Instant Classics
Hosted by Charlotte and Mary · Vespucci
4.8from 223 ratings
- 66
- Episodes
- 61
- Transcribed
- 223
- Ratings
- Daily
- Cadence
- 2025
- First episode
About 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. Ancient stories, modern twists… and no degree in Classics required. Discover The Odyssey and join the book club at: https://www.exploringtheodyssey.com
- Publisher
- Vespucci
- Category
- history
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 19 Aug 2025
- Latest episode
- 17 Sept 2026
Latest episodes
61 of 66 episodes have a transcript.
17 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the English-speaking World
10 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
How Homer's Odyssey Conquered the Ancient World
3 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
The Vestal Virgins - just how virginal were they?
Inside a recent episode
How Homer’s Odyssey Conquered the English-speaking World
Published 17 Sept 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And she's constantly observing. She's always one step ahead of the men. So when we have the scene that you're... written about mary several times before where telemachus tells his mother to shut up and go upstairs she has him the sort of saying that um uh you know he he needs to get out from under the thumbs of the women and penelope says by the women he meant me how could he refer to his own mother as the women and there's another lovely moment later on where odysseus shambles into the courtyard of the palace in disguise as a beggar and of course in homer's odyssey um penelope doesn't realize but in this she knows exactly what's going on and the reason why she doesn't say anything is that she says it's always an imprudence to step between a man and a reflection of his own cleverness i would be very deflating for him If he knew that Penelope had seen straight through his disguise. […]
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See plansWho has been a guest on Instant Classics
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
- Jonty Claypole
- Robert Harris
- Emily Wilson
- Charlotte Higgins
- Count Binface
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 4.8 / 5
- 223 ratings
Pitching Instant Classics
- Guest appearances
- Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.
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Questions about Instant Classics
Who hosts Instant Classics?
Charlotte and Mary host the show. Published by Vespucci.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes daily, based on its RSS feed.
Does Instant Classics take guests?
The show does not typically feature guests, based on episode analyses.
Where can I read transcripts?
61 of 66 episodes have a transcript on Pod Engine. Full transcripts are available with a Pod Engine plan.
Host of Instant Classics?
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