Article archive
Research, stories and questions from the ancient world.
Browse every article on Spoken Past, or choose a category to explore the archive.
Ancient Egyptian Letters to the Dead
Ancient Egyptians petitioned dead relatives about illness, inheritance and protection. Surviving bowls, papyri and stelae reveal what they asked and why.
Jötunheim: The Norse Land of Giants
Jötunheim is the giants’ homeland in Norse mythology. The Eddas reveal its rivers and halls, the gods’ encounters with the jötnar, and the limits…
Ancient Ambush Tactics: How Terrain and Timing Won Battles
At Trasimene, Teutoburg and the Caudine Forks, ancient commanders exploited narrow routes, surprise and broken communications to trap Roman armies.
Greek Curse Tablets: What People Wrote to the Gods
Greek curse tablets preserved binding spells for lawsuits, marriage, trade and rivals. Read what the texts say, where they were buried and what scholars…
Sextus Julius Frontinus: The General Who Managed Rome’s Water
Sextus Julius Frontinus fought in Roman Britain, compiled military stratagems and investigated Rome’s aqueducts. His writings reveal how imperial government worked.
What Did Ancient Travellers Pack for a Long Journey?
Ancient travellers carried cloaks, food, water containers and money, but their baggage depended on the route. Ancient texts and finds reveal what we can…
Roman Mile Markers: What They Measured and What They Said
Roman milestones measured distances along roads and displayed imperial authority. Read their inscriptions, dates and evidence from Britain, Italy and the provinces.
Zeus: Greek God of Thunder and King of the Olympians
Zeus ruled the Greek gods, wielded thunder and guarded oaths. His myths, family, heroes and sanctuaries reveal the reach and limits of his power.
Ancient Temple Accounts: How Festivals Were Funded
From Delos to Roman Egypt and Babylon, temple accounts reveal who supplied sacrifices, paid performers and financed ancient religious festivals.
Alexander the Great: Life, Campaigns, and Legacy
Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire and reached India, but his victories depended on Philip II’s army, local alliances and a fragile succession.
Kiln Fingerprints: How Ceramics Reveal Their Origins
How archaeologists trace pottery to its origins using clay fabrics, kiln debris and chemical analysis, and what those fingerprints cannot prove.
Julius Caesar: Life, Wars, and Legacy
Julius Caesar rose from Roman politics to the conquest of Gaul and civil war. His dictatorship, reforms and assassination transformed the Republic.
