History Is Sexy
History
About
History is Sexy is a podcast presented by historian Dr Emma Southon and writer Janina Matthewson answering listener questions about history. What did the Romans do for us? Where did marrying for love come from? What was world war one all about? Produced and edited by Oliver Kealey. Theme music by Ketsa.
Episodes
- An announcment from Emma
A small announcement and plea for support! https://www.emmasouthon.com/events2026
- Episode 127: What's the Deal with Ancient Stoicism?
Stocism. Sto-Bros. In this episode we look at the ancient philosophical school of Stoicism. A surprisingly complex and strange cosmology is expounded, Emma gives up on Logic and Janina wonders if thought experiments are any use at all. Sup…
- Episode 126: What's the Deal with the Spartans?
In which we learn that the Spartans were so horrible that even other ancient Greeks were freaked out by them, and recieved absolutly no benefit from it. Support the Podcast at www.patreon.com/historyissexy Source Notes at https://historyis…
- Episode 125: What's the Deal with the Tynwald?
The long and unexpectedly revolutionary history of the Tynwald, the parliament of the Isle of Man. Allegedly the oldest continuous parliament in history, it celebrated its 1000 year anniversary in 1976. Support the podcast at www.patreon.c…
- Episode 124: The Medici Part 3
In which Emma loses total patience with this terrible family and retroactively decides that the name mispronunciation was actually an act of rebellion against them. Support the podcast at patreon.com/historyissexy Show notes, info and merc…
- Episode 123: The Medici Part 2
Support History is Sexy at https://www.patreon.com/c/historyissexy Show Notes etc at https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-122-124-the-medici Emma continues to mispronounce Medici and the Medici continue to be a shower of terrible p…
- Episode #122 - The Medici (Part 1)
One of history's most famous families, the Medici, ruled the city of Florence for years, but who were they?
- Episode #121 - Aoife MacMurrough
Episode #121 - Aoife MacMurrough by History Is Sexy
- Episode #120 - The Merovingians
Frank time, let's talk about the people who give France its name.
- Episode #119 - Imhotep
www.patreon.com/historyissexy
- Episode #118 - Charles II
Episode #118 - Charles II by History Is Sexy
- Episode #117 - Beer and Bread
Episode #117 - Beer and Bread by History Is Sexy
- Episode #116 - The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
Quick, no googling, how many of the seven wonders can you name off the top of your head?
- Episode #115 - Eleanor of Aquitaine
You may know her from the 1968 film "The Lion In Winter" but who was the real Eleanor of Aquitaine?
- Episode #114 - Pope Joan
Lady Pope! What's the legend of Pope Joan?
- Episode #113 - Arctic Exploration
Episode #113 - Arctic Exploration by History Is Sexy
- Episode #112 - The History of Duels
En Garde!
- Episode #111 - The Year of the Four Emperors (Part 3)
If you thought we forgot to upload this one, you would be correct, but here it is!
- Episode #110 - The Year Of The Four Emperors (pt 2)
Time for ranking! Emma lays out her categories and we rank the Four Emperors!
- Episode #109 - The Year of the Four Emperors
Four emperors, Jeremy, four? That's insane. historyissexy.com patreon.com/historyissexy
- Episode #108 - Why Is Shakespeare "The Bard"?
William Shakespeare is often lauded as the greatest writer in the English language, but where did this reputation come from? How was it formed? Why is he referred to as "The Bard"? Was he just a front for a different writer? Join Janina an…
- Episode #107 - Carthage
Carthage, known primarily as one of early Rome's foremost nemeses, but what's the real story behind this North African city-state?
- Episode #104 - History's Greatest Conmen
You may have noticed Episode 104 was missing from our feed, here it is! Sorry for the delay! <3 Emma, Janina, & Oliver
- Episode #106 - The History of KPop
A topic that definitely isn't going to animate the internet, this one, Oliver does his level best to give us a history of KPop, where it started from, what influenced it, and the idol system that keeps it running.
- Episode #105 - Tumblr History with HR Owen
Tumblr, the online home of a certain ind of millennial, has a complicated relationship with history, mainly that relationship involves making up bonkers stuff and passing it off as real. Tumblr expert HR Owen joins Emma to discuss some of…
- Preview - Bonus Episode #2: Ask Us Anything!
This is a preview of our second bonus episode, available exclusively on Patreon, to hear the full episode, join us at Patreon.com/HistoryisSexy
- Episode #103 - Manifest Destiny
Episode #103 - Manifest Destiny by History Is Sexy
- Episode #102 - The History of Sex Work
Episode #102 - The History of Sex Work by History Is Sexy
- Episode #101 - WTDW The Marquis de Sade?
He's widely known as one of history's biggest freaks, but what was actually the deal with the Marquis de Sade?
- Episode #100 - Patron Questions
All three of us take to the mic for this 100th episode celebration, answering questions supplied by the members of our patreon! www.historyissexy.com www.patreon.com/historyissexy
- Episode #99: Quick Roman Questions
A bunch of questions about Rome and Romans that don't fit into an episode of their own www.patreon.com/historyissexy www.historyissexy.com
- Bonus Episode #1 Preview - Glad2ator and Megalopolis
A taster of our first ever bonus episode, a film review show about two roman-inspired films. Full episode only available on Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyissexy
- Episode #98 - Who Were The Druids?
The Druids, mysterious figures in pre-Roman British history, but who were they really??
- Episode #97 - The Shroud of Turin & Veils of Veronica
Miraculous holy faces! Where do they come from? What is their history? Join Emma and Janina as they take a trip through the bizarre world of face-based relics!
- Episode 96 - Was Mansa Musa The Richest Person Ever?
He's the legendary emperor of Mali, famed for his epic journey to Mecca, but was he really the richest person in history?
- The History of Yugoslavia - Part 4
Tito is dead, what happens now? www.patreon.com/historyissexy
- The History of Yugoslavia - Part 3
It's Tito Time
- The History of Yugoslavia - Part 2
This time on History is Sexy, Emma and Janina continue their deep dive into the tumultuous history of the Balkans.
- The History of Yugoslavia - Part 1
This time on History is Sexy, Emma and Janina begin their deep dive into the tumultuous history of the Balkans.
- Episode #91 - Why Have Chefs Historically Been Men/History of Restaurants?
Why have chefs historically been men, and how did the concept of the restaurant take shape?
- Quick Announcement - Patreon
Support us at patreon.com/historyissexy! Thank you!
- Episode #90 - Who Were The Luddites?
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy Who were the Luddites? Were they really "anti-technology", or were they about something entirely different? Was the problem capitalism all along?
- Episode #89 - What's The History of Teddy Bears?
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy Where do Teddy Bears come from? Why did they suddenly take over the world? Was Teddy Roosevelt really involved? Join Emma and Janina as they unravel the hairy truth behind our plush pals…
- Episode #88 - What Really Happened in Catiline’s Conspiracy?
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy Who was Catiline? Why did he try to do a coup? was it a big deal? Why did Cicero hate him? Find out all this and more in this episode! Further reading and show notes https://historyissex…
- #87 - Janina's Top 3 Shipwrecks
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy Join Emma and Janina on the high seas as Janina tells us all about her favourite shipwrecks
- Episode #86 - Napoleon III
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy How big of a dickhead was Napoleon III, anyway?
- Episode #85 - What Did The Romans Eat?
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy Dormice? Sow's Uterus? What on earth did the Romans eat? Join Emma and Janina for a culinary odyssey through the world of Roman Food.
- Episode #84 - Badass Saints
Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/historyissexy Who are some of the most badass saints? What were their lives like? What's a "desert father"? Find out all of this and more!
- Episode #83 - The Borgias
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy The most devious, murderous cut-throat family of renaissance Italy.. or misunderstood victims of slanderous propaganda? Emma and Janina take a look at one of Italy's most infamous famili…
- Episode #82 - What Makes The Dark Ages "Dark"?
Support us on Patreon! www.patreon.com/historyissexy ... and were they really so dark? Listener survey link: https://forms.gle/78wMyX42uQvpHf1Y8 Show notes: https://historyissexy.com/show-notes/episode-82-what-makes-the-dark-ages-dark