Ancient History Hound

The Odyssey is trending so I though I would pick out some elements from the poem and discuss them. From trying to advocate for the suitors through to a theme I think is often missed, there is a lot to chat about.
I also include a promo for something you might be interested in, Alexandria: A Hellenistic World podcast.
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Reading / sources used
The Odyssey (translated by Emily Wilson), this has a great introduction which covers a couple of the points raised.
Gazing at Helen with Stesichorus, Kampakoglu & A. Novokatko
Odyssey 5.234-53 and Homeric Ship Construction: A Reappraisal. Samuel E Mark.
Bronze and iron in Homer. Andrew Lang
Megarons and ΜΕΓΑΡΑ: Homer and Archaeology. Mary O Knox.
Artemidorus at the dream gates: Myth, theory, and the restoration of liminality. Vered Lev Kenaan
Hades, Homer and the Hittites. Gunnel Ekroth.
(for a great piece on katabasis and how it wasn't undertaken by Odysseus by Dr Ellie Mackin Roberts click here)
Priam's Katabasis: Traces of the Epic Journey to Hades in Iliad 24. Miguel Herrero de Jauregui

In this episode I get speculative and try to piece together what happened at the Consualia and an infamous event in Rome's early history. Alongside that there's Roman women saving the day, the strange disappearance of Romulus and more.
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If you can review or recommend that would be great, feel free to use those links (or email me at ancientblogger@hotmail.com) to say hi!

In the final part of the miniseries I look at Spartan marriage, money and mothers as well as a range of other topics. I hope you've enjoyed these Sparta episodes, why not let me know?
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Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).
Reading list and modern sources used:
Bershadsky, N. The Argive Women, Beards and Democracy
Dwight, Z. Maidens and the Spartan Marriage Practice.
Hodkinson, S. 'Blind Ploutos'?: Contemporary images of the role of wealth in classical Sparta
Kennell, NM. Gymnasium of Virtue: education & culture in ancient Sparta
Millender, EG. Spartan Literacy revisited
Pomeroy, S. Spartan Women
Scott, AG. Plural Marriage and the Spartan State

In this episode I get into a famous event and a famous non-event. Did Hannibal really take Rome by surprise by crossing the Alps and why didn't he attack Rome directly after Cannae? I tackle both of these questions whilst throwing in the Celts and army attrition for good measure.
Links below but you can find me on most social media platforms as 'ancientblogger' and can email me at ancientblogger@hotmail.com
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Feel free to find me and say hi! If you can rate or review please do but more importantly thanks for listening.
Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).

In this episode I look at how the Spartan soldier fared in battle. What advantages had they been given through the agoge and syssitia? What was hoplite battle like and how good were the Spartans? I also look at a couple of Plutarch's sayings about the Spartans in the context of war and weigh up whether they were just a later invention or if there was something more to them.
Find me on X, Instagram, Bluesky and TikTok as ancientblogger (see links below). There's my AncientBlogger YouTube channel and the Ancient History Hound subreddit. Come say hello (you can even go full old school and email me on ancientblogger@hotmail.com).
Find me here
Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).
Reading list and sources used
Bardunias, P. Storm of spears & press of shields
Bardunias, P & Eugene Ray Jnr, F. Hoplites at War
Cartledge, P. The Spartans
Cole, M. The Bronze Lie
Echeverrrai, F. Hoplite and Phalanx in archaic and Classical Greece a reassessment
                                Taktike Techne – the neglected element in classical 'hoplite battles'
Rusch, SM. Sparta at War
Special shoutout to the excellent BadAncient website,the In Our Time Sparta episode and the Sparta episodes on The Ancients podcast.