This week on What a Classic!, we are going back to the very beginnings of Ancient Rome. From the fall of Troy and Aeneas’ fateful journey, to the legendary tale of Romulus and Remus, we trace how myth and history intertwine in Rome’s foundation story.
Join us as we explore gods, heroes, she-wolves, kings, and the rise of a city that would go on to shape the world.
Tune in to this listener-requested episode on Classical Symbolism, where we explore key symbols from ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt.
Grouping symbols together into broad themes, this episode covers:
The Golden Fleece
Poseidon’s Trident
Zeus’ Eagle and Lightning Bolt
The Ankh and the Was Sceptre
Anubis
Imagery of love: Eros and Cupid
Medusa
Nike
The River Styx
Egyptian Funerary Masks
Persephone’s pomegranate
And so many more!
What were they, what did they represent, and where are the modern parallels? We explore these key questions throughout.
In this episode, we explore the Athenian legal system, focusing on how justice was administered and the role of citizens in upholding the law. We start by looking at the Scythians as a historical comparison, before examining the courts (dikasteria), the jury (dikastai), and the trial process itself.
Join us as we break down how large juries of ordinary citizens were used to decide verdicts, the strengths and weaknesses of this system, and the ways emotion, persuasion, and social status could influence outcomes. We also reflect on who was excluded from participation and how this shaped Athenian ideas of justice and fairness.
Discover how the legal system functioned alongside other democratic institutions, the balance it tried to achieve between citizen involvement and expertise, and what lessons we can draw from it about civic responsibility and political power.
Whether you’re curious about ancient law, the role of citizens in democracy, or the roots of trial and justice, this episode provides a clear and engaging look at how Athens sought to govern fairly in the Classical period.
Episode Schedule:
New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays
New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays
In this episode of The Classical Companion, we explore the inner workings of Athenian democracy, focusing on how power was structured and balanced to prevent monopolisation.
We start with the Ekklesia (Assembly), the largest democratic body made up of all eligible citizens, before examining the Boule (Council of 500), the Strategoi (Military Generals), the practice of ostracism, and the Archons (Magistrates).
Join us as we break down how these institutions worked together to ensure citizen participation, influence military and political decisions, and prevent any one individual from dominating Athenian politics.
Discover how this system shaped civic life, encouraged debate, and laid the foundations for the democratic ideas that continue to inspire the modern world.
Whether you’re curious about ancient governance, civic responsibility, or the roots of democracy, this episode provides a clear and engaging introduction to how Athens ran itself in the Classical period.
Episode Schedule:
New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays
New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays
Book 11 plunges into relentless battle as dawn brings the goddess of Strife to rouse both armies. Agamemnon leads a fierce Greek assault, killing Trojan warriors – including Priam’s sons – until he is wounded and forced from the fight. Zeus seizes the moment, empowering Hector’s counterattack.
One by one, Greek champions – Agamemnon, Diomedes, Odysseus, Machaon and Eurypylos – are struck down. Hector drives the Greeks back towards their ships, with only Ajax holding the line.
Meanwhile, Nestor carries the injured Machaon to safety, catching Achilles’ attention. Patroclus is sent to investigate and hears a long, pointed tale from Nestor, quietly setting the stage for his own tragic role.
Tune in for:
The goddess of Strife sparking the renewal of a fierce battle, led by Agamemnon.
The wounding of many of our favourite Greek heroes
Patroclus and Achilles’ fate slowly being set in motion
In this episode of The Classical Companion, we explore the road to Athenian democracy.
Join us as we break down Athens’ transition from monarchy to aristocracy, the role of early kings and archons, and the social tensions caused by debt and inequality. Discover how Draco’s harsh laws and Solon’s reforms helped reshape Athenian society, laying the foundations for broader citizen participation and the eventual rise of democracy.
Whether you’re curious about ancient politics, law, or the origins of democratic principles, this episode provides a clear and engaging look at the complex journey that shaped Athens’ political world.
Episode Schedule:
New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays
New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays.
In this episode of What a Classic!, we explore Book 10 of Homer’s Iliad.
The battlefield sleeps, but the war does not. In this thrilling nighttime episode of the Iliad, Odysseus and Diomedes set out on a deadly mission behind enemy lines.
What drives Agamemnon to risk everything in the dark? Why is Odysseus the perfect partner for Diomedes? And what happens when heroism depends more on cunning than courage?
This episode explores:
• The eerie atmosphere of the Iliad’s only night-time book
• Cunning, fear and ruthless pragmatism in Greek warfare
• The strange, tragic figure of Dolon
• What happens to morality when no one is watching
A story of silence, shadows, and horses that were never meant to gallop.
In this first episode of The Classical Companion, we explore the fascinating world of Ancient Greece.
Join us as we break down the geography, city-states, and historical periods that shaped Greek civilisation, from the Bronze Age Minoans and Mycenaeans through the Dark Age to the Archaic and Classical periods.
Discover how Athens and Sparta emerged as major powers, the origins of democracy, and why the Classical Period is often considered the height of Greek culture.
Whether you’re curious about ancient politics, philosophy, or daily life, this episode provides a clear and engaging introduction to the world of the Hellenes.
Episode Schedule:
New episodes of The Classical Companion drop on Thursdays
New episodes of our Classical Literature series (currently retelling Homer’s Iliad) air on Mondays.
In this episode of What a Classic!, we explore Book 9 of Homer’s Iliad, where the Greek war effort hangs in the balance.
With the Trojans pressing hard, Agamemnon sends an important delegation – Odysseus, Ajax, and Phoenix – to persuade the mighty Achilles to set aside his anger and return to fight. But Achilles, deeply wounded by pride and insult, refuses their pleas, choosing personal honour over the needs of his comrades.
We unpack the intense emotions behind Achilles’ stubbornness and examine what this moment reveals about ancient Greek ideas of kleos (glory) and heroic identity. Alongside the persuasive speeches, we consider the complexities of loyalty, friendship, and the high cost of pride.
Join us as we delve into the drama, passion, and consequences of this pivotal chapter in the epic.
In this electrifying episode of What a Classic!, we dive into Book 8 of the Iliad, where the gods’ power takes centre stage and the fate of the war hangs in the balance.
Zeus, the king of the gods, issues a divine decree that shifts the tide, unleashing the Trojan forces in a fierce advance against the Greeks. With mortal warriors pushed to their limits and the battlefield erupting into chaos, we explore how divine will and human courage collide.
Join us as we uncover the significance of Zeus’s promise to Thetis, the desperate struggles of the Greek defenders, and the relentless Trojan push forward.
Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Homer’s epic, this episode offers a vivid journey through the drama, heroism, and cosmic forces that shape one of literature’s greatest tales.
Tune in and experience the thunderous clash of gods and men!
In this episode, we dive into Book 7 of The Iliad, where the tension between the Greeks and Trojans reaches a new height.
Following the gods’ influence over the battle, the two armies are set to face off once again, but this time, a challenge is issued that brings a hero from each side to the forefront.
Hector, the Trojan prince, steps forward to challenge any Greek to single combat. This brave act sets the stage for a duel that will be pivotal in determining the course of the war. As the challenge is taken up, Ajax the Greater is chosen to fight Hector in a battle that will be remembered for its intensity and its symbolism. But what is at stake in this battle beyond the clash of shields and spears?
The outcome of their combat brings a sense of stalemate, and both sides call for a break from the bloodshed, leading to a temporary truce. As both armies take counsel, we witness the delicate balance of war, the power of fate, and the role of the gods. Will this ceasefire bring peace, or will the gods continue to manipulate the course of the war?
Join us as we explore the conflict, heroism, and the complex role of the gods in shaping the Trojan War.
In this emotionally charged episode of What a Classic!, we journey through Book 6 of Homer’s Iliad, where we witness the personal moments that punctuate the ongoing war.
As the battle rages on, we take a deeper look into the heroic but tragic lives of key warriors like Hector, who faces both the heat of combat and the tender bonds of family. In this episode, Hector speaks to his wife Andromache, knowing the grim fate that may await him, and he makes a heartbreaking decision about his legacy.
But the story is not just about warriors. As the gods watch from above, their involvement in mortal affairs shapes the events of the battlefield. The episode asks important questions about heroism, fate, and the personal costs of kleos (glory), especially as we explore the balance between honour on the field and the loss of loved ones left behind.
Key questions include:
Join us as we unravel the poignant moments and devastating choices that make Book 6 of the Iliad one of the most heart-wrenching chapters in this epic saga.
In this action-packed episode of What a Classic!, we dive into Book 5 of Homer’s Iliad, where the gods and mortals collide in a series of explosive battles.
Diomedes, one of the greatest Greek warriors, steps into the fray, guided by the divine favour of Athena. With his unmatched courage, he takes on not only the Trojans but even the gods themselves—wounding Aphrodite and Ares in the heat of battle.
Meanwhile, the Trojan hero Aeneas, destined for greatness in later myths, plays a pivotal role as the gods continue to manipulate the course of the war.
From the dramatic interventions of the gods to the thrilling combat between heroes, this episode unpacks the complex interplay between divine and mortal forces that shape the fate of Troy.
Join us as we explore Diomedes’ rise as a hero, the clash of the gods, and the shifting tides of the Trojan War. Don’t miss this action-packed dive into the heart of Homer’s epic!
In this episode of What a Classic!, we dive into the intense and dramatic events of Book 4 of Homer’s Iliad. Just as a glimmer of peace seemed possible between the Greeks and Trojans, the gods have other plans. A fragile truce is shattered by a single, deadly arrow—one that sets the stage for a brutal renewal of hostilities.
We’ll explore how divine intervention reignites the battle, with Hera’s cunning manipulations and the unexpected actions of Pandarus breaking the ceasefire. As the war explodes back into full fury, we’ll see Menelaus wounded, Agamemnon rallying his commanders, and a series of bloody confrontations that will change the tide of the war.
With the lives of heroes and the fate of entire armies hanging in the balance, this episode examines the power of oaths, the unpredictability of divine influence, and the devastating consequences of war.
Join me as we journey through one of the Iliad’s most pivotal moments, where the gods pull the strings, and the warriors on both sides fight not just for glory, but for survival.
In this episode of "What a Classic!", war comes back to the fore once again as we dive into the drama of Book 3 of The Iliad.
After shying from death itself and shrinking back into the ranks when confronted by Menelaus, Paris receives a dressing-down from Hector, accused of being a ' seducer of women'! To salvage his honour, Paris proposes a duel to the death for Helen and her treasure, but this doesn’t work out how either side would have hoped!
Key events of Book 3:
Paris's Cowardice and Hector's Rebuke: Paris initially retreats from Menelaus, prompting a scathing reprimand from Hector about his cowardice.
Single Combat Proposed & Agreed: To salvage his honour, Paris proposes a single combat to settle the war, and after some debate the terms are broadly agreed.
Oaths and Sacrifices: Priam is summoned, and oaths are made to the gods with sacrificial offerings to formalise the combat's agreed resolution, though Priam can't bear to watch and heads back to Troy
The Duel Interrupted: Paris and Menelaus engage in combat, but Aphrodite intervenes to save Paris, preventing a clear victory, and undermining everything that was agreed in the oaths.
Greek’s Remain Battle Hungry: After this divine intervention, it seems the Greeks are hungrier than ever for battle and victory.
What do the meddling gods and battle-hungry heroes have in store? How does Helen react to Paris's rescue? Tune in to explore the passion, fury, and divine deception of Book 3!
In this episode of "What a Classic!", things get even more complicated for the Achaean army in Book Two of the Iliad. Agamemnon, fresh off his quarrel with Achilles, receives a deceptive dream from Zeus promising victory. Fuelled by false hope, Agamemnon decides to test his troops' loyalty by suggesting they abandon the war and sail home.
Chaos erupts as the Achaeans, weary after nine long years, eagerly rush to their ships, ready to leave Troy behind. But Odysseus, ever the resourceful hero, intervenes, reminding them of their duty, honour, and the glory that awaits them. As order is restored, a common soldier named Thersites dares to speak out against Agamemnon, only to be silenced by Odysseus.
Here are some of the key events from Book Two:
Zeus's Deceptive Dream: Agamemnon receives a dream promising victory, which he believes is a divine command to attack Troy.
Agamemnon's Test: He proposes that the Greeks return home to gauge their loyalty and commitment to the war.
Near Desertion: The army rushes to their ships, eager to leave, but Odysseus intervenes to restore order.
Thersites' Outburst: A common soldier speaks out against Agamemnon, criticising his leadership, but is silenced by Odysseus.
Book Two is a rollercoaster of emotions, from the false hope sparked by Zeus's dream to the near-despair of the Achaean army's desertion. It's a fascinating look at leadership, loyalty, and the ever-present influence of the gods.
And as we move forward into Book 3... will there be an end in sight? Tune in to hear about the story that is to come.
In this episode, we dive into the opening chapter of Homer’s The Iliad, where the stage is set for an epic conflict. The Achaeans are battling the Trojans, but a bitter quarrel between two of the greatest Greek warriors, Achilles and Agamemnon, threatens to unravel their efforts. The conflict begins over a prize of war, the captive woman Briseis, which Agamemnon takes from Achilles, sparking Achilles’ wrath.
As Achilles withdraws from the battlefield in a fury, he calls on his divine mother, Thetis, to seek vengeance from Zeus. Meanwhile, Agamemnon’s arrogance and disrespect towards Achilles bring devastation to the Greek army.
Tensions rise, and the battle for honour, pride, and power takes centre stage. The episode concludes with Achilles’ decision to stay out of the fight, leaving the Greeks vulnerable and setting the stage for the war’s unpredictable next moves.
In this spotlight episode, we are pausing before the action of the Iliad to focus on the legendary figure of Homer, the author of this monumental epic.
Who was Homer?
What do we know about his life and works?
How has his works shaped our understanding of the Classical world?
Join us as we explore the time period in which he wrote, the cultural context that shaped his stories, and the role of oral tradition in his work.
We’ll touch on his two greatest epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey, and discuss their enduring significance in shaping Greek identity and values. Plus, we’ll explore the crucial role the gods play in Homer’s tales, and what these divine beings reveal about ancient Greek religion and worldview.
Next episode, we’ll dive into Book One of the Iliad, where we’ll see the sparks of conflict that will drive the Trojan War and change the fate of heroes forever. Stay tuned!
In this episode, we uncover the first nine years of the Trojan War—before the glory of the Iliad. While the epic battles and heroism of Achilles and Hector steal the spotlight in the story we know, the years leading up to that moment were filled with hardship and suffering. The Trojans, trapped behind their fortified walls, struggled to hold their ground, while the Greeks faced their own set of challenges, unable to break through Troy’s defences.
As we dig into these early years, we’ll explore key questions like:
What was the strategic position of the Trojans at the start of the war, and how did they manage to survive for so long?
How did the Greeks struggle during the prolonged siege of Troy, and what hardships did they face?
What methods did the Greeks use to sustain their forces, and what impact did these raids and foraging expeditions have on the surrounding villages?
And how did the capture of Briseis, a pivotal moment in the conflict, fuel the bitter rivalry between Achilles and Agamemnon?
Join us as we explore the untold stories of the first nine years, setting the stage for the epic battles to come, and revealing the true cost of war beyond the clash of swords.
In this episode, we dive into the dramatic events that ignited the Trojan War—a story filled with betrayal, sacrifice, and the will of the gods.
It all starts when Helen, the most beautiful woman in the world, disappears from Sparta. Furious and heartbroken, her husband, Menelaus, calls upon his brother Agamemnon, and together they summon the might of the Greek kings to demand her return. The stakes are high, and the gods have their own plans.
As the Greek fleet gathers at Aulis, a powerful storm sent by the goddess Artemis halts their journey. Agamemnon, desperate to set sail, is forced to make an unimaginable choice—sacrifice his own daughter, Iphigenia, to appease the gods and restore the winds. This tragic act sows the seeds of revenge in Agamemnon’s wife, Clytemnestra, and sets the stage for future betrayal.
Finally, the Greeks arrive on the shores of Troy, only to be met with a tense showdown. Menelaus and Odysseus demand Helen’s return, but King Priam refuses, knowing the political consequences would be disastrous. With no turning back, the stage is set for the legendary siege of Troy.
From heart-wrenching decisions to divine intervention, this episode explores the choices and betrayals that led to one of the most famous wars in history. Tune in to discover how a stolen queen, a broken oath, and a deadly sacrifice set the world on fire—starting the epic battle that would change everything.
