The Past Macabre

Join Egyptologist Stephanie Rice as she delves into topics such as the elaborate tombs built to immortalize the dead, ancient guardians of the afterlife, and the tales of heroes who defied and often triumphed over deities of death. The Past Macabre explores the diverse ways in which cultures throughout history have sought to understand, confront, and transcend death.

The Archaeology of Boudica pt 1: Late Iron Age Britain and the Iceni - Ep 17
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

The Archaeology of Boudica pt 1: Late Iron Age Britain and the Iceni - Ep 17

In this first of a two-part series, The Past Macabre travels back to Late Iron Age Britain before the Roman conquest to explore the world that shaped one of history’s most famous warrior queens: Boudica. Her story has been told many times for nearly two millennia, but what is the truth behind the Celtic warrior queen who stood against Rome? Uncover the archaeology of her tribe the Iceni, from sacred sites, workshops, and homesteads. We’ll explore the first contacts between Rome and Britain as early as the 2nd century BCE to Caesar’s failed invasion in 54 BCE and the uneasy alliances that turned native leaders into Roman client-kings. Then we'll look at how growing disunity amongst the Celts paved the way for Emperor Claudius' invasion in 43 CE.

Learn about the hoards of treasure, settlements, burials, and hillforts found across England and what they can tell us about the world Boudica was born into at a time of rapid social, economic, and political change.

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Claire Lyons on The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Mycenaean Greece - Ep 16
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Claire Lyons on The Kingdom of Pylos: Warrior-Princes of Mycenaean Greece - Ep 16

This episode is a special preview of the Kingdom of Pylos exhibit at the Getty Villa ahead of the livestream on June 27. Step into the Late Bronze Age with special guest Claire Lyons, curator of antiquities at the Getty. She provides insight on the exhibit, from the collaborative efforts that went into putting it together to details about some of the fascinating Mycenaean artifacts that will be on display.

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Welcome to The Past Macabre! Where we dive into humanity’s enduring obsession with death—and what lies beyond it!