History Behind the Headlines

History Extra 29 - Why has The Odyssey proved so enduring?

How does the past shape today's world? In HistoryExtra's fortnightly podcast History Behind the Headlines, Matt Elton is joined by regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter and guest experts to explore the historical context you need to understand the latest news. For more fascinating stories from the past, head to HistoryExtra, the home of ‘History’s Greatest’ podcasts. Find out more at ⁠historyextra.com/podcast⁠. We'd love to know what you think about the podcast, so leave us a review and let us know the topics you think we should be covering. Or, follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠X⁠, ⁠Instagram⁠ or ⁠YouTube⁠ to keep in touch. You can listen ad-free to this podcast and all History Extra podcasts by subscribing to HistoryExtra Plus here: ⁠⁠https://historyextra.supportingcast.fm/⁠⁠ This podcast is hosted by Matt Elton with regular panellists Hannah Skoda and Rana Mitter. This series is produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs.

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History Behind the Headlines

Episodes

Why has The Odyssey proved so enduring?

Why does the Bayeux Tapestry still command our attention?

Who are Count Binface's novelty political predecessors?

Why has the UK had so many prime ministers this decade?

How were society's super-rich seen in past centuries?

How has war impacted economies of the past?

How were leadership challenges launched in previous centuries?

Have the royals always been diplomatic tools?

What happens when popes and politics collide?

Is the Bayeux Tapestry coming to Britain or not?

Chess, space and medieval monks: this spring’s overlooked historical headlines

Peter Ricketts on diplomacy, Trump and Iran

What happens when war puts oil supplies at risk?

Is this the US’s least popular war?

How can the past help us understand the UK monarchy's current crisis?

How have political scandals shaped history?

Is President Trump really weaponising history?

Is Trump returning the world to an age of empires?

BONUS: The history behind 2025

2025 in review: the historical trends of the year

Ukraine peace deal: what are the lessons from history?

BONUS: What does Hitler’s DNA really tell us?

Princes, prisons and the limits of power

The most remarkable historical heists

Why is it so hard for Israelis and Palestinians to make peace?

Should historians be celebrities?

American violence & presidential visits

The real history of Britain's flags

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