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.

17/09/2025

Life has happened, and we need to put a pause on The Reading Party Podcast.

Lexie is starting a PhD program in the UK at the University of Bristol this September. Megan is taking a step back from freelance projects to focus on her family and her more profitable ventures.

We got about halfway through recording our planned season 4 before concluding that it would be best to put the show on hiatus until sometime in 2026.

The good news is that more content is on the way, but we'll be holding onto it until we've completed our full 4th season. Until then, we have 3 full seasons released, available wherever you get your podcasts. Catch up if you missed anything!

To get more Lexie and Megan, check out some of their other projects.

For more Lexie, head over to the Ancient Office Hours podcast, where she chats with thought leaders in academia and the entertainment industry about how they got into their field, their current work, and how they connect with the past. You can also find longer conversations with some of our Reading Party guests.

For more Megan, check out Digital Hammurabi, where Megan aims to break out of the ivory tower of academia and bring ancient Mesopotamia to the world on her YouTube channel.

We look forward to seeing you all again sometime next year!

16/09/2025

Welcome back for a very special bonus episode of The Reading Party podcast! Join us as we sit down with Melissanthi Mahut and Michael Antonakos, the voices behind Kassandra and Alexios in Assassin's Creed Odyssey. The discussion dives into their backgrounds, their connections to Greek mythology, and their experiences working on the game. They explore the challenges and rewards of voice acting for a sprawling historical video game, reminisce about ancient Greek culture, and even brainstorm mythical quests they would love to see in the game. Tune in for an engaging talk sprinkled with humor, thoughtful insights into the ancient world, and a few fun tangents!

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

28/01/2025

The final episode of season 3 of The Reading Party Podcast is here, and Megan and Lexie are diving into all things Rome! Today, they’re discussing the 2016 film Ben-Hur (2016)!

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and share your thoughts with us! What did you think of Ben-Hur?

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

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

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

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

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

24/12/2024

🎶❄️Oh, the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go,
Listen to The Reading Party Podcast on your phone🎶🎉(or wherever you listen to your podcasts)

No new episode this week! Megan and Lexie are taking a holiday break and will be back soon!

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

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

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

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

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!

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https://www.theozymandiasproject.com/podcast-2

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