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Epic Greek History

Scott Emmons

Embark on an epic journey through ancient Greece with history enthusiast Scott Emmons as your guide. From the Mycenaean warrior kings to the flowering of the Greek city-state, from the astonishing victories over the Persian invaders to the catastrophic power struggle between Athens and Sparta, each episode brings the past to life with vivid detail and compelling narrative. Along the way, there will be side trips to explore fascinating aspects of Greek culture, from art and literature to everyday life. Whether you're a history buff or new to the world of classical antiquity, this podcast is your gateway to the life and legacy of ancient Greece.


Publishes one full episode and one short episode per month.


See images for each episode at epicgreekhistory.substack.com

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  • 22 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 39 min
  • English

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  • #32
    September 1 · 52 min

    The Persians are Coming! Showdown at Marathon

    The battle of Marathon was the first great confrontation between mainland Greeks and Persian forces. The Athenian victory over a numerically superior force gave the citizens a heightened confidence that carried them through the next Persian invasion and fueled their cultural achievements of the 5th century BCE. In this episode, host Scott Emmons guides you through the events leading up to this climactic battle. For maps an other visuals illustrating this topic, check out Episode 32 at www.epicgreekhistory.com. Suggested Reading: Herodotus, Histories Book 6 Plutarch, Life of Themistocles J.F. Lazenby, The Defence of Greece 490-479 BC Peter Green, The Greco-Persian Wars Tom Holland, Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones, Persians: The Age of the Great Kings Victor Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates Support the show

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  • #31
    August 15 · 26 min

    Herodotus: What Was His Deal, Anyway?

    The Roman orator Cicero dubbed Herodotus the “father of history.” 19th-century skeptics called him the “father of lies.” Since antiquity, scholars have debated Herodotus’ reliability, his methods, and his sincerity. In this episode, host Scott Emmons examines the life and work of the author who, for better or for worse, is our chief literary source for early Greek history. For visuals supplementing this episode, check out Episode 31 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Suggested Reading: Robert B. Strassler, ed., The Landmark Herodotus T. J. Luce, The Greek Historians John L. Myres, Herodotus Father of History Donald Lateiner, The Historical Method of Herodotus Support the show

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  • #30
    August 1 · 44 min

    Fighting the Power: The Ionian Revolt

    In 499 BCE, Aristagoras of Miletus led the Ionian Greek cities in a revolt against the Persian Empire. Athens sent a force of 20 ships to support her allies. As Herodotus puts it, “These ships were the beginning of evils for both the Greeks and the barbarians.” In this episode, host Scott Emmons guides you through the five-year revolt, which brought Persia and Greece closer to the great confrontations of the following two decades. For visuals illustrating aspects of this episode, check out Episode 30 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Herodotus, Histories Books 5-6 Tom Holland, Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West J. M. Cook, The Persian Empire Peter Green, The Greco-Persian Wars Robin Osborne, Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC Support the show

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  • #29
    July 15 · 51 min

    Epic Persian History Part 2

    After the death of Cyrus in 530 BCE, the Persian Empire continued to expand. His successor Cambyses II subdued Egypt and neighboring territories. Darius I, whose claim to the throne may have rested on a massive cover-up, reorganized the empire and introduced Persian coinage. His wars of conquest included the notorious Scythian expedition, which resulted in the annexation of Thracian territory in eastern Europe. That operation involved Ionian Greeks who would go on to play major roles in the struggles between Greece and Persia. For images illustrating aspects of this episode, check out Episode 29 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Herodotus, Histories Books 3-4 Maria Brosius, A History of Ancient Persia: The Achaemenid Empire Tom Holland, Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West J.M. Cook, The Persian Empire Support the show

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  • #28
    July 1 · 52 min

    Epic Persian History Part 1

    No historical event loomed larger in the minds of the ancient Greeks than their successful defense against the vast military might of the Persian Empire. Who were these Persians, and how did they come to dominate the Near East? Over the next two episodes, host Scott Emmons traces the growth of Persian power up to the years just preceding the invasions of mainland Greece. For visuals illustrating aspects of this episode, check out Episode 28 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Herodotus, Histories Book 1 Maria Brosius, A History of Ancient Persia: The Achaemenid Empire Tom Holland, Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West J.M. Cook, The Persian Empire Support the show

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  • #27
    June 15 · 26 min

    The Bad Boy of Sparta: The Life of King Cleomenes

    Cleomenes I of Sparta has been called the most powerful Greek of the 6th century BCE. His reign included a major military victory over Argos, repeated attempts to meddle in Athenian politics, and a legendary feud with his co-king Demaratus. In this episode, host Scott Emmons takes you through the life of this larger-than-life figure from Spartan history. Suggested Reading: Herodotus, Histories 5.39-42, 64-65, 70-75, 90-91; 6.49-51, 61-84 Paul Cartledge, Sparta and Lakonia Nigel M. Kennell, Spartans: A New History Victor Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates Support the show

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  • #26
    June 1 · 48 min

    You Say You Want a Revolution: Cleisthenes and Athenian Democracy

    After the expulsion of the tyrant Hippias, two prominent citizens were foremost in the competition for power. Isagoras was a conservative aristocrat who favored a narrow oligarchy. Cleisthenes, although a member of the blue-blooded Alcmaeonid clan, drew support from the people by proposing radical democratic reforms. In this episode, host Scott Emmons narrates the birth of the Athenian democracy, which soon had to defend itself against threats from within Athens and from anti-democratic Sparta. For maps and other related visuals, check out Episode 27 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Suggested Reading Herodotus, Histories 5.66-81; 90-94 Aristotle, Constitution of Athens 20-22 Kurt A. Raaflaub et al., Origins of Democracy in Ancient Greece Oswyn Murray, Early Greece Anthony Snodgrass, Archaic Greece: The Age of Experiment Robin Osborne, Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC Support the show

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  • #25
    May 15 · 21 min

    Hurrah for the Pirate King! Polycrates and the Tyranny of Samos

    The tyrant Polycrates of Samos impressed classical authors by building the first naval empire in the Aegean since the legendary king Minos of Crete. He dominated island cities, employed his navy for piracy, dedicated an island to Delian Apollo, and forged a strong alliance with the Egyptian pharaoh Amasis II in the face of growing Persian power. The unraveling of that alliance gives us one of the classic Greek cautionary tales on the fragility of human glory. In this episode, host Scott Emmons guides you through Polycrates’ rise to power, his accomplishments as tyrant, and his inevitable downfall. For images illustrating parts of this podcast, check out Episode 25 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Herodotus, Histories 3.39-47; 3.122-125 Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War 1.13.6 Oswyn Murray, Early Greece Anthony Snodgrass, Archaic Greece: The Age of Experiment Robin Osborne, Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC Support the show

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  • #24
    May 1 · 37 min

    Won't You Be My Ally? The Expansion of Spartan Power in the Peloponnese

    While Athens was transforming itself under the lawgiver Solon and the tyrant Pisistratus, Sparta was busy extending its influence in the Peloponnese. What began as an attempt to conquer and enslave the Arcadian city of Tegea evolved into a policy of expansion through alliances. The result was the Peloponnesian League, which would play a crucial role in the conflicts of the following century. In this episode, host Scott Emmons guides you through the military victories and a bold religious initiative that contributed to Sparta’s growing power. For maps and other helpful visuals, check out Episode 25 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions Herodotus, Histories 1.66-68; 1.82 Pausanias, Description of Greece 8.47 Paul Cartledge, Sparta and Laconia Nigel M. Kennell, Spartans: A New History Robin Osborne, Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC Support the show

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  • #23
    April 15 · 23 min

    Hey, Gang, Let's Put On a Show! Thespis and the Origins of Greek Tragedy

    The Athenian tyrant Pisistratus centralized the Attic worship of Dionysus with an elaborate new festival. The Great Dionysia went on to become the city’s main dramatic festival, where later giants like Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides would compete for top honors. In this episode, host Scott Emmons explores the obscure origins of tragedy and the role of the legendary Thespis in creating Greek drama. There are few if any confirmed depictions of Thespis in ancient Greek art, but supplemental visuals for this episode are available at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Aristotle, Poetics 1449a Albin Lesky, A History of Greek Literature pp. 223-229 John J. Winkler and Froma I. Zeitlin, eds., Nothing to Do with Dionysos? Athenian Drama in its Social Context Carnes Lord, “Aristotle’s History of Poetry,” Transactions of the American Philological Association vol. 104 (1974) pp. 195-229 (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2936090) Support the show

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  • #22
    April 1 · 49 min

    Pisistratus and Sons: The Age of Tyranny in Athens

    Despite the best efforts of the lawgiver Solon, political upheaval continued in Athens. A strongman named Pisistratus, after twice seizing power and losing it, ultimately established an autocratic regime that lasted over 35 years. During that time, he and his successors improved city infrastructure, strengthened Athenian control over Attica, created lasting cultural institutions, and introduced policies that paved the way for a more democratic system. In this episode, host Scott Emmons guides you through the rise and fall of the fascinating period known as the Pisistratid tyranny. For images illustrating aspects of this episode, check out Episode 22 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions Herodotus, Histories 1.59-64, 5.62-65 Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War, 1.20, 3.104, 6.54 Aristotle, Constitution of Athens, chapters 14-19 A. Andrewes, The Greek Tyrants Victor Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates Robin Osborne, Greece in the Making: 1200-479 BC Anthony Snodgrass, Archaic Greece: The Age of Experiment Support the show

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  • #21
    March 15 · 25 min

    Weird Science: The Beginnings of Greek Philosophy

    While the Athenians were setting up a new constitution under Solon, the Milesians across the Aegean were busy inventing philosophy. Perhaps not philosophy as we usually think of it, but a search for rational principles to explain the natural world. In this episode, host Scott Emmons guides you through the bold — and sometimes bizarre — theories advanced by three philosophical pioneers: Thales, Anaximander, and Anaximenes. For a few visuals to illustrate this episode, check out Episode 22 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Suggested Readings: G.S. Kirk and J.E. Raven, The Presocratic Philosophers: A Critical History with a Selection of Texts Jonathan Barnes, Early Greek Philosophy (Penguin Classics) James Warren, Presocratics: Natural Philosophers Before Socrates Edward Hussey, The Presocratics Support the show

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  • #20
    March 1 · 45 min

    Chaos and Compromise: Early Athens and the Reforms of Solon

    At the start of the 6th century BCE, Athens had only recently escaped a tyranny. Draco's published law code made the law accessible to more people but did nothing to alleviate the crushing debt that afflicted the poor. As Aristotle puts it, the poor were slaves of the rich. To forestall the rise of a tyranny, the Athenians gave an exceptionally adept nobleman named Solon full powers to solve the economic crisis and reorganize the state. In this episode, host Scott Emmons examines the causes of the crisis and the policies intended to address it, often in Solon's own words. For a few accompanying visuals, check out Episode 20 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Aristotle, The Constitution of Athens, chapters 1-13 Plutarch, Life of Solon Victor Ehrenberg, From Solon to Socrates Robin Osborne, Greece in the Making, 1200-470 BC Anthony Snodgrass, Archaic Greece: The Age of Experiment Support the show

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  • #19
    February 15 · 42 min

    Nothing Queer About It: Same-Sex Relationships in Ancient Greece

    Modern labels like “straight” and “gay” don’t map neatly onto ancient Greek culture. While same-sex relationships were considered normal and even expected, there were still taboos and rules of proper behavior. In this episode, host Scott Emmons explores the courtship rituals and sexual practices that characterized the most accepted forms of Greek homosexuality. Attention: This episode contains explicit descriptions of sex acts. Listener discretion is advised. For visuals illustrating aspects of this episode, check out Episode 19 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Greek Homosexuality by K.J. Dover The Greeks and Greek Love by James Davidson One Hundred Years of Homosexuality by David M. Halperin (collection of essays) Support the show

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  • #18
    February 1 · 59 min

    This... Is... Sparta!!!

    Imagine a state where no citizen works for a living; where children are kept hungry to encourage them to steal; where the most powerful military force in the known world is reluctant to fight far from the city for fear of a slave revolt at home. Such a place was ancient Sparta. In this episode, host Scott Emmons traces the legendary origins of the Spartan state, the wars that shaped its military tradition, the educational system that trained its citizen soldiers, and the unique “mixed” constitution that drew the admiration of historians and philosophers. For maps and visuals to supplement this episode, check out Episode 18 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions Xenophon, Constitution of the Spartans Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus, Spartan Customs, and Sayings of Spartan Women Aristotle, Politics (relevant passages) Paul Cartledge, Sparta and Laconia Nigel M. Kennel, Spartans: A New History Sara B. Pomeroy, Spartan Women Support the show

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  • January 15 · 32 min

    Poetry Slam: Early Greek Politics in Verse

    No one was writing history in Greece during the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. But that doesn't mean we have no voices speaking to us from that time. Fragments of works by early Greek poets can provide real-time commentary on the social and political upheaval of their times. In this episode, host Scott Emmons observes the struggles of the early polis through the eyes of two aristocratic poets, Theognis of Megara and Alcaeus of Mytilene. For maps and images, check out Episode 17 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: A History of Greek Literature by Albin Lesky (chapters on Theognis and Alcaeus) Greek Lyrics, translated by Richmond Lattimore Greek Lyric, Vol. 1: Sappho and Alcaeus, translated by David A. Campbell (Loeb Classical Library) Greek Elegiac Poetry, translated by Douglas E. Gerber (Loeb Classical Library) Support the show

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  • #16
    January 1 · 48 min

    Not Such an Ugly Word: Tyranny in Archaic Greece

    In modern English, a “tyrant” is someone who rules oppressively. To the ancient Greeks, the word tyrannoscould just refer to a king, but more specifically it meant an autocrat who had come to power by overthrowing an existing regime. The 7th and 6th centuries BCE saw the rise of many Greek tyrants who capitalized on class tensions and other forces to gain absolute power. In this episode, host Scott Emmons explores this important phase of Greek history, focusing on powerful tyrannies in Argos, Corinth, and Sicyon. For images illustrating this episode, visit Episode 16 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com Reading Suggestions: The Greek Tyrants by Antony Andrewes (70 years old, but still an excellent introduction to the subject of Archaic Period tyrants) Archaic Greece: The Age of Experiment by Anthony Snodgrass Early Greece by Oswyn Murray A History of the Archaic Greek World by Jonathan M. Hall Support the show

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  • #15
    Dec 15, 2025 · 23 min

    Light Infantry, Cavalry and Mercenaries: What Were They, Chopped Liver?

    The hoplite infantry was the backbone of a Greek city-state's land army. But hoplites weren't the only ones who served. Those who couldn't afford hoplite armor served as light infantry, hurling javelins, shooting arrows, or even throwing rocks if that was all they had. Those who were wealthy enough to keep horses could serve in the cavalry. In this episode, host Scott Emmons explores the contributions of non-hoplite warriors as well as mercenaries, who could reinforce any army division. For visuals to accompany this episode, check out Episode 15 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com. Reading Suggestions: Greek Warfare: Myth and Realities by Hans van Wees The Greek and Macedonia Art of War by Frank Adcock Support the show

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  • #14
    Dec 1, 2025 · 1 hr 1 min

    Tales of the City-State: The Rise and Flourishing of the Greek Polis

    The polis was the defining sociopolitical system of ancient Greece. It was the environment where Greek drama, architecture, philosophy, and other cultural developments reached their peak. In this episode, host Scott Emmons explores the beginnings of the polis, military developments that helped shape it, and the values that it espoused, even if it didn't always uphold them. For images associated with this episode, check out Episode 14 at epicgreekhistory.substack.com Reading Suggestions: Greece in the Making 1200-479 BC by Robin Osborne Archaic Greece: The Age of Experiment by Anthony Snodgrass Men of Bronze: Hoplite Warfare in Ancient Greece edited by Donald Kagan and Gregory Viggiano (This collection of essays by different authors is a good introduction to the academic debates over the development of the hoplite phalanx.) The Western Way of War: Infantry Battle in Classical Greece by Victor Davis Hanson The Other Greeks: The Family Farm and the Agrarian Roots of Western Civilization by Victor Davis Hanson Greek Warfare: Myths and Realities by Hans van Wees Support the show

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Showing 1–20 of 22 episodes