Ancient Civilisations
NOISER
The ancient world was full of wonders.
Engineering marvels like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge. Remarkable peoples like the Aztecs, the Romans and the Mongols. Infamous leaders such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Herod the Great. Inventors, explorers, builders, pioneers and philosophers who shaped the world we live in today.
Welcome to Ancient Civilisations - the podcast that takes you back in time to discover the ancient world, one story at a time.
A Noiser production, narrated by Paul McGann and John Hopkins.
As featured on Short History Of... and Real Dictators.
Noiser+ members get ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Noiser Ltd expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.
Engineering marvels like the Great Wall of China and Stonehenge. Remarkable peoples like the Aztecs, the Romans and the Mongols. Infamous leaders such as Cleopatra, Julius Caesar and Herod the Great. Inventors, explorers, builders, pioneers and philosophers who shaped the world we live in today.
Welcome to Ancient Civilisations - the podcast that takes you back in time to discover the ancient world, one story at a time.
A Noiser production, narrated by Paul McGann and John Hopkins.
As featured on Short History Of... and Real Dictators.
Noiser+ members get ad-free listening, exclusive content, and early access to new episodes across the Noiser podcast network. Click the subscription banner at the top of the feed to get started. Or go to noiser.com/subscriptions.
No part of this podcast may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Noiser Ltd expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception.
Episodes
Mentioned books
8 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 51min
Petra
Jodi Magness, an esteemed archaeologist and professor at the University of North Carolina, shares her insights on the ancient city of Petra. She dives into the fascinating story of the Nabataeans, who transformed a desert settlement into a thriving trade hub. Jodi discusses Petra's ingenious water management systems and its unique rock-carved architecture. The conversation reveals how historical events like earthquakes and the rise of Christianity contributed to Petra's decline. Magness also emphasizes lessons from Nabataean sustainability that are relevant today.
Jan 16, 2026 • 50min
Boudica
Miranda Aldhouse-Green, a renowned archaeologist and professor at Cardiff University, dives into the life and legacy of Boudica, the fierce warrior queen of the Iceni. They explore the legend surrounding Boudica's revolt against Roman rule, questioning her place as a feminist icon despite her brutal actions. The discussion highlights the archaeological evidence that sheds light on her infamous rebellion, the strategic targeting of Colchester, and the dramatic destruction of Londinium. Ultimately, they unravel the complexities of Boudica's identity as both a hero and a historical enigma.
13 snips
Jan 9, 2026 • 52min
Angkor
Michael Falser, an architectural historian specializing in Angkor, shares riveting insights about the massive Khmer city. He explains how Angkor's advanced water systems fueled its wealth and discusses the intricacies of Angkor Wat's construction. The conversation dives into the empire's decline, highlighting factors like climate change and warfare. Falser also explores the impact of French colonial conservation efforts and the modern challenges of tourism on this ancient site. Their discussion emphasizes Angkor's enduring significance in Cambodian identity.
9 snips
Jan 2, 2026 • 54min
Easter Island
Dr. Jo Anne Van Tilburg, archaeologist who has spent decades studying Rapa Nui and its moai. She explores Polynesian voyaging, the quarrying and carving at Rano Raraku, and theories for how massive statues were moved. The conversation also traces contact history, ecological collapse, and the impact of modern tourism on Rapa Nui communities.
10 snips
Dec 19, 2025 • 59min
Cleopatra
Joyce Tyldesley, British archaeologist and Egyptologist, provides expert commentary on Cleopatra and Ptolemaic history. Short segments explore Cleopatra’s Macedonian-Ptolemaic upbringing and education. They cover her dramatic meetings with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The narrative follows Actium, the fall of her dynasty, and competing theories about her death and lasting legacy.
Dec 12, 2025 • 59min
Stonehenge
Older than the pyramids and just as cryptic, the prehistoric British site of Stonehenge has dominated its landscape for thousands of years. But what is Stonehenge? A celestial clock? An ancient computer to predict eclipses? Was it a temple, a cemetery, or a site of execution? And who were the people who lived and died to create this Stone Age masterpiece?
This is a Short History of Stonehenge.
Written by Jo Furniss. With thanks to Julian Richards, archaeologist, broadcaster and author of the official Stonehenge guidebook.
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15 snips
Nov 28, 2025 • 51min
The Spartans
Dr. Andrew Bayliss, an Associate Professor of Greek History at the University of Birmingham and author of "The Spartans: A Very Short Introduction," explores Sparta's complex legacy. From the heroic stand at Thermopylae to the brutal reality of helot slavery and infanticide, he reveals the darker aspects of Spartan society. Bayliss discusses the harsh agoge training for boys, the role of women in Spartan life, and how admiration for Sparta often overlooks its moral compromises and oppressive practices.
14 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 57min
Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail
In this engaging discussion, Javier Puente, an associate professor of Latin American studies, sheds light on the rich tapestry of Inca civilization. He reveals the complexities of the khipu system, which encoded vital information through knots, and the strategic use of the Inca Trail to unify diverse communities. The architectural marvel of Machu Picchu is explored, from its astronomical alignments to its role as a royal estate. Puente also discusses the societal impacts of disease and construction, providing a compelling view of this ancient empire's ingenuity and legacy.
10 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 56min
The Knights Templar
Thierry Do Espirito, a historian and author of The Knights Templar for Dummies, delves into the enigmatic world of the Knights Templar. He uncovers the origins of this once-feared military order formed to protect pilgrims in perilous times. Thierry reveals how the Templars amassed immense wealth and became medieval bankers while maintaining strict vows of poverty. The discussion also highlights their rise and fall, particularly King Philip IV's political machinations that led to the Templar’s demise, and the enduring myths surrounding their legacy.
37 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 57min
The Pyramids
Salima Ikram, a leading Egyptologist at the American University in Cairo, dives into the wonders of ancient pyramids. She reveals the motivations behind pyramid construction, linking them to religious symbolism and origin myths. Ikram discusses the architectural genius of Imhotep's Step Pyramid and the Great Pyramid, emphasizing their striking designs and complex interiors. The conversation also explores the societal impacts of pyramid-building, the shift to the Valley of the Kings, and the enduring legacy of these monumental structures in Egyptian culture.
