Men often take on the role of gatekeepers of knowledge, with their prominent faces often seen in online science communication today. But sometimes I feel they project more confidence than curiosity as they teach, and I can tell something is missing. That’s why Instant Classics feels so refreshing.
World-renowned classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins host what is the best podcast of the year. They prove that ancient history can be funny and surprisingly relevant without needing a degree in Classics.
Why You Should Listen?
On the show, Beard and Higgins discuss emperors, epics, and gladiatorial games as easily as people talk about last night’s TV. They’ve also started a Book Club reading The Odyssey, which I just joined and will write about later. Even though I re-read Homer’s epic (and watched three adaptations) last year, I believe exploring it with these two brilliant guides will be the best experience.
If you want give it a try, check “Which Roman Emperor is Donald Trump?” It sets the tone perfectly being smart, engaging, and surprisingly relevant. You can also share your thoughts with them via social media, where they’re active and easy to reach.
Pair It with a Show!
Want to dive deeper? Combine listening to the episode “A Day At The Races In Ancient Rome” and then watching Prime’s 2024 series Those About to Die.
The series didn’t get much attention, but it deserves some recognition. It explores the billionaire business of chariot racing at the Circus Maximus behind the scenes. It reveals the extensive network fueling the entertainment industry.
You see the corruption, the power plays, the high-stakes betting that run the lives revolving around the games. A Rome of mobsters, gamblers, and athletes rarely shown on screen.
Back to Instant Classics, I believe it shows that ancient history isn’t about opening dusty textbooks, but about understanding human nature. Mary and Charlotte nail it every week, and I love what they’re doing.
2 responses
I love Mary Beard’s (dust-free) classical books, I’ve read both SPQR and Pomeii multiple times. I will have to give the podcast a try
> Even though I re-read Homer’s epic (and watched three adaptations) last year
Any in particular that you’d recommend for or against?
Thanks for reading, Dean! I suppose the best product is the 1968 European TV series. It tells the story better in the episodic format. The 1954 Ulysses, starring Kirk Douglas, is also cool, but unfortunately, it compresses the story significantly. It has a bit of Ray Harryhausen’s ‘Jason’ in it that I like. And finally, Ralph Fiennes played Odysseus on the 2024 The Return, but this one is quite specific because it only shows what happens at the end of the journey, when he returns to Ithaca.
Check them all before Nolan’s piece that is coming next year!