Épisodes

  • OFH Throwback- Episode #47- Who Was the Queen of the Pirates?

    OFH Throwback- Episode #47- Who Was the Queen of the Pirates?
    Jan 8 2025
    In this throwback episode Sebastian takes you back to Season 2 and Episode #47. Piracy on the high seas has existed for as long as human beings have had boats. For most of history these maritime marauders were almost exclusively men. However, there have also been a handful of notable women who lived the pirate life. Their stories can often blur the line between myth and history. Tune in and find out how severed ears, guardian lizards, and the real life Captain Jack Sparrow all play a role in the story.
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Episode #218- Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part III)

    Episode #218- Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part III)
    Dec 31 2024
    The second Arab siege of Constantinople should probably just be called the "real" Arab siege of Constantinople. In 717 the Umayyad Caliphate seriously threatened the continued existence of the Roman Empire by besieging the capital from both land and sea. The the army of the Caliphate vastly outnumbered the Roman defenders. But the Romans still had a few tricks up their sleeves. The formidable Theodosian walls, the horrifying flaming liquid known as Greek Fire, and one most slippery men to ever be called Roman Emperor all helped Constantinople weather the Umayyad storm. How did the Romans manage to survive this time? Tune-in and find out how tricky Greeks, unquenchable flames, and general who was just too darn honest all play a role in the story.
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    1 h et 44 min
  • Episode #217- Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part II)

    Episode #217- Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part II)
    Dec 18 2024
    In the 670's something was brewing in the eastern Mediterranean. The Umayyad caliphate had built an impressive navy and was scoring victories at sea over the Roman empire. It looked like the Caliphate was ready to make a move against the Roman capital of Constantinople. But did they? Our sources tell us wildly different things. Was there a seven year siege? A four year siege? No siege at all? Tune-in and find out how sassy Edward Gibbon, unreliable churchmen, and ambiguous fire ships all play a role in the story.
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    1 h et 28 min
  • Introducing: History's Youngest Heroes from the BBC

    Introducing: History's Youngest Heroes from the BBC
    Dec 16 2024

    Check out this trailer for a new history podcast from the BBC. Actress Nicola Coughlan, from Bridgerton and Derry Girls, hosts History’s Youngest Heroes – a podcast telling twelve true stories of rebellion, risk and the radical power of youth. Nicola Coughlan shares inspiring tales of both famous and forgotten young heroes – like Audrey Hepburn, who took on the Nazis during World War Two before becoming a Hollywood Star – and Nelson Mandela, who was only a young activist when attempting to overthrow the South African government to end apartheid. This podcast demonstrates how young peoples’ bravery can change history. Listen to the teaser here – and find History’s Youngest Heroes, from the BBC at the following link or wherever you get your podcasts. https://bcc.lnk.to/historysheroesop
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  • Episode #216- Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part I)

    Episode #216- Did the Siege of Constantinople Even Happen? (Part I)
    Dec 4 2024
    When the capital of the Roman empire was moved from Rome to the city of Constantinople, the city on the Bosporus strait became one of the most important places on planet earth. One top being the heart of Roman religious, political, and cultural life for a millennium, the city had a reputation for being impregnable. From the 6th to the 13th century the city was besieged an amazing 19 times, and not once was it overcome by a foreign army. This resilience added to the city's legendary status. Two of the most significant sieges came at the hands of the Muslim Umayyad Caliphate, in 674 and 717. These battles have been cited as historical turning points, however recent scholarship has cast doubt on the traditional sources. How significant were these sieges? Did they both even occur? Tune-in and find out how sassy Voltaire, sloppy meta-narratives, and the end of the world all play a role in the story.
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    1 h et 26 min
  • OFH Throwback- Episode #34- Did Archimedes Build a Death Ray?

    OFH Throwback- Episode #34- Did Archimedes Build a Death Ray?
    Nov 27 2024
    In this throwback episode Sebastian takes you back to Season 2 Episode #34 - Did Archimedes Build a Death Ray? Archimedes was one of the ancient world’s most important mathematicians. His discoveries would form the foundation upon which all future western science was built. However, he’s probably best remembered for his amazing inventions that saved his city from attackers during the siege of Syracuse. The most discussed of all of these amazing devices has to be Archimedes’ “Death Ray”. This mysterious machine was said to be able to set ships on fire from hundreds of meters away. Did this fabled “Death Ray” really exist, or is just another legend in a life filled with mythology. Tune-in and find out how gold scams, Archimedes claw, and a sphere in a cylinder all play a role in the story.
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    57 min
  • Episode #215- Edgar Allan Poe: Hoax Master?

    Episode #215- Edgar Allan Poe: Hoax Master?
    Nov 20 2024
    Edgar Allan Poe has been remembered as one of America's greatest authors and poets. However, many are less familiar with is career as a hoaxer. In the 1830's and 1840's Poe made a name for himself orchestrating elaborate newspaper hoaxes, and debunking hoaxes attempted by others. Poe specialized in deceptions that dealt with the frontiers of science. Some of these scientific hoaxes flopped, while others drummed up real excitement among astonished readers. What was the secret sauce that made a newspaper hoax go large? Tune-in and find out how moon-gnomes, chess playing automatons, and bipedal space beavers all play a role in the story.
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    1 h et 35 min
  • Episode #214- Have We Misremembered the Gunpowder Plot? (Part II)

    Episode #214- Have We Misremembered the Gunpowder Plot? (Part II)
    Nov 6 2024
    Trying to come an "objective" understanding of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot has proved difficult for historians. From the the outset the facts of the case were distorted to help serve the political interests of powerful English ministers. The details were massaged so that a group of Jesuits could be framed as the masterminds. But, if the authorities were lying about the Jesuits, what else might they have been lying about? Was the Gunpowder Plot actually a false flag operation cooked up by members of King James' inner-circle? Have revelers on bonfire night been celebrating a lie... or is something more complicated going on? Tune-in and find out how Satan's imps, English Mardi Gras, and the Guilford Guys all play a role in the story.
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    1 h et 36 min