Forbidden History

For this St Patrick’s Day special episode of Forbidden History, archaeologist Tim Sutherland travels to Ireland to explore the reality behind one of the country’s most famous medieval battles. With insights from historians, archaeologists and weapons experts, the episode reveals how new research and archaeology are shedding fresh light on the conflict.

Cast List:

John Cronin: Writer and Historian

Seán Duffy:  Historian, Trinity College Dublin (Prof. Seán Duffy)

Rodney French: Coppersmith

Andrew Halpin:  Historian and Weapons Expert (Dr. Andrew Halpin)

Frank Kearney: Galway County Council

Paul Macdonald: Swordmaker, Macdonald Armouries

David Nicolle: Military Historian (Dr. David Nicolle)

Boyd Rankin: Armourer

Damien Shiels: Archaeologist, Rubicon Heritage

Tim Sutherland: Archaeologist, University of York

Eric Meyers: Narrator
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Forbidden History, we are joined by historian Tracy Borman. Tracy heads to Chicago to discover how Al Capone rose to infamy, from club bouncer to the most notorious gangster in history, uncovering the two sides to his personality.

Cast List:

Tracy Borman - Historian

Tony McMahon - Historian and Author

Dominic Selwood - Historian and Author

Eric Meyers – Narrator

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this final episode of our three-part series, we explore the modern battle over the Parthenon sculptures as a clash between the idea of shared global heritage and the pull of national identity, as Britain and Greece stake competing claims to history itself.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part II of our Parthenon trilogy, we follow Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin as he secures the sculptures and begins their fraught journey from Athens to Britain. Imprisonment, financial ruin, and fierce public criticism surround him as the marbles arrive in London. Almost immediately, they ignite heated debate in Parliament and among Britain’s cultural elite.

Part III is released this Thursday.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Long before it became a global controversy, the Parthenon was the ultimate statement of Athenian power.

In Part I of our three-part special, historian Dominic Selwood takes us back to 5th-century BC Athens. Join us in exploring its construction under Pericles, its role as a temple and imperial treasury, and the powerful sculptural programme designed by Phidias. From the metopes and frieze to the towering statue of Athena to the changes that different cultures made to them.

This is Part I of a three-part series. Part II, examining Lord Elgin and the removal of the sculptures, releases tomorrow. Part III follows the day after, exploring the legal and cultural debates that continues today.

Cast List:

Dominic Selwood: Journalist

Eric Meyers: Narrator

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices