A Podcast Dedicated to the History of the ancient Iranian empires from 700 BCE to 700 CE
Eunuchs and priestesses feature prominently in tales of lust, schemes, and curses to the fascination of the Classical sources. In the last major culture episode for the Achaemenids, it’s time to talk about those who fell outside of the Empire’s sex and gender norms.
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After conquering Egypt, Artaxerxes III got to work ruling his empire. New buildings rose on the Persepolis terrace. Overly ambitious Macedonians had to be managed. A host of young princes needed to be trained, but wait… does this wine taste off to you, Bagoas?
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The Achaemenid Empire has a strange and complex history with enslavement. Today we separate fact and fiction both ancient and modern to discuss forced labor under Achaemenid rule.
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The Khaleeli Collection of Aramaic Documents from Achaemenid Bactria are an incredible and unique collection of Achaemenid records first revealed in 2012. They provide an otherwise impossible glimpse to Achaemenid rule in the northeastern provinces.
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The final years of Artaxerxes II were filled with turmoil and sadness, but when his son Ochus rose to power as Artaxerxes III, the Persian Empire entered a new age. The new Artaxerxes set out to repair and remake the empire as his own.
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As we approach the end of Artaxerxes II, it’s time to talk about his gods. All of a sudden, Anahita and Mithra began appearing alongside Ahura Mazda in royal inscriptions, but it turns out it may not have been so sudden after all.
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2022 Holiday Special: Mithra and Mehregan
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The History of Persia 
