The Reading Party Podcast

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The Reading Party Podcast Megan and Lexie read, watch, snack, and chat their way through books, films & tv shows set in the ancient world.

Together, they bring their expertise as ancient historians to the table to dissect every detail and spill the tea on these ancient stories.

This week on The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are joined by Dr. Victoria Austen to dive into the 2014 action-a...
21/01/2025

This week on The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie are joined by Dr. Victoria Austen to dive into the 2014 action-adventure film "Pompeii," starring Kit Harington. Join them as they explore the film's unique blend of romance, action, and historical disaster, all set against the backdrop of the infamous volcanic eruption.

Dr. Victoria Austen, an expert in the classics, shares her insights on Roman gardens, social history, and the reception of the ancient world in modern media. We discuss everything from the film's portrayal of Roman identity to the accuracy of its volcanic eruption depiction. Expect a lively discussion filled with humor, critical analysis, and plenty of questions about the social dynamics at play in the film. Whether you're a fan of ancient history or just curious about how Hollywood interprets it, this episode is sure to entertain and inform!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

This week on The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the rich narrative of "Eagle of the Ninth" by Rosemary...
14/01/2025

This week on The Reading Party Podcast, Megan and Lexie dive into the rich narrative of "Eagle of the Ninth" by Rosemary Sutcliffe. Released in 1954, this children's novel explores the journey of Marcus, a Roman soldier, as he navigates life in Britain after being injured and discharged from the army. The hosts discuss their experience of reading it after watching the film adaptation, "The Eagle," starring Channing Tatum, and share their initial impressions of the book, highlighting its engaging plot and historical context. Tune in for a lively discussion filled with insights, reflections, and of course, plenty of tea!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

The latest episode of The Reading Party Podcast is out now! Megan and Lexie are taking a deep dive into the 2011 film Th...
07/01/2025

The latest episode of The Reading Party Podcast is out now! Megan and Lexie are taking a deep dive into the 2011 film The Eagle, based on Rosemary Sutcliffe's classic novel The Eagle of the Ninth, with Lindsay Allason-Jones, the historical consultant for the film! With her extensive background as the Director of Archaeological Museums for Newcastle University, she brought invaluable insights into Roman Britain.

Did you know that the film was originally supposed to be shot at Hadrian's Wall? However, due to logistical reasons, filming took place in Hungary instead! 🌍 Lindsay shares her experiences advising the filmmakers from afar.

We discuss the historical accuracy of the film, including the portrayal of Roman soldiers, the tribes of Britain, and even the costumes. Lindsay reveals some fascinating behind-the-scenes details that you won't want to miss.

Tune in to hear Lindsay's insights and enjoy a captivating discussion about The Eagle and its historical backdrop. 🎧✨ Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

Today’s episode of The Reading Party Podcast dives into the classic animated film "Asterix versus Caesar" (or "La Surpri...
31/12/2024

Today’s episode of The Reading Party Podcast dives into the classic animated film "Asterix versus Caesar" (or "La Surprise de César" in French) from 1985! Join us as we explore the hilarious adventures of Asterix and Obelix. 🇫🇷✨The plot centers around Asterix and Obelix's quest to rescue their friends Falbala and Tragicomix from the clutches of Julius Caesar. Expect plenty of laughs as they navigate Roman camps and gladiatorial schools! 🏛️⚔️ We dive into the humor of the film, including the clever wordplay in character names and the comedic situations Asterix and Obelix find themselves in. Did you know Asterix's name is a play on "asterisk"? The episode also touches on the historical context of the film, discussing the Roman conquest of Gaul and how the creators used this backdrop to craft their comedic narrative. If you're a fan of animation, we recommend checking out the original comics!

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the Asterix universe, this episode is packed with insights, laughter, and nostalgia. Don't miss out on the fun!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479


The latest episode of the Reading Party podcast is out now! Megan and Lexie are diving into the fantastical world of "Th...
17/12/2024

The latest episode of the Reading Party podcast is out now! Megan and Lexie are diving into the fantastical world of "The Last Legion" (2007)! In this episode, they discuss the film's intriguing plot, featuring Colin Firth as an imperial soldier, the last Roman Emperor, and a mysterious swordswoman played by Bollywood royalty Aishwarya Rai. They also touch on the film's historical inaccuracies and how it intertwines the fall of the Roman Empire with the rise of Arthurian legend. Did you know that Romulus Augustus is tied to Uther Pendragon? Plus, they can't help but laugh at the film's 80s vibes and swashbuckling adventure feel. It's a wild ride through history that doesn't take itself too seriously!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

In this episode of The Reading Party, hosts Megan and Lexie dive into the world of Roman history with esteemed guests Dr...
10/12/2024

In this episode of The Reading Party, hosts Megan and Lexie dive into the world of Roman history with esteemed guests Dr. Peta Greenfield and Dr. Fiona Radford, co-hosts of The Partial Historians podcast. With their expertise in Classics and Ancient History, they explore the iconic 2000 film Gladiator, discussing its impact and cultural significance. Dr. Radford shares her specialization in reception studies, particularly Roman film, as they reflect on how Gladiator shaped their generation. Tune in for an insightful conversation that bridges cinema and history, and get insights from seasoned podcasters who have been engaging audiences with ancient Rome for over a decade.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

🎉Lexie and Megan are back for season 3!✨ Welcome back to the Reading Party Podcast! In this exciting episode of our Rome...
03/12/2024

🎉Lexie and Megan are back for season 3!✨ Welcome back to the Reading Party Podcast! In this exciting episode of our Rome Centric Season 3, we have not one, but two special guests: ancient historians Aaron Irvin and Jeff Stevens both experts on the Roman Empire, as well as consultants for Starz series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand”. Join us as we dive deep into the world of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," focusing on episodes five and six.

In this episode, we recap the intense journey of Spartacus, a Thracian warrior turned gladiator, as he fights for survival and seeks to reunite with his wife. We discuss the brutal realities of gladiatorial life, the historical accuracy of the show's portrayal of the pits, and the complex social hierarchies within the ludus.

Aaron and Jeff share their insights on the historical context of gladiators, the motivations behind characters like Varro, and the significance of the show's representation of violence and sexuality. We also explore the challenges of balancing historical accuracy with modern sensibilities in storytelling.

Whether you're a fan of the series or just curious about ancient Rome, this episode is packed with fascinating discussions and expert analysis. Don't miss out!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

Today, on the season 2 finale of The Reading Party Podcast, join Megan and Lexie as they continue to discover captivatin...
07/05/2024

Today, on the season 2 finale of The Reading Party Podcast, join Megan and Lexie as they continue to discover captivating yet flawed world-building and unravel the tangled web of inaccuracies in "Desert God" by Wilbur Smith!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts!

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1644932658
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

For those of you who use Apple Podcasts: We are back! Reach out if you have any issues!

Today on The Reading Party Podcast, join Lexie and Megan as they discuss the 1998 film The Prince of Egypt and discover ...
23/04/2024

Today on The Reading Party Podcast, join Lexie and Megan as they discuss the 1998 film The Prince of Egypt and discover the secrets of ancient Egypt through the lens of bioarchaeology with Dr. Roselyn A. Campbell!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts! (Apple listeners, see below)

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-reading-party-podcast/id1740341066
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5vdkGnoH8Cqzy4f4ZOZvg3?si=f9fc305f57854479

For those of you who use Apple Podcasts: We are having issues with our new episodes showing up on our feed. We are working with Apple on this. The above link goes directly to this new episode. In the meantime, please head to our website (https://www.theozymandiasproject.com/podcast-2) or Spotify to listen to our bonus episode and season two.

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