Podcasts · History

Instant Classics

Vespucci

69 episodes

Join world-renowned classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins for Instant Classics — the weekly podcast that proves ancient history is still relevant. Ancient stories, modern twists… and no degree in Classics required.

More about the show

Discover The Odyssey and join the book club at: https://www.exploringtheodyssey.com

Episodes page 2 of 2

  1. A Day at the Theatre in Ancient Athens

    · 51 min

    The Ancient Greeks, it’s often said, invented theatre - and the plays they wrote are still big box office today, particularly when you have a Hollywood star in the main part. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte wonder…

  2. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (or did it?)

    · 42 min

    From Asterix to Up Pompeii to Life of Brian, there are lots of modern comedies about the Romans, but what did the Romans themselves find funny? In this episode, Mary and Charlotte share their favourite Roman jokes and…

  3. Life, Death and Gladiators in Roman London

    · 1 h 02 min

    Recorded live in an actual Roman amphitheatre underneath the Guildhall Art Gallery in London, Mary and Charlotte uncover the (Roman) origins of one of the world’s great cities. London’s Roman amphitheatre may not be…

  4. Athena: Private Life of a Greek Goddess

    · 44 min

    Athena: goddess, shape-shifter, helper of heroes, fashion guru, patron deity of Athens and a bit of a daddy’s girl. She’s also one of the most elusive and puzzling characters in Greek mythology. In this episode, Mary…

  5. Boudica: The Woman Who Defied an Empire Pt2

    · 32 min

    In the second of this two-part special, Mary and Charlotte rejoin Boudica as she marches on London, continues her path of destruction, and finally meets the Roman army on the battlefield. It’s a dramatic story,…

  6. Boudica: The Woman Who Defied an Empire pt 1

    · 30 min

    Boudica. Britain’s original badass. A warrior queen who almost defeated the Romans, gave voice to the oppressed and inspired countless school children ever since. But what do we really know about her? Mary and…

  7. A Trip To The Underworld

    · 46 min

    Any Greek hero worth their salt makes a trip to the Underworld at some point during their adventures. Mary and Charlotte follow in their footsteps, crossing the River Styx to ask: what exactly was the Underworld? How…

  8. Roman Ghostbusters

    · 38 min

    As the Halloween season hits, Mary and Charlotte turn to the wealth of ghost stories from the ancient world to ask: did the Greeks and Romans really believe in ghosts and why are their stories so similar to ours when…

  9. Special Announcement! - Instant Classics Live

    · 1:09

    Exciting News! Vespucci, in collaboration with the City of London Corporation and the Culture Mile Business Improvement District, is thrilled to present the very first live recording of Instant Classics on November…

  10. Did Nero Really Fiddle While Rome Burned?

    · 44 min

    ‘Fiddling while Rome burns’ is an accusation flung at every political leader at some point in their career. In this episode, Mary and Charlotte uncover the origins of this phrase and ask: why has it proved so resonant…

  11. Underneath The Toga

    · 39 min

    Can it really have taken seven episodes of Instant Classics to get to everyone’s favourite Roman meme: the toga party? Mary and Charlotte grasp the thistle - or rather the sinus (fold at the front of a toga) - and ask…

  12. Cassandra: Prophet Of The Modern World?

    · 49 min

    Who was the mythical Cassandra and why have pop stars started singing about her? Mary and Charlotte turn sleuth and track the elusive Trojan princess through the pages of ancient texts - from Homer’s Iliad to Virgil’s…

  13. How did Rome begin?

    · 34 min

    We all know what Rome became - largest empire of the ancient world, public bathing, gladiators, aqueducts, excellent roads and all that - but how did it begin? Who founded it? When? And why? Mary and Charlotte sift…

  14. Decoding The Parthenon

    · 53 min

    The Parthenon is one of the most celebrated and recognisable buildings in the world, but what did it mean to the Ancient Greeks? What role did it play in Greek society? And what did it look like in its heyday?…

  15. Free Speech - An Ancient History

    · 48 min

    In the wake of recent conflicts over free speech and acts of political violence, Mary and Charlotte discuss how - then as now - free speech dominated the political agenda in the ancient world, with wildly different…

  16. What Sappho Still Teaches Us About Love

    · 52 min

    In Ancient Greece, the Iliad was the poem above all other poems - an epic full of war and bloodshed that tells of the great heroes who fought and died for Troy. But not so long after the supposed composition of the…

  17. A Day At The Races In Ancient Rome

    · 42 min · Explicit

    Think ‘Roman sport’ and images of Kirk Douglas, Russell Crowe, Paul Mescal and other Hollywood gladiators may come to mind. But while the Romans were partial to blood-sports, chariot-racing was the really big thing.…

  18. Which Roman Emperor is Donald Trump?

    · 44 min

    For a long time being a classicist didn’t exactly make you a hit at a party. Then along came Donald Trump and suddenly everybody wants to know: Which Roman emperor is he most like? In this inaugural episode of Instant…

  19. Instant Classics - Trailer

    · 1:22 · Trailer

    A new podcast hosted by Mary Beard and Charlotte Higgins. Ancient stories, modern twists… and no degree in Classics required. Episode 1 Available on Thursday, August 28th, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices.…

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