Zeus: King of the Gods
12th August 2022
For this episode of The Ancients, Prof Michael Scott joins Tristan Hughes to talk about Zeus. Zeus, the chief deity in Greek mythology, is the Olympian god of sky and thunder and is king of all other gods and men.
His tale is one of overthrowing fathers, eating babies and seducing women, both mortal and divine, by changing his own form. He’s one of the most complex figures in history, and his story is one that’s been retold throughout millennia. To try and make sense of it all, we’re going back to the very beginning, to the origins of Zeus, starting with his grandfather and grandmother, Uranus and Gaia. We learn about the prophecy that ultimately overthrows Uranus, the same one that is also fated for Zeus’s father, Cronus, and start to understand the family tree that becomes the Olympians – from Athena to Dionysus.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might also enjoy The Symposium: How To Party Like An Ancient Greek, also with Michael.
You’re Dead To Me: Athenian Democracy
01 July 2022
Prof Michael Scott and comedian Alice Fraser join Greg Jenner in Ancient Greece as they examine the start of democracy with the Athenians. Aside from it obviously being a system that only benefitted men, they find out why you’d want to avoid red ropes and broken pots and why the Romans disliked the very idea of it. And they take a look at some of the fundamental issues with democracy that still exist today.
Ancients: Ancient Greek Symposium
May 2022
In Ancient Greece, the symposium was no ordinary after-dinner drinking party, but one in which the Hellenic men of society got together to wine, recline and philosophise. They took various forms depending on the whim of the leader of the symposium – the symposiarch – but were exclusively male affairs (aside from the occasional courtesan or two).
In this episode Michael chats about the soirée of booze, babes and slaves that was the Ancient Greek symposium.
Against the Lore (Buildings)
February 6, 2022
In this episode, Michael discusses why the Parthenon is his favourite building from the ancient world.
Ithaca Bound (Delphi)
In the ancient period, Delphi offered highly sought-after oracular services, hosted quadrennial sporting games, and was a nexus for culture and information sharing. Professor Michael Scott, Warwick University, joins the show to discuss Delphi in the ancient period.
History Hack Podcast: Disney’s Hercules, Fact or Fiction?
June 1st 2021
Well they got his name wrong for a start. The fantastic Michael Scott rejoins us to talk all about the legend of Heracles and how it spread throughout the globe.
Podcast – A somewhat complete history of sitting down
The Battle of Salamis – You’re Dead To Me
31st July 2020
Host Greg Jenner is joined by historian Professor Michael Scott and comedian Shappi Khorsandi to head back to 480BCE for one of history’s most notorious naval battles – The Battle of Salamis. On a journey through the events leading up to the battle and beyond we will uncover one of the most unique methods ever used to cross a body of water, one of the most spectacular deaths ever recorded and why sometimes it pays to give water a jolly good telling off.
Delphi – History Hack
14th July 2020
Michael joins the History Hack team to tell a comprehensive tale of Delphi, while Alina tries desperately not to fangirl… And fails!
Delphi – History Hit Network
Renowned as the home of the Pythia, the sanctuary at Delphi was the religious heart of the Hellenic World. In this episode of Historic Questions Professor Michael Scott explains the site’s history and why it was so significant in antiquity. (Subscription required to access content)
Agamemnon from Agamemnon by Aeschylus
11th June 2020
One of four LIVE YouTube readings of chosen sections from Ancient Greek drama
The Messenger from Euripides’ The Bacchae
10th June 2020
One of four LIVE YouTube readings of chosen sections from Ancient Greek drama
Electra from Euripides’ Electra
9th June 2020
One of four LIVE YouTube readings of chosen sections from Ancient Greek drama
Haemon from Sophocles’ Antigone
8th June 2020
One of four LIVE YouTube readings of chosen sections from Ancient Greek drama
Poseidon from Euripides’ Trojan Women
29th April 2020
Enjoy my guest appearance as the Actor of Dionysus’ 39th daily dose of ancient poetry and drama during lock-down.
The Ancient Olympics
Radio 4: 6th March 2020
Michael joins host Greg Jenner and comedian Shappi Khorsandi for a trip to The Ancient Olympics.
The Spartans
Radio 4: 30th September 2019
Michael joins host Greg Jenner and comedian Joel Dommett to charge into the history of the mighty Spartans!
Introducing Classics
In 2017 Honorary Graduate Professor Cartledge spoke to Dr Michael Scott of the University of Warwick and Sidney Stringer Academy students Kim Ann Nguyen, Yaqoub Imran and Hita Patel to pay tribute to discuss classics the school’s Head of Classics Nicola Felton, previously Nicola Neto who passed away in April of that year.
