Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
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Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
@hellenisticpod.bsky.social
Official account of The Hellenistic Age Podcast, a show covering the history of Eurasia & North Africa from Alexander the Great to Cleopatra VII.

www.hellenisticagepodcast.com
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*New Episode*
113: The War of the Three Kings

Civil war continues to grip the Seleucid Empire, and a final confrontation at the Oenoparus River in August 145 between the armies of Alexander I Balas, Demetrius II, and Ptolemy VI ends in quite the surprise for all involved.

tinyurl.com/yvedd27d
113: The War of the Three Kings
Civil war continues to grip the Seleucid Empire, as Alexander I Balas is challenged by the young Demetrius II for the throne of Syria. Things come to a head when Ptolemy VI, tied by marriage to Bal…
tinyurl.com
Now reading:
“Nubia: Lost Civilizations” - Sarah Schellinger

I know very little of Northeast/East Africa outside of Egypt, so I have been looking to broaden my horizons a bit with the Nubians. This book has done a good job at doing so, and they’ll feature in an upcoming survey of the region
January 9, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Many Carthaginians were slaves at Rome, and many Macedonians when Perseus their king was taken prisoner. I saw, too, when I was a young man, some Corinthians in the Peloponnese. They might all have lamented with Andromache...

- Cicero (Tusculan Disputations, 3.53)
January 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Hope you enjoyed our last episode of 2025!

2026 begins with a bang as we start our two-part look at the Third Punic War. After five decades of peace, Carthaginian success terrifies the Republic, compelling the Romans and King Masinissa to provoke a final confrontation.

Stay tuned!
December 21, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
114: The Nabataean Kingdom

Most remembered for the stone-cut monuments of the rose city of Petra, the Nabataeans ruled much of the Levant for over four centuries, occupying a key position from the Sinai to the Hejaz that enabled the "Incense Road"

tinyurl.com/mb7fymvr
114: The Nabataean Kingdom
Starting from the early third century B.C., the Nabataean kingdom ruled over much of the Levant from the Sinai Peninsula to the Hejaz. Most known for their famous rose-colored capital city of Petra…
tinyurl.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:34 AM
114: The Nabataean Kingdom

Most remembered for the stone-cut monuments of the rose city of Petra, the Nabataeans ruled much of the Levant for over four centuries, occupying a key position from the Sinai to the Hejaz that enabled the "Incense Road"

tinyurl.com/mb7fymvr
114: The Nabataean Kingdom
Starting from the early third century B.C., the Nabataean kingdom ruled over much of the Levant from the Sinai Peninsula to the Hejaz. Most known for their famous rose-colored capital city of Petra…
tinyurl.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Now reading: “The Seleucid Army of Antiochus the Great: Weapons, Armour and Tactics” - J.C. Du Plessis

A worthy successor to Bar-Kochva’s landmark 1976 study, this books provides an updated account of the Seleucid army at the height of its prowess under Antiochus III.
December 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
With Hanukkah less than a week away, I suggest listening to my episode on the Maccabean Revolt. We analyze the potential causes of its outbreak, the complex nature of our biblical sources, and its context within the broader history of the Seleucid Empire.

tinyurl.com/5brmxtbm
108: The Seleucid Empire – The Maccabean Revolt
The tension between the various factions vying for power in Jerusalem leads to a crisis, when Antiochus IV retaliates by attacking the city and plunders its famed Temple in 168. A wave of persecuti…
tinyurl.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Now reading: “The Satyricon” by Petronius

A Roman novel written in the Neronian era by one of his courtiers named Petronius, this work is principally known for its vulgar and explicit content, but it provides us with a rare glimpse into the social life of lower class Romans.
December 7, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
Reposting due to faulty DOI

This issue has an open access article by Nicholas Sims-Williams on #Bactrian:

Sims-Williams, Nicholas. 2025. Bactrian in two scripts: Greek and Kushan. Indo-Iranian Journal. Brill 68(3). 185–214.

brill.com/view/journal...
December 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Here are just some of the books I am using for my upcoming episode on the Nabataeans.

I’ll also be publishing a whole host of photos I took while in Petra and Jordan, which will help guide you along as you listen to my episode.
November 29, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
I hope you’ve enjoyed the newest episode!

Next time, we’ll end 2025 by covering the history of the Nabataeans, an Arab-speaking peoples who came to prominence during the late Hellenistic period, and are most known for the awe-inspiring ruins of their capital city of Petra.

Stay tuned!
November 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
*New Episode*
113: The War of the Three Kings

Civil war continues to grip the Seleucid Empire, and a final confrontation at the Oenoparus River in August 145 between the armies of Alexander I Balas, Demetrius II, and Ptolemy VI ends in quite the surprise for all involved.

tinyurl.com/yvedd27d
113: The War of the Three Kings
Civil war continues to grip the Seleucid Empire, as Alexander I Balas is challenged by the young Demetrius II for the throne of Syria. Things come to a head when Ptolemy VI, tied by marriage to Bal…
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:42 AM
I hope you’ve enjoyed the newest episode!

Next time, we’ll end 2025 by covering the history of the Nabataeans, an Arab-speaking peoples who came to prominence during the late Hellenistic period, and are most known for the awe-inspiring ruins of their capital city of Petra.

Stay tuned!
November 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
*New Episode*
113: The War of the Three Kings

Civil war continues to grip the Seleucid Empire, and a final confrontation at the Oenoparus River in August 145 between the armies of Alexander I Balas, Demetrius II, and Ptolemy VI ends in quite the surprise for all involved.

tinyurl.com/yvedd27d
113: The War of the Three Kings
Civil war continues to grip the Seleucid Empire, as Alexander I Balas is challenged by the young Demetrius II for the throne of Syria. Things come to a head when Ptolemy VI, tied by marriage to Bal…
tinyurl.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
I hope you've enjoyed the latest episode!

Next time will be the last episode of the Levant and Egypt for a while, as we look at the reign of Alexander I Balas, the civil war between him and Demetrius II, and the intervention of Ptolemy VI culminating in a showdown at Oenoparus in 145 BC
Stay tuned!
November 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I hope you've enjoyed the latest episode!

Next time will be the last episode of the Levant and Egypt for a while, as we look at the reign of Alexander I Balas, the civil war between him and Demetrius II, and the intervention of Ptolemy VI culminating in a showdown at Oenoparus in 145 BC
Stay tuned!
November 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Now reading: “The Fall of Carthage” - A. Goldsworthy

With the show fast approaching the Third Punic War, I wanted to refresh myself with this excellent account to trace the history of Romano-Punic relations from start to finish. Goldsworthy is an excellent author, as per usual.
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The holiday season is fast approaching once again, and for those looking to feel inspired while reading your new history or classics books while supporting the podcast, consider picking up a bookmark from the Hellenistic Age Etsy page:

www.etsy.com/shop/Helleni...
November 11, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Now reading:
“The Ancient Shore” - P. Kosmin

A study of the shoreline and seas in antiquity, from the treatises of Hellenistic explorers to ancient frameworks of the inhabited world and these “transition” zones.

Kosmin is one of my favorite authors, I’m really enjoying it so far.
November 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
The next #AntigonidNetwork seminar is on Tuesday 11th November, 5pm (UK). John Holton presents his two books: 'Alexander’s Successors and the Creation of Hellenistic Kingship' and 'Royal Traditions and the Consolidation of Power by Alexander’s Successors'. #AncientBluesky
To join, please register:
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: AN seminar: John Holton. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Welcome! You are invited to join a meeting: AN seminar: John Holton. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting.
Universityofexeter.zoom.us
November 7, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
112: The Seleucid Empire - Breaking the Hammer

Demetrius I Soter instills order by crushing the rebellions of Timarchos in Media and Judas Maccabee, but his behavior causes his enemies abroad to conspire against him and bankroll another usurper, Alexander Balas.

tinyurl.com/yh3z5y2b
112: The Seleucid Empire – Breaking the Hammer
The newly enthroned Demetrius I Soter managed to instill a degree of order throughout the Seleucid realm, crushing the would-be king Timarchos in Babylonia and the rebellion of Judas Maccabee. Yet …
tinyurl.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
112: The Seleucid Empire - Breaking the Hammer

Demetrius I Soter instills order by crushing the rebellions of Timarchos in Media and Judas Maccabee, but his behavior causes his enemies abroad to conspire against him and bankroll another usurper, Alexander Balas.

tinyurl.com/yh3z5y2b
112: The Seleucid Empire – Breaking the Hammer
The newly enthroned Demetrius I Soter managed to instill a degree of order throughout the Seleucid realm, crushing the would-be king Timarchos in Babylonia and the rebellion of Judas Maccabee. Yet …
tinyurl.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
Some details from the Parthian Rhyta of Old Nisa. From the State Museum of Türkmenistan in Aşgabat (Türkmenistanyň Döwlet Muzeýi).
November 4, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Reposted by Derek | The Hellenistic Age Podcast
Can any classicists/ancient history people recommend what they consider to be "essential" to understanding the Late Republic and its transition to the Principate?

I have a few books on hand, such as:
Party Politics in the Age of Caesar
The Roman Revolution

Any suggestions are appreciated!
November 3, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Can any classicists/ancient history people recommend what they consider to be "essential" to understanding the Late Republic and its transition to the Principate?

I have a few books on hand, such as:
Party Politics in the Age of Caesar
The Roman Revolution

Any suggestions are appreciated!
November 3, 2025 at 2:21 AM