Ever wonder how the Romans set out their year and what they got up to in January? This is the first of a miniseries about festivals in ancient Rome.

In this episode I take a brief look at how the Romans developed their calendar (or Fasti). Then it's time to chat about two fesitvals celebrated in January and a bit about the name of the month.

Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com -if you are on Reddit come and join the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Reviews always welcome wherever you are listening.

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Join me and guest Lottie Luke as we discuss The Return, a film about Odysseus, well, returning to Ithaca. How did the film differ from the Odyssey poem and what were our general thoughts?

As you might imagine there is reference to some nasty stuff - just be aware.

You can find Lottie Luke as @myclassicsportal on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. There's also her website: https://www.myclassicsportal.co.uk/

Bad poetry, bad behaviour and a bizarre use for heated walnut shells. In this episode I pick and and finish with Dionysius I of Syracuse. It's quite a rollercoaster with a dramatic finish.

Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com and if you a reading this then be a star and rate and review. Thanks to all those who keep coming back for more, your kind feedback really helps.

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

Don't worry, nothing serious but just to keep you in the loop. The next episode will be out mid-April. Apologies for the delay but it's not always easy to schedule regularly when you are a solo podcaster who has a full time job and other commitments. It'll be worth the wait - trust me!

Till then why not check out the podcast back catalogue?

You can find me on Insta, YouTube, TikTok, Bluesky and X as 'ancientblogger'. There's also the Ancient History Hound subreddit (AncientHistoryHound) and my website - www.ancientblogger.com

In this episode I cover the life of Pliny the Younger and his famous letters. In his writings he gave a eye witness account of the eruption of Vesuvius and pondered how to deal with Christians. As well as looking into these instances I talk about what his letters tell us about him and the world he lived in.

Whatever platform you are using - leave a review and thanks to those who have.

Episode notes on www.ancientblogger.com

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

(please note that there is reference to suicide and murder as per the myths involved).

In this minisode I pick out some examples of gifts in ancient Mesopotamia and Greece where the outcome wasn't as planned or it just went plain wrong. Let me know what you think by leaving a review or getting in touch.

You can find me as @ancientblogger on social media (TikTok, X, Bluesky, Insta, YouTube) and via my website www.ancientblogger.com

There's also the subreddit for this podcast:

AncientHistoryHound

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental)

Some further reading:

Mueller, M. The Language of Reciprocity in Euripides' Medea.

Oppenheim, AL. Letters from Mesopotamia.

It's time for Dionysius I to face Carthage. How would he deal with an unstoppable force coming his way? Lots to talk about including a surprise wedding (or two).

Please rate and review where you can!

Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this Night of the Livy Dead Halloween special I discuss the types of curses which made it onto tablets and figurines from antiquity. Starting with ancient Egypt and ending in the later Roman period I look into what they were used for, who they were used against and what it tells us about how people were living. As you might imagine it can get very, very personal.

Episode notes at www.ancientblogger.com with a reading list, transcription and more.

Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).