Spoken Past
The ancient world

Spoken Past

The ancient world, made easier to explore.

Practical guides for historic sites, clear historical articles, and resources for independent study.

Explore in person

Ancient site guides

Articles

Explore by subject

Go further

Build a richer understanding

Use practical site material alongside focused articles and longer-form resources.

Explore resources

Detailed site companions

Routes, maps and background for visits.

Downloadable resources

Materials designed to keep and use offline.

Historical articles

Evidence-led writing about ancient people, places and ideas.

Your account library

Keep future purchases and downloads together.

Articles

Latest from Spoken Past

Laufey Loki’s Mother Who Barely Survives the Eddas

Laufey: Loki’s Mother Who Barely Survives the Eddas

Laufey appears in the Eddas as Loki’s mother, but almost without a story. The sources reveal a famous name built on thin evidence.

Read article
The Morrígan Irish War Goddess, Crow, and Phantom Queen

The Morrígan: Irish War Goddess, Shapeshifter, or Triad?

The Morrígan appears in medieval Irish texts as war-inciter, crow, and phantom queen. What the manuscripts actually say may surprise you.

Read article
Ancient Greek red-figure vase depicting a Thracian peltast in patterned cloak holding a crescent pelta shield and spear

Peltasts: The Javelin Troops Who Broke the Spartan Phalanx

In 390 BC, Athenian peltasts destroyed a Spartan regiment without a single shield clash, exposing a fatal flaw in hoplite warfare.

Read article
Ancient Egyptian faience hippopotamus figurine with blue-green glaze and painted lotus flowers, Middle Kingdom

What Is Egyptian Faience? The First High-Tech Ceramic

Egyptian faience is a ceramic produced in Egypt for over five thousand years, from the Predynastic period through the Roman era.

Read article
Books and historical resources

Books and resources

Discover books, downloadable material and expanded guides from Spoken Past.

View books and resources