Thriller novels about lost relics and historical mysteries
Over the last year or so, as I finalized the manuscript for The Heir of Achilles, I looked for other action adventure / thriller / mystery novels with similar subject matter for inspiration and entertainment. Here are a few of my favorites.
REVIEW: Daughters of Bronze: A Novel of Troy
My review of the second installment of A.D. Rhine's epic retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of the women of Troy.
5 Takeaways from Netflix’s “Alexander: The Making of a God”
Controversy is swirling around Netflix’s new six episode show Alexander: The Making of a God. I finished watching the six episodes this week and am ready to give my thoughts.
Ranking the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World is the original viral list. It has captured the imagination of history nerds and travelers for thousands of years.
What did the armor of Achilles really look like?
The armor that Achilles wore during the Trojan War plays an important part in his legend. So what do we know about Achilles’ armor and how do the various depictions stack up against the mythological descriptions?
Road Trip in Greece 2022
I’ve wanted to visit Greece since I started reading about its ancient history years ago, but between getting married, having a kid, COVID-19, changing jobs, etc. it kept getting put off. Finally, my wife Katy and I found a window to make it happen in October of 2022. Here are photos, notes, recommendations, and more.
What Happened to the Lost Ark of the Covenant?
The Ark of the Covenant, which allegedly held the stone tablets of the 10 Commandments, was among the holiest (and most feared) objects of ancient history. We look at the story of the Ark and what may have happened to it on the week of the 40th anniversary of the release of the iconic Indiana Jones film "Raiders of the Lost Ark".
The Greatest Hero of All (w/ Emma Stafford)
Heracles (aka Hercules) was known as the greatest of all the Greek heroes. In this episode, I talk to the world's leading expert in Heracles mythology Emma Stafford about who the hero was and what he meant to the people of the ancient world.
Wait...is Everything We Thought About Sparta a Lie?
I talk to author and intelligence professional Myke Cole about his provocative upcoming book The Bronze Lie: Shattering the Myth of Spartan Warrior Supremacy.
Racism in the Classics?
In this episode of the show, I give my reaction to a recent episode of the New York Times “The Daily” podcast about the role the Classics have played in perpetuating racism.
The Big Problem with the film "300"
How does "300" hold up to historical scrutiny? I talk about the weird, interesting, and misleading aspects of the popular 2006 film.
New Episodes: Robin Waterfield on the Origins of the Olympics (Part I) and the Historical Socrates (Part II)
I recently had the opportunity to speak to scholar, translator, and author Robin Waterfield about multiple subjects from the ancient world, including the origins of the ancient Olympic Games in Greece and the mysteries surrounding the historical Socrates.
Forgotten Ancient Peoples (w/ Maty Matyszak)
What ancient civilizations have been overlooked, ignored, or lost through the ages? I talk to British author and historian Philip (Maty) Matyszak about these forgotten peoples, the myths of Hercules, and much more.
Black Sea Empire (w/ Duane Roller)
The Kingdom of Pontus was one of the most significant powers of the Hellenistic Era and a major rival to Rome. American historian Duane Roller joins me to talk about the rise and fall of this fascinating and mysterious civilization.
What Ancient Cities Were Really Like (w/ Greg Woolf)
In this episode of the podcast, British historian and archeologist Greg Woolf joins me to talk about how ancient cities developed, why we often have the wrong impression about them, and much more.
17 Questions for an Underwater Archaeologist (with Peter Campbell)
What mysteries lie below the ocean's surface? In this episode of the podcast I talk to underwater archaeologist Peter Campbell about the ancient relics he is looking for in the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.
#17 - The Rise of Macedon (w/ Adrian Goldsworthy)
How did the Kingdom of Macedon go from a Greek backwater to controlling one of the largest empires of the ancient world? Historian Adrian Goldsworthy joins me to discuss Alexander the Great and his influential father Philip II.
#16 - The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece (w/ Paul Cartledge)
Thebes was once the most powerful city-state in Greece, but it has largely been overshadowed in popular culture by Athens and Sparta. Historian Paul Cartledge and I discuss the rise and fall of Thebes, and what impact it made on the ancient world.
#15: Who were the REAL Heroes of Early Greece? (w/ Josho Brouwers)
Who were the warriors of early Greece? Were they like the heroes depicted in the Homeric epics? Or completely different? Was there even a Trojan War at all? Greek warfare expert Josho Brouwers joins us to answer these questions and many more.
Review of 1177 BC: The Year Civilization Collapsed (by Eric Cline)
A review of the influential book 1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric Cline.