Ancient History Hound

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?
Find me via these links
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 [email protected]
https://linktr.ee/ancientblogger
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 [email protected]).
https://linktr.ee/ancientblogger
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.

Sparta, what do we know about it exactly and what's been exaggerated, or just made up? In the first of three episodes I look at the education system (agoge), communal mess (syssitia) and get into the Krypteia (not literally though). What do the sources say about these and how do they differ from ways they are sometimes depicted?
In addition to all of this I have a quick overview of the sources which have their part to play and get into a few anecdotes. 
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 [email protected]).
https://linktr.ee/ancientblogger
Music by Brakhage (Le Vrai Instrumental).
Reading list and sources used
Berry, PE & Knotterus JD. Spartan Society: Structural ritualization in an ancient social system
Cartledge, P. The Spartans
Davidson, J. The Greeks and Greek Love
Figueira, T. Mess contributions and subsistence at Sparta
Kennell, NM. Gymnasium of Virtue: education & culture in ancient Sparta
Luraghi & Alcock. Helots and their masters in Laconia and Messenia
Matyszak, P. Sparta, rise of a warrior nation
Miller, S.G. Ancient Greek Athletics.
Special shoutout to the excellent BadAncient website,the In Our Time Sparta episode and the Life in Sparta and the truth about Sparta episode on The Ancients podcast.

Time for a quick update about what to expect in 2026 and when the next episode will drop. 
Let me know what you think, I'm @ancientblogger on Instagram, X, Bluesky and TikTok. There's also the Ancient History Hound subreddit and AncientBlogger YouTube channel. Or just good old email [email protected]
Thanks for listening and here's to a 2026 with more ancient history content.
Cheers,
Neil (and Bodhi).