
The Ancients
by History Hit
Is this your podcast?History Hit is a prominent independent podcast creator known for producing engaging historical content. Founded by Dan Snow, they have gained recognition for their award-winning podcasts, including "Dan Snow's History Hit" and "Gone Medieva…
Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
- ancient history enthusiasts
- archaeology and historical themes
Podcast Focus
- discussing distant past events
- specific themes from antiquity
Publishing Consistency
- active for five years
- new episodes every Sunday
Platform Reach
- available on multiple platforms
- over 1.9 million followers
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Most discussed topics
Brands & references
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 49 chart positions in 49 markets.
By chart position
- 🇨🇦CA · History#41M to 3M
- 🇺🇸US · History#7300K to 1M
- 🇬🇧GB · History#8300K to 1M
- 🇦🇺AU · History#8300K to 1M
- 🇩🇪DE · History#36100K to 300K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
1.0M to 3.2M🎙 Daily cadence·613 episodes·Last published yesterday - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
3.4M to 11M🇨🇦29%🇺🇸10%🇬🇧10%+46 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
1.4M to 4.2M1.9M real followers tracked across platforms
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
From 13 epsHost
Recent guests
Recent episodes
The Pharisees
Jun 11, 2026
Unknown duration
The Rosetta Stone
Jun 7, 2026
Unknown duration
Neanderthal Art
Jun 4, 2026
Unknown duration
Spartacus
May 31, 2026
Unknown duration
The Fall of Hadrian's Wall
May 28, 2026
Unknown duration
Social Links & Contact
Official channels & resources
Official Website
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/11/26 | ![]() The Pharisees | The Pharisees are one of the most familiar names in the ancient world, but are they also one of the most misunderstood?Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Helen Bond to step back into first-century Judea, where the Pharisees were debating law, purity and resurrection under foreign rule. They look at how much power the Pharisees really had, their debates with Jesus in the Gospels, and how focussed they were on the idea of a 'messiah'.We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.MOREJohn the BaptistListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPontius PilateListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Edited and produced by Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week, PLUS early access ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 6/7/26 | ![]() The Rosetta Stone | In July 1799, French soldiers unearthed a stone that would transform our understanding of the ancient world. Discovered in a fort at Rashid, the Rosetta Stone became the key to deciphering Egypt’s long-lost hieroglyphs. Within two decades, scholars began unlocking its secrets. But what does it actually say? Tristan speaks with Dr Ilona Regulski to explore the stone, the script, and the race to decode it.MOREHow Ancient Egypt Stayed EgyptianListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Lost Tomb of Alexander the GreatListen on AppleListen on SpotifyWe're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week, plus early access, ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 6/4/26 | ![]() Neanderthal Art | Fifty thousand years ago, Neanderthal artists in Ice Age Europe painted symbols and handprints deep inside caves, leaving behind some of the oldest known art on the continent. These discoveries are transforming how we understand our closest human relatives.Today, Tristan Hughes is joined by Genevieve von Petzinger to explore the fascinating story of Neanderthal art. What kinds of images did Neanderthals create? What did these markings mean? And how might their artistic traditions have influenced the first groups of Homo sapiens who later arrived in Europe?MOREHomo Sapiens v NeanderthalsListen on AppleListen on SpotifyLascaux Cave: Ice Age ArtListen on AppleListen on Spotify We're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week plus early access ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/31/26 | ![]() Spartacus | In 73 BC, a gladiator escaped slavery and launched a rebellion that shook the Roman Republic to its core. His name was Spartacus, and his uprising became one of the greatest threats Rome had ever faced from within.Tristan Hughes is joined by Ben Kane to explore the dramatic story of Spartacus and his slave revolt that swept across Italy. Together, they cover the breakout at Capua to the battles against Roman armies and discover how Spartacus transformed a small band of fugitives into a force capable of humiliating Rome. Was he fighting for freedom, revenge, or something more?MOREThe Roman CenturionListen on AppleListen on Spotify How to Survive in Ancient RomeListen on AppleListen on Spotify The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch here: @TheAncientsPodcastWe're going on *TOUR* to Australia and New Zealand! - grab your tickets here.Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/28/26 | ![]() The Fall of Hadrian's Wall | When the Romans left Britain in the early 5th century AD, Hadrian’s Wall did not simply collapse into ruin. Its forts and ramparts endured, becoming strongholds for the communities who continued to live along this ancient frontier.Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Rob Collins to explore the fascinating story of Hadrian’s Wall after the end of Roman rule. Who were the people who remained on the frontier? How did life change in post-Roman Britain? And what happened to the soldiers, families and settlements that had called the Wall home for generations?MOREThe Fall of Roman BritainListen on AppleListen on SpotifyHadrian's WallListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan, the producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week, plus early access ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/24/26 | ![]() Iron Age Britain | What if Iron Age Britain was never a land of barbarians at all, but a world of skilled farmers, powerful women, trade, ritual, and spectacle? Tristan Hughes is joined by Professor Tom Moore to reveal a far richer pre-Roman Britain, from roundhouses and hillforts to chariots, feasts, and buried offerings. Archaeology uncovers a society shaped by movement, identity, violence, and belief, where the Iron Age still echoes into Roman Britain and beyond.MOREDruidsListen on AppleListen on SpotifyBefore Rome: The Truth About Late Iron Age BritainListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch here: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/21/26 | ![]() Prehistoric Greenland | What can a frozen island reveal about the people who thrived there for thousands of years? Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. Asta Mønsted to explore prehistoric Greenland through astonishing archaeology and living mythology, from permafrost-preserved homes, tools, and clothing to whale hunts, shamanic stories, and the world of the Thule Inuit. Along the way, they uncover how families survived the Arctic, honoured spirits, and built a rich culture in one of Earth’s harshest places.MOREIce Age AmericaListen on AppleListen on SpotifyOrigins of the InuitListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Hannah Feodorov. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week, plus early access, ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/17/26 | ![]() The Other Humans: Why We Survived? | For most of human history, we were not alone. Human evolution was shaped by multiple human species living side by side, from Neanderthals in Europe to Denisovans in Asia, before all but one disappeared.Tristan Hughes is joined by Ella Al-Shamahi to explore the story of the early humans who once shared our world. How did these different species evolve? Did they compete or coexist? And what do the latest discoveries reveal about the tangled story of human evolution and the survival of Homo sapiens?MOREHomo Sapiens v Neanderthals Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyHuman Evolution: Dragon ManListen on AppleListen on Spotify The Ancients is now on YouTube! Watch here: @TheAncientsPodcastPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/14/26 | ![]() What If Alexander Fought Rome? | Rome vs Alexander. It's a counterfactual of suitably epic proportions, fit for movie theatres and sprawling strategy video games. What would've happen had the great Macedonian general not perished in Babylon and advanced on an emerging Roman Republic?Tristan Hughes is joined by Roman historian and friend of the show Steele Brand to ask - what would’ve happened had Alexander invaded Italy? They explore the work of Roman historian Livy, who wrote about this very scenario - would Rome have had enough to resist the mighty legions of an undefeated Macedonia, even before it had really started to forge it's empire? From the sparkling phalanxes of Alexander’s Asian realm to the Rome’s countless mass of citizen soldiers, find out which of these titans of history achieves ancient world domination.MOREAlexander the Great: Lord of AsiaListen on AppleListen on SpotifyThe Battle of Phillipi: Death of the Roman RepublicListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. Producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week and ad-free podcasts. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 5/10/26 | ![]() The Real Armageddon | Armageddon is more than just a biblical prophecy hailing the end of days. It is a real place: Megiddo, an ancient city that for thousands of years stood at the crossroads of empires, trade routes and wars in the ancient Near East.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by friend of the show Eric Cline to uncover the true story of the real Armageddon. Why did Megiddo become associated with the world’s final battle? What made this city so strategically important for millennia? From Bronze Age kingdoms to biblical tradition and modern archaeology, discover the remarkable history behind one of the most famous names in history and myth.MOREBronze Age Collapse:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify The Sea Peoples:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
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| 5/7/26 | ![]() Ancient China: The Warring States✨ | Warring States periodancient China+3 | Professor Andrew Seth Meyer | History HitEpidemic Sounds+1 | — | ancient ChinaWarring States+5 | — | 59m 45s | |
| 5/3/26 | ![]() The Prehistoric Plague✨ | prehistoric plagueYersinia Pestis+5 | Laura Spinney | History HitEpidemic Sounds | Europe | plagueYersinia Pestis+7 | — | 48m 53s | |
| 4/30/26 | ![]() The Persian Gulf✨ | ancient trade routesBronze Age+4 | Dr Steffen LaursenDr Lloyd Weeks | — | Persian GulfStrait of Hormuz+6 | Persian Gulftrade routes+5 | — | 58m 41s | |
| 4/26/26 | ![]() The Last Days of Pompeii✨ | PompeiiMount Vesuvius+4 | Dr. Jessica Venner | History HitEpidemic Sounds | Pompeii | PompeiiMount Vesuvius+5 | — | 1h 06m 26s | |
| 4/23/26 | ![]() The First Tools✨ | stone toolsearly hominins+4 | Dr. Emma Finestone | Cleveland Museum of Natural HistoryHistory Hit | Africanorthern Tanzania | stone toolshominins+5 | — | 46m 00s | |
| 4/19/26 | ![]() Athens vs Persia: The Legend of Themistocles✨ | ThemistoclesAthenian democracy+3 | Michael Scott | History HitHow to Party Like an Ancient Greek+1 | AthensPersia | ThemistoclesAthens+5 | — | 54m 15s | |
| 4/16/26 | ![]() The Hittites✨ | HittitesBronze Age+4 | Professor Elena Devecchi | History Hit | HattushaBabylon+1 | HittitesBronze Age powers+5 | — | 58m 36s | |
| 4/12/26 | ![]() Homo Sapiens vs Neanderthals✨ | Homo sapiensNeanderthals+4 | Ella Al-Shamahi | BBCHistory Hit+2 | — | Homo sapiensNeanderthals+6 | — | 59m 23s | |
| 4/9/26 | ![]() The Romans and China✨ | Roman tradeSilk Road+3 | Sir Barry Cunliffe | History Hit | EgyptChina+3 | Roman silvertrade routes+5 | — | 58m 38s | |
| 4/5/26 | ![]() Judas Iscariot✨ | Judas IscariotChristianity+5 | Professor Paul Middleton | History HitEpidemic Sounds+1 | — | Judas IscariotGospels+8 | — | 56m 29s | |
| 4/2/26 | ![]() Britain's First Dog✨ | prehistoric dogsIce Age Britain+3 | Dr. Selina BraceDr. William Marsh | Natural History Museum | Gough’s CaveBritain | ancient dogBritain+5 | — | 49m 53s | |
| 3/29/26 | ![]() The Roman Centurion✨ | Roman centurionRoman military+4 | Dr Ben Kane | History HitEpidemic Sounds | — | Roman centurionmilitary command+5 | — | 1h 00m 06s | |
| 3/26/26 | ![]() The Delian League: Ancient NATO?✨ | Delian LeagueAthenian Empire+3 | Professor Polly Low | History HitThe Delian League | AthensAthenian | Delian LeagueAthenian domination+4 | — | 1h 05m 58s | |
| 3/22/26 | ![]() Leonidas: King of Sparta, Hero of Thermopylae | In 480 BC, at the narrow pass of Thermopylae, a vastly outnumbered Greek force prepares to face the advancing army of the Persian king Xerxes. At its head stands Leonidas, king of Sparta, ready to make a final stand that will become one of the most famous moments in ancient history.In this episode of The Ancients, Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr Andrew Bayliss to peel back the myth and uncover the real story of Leonidas. Tracing Leonidas's origins amid the turbulent politics of Sparta’s Agiad dynasty to his denouement at the hot gates of Thermopylae, they explore Leonidas's journey to power, his dogged defiance against the Persians and what his story reveals about Spartan society, kingship and warfare at the height of the Greco-Persian Wars.Watch this episode on our YouTube channel: @TheAncientsPodcastMORE:Xerxes the Great: Listen on AppleListen on Spotify The Spartan Warrior:Listen on AppleListen on Spotify Presented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Aidan Lonergan. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast.Sign up to History Hit for hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. You can take part in our listener survey here:https://insights.historyhit.com/history-hit-podcast-always-on Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
| 3/19/26 | ![]() What if the Ides of March Failed? | What if Julius Caesar had survived the Ides of March? This episode explores his last known plans — vast eastern campaigns, sweeping reforms, and his visions for Rome’s future. Could he have rivalled Alexander the Great, crowned himself king, or reshaped the Republic forever? Discover history’s greatest “what if.”MOREThe Rise of Julius CaesarListen on AppleListen on SpotifyCleopatraListen on AppleListen on SpotifyPresented by Tristan Hughes. Audio editor is Tim Arstall. The producer is Joseph Knight. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.All music courtesy of Epidemic SoundsThe Ancients is a History Hit podcast. Sign up to History Hit to watch the new documentary RISE OF CAESAR; and see Adrian Goldsworthy, Dr. Simon Elliott, and Dr. Hannah Cornwell, Tristan Hughes, peel back the layers of the man, the myth, and the massive political ego that transformed the Western world forever.As well as hundreds of hours of original documentaries, with a new release every week. Sign up at https://www.historyhit.com/subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
49 placements across 49 markets.
Chart Positions
49 placements across 49 markets.
















