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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

We have a look (not literally!) at the emperor Galba's hernia, and Augustus' teeth. Instant Classics explores what Roman emperors really looked like. podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/w...

podcasts.apple.com

What did Roman emperors really look like?

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 8 October · 59min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I'm talking in Glasgow this Sunday 11th Oct. www.atgtickets.com/shows/mary-b... This wonderful painting of Circe from the Hunterian will get a cameo role

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Reposted by marybeard

Carol Atack @carolatack.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Was so disappointed by the lack of a translation in the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry display- as @wmarybeard.bsky.social shows, the Latin text is a fascinating part of this important object - and a window into the world in which it was made.

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Harold Rex Interfectus est. Charlotte and I take a look at the (very easy) Latin on the Bayeux tapestry and we wonder about whether you can see a bit of Virgil behind it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yjW...

youtube.com

The Bayeux Tapestry: Britain’s lost Latin masterpiece

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Have some fun with the Latin on the Bayeux Tapestry here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yjW... It's dead easy.... and gives an extra dimension to the pics!

youtube.com

The Bayeux Tapestry: Britain’s lost Latin masterpiece

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Why is noone talking about the LATIN of the Bayeux Tapestry. We explain why it is so interesting here on Instant Classics: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

podcasts.apple.com

The Bayeux Tapestry: Britain’s Lost Latin masterpiece

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 1 October · 56min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i... On this episode of Instant Classics we talk to Daniel Mendelsohn about translating the Odyssey and having his Dad sit in on his classes!

podcasts.apple.com

Classic Chats: Daniel Mendelsohn on translating the Odyssey

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 24 September · 1hr

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

All you Odyssey readers who've been arguing about the meaning of polutropos in line 1, don't forget Chapman, the first English translator, puzzled about that in the 17th century -- as we reference in this episode of Instant Classics podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the English-speaking World

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 17 September · 1hr

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

For those who have been asking, this is the full run down of dates for my autumn tour (starts in just over 2 weeks). Some are sold out (London, Belfast), or only a very few tickets left (Dublin, Guildford). Do come along for the hi-fibre fun!

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Would we have Shakespeare (eg Tempest) without Homer's Odyssey. Well, that's too crude a question, of course. But we start to chew into it on this episode of Instant Classics. It's here to enjoy: www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0wT...

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How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the English-speaking World

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

On Instant Classics this time, we look at what Toni Morrison, Margaret Atwood, William Shakespeare, Madeline Miller and more did with (and to) the Odyssey. Special guest appearance from our producer Jonty Claypole! www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0wT...

youtube.com

How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the English-speaking World

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Here's a discussion about the Vestal Virgins... who, where and why. But we also try to open up how scholars now go about making sense of them, and how they change their minds.. that's me! tinyurl.com/yun74nep

tinyurl.com

The Vestal Virgins - just how virginal were they?

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 3 September · 54min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

How Homer's Odyssey Conquered the Ancient World! If you thought that Nolan took some liberties with Homer's poem, try what the slightly later Greeks and Romans did to it! www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ15...

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How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the Ancient World

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

If you've enjoyed the Odyssey, don't stop too soon! you've got a fantastic opening to loads of other ancient literature (some of the most important and some of the funniest..inc a man turned into a pig who chooses to stay that way) podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

podcasts.apple.com

How Homer's Odyssey Conquered the Ancient World

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 10 September · 53min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

A London weekend. Today (5th Sep) I'm talking at the FT Festival at Kenwood at 11.00 tinyurl.com/28rt7wa4 and tomorrow afternoon (6th) at the Southbank centre www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/anc... Come along and join the fun!

southbankcentre.co.uk

Ancient Myths: Mary Beard & Josephine Quinn | Southbank Centre

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Follow up N Haynes' great programme about Herodes Atticus and Regilla with our exploration with Martin Scorsese, Carrie Vout and more, on site with the archaeology. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

bbc.co.uk

Ancient Lives with Mary Beard - Being Greek - Martin Scorsese and the Godfather of Athens - BBC Sounds

Mary Beard and Martin Scorsese chart the rise and fall of an Athenian strongman.

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Breaking news. After Exploring the Odyssey (aka Odyssey Book Club for us veterans) we are going to be exploring Virgil's Aeneid. We have tragedy and Herodotus very much in mind (don't worry!)... but the next big book is Aeneid

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Were the Roman Vestal Virgins really buried alive if they "lost" their virginity. I'm afraid the answer is yes (but it didn't happen as often claimed). We try to get to the hear of the Vestals on Instant Classics; www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG31...

youtube.com

The Vestal Virgins - just how virginal were they?

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The first article i ever published was on the Roman Vestal Virgins Why did i start there (not a very academic reason i fear) and why are they so interesting ?? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

podcasts.apple.com

The Vestal Virgins - just how virginal were they?

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 3 September · 54min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Charlotte and I are at the Financial Times weekend at Kenwood House on Saturday. Talking about why Classics matter. Come and join Instant Classics there: ukftweekendfestival.live.ft.com/agenda/sessi...

ukftweekendfestival.live.ft.com

FT Weekend Festival

Join us for our annual UK edition, in London, online & on demand, for a chance for FT Weekend readers from all over the globe to engage with our journalists and one another - and enjoy a fun, stimulat...

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

If you want to get in the groove for Robert Harris's new Roman novel, Agrippa, we talk to him about it on Instant Classics here www.youtube.com/watch?v=L01w... If you want more, in the previous episode we explore the history behind Agrippa (who on earth was he?)

youtube.com

Classic Chats: Robert Harris on ‘Agrippa’

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Next Sunday (6th) Jo Quinn and I discuss truths and lies about the ancient world. Eg what was Athenian democracy all about? Is it really an ancestor of our own? Come along and join in the fun www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/anc... Here we are!

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Last week on Instant Classics we discussed the history behind Augustus' right-hand man, Marcus Agrippa. This week we talk to Robert Harris about his version of Agrippa in his new Roman novel www.youtube.com/watch?v=L01w...

youtube.com

Classic Chats: Robert Harris on ‘Agrippa’

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

If you're keen on the ancient world, try out the Instant Classics back catalogue: from Helen of Troy mini-series, Roman dreams & jokes to Count Binface & the Odyssey. Courtesy of me and Charlotte Higgins. Find it here tinyurl.com/52z8jcn4 or tinyurl.com/482rusya or tinyurl.com/3nr3fkvy Hi fibre fun!

tinyurl.com

Instant Classics

Join world-renowned classicist Mary Beard and Guardian chief culture writer Charlotte Higgins for Instant Classics — the weekly podcast that proves ancient history is still relevant. To learn all abo...

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Fancy a bit of fun ancient history on a Sunday afternoon? Come along to the Southbank centre on 6 Sept (tix here: tinyurl.com/62e2jaww). Jo Quinn and I are talking about facts and falsehoods from ancient world, from democracy to flat earths; here at home with emperor Vitellius!

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

There are some great reviews of Robert Harris's new novel "Agrippa". But if you are wondering who on earth Agrippa was, Instant Classics is here to help. In this episode we give you a quick rundown of his history, and next week, we talk to Robert Harris. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwNf...

youtube.com

Marcus Agrippa: Power behind the throne

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

On 6 Sept at Southbank Centre in London Jo Quin & I are exploring a load of myths of ancient history: from Caligula making his horse consul (or not), to the flat earth (or not) & the Amazons (& possibly white sculpture too!). Come & join us: www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/anc...

southbankcentre.co.uk

Ancient Myths: Mary Beard & Josephine Quinn | Southbank Centre

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

I was chuffed that Alice Roberts says she is at the moment dipping into Religions of Rome that I wrote with John North & Simon Price. It's not a racy read, but still does ok after 30 years. Sadly North & Price have left us, but I am happy to take the compliment on their behalf. tinyurl.com/2ezfdjmv

tinyurl.com

Alice Roberts: ‘By the time I’d finished Richard Dawkins I’d left faith behind’

The TV presenter and author on the evolutionary biologists who inspired her, the genius of George Eliot – and fun with Frog and Toad

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

John North etc argued for the religious “market place” of the Roman Empire, sort of similarly(SORT OF)

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Who on earth was Marcus Agrippa? You'll soon discover Robert Harris's view (his new novel on Agrippa is out 27 Aug). On Instant Classics next week we talk to Harris. This week we explore the historical background to the man behind the Roman throne. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwNf...

youtube.com

Marcus Agrippa: Power behind the throne

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

The wonderful Pat Easterling has sadly died. I remember her here: her collaborative scholarship (coffee or a drink not a tetchy email) & her great bon mot that Classics teaches you "to read difficult things", www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...

the-tls.com

Farewell to Pat Easterling

There can hardly have been a classicist in the UK (or many further afield) whose professional and personal lives were not in some way touched by Professor

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i... Robert Harris’s new novel out 27 August is about Marcus Agrippa. We are interviewing Harris about the book next week on Instant Classics. Here find out about the historical Agrippa

podcasts.apple.com

Marcus Agrippa: Power behind the throne

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 20 August · 54min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Who was Marcus Agrippa? He's the subject of Robert Harris's new novel, out on 27 Aug. We interview Harris on Instant Classics next week.But to get you into the Roman groove, here we talk about what is really known of Agrippa's history, Augustus' right hand man etc! www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwNf...

youtube.com

Marcus Agrippa: Power behind the throne

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

Here’s a treat from Instant Classics We interviewed Odyssey translator Emily Wilson BEFORE all the discussion of the movie to find out what translating the Odyssey is really about podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/i...

podcasts.apple.com

BONUS Emily Wilson on translating the Odyssey

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 18 August · 48min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

I have a UK tour, talking Romans and more in October and November. London and Belfast are sold out, but there are other locations and more fun, dates here: www.fane.co.uk/mary-beard

fane.co.uk

Mary Beard Tickets & Tour Dates - Fane

Renowned historian Mary Beard returns to the stage after her sold-out 2025 tour, stepping once more into the world of Ancient Rome.

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

i thought the outside natural hot pool with glass of wine was pretty spot on

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

It's nostalgia that UK universities are NO LONGER meritocratic. When was the age of meritocracy? At Cambridge? Not in the 70s when only 10% of students were female (few colleges took women), & until 1960 all students there had to have Latin. Some thoughts: tinyurl.com/3a2pk4vb

tinyurl.com

Were universities once more meritocratic?

Meritocracy is a great aim, to which all my university colleagues (and ex-colleagues) are committed. I don’t know a single one who would claim (or even

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

Some classical books to read in the sun or shade! Instant Classics offers you some recommendation for getting into the Greek and Roman groove! www.youtube.com/watch?v=pD7m...

youtube.com

Classical Beach Reads

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Instant Classics talks Ukraine and how classical literature confronts war. Charlotte's new book Ukrainian Lessons reflects on the time she has recently spent living and writing in Ukraine. It's a moving read and (I hope) listen/watch. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lofE...

youtube.com

Classic Chats: Charlotte Higgins on Ukrainian Lessons

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Which translation of the Odyssey is the best? On Instant Classics, Mary and Charlotte unpick that question... and offer (we hope) some helpful advice. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/b...

podcasts.apple.com

BONUS: Which Translation of the Odyssey should I read?

Podcast Episode · Instant Classics · 10 August · Bonus · 11min

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Want to read the Odyssey, but not sure WHICH TRANSLATION to go to? The good news is there are lots of good ones available. Instant Classics here gives some advice. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfS...

youtube.com

BONUS: Which Translation of the Odyssey should I read?

YouTube video by Instant Classics

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

"I've learned about the precious value of one vote; one actual human going into that little polling booth, getting the stubby pencil & saying I choose you. It's magic" On Instant Classics we talk to Count Binface (a classicist) about democracy. Do watch! www.youtube.com/watcv=FfMvbd...

youtube.com

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marybeard @wmarybeard.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

There's been a lot online about Cambridge and its teaching. I'm retired (recently) but in my book Talking Classics I try to capture what my career of teaching at Cambridge entailed & meant. www.amazon.co.uk/Talking-Clas... Or listen to Tom Hiddleston on just that podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/c...

amazon.co.uk

Talking Classics: THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER: Amazon.co.uk: Beard, Professor Mary: 9781805220312: Books

Buy Talking Classics: THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER Main by Beard, Professor Mary (ISBN: 9781805220312) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.

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