Podcast
The History of Exploration
Hosted by Guillaume Lamothe · EN
A podcast telling the story of history's great explorers, from the early classical voyages of exploration to modern times.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 9 - Polybius on the Trail of the Ancients
May 5, 201700:47:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we look at the life of historian Polybius, a mediocre explorer who nonetheless, by virtue of being in the right place at the right time, stood at a pivotal moment in the history of exploration, becoming responsible for uniting the exploratory traditions of the Eastern and Western Mediterranean, putting both at the service of the expanding Roman state. Go here for listener Derrick Adam's Sasquatch Itch Cream: www.sasquatchcream.com Go here if you would like to donate to the podcast: https://historyofexploration.net
Transcribe →Episode 8 - Eratosthenes and the Invention of Geography
Feb 25, 201700:42:23Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we take a short step back in time and look at the invention of the academic discipline of geography by Eratosthenes of Cyrene, and the effects which a more ordered understanding of the world had on ancient Mediterranean perceptions of it. Go here for listener Derrick Adams's Sasquatch Itch Cream: www.sasquatchcream.com Go here if you would like to donate to the podcast: https://historyofexploration.net Go here for a free audiobook: www.audibletrial.com/exploration
Transcribe →Episode 7 - Eudoxus of Cyzicus Doesn't Always Drink Beer, But When He Does...
Jan 7, 201701:05:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we take a look at the fascinating life and adventures of Eudoxus of Cyzicus, one of the most colourful figures of the ancient world, and attempt to disentangle fact from fiction where possible. Listener Derrick Adams' Sasquatch Itch Cream can be found here: http://www.sasquatchcream.com/ Donations to the podcast can be made here: https://historyofexploration.net/ The History of Exploration Podcast's Audible link (for a free audiobook) is here: audibletrial.com/exploration
Transcribe →Episode 6 - Early Hellenistic Exploration with the Pseudo-Skylax
Nov 21, 201600:55:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we look at the first decades of Hellenistic exploration in the North, South and West of the Mediterranean, from the northern Caspian sea to south Sudan. We revisit a few previously-mentioned locations, witness the precursors to the true establishment of the discipline of geography, and begin to envisage the idea that it might actually be possible to circumnavigate Africa (Libya)...
Transcribe →Episode 5 - Tylos and the Arabian Coast
Oct 16, 201600:35:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we look at the brief and abortive Greek attempts to explore and circumnavitage the Arabian coast, with a particular focus on the island of Tylos, its wonderful flora, and its mysterious people.
Transcribe →Episode 4D - The Coast of Gedrosia
Sep 12, 201600:52:52Tap to summarizeIn this last part of our 4-part series looking at Nearchus' adventures in India and the Indian Ocean, we follow the navigator and his fleet along the coast of Gedrosia as he meets with near-disaster on more than one occasion, and finally arrives to meet Alexander in Hoermozia, along the strait of Hormuz.
Transcribe →Episode 4C - Into the Indian Ocean
Aug 1, 201600:54:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we follow Nearchus and his fleet as they brave the Southeastern monsoon and cope with dwindling water reserves to make their way through the Indus River delta and into the Indian ocean, where they rendezvous with Leonnatus. We also see the fleet encounter a previously unknown people, who the Greeks call the "fish eaters."
Transcribe →Episode 4B - Down the Indus River
Jul 3, 201600:44:36Tap to summarizeIn this second part covering Alexander and Nearchus' travels into India, we follow Alexander's army and fleet as it sails down the Indus' tributaries to finally reach the great river itself, sweeping aside all opposition in its path. In addition, we introduce Alexander's idiosyncratic pilot, Onesicritus.
Transcribe →Episode 4A - Nearchus and Alexander in India
Jun 5, 201600:51:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode, I introduce Nearchus' early life and voyage with Alexander's troops into India, and look at the various exchanges which took place between the Meditteranean world and the Indian subcontinent as a result of Alexander's military forays. The episode ends with Alexander agreeing to his troops' demands to return to Macedon, and his appointment of Nearchus as admiral to lead a fleet down the Indian ocean and back into Mesopotamia.
Transcribe →Episode 3B - North, to Ultima Thule
May 7, 201600:42:42Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we follow the second half of Pytheas' journey as he travels along the western coast of Britain to the far north, where he reports seeing the midnight sun and the congealed sea. We then conclude with an examination of Pytheas' legacy, and the unfortunate vilification which he experienced at the hands of some historians.
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