show episodes
 
A podcast about the history of ancient Greece for people new to and familiar with Ancient Greek history.The Casting Through Ancient Greece podcast will focus on telling the story of Ancient Greece starting from the pre history through Archaic Greece, Classical Greece and up to the Hellenistic period. Featured throughout the podcast series will be Major events such as the Greek and Persian wars, The Peloponnesian war and Alexander the Greats war against Persia. www.castingthroughancientgreece ...
  continue reading
 
Loading …
show series
 
This is a teaser of the bonus episode, "After Salamis" found over on Patreon. As we dissect the aftermath of one of history's pivotal naval battles, unravel the intricate web woven by Xerxes to obscure his intentions and navigate the treacherous waters of retreat. With insights from Herodotus, we illuminate the contrasting influences of Mardonius a…
  continue reading
 
Witness the dramatic power play between two iconic city-states as we pull back the curtain on the strategic chess match that was the conflict over Amphipolis. Could the overconfidence of Athenian generals have been their downfall against the cunning maneuvers of Spartan general Brasidas? This episode promises insights into the mind games and tactic…
  continue reading
 
What if the triumphs of a powerful city could gradually slip away? In this episode of Casting Through Ancient Greece, we explore how Athens' dominance began to erode, not through immediate disaster, but through a series of missteps and lost opportunities. Once at the height of its military and political influence, Athens' advantage waned as strateg…
  continue reading
 
This is a teaser of the bonus episode, "Opposing Plans" found over on Patreon. Ever wondered how a narrow strait and a brilliant stratagem could turn the tide of history? Prepare to be captivated as we unravel the intricate strategies and pivotal moments leading up to and during the Battle of Salamis. Discover how Xerxes' hubris and determination t…
  continue reading
 
What if one man's daring ambition could change the entire course of a war? In our latest episode, we dive into the dramatic events of 424 BC during the Peloponnesian War, spotlighting the audacious Spartan general Brasidas. We’ll recount Athens' initial victories, like the fortification at Pylos and the shocking Spartan surrender at Sphacteria, and…
  continue reading
 
How did Athenian victories at Pylos and Sphacteria become the turning point in the Peloponnesian War? Discover how these pivotal moments forced Sparta to rethink their entire strategy and seek diplomatic solutions. We explore the newfound aggression in Athenian tactics as they aimed to isolate Sparta by targeting its allies, reshaping the geopoliti…
  continue reading
 
Ever wondered how a single year could turn the tide in a protracted war? This episode takes you deep into the seventh year of the Peloponnesian War, uncovering the critical strategies and events that reshaped the conflict. As we shift our focus to the campaigning season of 425 BC, the narrative gets even more gripping. Discover how Athens leveraged…
  continue reading
 
The Athenian expedition to Sicily was an unexpected chapter in the Peloponnesian War, characterized by strategic missteps and unforeseen outcomes. As the Athenian fleet set out to aid their allies in Sicily against Syracuse, they found themselves caught in the whirlwind of war that stretched across the Greek world. From the Athenian prisoners on Sp…
  continue reading
 
Step back in time with me, Mark Selleck, as we trace the footsteps of Athenian generals post-Pericles, navigating the perilous landscape of public dissent and audacious military campaigns. The death of Pericles marked a significant pivot in Athenian strategy, and we'll peel back the layers of this tumultuous era, scrutinizing the aggressive maneuve…
  continue reading
 
Embark on a voyage through the tempestuous waters of ancient Sicilian politics, where our narrative charts the ascendancy of Syracuse amidst a maelstrom of democracies emerging from tyrannical ruins. Unearth the seismic shifts in Athenian foreign policy that set a fleet towards Sicily's shores, seeking to weave a web of influence that could ensnare…
  continue reading
 
As we gather today to mark a remarkable journey through the annals of Greek history, I am filled with gratitude and excitement. Together, we've traversed 83 episodes, spanning the rich tapestry of Greece from its nascent days to the dramatic onset of the Peloponnesian War. Looking ahead, I'm thrilled to contemplate the untold stories that may unfol…
  continue reading
 
Prepare to be transported to a Sicily that's both ancient and alive, where democracy's roots intertwine with the whispers of tyrants. On our historical odyssey, we'll traverse the landscapes of power, betrayal, and the unending quest for dominion. I promise an expedition into the heart of Sicilian intrigue, from the liberation of Syracuse to the th…
  continue reading
 
Uncover the chilling drama of ancient conflict as we journey through the shadows of the Peloponnesian War—revealing the political chaos of Corcyra, and the tragedy of Plataea. This episode uncovers the tales of rebellion, siege, and the sobering reality of political strife, all through the compelling lens of Thucydides' historical narratives. Be pr…
  continue reading
 
Embark on a historical odyssey with us as we temporarily halt our regular series for a well-deserved January respite. However, the annals of ancient Greek history remain open with an exclusive miniseries treat—a deep exploration of the enigmatic Battle of Marathon. Journey back to 490 BC and unravel the mysteries of this legendary conflict through …
  continue reading
 
Are you ready to cross the threshold of time and enter the world of Ancient Greece during the tumultuous political shifts post-Pericles' rule? I invite you to join us on this journey, where we scrutinize the uprising on Lesbos and its profound implications on Spartan maneuvers and Athens' retaliation. As power vacuums arise in Athens, new intriguin…
  continue reading
 
Have you ever been curious about an unsolved mystery from the past? Well, I, Mark, invite you on a thrilling journey to uncover the secrets of the Battle of Marathon in this exclusive bonus feature on Patreon. We're shifting our focus to the Greeks' tactical approach on the battlefield and raising thought-provoking questions about the Persian caval…
  continue reading
 
Are you ready to travel back in time and unravel the mysteries of ancient Greek philosophy with me, Mark Selleck, and our distinguished guest, Jack Visnjic, or as you might know him, Lantern Jack, is renowned for his profound knowledge in this philosophical domain. With a PhD in Ancient Philosophy from Princeton University, Jack brings an understan…
  continue reading
 
In our return to the tumultuous third year of the war, the Chalcidice comes back into focus once more with renewed operations. The siege of Potidaea may have found resolution in the previous year, but with lingering hostility in the Chalcidice, Athens is forced to act. A fresh operation aims to secure Athens' base in Potidaea, a move designed to so…
  continue reading
 
Join us as we take you on an exploration of the fascinating world of the ancient Spartans. With Professor Paul Cartledge, a leading historian on the Spartans, as our guide, we will demystify the intriguing tales, values, and societal structure of this resilient warrior society. We'll wade through the Spartan mirage, unveiling the unique education s…
  continue reading
 
Embark on a riveting exploration of ancient Greece as we delve into the tumultuous events surrounding Pericles, a towering political figure who shaped the destiny of the city-state for nearly four decades. Follow the gripping narrative of Athens' struggle during the siege of Potidaea, where Pericles' efforts faced unexpected challenges, leading to …
  continue reading
 
Tad Crawford's Website Buy On Wine-Dark Seas Explore the literary world of Tad Crawford, acclaimed author of "A Floating Life: A Novel," "The Secret Life of Money," and numerous nonfiction books. With a National Endowment for the Arts award to his name, Crawford is also the founder and publisher of Allworth Press, residing in vibrant New York City.…
  continue reading
 
Step back in time once again to the second year of the Peloponnesian War and immerse yourself in the heart of ancient Athens, a city grappling with a devastating plague. But in this intriguing narrative, our journey takes a unique twist, leading us northward to the Chalcidice, where Athens has dispatched additional forces to besiege Potidaea. Along…
  continue reading
 
In the second year of the Peloponnesian War, the stage was set for a continuation of the struggle between Sparta and Athens. Archidamus, the Spartan commander, spearheaded an invasion of Attica with renewed fervour, while Athens harnessed its maritime might to direct a potent fleet towards a more expansive target on the Peloponnesian shores. Yet, a…
  continue reading
 
In this fascinating interview, I have the privilege of sitting down with Prof. Yvonne Korshak, a distinguished historian and accomplished writer, to delve into the captivating world of her latest masterpiece, “Pericles and Aspasia.” This remarkable work of Historical fiction shines a brilliant light on the period preceding the Peloponnesian War in …
  continue reading
 
The end of the first campaigning season of the Peloponnesian war had now drawn to a close. Sparta had invaded Attica with their offensive strategy, while Athens resisted with the defensive policy employed by Pericles. Athens had also launched naval operations which would harass the Peloponnese and secure Athens defensive position even further. Howe…
  continue reading
 
The first year of the Peloponnesian war is now upon us. The first phase of this nearly 30-year struggle would be known as the Archidamian War, named after the Spartan king Archidamus, who had tried to prevent war developing in the first place. Archidamus being the only available Spartan king, the other not yet of age, would find himself leading the…
  continue reading
 
We have now reached the outbreak of the Peloponnesian war, where we saw the hostilities between Thebes and Plataea marking a point where the war would begin. Both of these city states were allied to Sparta, in Thebes case and Athens on the Plataean side. Even though preparations for war were underway already, this action would see that both Sparta …
  continue reading
 
The war party within Sparta now had the majority in favour of their policy towards Athens. A clear vote had seen that the policies of the peace that had influenced much of Spartan policy since the end of the Persian invasions had now fallen out of favour. This would see that Sparta now saw that Athens had breached the 30 years peace, created nearly…
  continue reading
 
This is a teaser of the bonus episode, Persian Counter Attack found over on Patreon. After having looked at the reasons for the Ionian revolt breaking out, we now turn to the revolt itself. In the main series we had focused on the revolt in general with a large focus on the Greeks operations. This time around we take a closer look at the Persian re…
  continue reading
 
With Potidaea now under siege from Athens, Corinth, although unofficial involved, was looking to help save the city and their connection to it before it would fall. To do this, they would work with the surrounding cities on the Chalcidids to mount raids on the Athenians to help relive pressure on the city. However, their primary goal was to try and…
  continue reading
 
Athens support of Corcyra had seen hostilities once again develop with Corinth who had been engaged in a dispute with the island polis. Athens would send ships to support Corcyra, as the Corinthian set sail to impose their will. Out of this affair would see the battle of Sybota take place and with it the first engagement seeing Athenian and Corinth…
  continue reading
 
Athens had now taken the decision to send aide to Corcyra after having swayed from one side of the argument to the other. However, the assistance would be limited, with it being defensive in nature. Athens would send a small force of 10 triremes to Corcyra to lend their support with the commanders being instructed they were to only engage the Corin…
  continue reading
 
The analogy of a powder keg in historical events it often used to describe a volatile situation that is waiting to explode into something larger. The most famous example of this is the events leading up to the breakout of World War 1. A seemingly remote region in the Balkans would see an act of violence take place that would end up embroiling all t…
  continue reading
 
Athens had extinguished another fire in the Aegean when the island of Samos and Miletus, both Delian League members had gone to war with each other. Athens would assist Miletus seeing Samos revolt, though after a couple years Samos was back in the league. However, this had highlighted weaknesses in Athens control around its empire as other areas ha…
  continue reading
 
Links: https://www.odysseus-unbound.org/ Faceook YouTube Book: Odysseus Unbound: The Search for Homer's Ithaca In the series we have look at some elements within Greek history that have connections to traditional tales and mythology. Some big examples of these were when we looked at the Trojan War, Mycenae and the Minoans. Well once again we are lo…
  continue reading
 
We continue our look at the development of Corinth in the series. Last episode we ended with the period of tyranny that had lasted two generations and ended with the assassination of the third. However, Corinth would continue to flourish, with cultural and economic advances taking place. Corinth would end up hosting one of the Pan Hellenic games, b…
  continue reading
 
The polis of Corinth has remained in the background of events as we have travelled through the narrative of the series so far. Now though, we have reached a point, the years leading to the break out of the Peloponnesian War, where Corinth starts to feature in the ancient sources on a more regular basis. This would be through diplomatic dealings, bo…
  continue reading
 
Athens and Sparta had now entered into an agreement known as the 30 years’ peace, seeing the first Peloponnesian come to an end. This would see the creation of two spheres of influence within Greek lands that they would now turn their attention to. In Athens, Pericles would now also see a challenge to his influence within the Athenian political sys…
  continue reading
 
So, it’s now mid-December and I am taking a break over the Christmas period and month of January. Though, before signing off for the holidays I wanted to leave you all with a different sort of episode to see out the year. I decided to contact my good friend Steve over at The Spartan History Podcast to see if he would be interested in coming on just…
  continue reading
 
Athens and Sparta were now in a position to turn their attention to matters within their own spheres of influence, with the truce that existed between them. Sparta would look at eliminating the threats that they had faced on the Peloponnese, seeing Argos now at peace with Sparta, and Tegea brought back into the Peloponnesian league. While negotiati…
  continue reading
 
After the battle of Tanagra, Athens was able to focus on pursuing its aims throughout Boeotia, the Gulf of Corinth and the Peloponnese. This saw Athens power and influence grow even more at the expense of Sparta and its allies. However, the disaster that would take place in Egypt for Athens would see them now needing to change their policies to bet…
  continue reading
 
Sparta had defeated Athens at the battle of Tanagra in 457 BC, though both armies had taken heavy losses. Both would look to make a temporary truce so that they could regroup without the fear of being attacked while in a vulnerable position. This would see the forces of both Athens and Sparta return to their cities bringing a close to this campaign…
  continue reading
 
Athens was engaging in developing new alliances on the Greek mainland in response to the hostility with Sparta. This would also see a number of campaigns launched by the Athenians to establish their security, these being fought by Sparta’s allies. However, as these events on the mainland were unfolding, a plea for help from a rebel king in Egypt wo…
  continue reading
 
With the insult received at the hands of the Spartans during the helot revolt, the Athenians began setting a course to deal with the new geopolitical realities. They would first sever their connection to Sparta by dissolving their membership in the Hellenic league. This would then be followed by securing alliances with enemies of Sparta and cities …
  continue reading
 
Events during the 460’s would see the political sands in Athens begin to shift, with opposition to Cimon’s influence increasing in the sources. This would first come through charges of corruption at the conclusion of the Thasos campaign. While a more successful attempt would take place with Sparta’s rejection of Athenian assistance during the helot…
  continue reading
 
In 464 BC, Poseidon the earth shaker would rock the Peloponnese, seeing Sparta take the full force of the earthquake. A number of the ancient sources would record the terrible event and the scale of destruction and suffering experienced by the Spartans. Modern day studies would show that the what Sparta experienced was likely on the same scale as t…
  continue reading
 
After the Delian Leagues victory over the Persian forces at the Eurymedon River, campaigning would continue with it appearing other areas closer to the Greek mainland being the focus. Though, the Island of Thasos, an original Delian league member would now also revolt from the league, seeing Athens and the leagues attention being refocused to deal …
  continue reading
 
With the victory over the Persian invasions in 479 BC, the Greeks had continued operations in the Aegean against Persian controlled areas. Though, objectives and priorities of many of the city states had shifted with this common threat ejected from Greek lands. This would see yet another league formed, that of the Delian league, who would continue …
  continue reading
 
Dr Owen Rees is Associate Lecturer in Ancient History at Manchester Metropolitan University, where he specialises in the transition of soldiers from civilian life to the battlefield and back again. His books on the topic of ancient Greek warfare include Great Battles of the Classical Greek World (Pen & Sword, 2016); Great Naval Battles of the Ancie…
  continue reading
 
Bernie Taylor is an independent naturalist, thought leader and author whose research explores the mythological connections and biological knowledge among prehistoric, indigenous and ancient peoples. His works in these areas include Biological Time (2004) and Before Orion: Finding the Face of the Hero (2017). Before Orion is premised on Joseph’s Cam…
  continue reading
 
Loading …

Hızlı referans rehberi