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24. Farmers: Antiquity
August 21, 2025
Change gears by focusing not on generals nor queens but on a group of truly unsung heroes: antiquity
23. Alexander of Abonoteichus: The False Prophet
August 20, 2025
Continue your survey of ancient swindlers with the false prophet Alexander Abonoteichus. Follow Alexander's ascent from quack country doctor to influential cult leader, breaking down the high-level illusions and trickery that deceived even powerful Romans into believing in his grift.
22. Percennius and Zenothemis: Ancient Con Men
August 21, 2025
Shift your focus to ancient anti-heroes. Start with Percennius the Mutineer, a master manipulator who could whip up theater audiences and disgruntled Roman soldiers alike. Then, explore just how Zenothemis and Hegestratus, conniving fraudsters from ancient Athens, sought to capitalize on a botched maritime insurance scheme.
21. Hypatia and Sosipatra: Female Philosophers
August 20, 2025
Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle dominate ancient philosophy. But women, too, lived the life of the mind in antiquity. Listen to Hypatia's tragic story, from her command of Alexandrian public life to her gory demise at the hand of zealots. And, reconstruct the life of Sosipatra, a woman philosopher and ethicist active in Asia Minor.
20. Zenobia and Artemisia: Warrior Queens
August 21, 2025
Greece and Rome did battle with many queens, the most famous of which was Cleopatra. But what about the lesser-known female leaders who went toe-to-toe with the ancient world
19. Ardashir and Shapur: Stupendous Sassanians
August 21, 2025
Sassanian Kings Ardashir and Shapur are among the only leaders in history to take on Rome successfully. Survey the political history of Ancient Persia, from Alexander the Great
18. Eunus and Bulla: Rebels and Outlaws
August 21, 2025
As the story of Spartacus has shown, the oppressed underclass could pose a potent threat to Rome. See how Eunus, a mere house servant from Syria, incited a brutal slave rebellion in the Roman province of Sicily. And, study the life and impact of Bulla, a roadside bandit who harassed wealthy travelers with Robin Hood-like fervor.
17. Galen the Physician: Medical Pioneer
August 21, 2025
Though seen as arrogant in his personal dealings, the ancient physician Galen excelled in the delicate craft of medicine. Examine his unconventional methods, from opium and cinnamon potions to public vivisection. And, catalog his stint as a practicing physician, first to Rome
16. Quintilian: The Eloquent Professor
August 21, 2025
Cicero
15. Pliny the Elder: 20,000 Things Worth Knowing
August 21, 2025
Pliny the Elder
14. Mousa, Eumachia, and Plancia: Enterprising Women
August 21, 2025
Antiquity was full of enterprising women who catapulted to power in the unlikeliest of circumstances. Learn about Mousa, a slave who ascended to the Parthian throne alongside her teenage son. And, get to know both Eumachia and Plancia Magna, a pair of wealthy Roman priestesses who transformed their communities through patronage.
13. Vitruvius and Frontinus: Master Engineers
August 21, 2025
Shockingly enough, Roman soldiers spent more time building than they did fighting. Meet some of the engineers at the helm of public works projects in ancient Rome. Begin with a deep dive into Vitruvius
12. Turia: A Devoted Wife in Times of Crisis
August 20, 2025
In times of profound military or political crisis, women can find paths to transcend restrictive gender roles. And that's precisely what happened during the Roman Civil War. Investigate how one woman, an aristocrat named Turia, navigated complex legal and political challenges to avenge her parents' murder and protect her husband from persecution.
11. Marcus Agrippa: Augustus
August 21, 2025
Emperor Augustus seized power in Rome after the Second Triumvirate collapsed in 27 BC, but he could not have done it without his childhood best friend, Agrippa. Explore how this unique partnership boosted Augustus
10. Sextus Pompey: He Could Have Been Emperor
August 21, 2025
A brutal power struggle followed the death of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Among those jockeying for influence was Sextus Pompey, a capable admiral who came dangerously close to seizing control of Rome. Dive into his life, from his illustrious upbringing to the military and political opportunities he failed to grasp in his prime.
9. Clodia Metelli: Scandalous Woman of Rome?
August 21, 2025
In the study of ancient history, women are strikingly absent from the written record. That is largely why Clodia Metelli
8. Strabo and Pausanias: Describers of the World
August 21, 2025
Carefully crafted maps and tourist guidebooks have gotten us where we need to go for centuries. Among the most influential geographers in antiquity were Strabo and Pausanias. What was the role of the travel writer in antiquity? And how did Strabo and Pausanias revolutionize the craft?
7. Mithridates of Pontus: Rome
August 21, 2025
Born under a passing comet and divinely marked by lightning, Mithridates of Pontus contended for power in 119 BC. Survey the Pontic leader
6. Jugurtha of Numidia: African Freedom Fighter
August 21, 2025
One of the most fearsome empires in world history, Rome encountered rebellion and resistance from a host of defiant subjects, with the most potent threat being a charismatic and cunning North African prince named Jugurtha. Examine Jugurtha
5. Olympians: Ancient Athletic Champions
August 21, 2025
Athletes enjoyed near mythic reverence and popularity in the ancient world. Get to know some of the amateur sportsmen who dominated athletics thousands of years ago, like the skilled wrestler Milo of Croton, the powerful boxer Theagenes of Thasos, the Diagoras of Rhodes sports dynasty, and master long-jumper Phayllus of Croton.
4. Ctesibius and Hero: Alexandrian Inventors
August 21, 2025
Turn your attention to two obscure Alexandrian inventors: Ctesibius and Hero. See how the inventions of the pump, improved water clock, and catapult of Ctseibius redefined pneumatics to shape the material world we live in today. And, look closely at the ingenuity behind some of Hero
3. Epaminondas of Thebes: Slayer of Spartans
August 21, 2025
When we think of ancient Greek city-states, we most often think of Athens and Sparta. But in 400 BC, the quiet city of Thebes surged to the top, led by the frugal but fierce Epaminondas. See how Epaminondas organized a potent fighting force in his home region to throw off the yoke of Spartan oppression.
2. Polycrates of Samos: The Tale of a Tyrant
August 21, 2025
Long considered the cradle of democracy, Greece was also home to despotic governments
1. Cimon of Athens: From Glory to Disgrace
August 20, 2025
Alexander the Great and Socrates are household names. But what about antiquity's lesser-known figures-the intellectuals, inventors, queens, and con men who shaped history for better and for worse? Kick off the course by getting to know Cimon, a Greek politician and military general, who helped transform Athens into a world power.
Description
Where to Watch Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World
Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World is available for streaming on the The Great Courses website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Unsung Heroes of the Ancient World on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
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Channel
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Premiere DateAugust 20, 2025
