Just a guy with an ancient history degree interested in the world of the Near East and Mediterranean
First Impressions I was gifted this book by my partner, who found it in an old bookshop during her last venture outdoors before social distancing began. Spotting the Persian symbol on the cover, she (correctly) assumed I might be interested, and bought it. I recognised the name 'Kriwaczek'. Glancing over to our bookshelf, I saw… Continue reading Book review – In Search of Zarathustra, by Paul Kriwaczek
Legendary storytelling 300 is a powerful number. For classicists, historians, military strategists, film-goers and comic book fans, the number 300 conjures images of a band of muscled, determined warriors bravely defending their homeland and liberty from an unstoppable force. A mere three hundred soldiers, standing up to overwhelming numbers that threaten to overrun their territory,… Continue reading Against the Odds – why do we remember Thermopylae?
Aeschylus - c. 525-456 BCE I first came across Greek theatre during my first year of university, where my English Literature class examined the works of playwrights such as John Webster, Henrik Ibsen, and (of course) William Shakespeare. As the module was chronological, the first set text we undergrads needed to read was Sophocles' tragedy… Continue reading Play review – Aeschylus’ ‘Persians’
This is the lengthy version of the events, for a much shorter summary with bullet points, please click here Note: All dates are our best approximation and are in BCE, some characters use their Latin names instead of Greek ones (as the Latin names are generally more recognisable), and the main ancient sources used are… Continue reading A not-so-brief summary of the Wars of the Diadochi – part 1, 323-316 BCE.
This is the brief version. For a much longer and much more detailed summary, please click here Note: All dates are our best approximation and are in BCE, some characters use their Latin names instead of Greek ones (as the Latin names are generally more recognisable), and the main ancient sources used are sketchy at… Continue reading A brief(ish) summary of the Wars of the Diadochi – part 1, 323-316 BCE.
Armchair Assyriologist 