355: Roman Apocalypse: Pompeii 79 AD

How is the Dutch national anthem, that has its origins during a 1568 siege of a French city, connected to the Dutch Revolt? What is the revolt’s role in the birth of modernity? And, why does it say ‘to the King of Spain I’ve granted a lifelong loyalty’? Join Tom and Dominic as th ...  Show more

How did Benito Mussolini’s regime in the 1930s use sport to spread his ideology and prepare Italy for war? What infrastructure and propaganda strategies did he use to make the 1934 World Cup a showcase for fascism? And, did this form of propaganda actually work? In this brand new ...  Show more

This episode contains references to scenes that some listeners may find distressing

In 79 AD, ancient armageddon hit Pompeii: Mount Vesuvius erupted, freezing in time a town and its inhabitants.

Nearly 2000 years on, Pompeii's story continues. In t ...

Despite being uncovered in the 16th Century - new finds are still being discovered daily in Pompeii. With each new discovery offering a fresh insight into what life was like 2000 years ago, we're able to piece together Pompeii's vibrant past and culture thanks to the work of A ...

📖 Episode Transcripts in Link Below ⬇️ Today, let's delve into the ancient world of Pompeii and explore the dramatic event of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This story isn't just historically significant; it also showcases the relentless power of nature and the human tragedy th ...  Show more

The Romantics were obsessed with Mount Vesuvius, climbing up to peer into its bubbling depths, and even using it as a metaphor to describe some of the tumultuous changes revolution was wreaking in Europe at the time. Rhiannon Davies spoke to John Brewer to learn more about this f ...  Show more