The History of Ancient Greece

Ryan Stitt calls himself a philhellene, and after listening to even a handful of episodes, you will believe him. The History of Ancient Greece covers over two millennia of Greek civilization, from the Bronze Age through the Roman conquest, with the kind of thoroughness that puts most university survey courses to shame. Episodes tend to run long -- often 90 minutes to two and a half hours -- which gives Stitt room to really dig into topics rather than skimming the surface. He draws heavily on ancient sources and archaeological evidence, weaving in the cultural context that makes Greek history feel alive rather than like a list of dates and battles. The show goes well beyond military and political history to cover daily life, art, architecture, philosophy, and science. Stitt also takes care to place Greece within its broader Mediterranean context, which helps you understand how Greek civilization interacted with and was shaped by its neighbors. Special episodes occasionally bring in guest scholars to discuss topics like the intersection of classics and modern politics. With 131 episodes released on a bimonthly schedule, the series has built up a substantial body of work. The narration is scholarly but never stuffy -- Stitt clearly cares about accuracy but also about keeping things engaging. If you loved Mike Duncan's approach with The History of Rome and want the Greek equivalent, this is exactly what you are looking for.