The Hellenistic Age Podcast

The Hellenistic period -- roughly 323 to 31 BCE, from Alexander the Great's death to Cleopatra's -- is one of the most fascinating and underserved eras in podcasting. Derek fills that gap with a show that covers the successor kingdoms, the Seleucids, the Ptolemies, and everything in between with real scholarly rigor. Episodes run 20 to 55 minutes and release monthly, which gives each one a polished, well-researched quality. The show is primarily solo narrative, though Derek occasionally brings on guests like historian William Dalrymple for interviews that add fresh perspectives. With 150 episodes, the catalog has grown into a substantial resource for anyone interested in this specific period. The delivery is straightforward rather than dramatic -- if you want theatrical narration, look elsewhere, but if you want someone who clearly knows the material and presents it with precision, this is your show. Long-time listeners have called it the gold standard for history podcasts, which is high praise given how crowded the field has become. Derek covers both the major political events and the cultural and economic dimensions of the Hellenistic world, including bonus episodes on related topics like film analyses of the 1963 Cleopatra movie. The show is free with additional support available through Patreon and Ko-Fi. At 4.7 stars from 472 ratings, it has built a loyal following among people who want their ancient history specific and well-sourced rather than broad and flashy.