History is built by people like you, and Past Lives is here to bring their stories to life. Every week, we’ll focus on the lived experiences of real people in the past, from the Stone Age to the near-present. Peasants, laborers, artisans, merchants, soldiers, and the enslaved are far too often overlooked in favor of kings, generals, and politicians; not here. On Past Lives, we keep the focus where it belongs: on the real people who populate our shared past. By understanding them, we can strive to better understand ourselves. These people were us, and we are them. They mattered, and so do you.
Past Lives
Claim This PodcastPublished by Patrick Wyman
4.8(230 ratings)
45 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
Podcast Overview
History is built by people like you, and Past Lives is here to bring their stories to life. Every week, we’ll focus on the lived experiences of real people in the past, from the Stone Age to the near-present. Peasants, laborers, artisans, merchants, soldiers, and the enslaved are far too often overlooked in favor of kings, generals, and politicians; not here. On Past Lives, we keep the focus where it belongs: on the real people who populate our shared past. By understanding them, we can strive to better understand ourselves. These people were us, and we are them. They mattered, and so do you.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
11/12/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Past Lives
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Recent Episodes
September 16, 2026
How Do You Get Bitten by a Lion in Roman York?
Host Patrick explores how a lion ended up in Roman York and what this reveals about the vast Roman Empire's interconnectedness and strange practices.
September 9, 2026
The Siberian Ice Maiden and the Scythian World
Host Patrick and Dr. Claire Aubin explore the Siberian Ice Maiden's preserved tomb, revealing insights into the ancient Scythian world and Iron Age steppe culture.
September 2, 2026
Weapons Sacrifices and the Long Road to the Viking Age
Host Patrick explores how Roman weapons sacrificed in Scandinavian bogs foreshadow the rise of the Viking Age.
45 total episodes available with 25 transcripts
Recent guests on Past Lives
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Claire Aubin
Guest
Manny Fidel
Guest
Peter Mancall
Guest
James Romm
Guest
Thomas Asbridge
Guest
Shannon Chakraborty
Guest
Tim Haines
Guest
Craig Fehrman
Guest
Inside a recent episode
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From the episode
How Do You Get Bitten by a Lion in Roman York?
Published · Transcript excerpt
[…] Wild bulls, bears, wolves. For special occasions, however, something more exotic was necessary because the public demanded it. All sorts of wildlife were brought to Rome to die in the Colosseum. Giraffes, elephants, hyenas, tigers, lions, anything an enterprising procurer of animals could catch and transport to the Eternal City. There was enough of a market for this that specialist organizations developed over time. Professional poachers with their own routes, contacts, and procedures for ensuring the live delivery of their wares. For the most part, however, these networks of exotic animal acquisition were centered on the Mediterranean, where it was comparatively easy to move heavy, difficult, and dangerous cargo long distances by sea. […]
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Past Lives?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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