Epic Greek History

Embark on an epic journey through ancient Greece with history enthusiast Scott Emmons as your guide. From the Mycenaean warrior kings to the flowering of the Greek city-state, from the astonishing victories over the Persian invaders to the catastrophic power struggle between Athens and Sparta, each episode brings the past to life with vivid detail and compelling narrative. Along the way, there will be side trips to explore fascinating aspects of Greek culture, from art and literature to everyday life. Whether you're a history buff or new to the world of classical antiquity, this podcast is your gateway to the life and legacy of ancient Greece.

Publishes one full episode and one short episode per month.

See images for each episode at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

Podcasting since 2025 • 23 episodes

Epic Greek History

Latest Episodes

Hey, Gang, Let's Put On a Show! Thespis and the Origins of Greek Tragedy

The Athenian tyrant Pisistratus centralized the Attic worship of Dionysus with an elaborate new festival. The Great Dionysia went on to become the city’s main dramatic festival, where later giants like Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides would c...

April 15, 2026 • Episode 23 • 23:24

Pisistratus and Sons: The Age of Tyranny in Athens

Despite the best efforts of the lawgiver Solon, political upheaval continued in Athens. A strongman named Pisistratus, after twice seizing power and losing it, ultimately established an autocratic regime that lasted over 35 years. During that t...

April 01, 2026 • Episode 22 • 49:41

Weird Science: The Beginnings of Greek Philosophy

While the Athenians were setting up a new constitution under Solon, the Milesians across the Aegean were busy inventing philosophy. Perhaps not philosophy as we usually think of it, but a search for rational principles to explain the natural wo...

March 15, 2026 • Episode 21 • 25:38

Chaos and Compromise: Early Athens and the Reforms of Solon

At the start of the 6th century BCE, Athens had only recently escaped a tyranny. Draco's published law code made the law accessible to more people but did nothing to alleviate the crushing debt that afflicted the poor. As Aristotle puts it, the...

March 01, 2026 • Episode 20 • 45:38

Nothing Queer About It: Same-Sex Relationships in Ancient Greece

Modern labels like “straight” and “gay” don’t map neatly onto ancient Greek culture. While same-sex relationships were considered normal and even expected, there were still taboos and rules of proper behavior. In this episode, host Scott Emmons...

February 15, 2026 • Episode 19 • 42:56

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