The Ancients

Tristan Hughes has a gift for letting experts talk without getting in the way, which sounds simple but is surprisingly rare in history podcasts. The Ancients brings on archaeologists, historians, and specialists for one-on-one interviews that cover everything from Neolithic Britain to the final days of Rome. With nearly 700 episodes and new ones dropping every Sunday and Thursday, the back catalog alone could keep you busy for months. Each conversation tends to run about 50 minutes to an hour, which feels like just the right length to actually learn something without zoning out. Tristan clearly does his homework before each interview -- his questions are specific enough to push guests past their usual talking points, and he has this warm, unhurried style that makes dense topics feel approachable. The show is part of the History Hit network, so production quality is solid throughout. Topics range widely across ancient cultures, so you might get an episode about Roman gladiators followed by one on ancient Mesopotamian trade routes. Some listeners have noted the audio levels can be a bit quiet, so you may need to crank the volume. There is a paid tier for ad-free listening and bonus episodes, but the free version covers the vast majority of content. If you want an ancient history podcast that prioritizes expert voices over a single narrator's perspective, this is one of the best options out there. The sheer variety of topics means there is almost certainly something here that matches your particular interest in antiquity.