurate.
One key point raised by the hosts is the misrepresentation of Egyptian hieroglyphs and language in the movie. They note that the language used in the film, while aiming to sound ancient and mystical, does not align with historical accuracy. Not only that, but the characters in the movie casually read inscriptions and decipher ancient texts without the necessary research and expertise required in real archaeological work.
The portrayal of ancient Egyptian royalty and succession in the film is also highly selective at best. Megan, Lexie, and Jill explore the unrealistic depiction of a princess next in line to the throne resorting to murder to secure power, which goes against historical norms and practices in ancient Egypt.
Finally, they touch upon the use of cultural artifacts and the treatment of archaeological sites in the movie. They discuss how the movie portrays looting and destruction of ancient sites without addressing the ethical and legal implications of such actions.
To get your tickets for Hitpoints & History head over to https://HitpointsandHistory.eventbrite.com and use code “leapyear” for 29% off through the end of February! Find out more about Hitpoints & History at hitpointscon.com!
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