Most people think they know about Sparta: shining and brave defenders of Greek liberty against the ranks of despotism; the heroic self-sacrificing defenders of Thermopylae, with noble bearing and massive muscles. In this episode Mr Burns contends that this is all, utterly wrong (apart from possibly the muscles). The Spartans were utterly detestable ethnic supremacists who built a society of brutality, exploitation, and violence. Mr Feeney takes a more nuanced position. Who is right? Have a listen to make up your own minds.

In this episode, Mr Burns and Mr Feeney are joined by two sixth form Classics students who pick their teachers' brains about the most pressing issues of the ancient world. Was Caligula actually mad? What was all the gossip about the women of the imperial palace during the reigns of the Julio-Claudians? What would the best drink order in an ancient bar be? Listen to find out!

In this episode we start our marathon analysis of Book 6 of Virgil's Aeneid. While the conceptual and ideological heart of the poem, it is also deeply weird. Expect dark magic, Golden Boughs, the dead mixing with the yet to be born, and in the centre of it all the shadow of Augustus. While designed for our A Level students, we hope this episode might appeal to those with a general interest in the poem as well.