Shows
Lesche: Ancient Greece, New IdeasThe Small Cycladic Islands ProjectAlex Knodell, co-director of the Small Cycladic Islands Project (SCIP), joins me in the Lesche to reflect on this amazing six-season survey project, which wrapped up last summer. Alex's co-directors on the project were Demetrios Athanasoulis (Ephorate of Antiquities of the Cyclades) and Žarko Tankosić (University of Bergen).Works mentionedSCIP publicationsChristy Constantakopoulou, The Dance of the Islands (Cambridge 2007). NB: Christy was a featured guest on the second(!) episode of Lesche ("Subject Communities of the Athenian Empire," with Leah Lazar)The Mazi Archaeological Project (MAP)Scott M Fitzpatrick, Victor D Thompson, Aaron S P...2025-03-1954 min
Lesche: Ancient Greece, New IdeasSubject Communities of the Athenian EmpireLeah Lazar and Christy Constantakopoulou join me in the Lesche to discuss their work on the relationship between Athens and its subject communities (the "allies") during the fifth-century Athenian "empire" (ἀρχή). Leah has a new book out on the subject, Athens and Power in the Fifth Century BC; Christy’s monograph Dance of the Islands (a favorite of my Classical Greek History students) opened up new ways of thinking about the interconnectivity of the empire’s communities when it came out in 2007.About our guestsLeah Lazar is a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for the S...2024-09-2559 min
History HackHistory Hack: The Island of DelosChristy Constantakopoulou joins us for a discussion about the mythical birthplace of Apollo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.2021-04-2042 min
The ForumEleusinian Mysteries: Secret ceremonies promising happinessIn ancient Greece, thousands of people flocked each year to join the religious rites known as the Eleusinian Mysteries. Based on the cult of the goddess of fertility Demeter and her daughter Persephone, the Mysteries were for many a profoundly moving and life-changing experience. People from all over the Greek world and beyond travelled to Eleusis for at least 800 years and the ceremonies remained a highlight of the Athenian calendar throughout that time. But what really went on in the great hall of the sanctuary at Eleusis? Why did the organisers deem it necessary to issue a strict injunction...2021-01-2839 minThe ForumThe Spartans: Ancient Greece’s fighting machineFor over two and a half thousand years the Ancient Greek Spartans have been known for their military might, discipline and self-sacrifice. Recent popular culture has portrayed them as the ultimate fearless warriors, especially ‘the 300’ Spartans who fought to the death at Thermopylae. But where does this image come from, and what do we really know about Spartan society and the peculiar utopia it tried to create? The city-state of Sparta has been admired for its stability, frugality, and the unusual social and sexual freedom of its women. But Sparta was also famous for its brutality towards its huge slav...2019-07-2539 min