app_store_button

google_play_button

Details page - Device banner - 894x1036

Step into an infinite world of stories

Listen and read

Goalhanger

Take a deep dive into History’s biggest moments with Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook.

Explore the stories of History’s most brutal rulers, deadly battles, and world-changing events. From the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Nazi conquest of Europe, and Hitler’s evil master plan for world domination, to the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, or the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Tom and Dominic bring the past to life with gripping storytelling and expert analysis, as they unpack the high-drama moments that shaped our world.

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com. 

For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.

The Rest Is History

Where did gladiatorial combat originate? Who was Spartacus, the legendary gladiator? How did he come to lead the most famous slave revolt in all Roman history? How did the rebellion unfold? And, what was Spartacus’ fate..?

In the grand finale of our thrilling series on four of classical antiquity’s most notorious subjects, Tom is joined by the world renowned classicist Mary Beard, to discuss gladiators and the famous gladiator turned rebel Spartacus. 

Sign up to The Rest Is History Club to get the whole episode!

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Exec Producer: Dom Johnson 

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude 

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spartacus and Gladiators, with Mary Beard

How did the British fleet prepare for war, on the morning of the Battle of Trafalgar? With the flags of both fleets flying and both Nelson and the French admiral Villeneuve glittering in their uniforms, how did the two fleets finally collide? Amidst the rivers of blood, the blast of canons, the flying splinters, and the swirling smoke, how did Nelson’s ships and sailors fare? And, cornered by three enemy ships, what would be the fate of Nelson aboard his Victory…? 

Join Dominic and Tom as they reach the glorious, tragic climax of their epic voyage through the life and battles of Horatio Nelson, at the height of the Napoleonic Wars. 

_______ 

Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply*

*Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November.

Learn more at https://www.uber.com/onourway

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory 

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Exec Producer: Dom Johnson 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

613. Nelson: Glory at Trafalgar (Part 6)

After two years at sea chasing the combined fleet of France and Spain, what was Nelson’s next step? Upon returning to his beloved Emma, how was the heroic Nelson received? What was the terrifying Napoleon Bonaparte scheming for his fleet across the seas? And, would Britain finally face an imminent French invasion, and with it apocalypse - for both Britain and Nelson himself?

Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the build up to one of the most totemic naval clashes of all time - Trafalgar - and Nelson; the man behind it all. 

_______

Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply*

*Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November.

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at Claude.ai/RestIsHistory

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Exec Producer: Dom Johnson 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

612. Nelson: The Final Showdown (Part 5)

What is the main difference between Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great? When did Julius Caesar become one of the major players of the Roman Republic? What was the true nature of Caesar’s relationship with Cleopatra? How did he manage to defeat his enemies to become Dictator of Rome for life? And, how did he finally meet his violent, blood-spattered end? 

In the third episode of this exclusive new series on ancient history, Tom is joined again by the world renowned classicist Mary Beard, to discuss Julius Caesar: the legendary Roman general who changed Rome forever, and doomed himself along the way…

_______

Twitter:@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude 

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Julius Caesar, with Mary Beard

With Britain at war for more than eight long years, and her people depleted and hungry, how did her government react to the news that Napoleon Bonaparte was planning a full-scale invasion in 1801? What happened when Nelson tried to attack the French at Boulogne, and what was the terrible cost? Why was the provisional peace treaty signed between the British and the French at the end of September, doomed to fail? Meanwhile, how was Nelson’s personal life with the flamboyant Emma Hamilton, in their ostentatious new home, developing? And, with Britain declaring war on France in 1803, would Nelson rally, and seize his destiny at last?

Join Dominic and Tom as they trace the aftermath of Nelson’s triumph in Copenhagen, his notorious personal life, and his clashes with Napoleon’s fleet. 

Learn more at https://www.uber.com/onourway

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Exec Producer: Dom Johnson 

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude 

Video Editor: Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Balden
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

611. Nelson: Bonaparte Prepares to Strike (Part 4)

With fears that the powerful Danish fleet would join with the French against the British, what great gamble did Horatio Nelson take? After taking the drastic decision to attack the Danish fleet in their own harbour, what challenges did Nelson and his men face? How did the bloody Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 then unfold? And, what would be the consequences of this epic naval clash for Britain, Napoleon’s France, and Nelson himself?

Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss the First Battle of Copenhagen, in the next dramatic phase of Nelson’s triumphant, though very dangerous, career…

______

Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply**Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November.

 Search Vanguard to find out more. When investing, your capital is at risk. Tax rules apply.

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

610. Nelson: The Battle of Copenhagen (Part 3)

No one was like him, terrible were his crimes…

Where was Alexander the Great born, and who were his parents? What drove him to go beyond the Aegean empire he had already carved out for himself, and conquer lands beyond the limits of the Greek world? Why did Alexander eventually turn back, after ten years of conquest? And, how much of his legend is actually true? 

In the second episode of this exclusive new series on four of the most iconic subjects from classical antiquity, Tom is joined again by the world renowned classicist, Mary Beard, to discuss one of history’s most famous men: Alexander the Great….hero or villain? 

**To hear the full episode, and all the other exclusive new episodes from Mary and Tom's ancient history series, coming out every Friday for the next four weeks, join The Rest is History Club at ⁠therestishistory.com⁠**

_______

Twitter:@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude

 Producer: Tabby Syrett

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexander the Great, with Mary Beard

After two years at sea, what happened when Horatio Nelson - now Britain’s most celebrated naval commander - finally returned home, to his wife and father? Following his involvement in the poisonous politics of Naples, his terrible treatment of the Jacobite rebels, and starting an affair with the notorious Lady Emma Hamilton, how was Nelson received? And, with the storm clouds of war gathering above the Baltic, in what heroic way would Nelson next be called to serve his country?

Join Dominic and Tom as they discuss Nelson’s controversial return to Britain, his relationship with Emma Hamilton, and the road to the legendary Battle of Copenhagen…

_______

Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply*

*Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November.

Search Vanguard to find out more. When investing, your capital is at risk. Tax rules apply.

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editor: Jack Meek 

Social Producer: Harry Balden

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Exec Producer: Dom Johnson 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

609. Nelson: The Gathering Storm (Part 2)

What happened when the heroic Horatio Nelson, victor of the Battle of the Nile, sailed into the seething city of Naples? Why would his meeting with the glamorous celebrity, Lady Emma Hamilton, shape the rest of his life? And, why would his decision to lend his support to the foolhardy Neapolitan campaign to “liberate all of Italy” from the formidable French, prove to be one of the most controversial episodes of Nelson’s career?

Join Dominic and Tom as they voyage deeper into the life of Nelson, and the incident that nearly destroyed his reputation forever….

Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply**Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November.

Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com

For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com

_______

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Video Editor: Harry Swan

Social Producer: Harry Baldwin

Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude 

Producer: Tabby Syrett

Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Exec Producer: Dom Johnson 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

608. Nelson: Slaughter in Naples (Part 1)

Did the Trojan War - the ten year, cosmic clash between the Greeks and the Trojans, featuring the Olympian gods, kings and heroes - actually happen? Is there any evidence for the existence of the Trojan Horse? And, why is it the war the foundational myth of both ancient Greece and ancient Rome?

To launch a brand new bonus series, Tom is joined by the world famous classicist, Mary Beard, to discuss four of classical antiquity’s most iconic subjects. Today: the Trojan War….

**To hear the full episode, and all the other exclusive new episodes from Mary and Tom's ancient history series, coming out every Friday for the next four weeks, join The Rest is History Club at therestishistory.com**

FUTURE EPISODES....Oct 17th: ALEXANDER THE GREATOct 24th: JULIUS CAESAROct 31st: GLADIATORS & SPARTACUS_______Twitter:@TheRestHistory@holland_tom@dcsandbrookVideo Editor: Jack MeekSocial Producer: Harry BaldenAssistant Producer: Aaliyah AkudeProducer: Tabby SyrettSenior Producer: Theo Young-SmithExec Producer: Dom Johnson
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trojan War, with Mary Beard

In the third century BC, a clash which had been brewing for centuries finally erupted: Rome, the ruthless imperialist upstart dominating Italy, against Carthage, the ancient but sinister apex predator of the Mediterranean. The conflict sparked in Messina in 263 BC, and went on for over two decades, as the fortunes of both powers rose and fell. Rome’s superior, land-based army proved the perfect match to the Carthaginians’ maritime might, though both forces rapidly adapted to the expertise of their foe. By 250 BC, Carthage was embattled and flailing, and in need of a hero, to restore the fate of Carthage, and ensure her survival…
Join Tom and Dominic as they discuss the outbreak of the First Punic War, in which history’s greatest rivalry, Rome vs Carthage, finally came to blows. As the established power of Carthage was challenged by the rise of a new contender in Rome, but could either live in a world where the other survived?

*The Rest Is History LIVE in 2024*

Tom and Dominic are back onstage this summer, at Hampton Court Palace in London! 

Buy your tickets here: therestishistory.com

Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

424. Carthage vs. Rome: Total War (Part 4)

Listen and read

Other podcasts you might like ...