A.D. History Podcast

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Have you ever wondered about all the history we’ve missed? The amazing figures that are seemingly forgotten, incredible events passed over, or what a picture of true world history actually looks like? Or how history played out in the eyes of those who lived it and made it? The A.D. History Podcast e…

Paul K. DiCostanzo, Patrick Foote

New York City, NY, USA/Longdon, England, UK

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    • May 7, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 25m AVG DURATION
    • 62 EPISODES
    • 5 SEASONS

    Ivy Insights

    The A.D. History Podcast is a hidden gem that I stumbled upon while searching for information on Wang Many. Starting from the very beginning, it has been a delightful journey through time. The podcast hosts, Paul K. DiCostanzo and Patrick Foote, are not only good conversationalists but also thorough researchers. They have a unique philosophy of not judging previous cultures too harshly and instead embrace the strangeness of the past. It's going to be an incredible experience listening to them cover the Roman Empire and other civilizations as they flow into the modern world.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the dynamic duo of PKD and Patrick. Their similar yet different backgrounds make for interesting storytelling as they navigate through history. As someone who recently graduated college, I have found this podcast to be a great way to scratch my learning itch that I've been missing. The hosts provide enlightening historical highlights in a way that captivates me while driving or working. Their ability to narrate history as if it were a different country truly resonates with me.

    One downside to this podcast is that it may take a long time for them to reach certain time periods, such as AD 200-300. While they give each century plenty of discussion time, sometimes waiting for specific topics can be frustrating for eager listeners.

    In conclusion, The A.D. History Podcast is my new favorite podcast for 2020! It stands out among other history podcasts due to its unique format of examining each decade and focusing on lesser-known topics. PKD and Patrick bring humor and an extensive knowledge base to their research, making this podcast perfect for history geeks like myself. I'm excited to see how this podcast progresses in the future and highly recommend it to anyone interested in delving into the captivating world of history.



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    Latest episodes from A.D. History Podcast

    Armenia At Arms for Christianity | 451AD-460AD

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 83:42


    Armenia steeped in their Christian faith, makes the first major military stand to defend the religion against Sassanid dominion. The post Armenia At Arms for Christianity | 451AD-460AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Attila The FIERCE | Part 3 441AD-450AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2024 106:43


    Attila the Hun in 441AD-450AD - with the death of his brother - achieves rule over all Hunnic lands, and achieves his infamous reputation. The post Attila The FIERCE | Part 3 441AD-450AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Napoleon (2023): Ridley Scott’s Historical Hit Piece | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2024 52:48


    Napoleon (2023) suffers from criminal amounts of historical inaccuracies, seemingly in service to Ridley Scott creating a hit piece. The post Napoleon (2023): Ridley Scott's Historical Hit Piece | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW appeared first on TGNR.

    Attila the Hun: P.2 In Power | 431AD-440AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2024 65:22


    In Part 2 we see how Attila the Hun conducted himself as king, and what Saint Patrick did that influences Ireland to this day! The post Attila the Hun: P.2 In Power | 431AD-440AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Oppenheimer: Did Nolan Nail the History? | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2023 100:29


    Oppenheimer (2023) is one of the few exceptions of Hollywood and Christopher Nolan getting the history right in a major blockbuster. The post Oppenheimer: Did Nolan Nail the History? | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW appeared first on TGNR.

    Attila the Hun: P.1 The Early Years | 421AD-430AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 72:53


    Attila the Hun, as mysterious in some ways as the Huns themselves, has surprising origins in his earliest years. The post Attila the Hun: P.1 The Early Years | 421AD-430AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Alaric I Sacks Rome | 411AD-420AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2023 114:55


    Alaric I, the first king of the Visigoths, stands poised to do something tragic to the city of Rome that has not happened for over 800 years! The post Alaric I Sacks Rome | 411AD-420AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Brexit 1.0: Rome Abandons Britain | 401AD-410AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 110:33


    Rome abandons Britain in c. 410AD, initiating history's FIRST Brexit; and Rome's scourge the Visigoth King Alaric I comes onto the scene. The post Brexit 1.0: Rome Abandons Britain | 401AD-410AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Modern Reality of Being a Dutch History Teacher F/ History Hustle [SPECIAL]

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2022 62:07


    Teaching Dutch history today is not straightforward, and Dutch history teacher Stefan from YouTube's History Hustle shares his experience. The post The Modern Reality of Being a Dutch History Teacher F/ History Hustle [SPECIAL] appeared first on TGNR.

    Should Elizabeth II Be Remembered As “Elizabeth The Great”? | [SPECIAL]

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2022 65:40


    Does Elizabeth II actually merit being known to history as "Elizabeth the Great," or even "Elizabeth the Wise"? The post Should Elizabeth II Be Remembered As “Elizabeth The Great”? | [SPECIAL] appeared first on TGNR.

    Marcellinus and the Great Tsunami of 365AD & More! | What We Missed 4th Century

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2022 116:55


    The Great Tsunami of 365AD was a pivotal natural disaster in the ancient world you've never heard of, and Marcellinus' account is harrowing... The post Marcellinus and the Great Tsunami of 365AD & More! | What We Missed 4th Century appeared first on TGNR.

    The Imitation Game: Decoding Hot Historical Garbage | A. D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2022 78:24


    The Imitation Game (2014) is a film best described as a "historical hot mess," in its depiction of the life and work of Alan Turing. The post The Imitation Game: Decoding Hot Historical Garbage | A. D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW appeared first on TGNR.

    How Did The Library of Alexandria Actually Burn Down? | 391 AD-400 AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2022 128:43


    The Library of Alexandria and its destruction is often thought a single inferno. In reality, the Library's demise was much more prolonged. The post How Did The Library of Alexandria Actually Burn Down? | 391 AD-400 AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Battle of Adrianople | 381 AD-390 AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 74:51


    The Battle of Adrianople shows the clear decline of Roman power, and Magnus Maximus becomes an unlikely Welsh folk hero. The post Battle of Adrianople | 381 AD-390 AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The First Great Migration Disaster | 371AD-380AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 120:03


    The Great Migration in Europe eventually proved fatal to the Western Roman Empire, but the first casualties were the Thervingi Goths. The post The First Great Migration Disaster | 371AD-380AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Julian the Apostate: The Last Attempt to End Christianity | 361AD-370AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 94:27


    Julian the Apostate was the last pagan emperor of Rome, who was the last emperor to try and end Christianity - but the game was up. The post Julian the Apostate: The Last Attempt to End Christianity | 361AD-370AD appeared first on TGNR.

    War in Ukraine: A Historical Guide to the Russian Invasion

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 68:44


    Russia's invasion of Ukraine is steeped in history; this is your historical guide to understand how that history is coming alive in this war. The post War in Ukraine: A Historical Guide to the Russian Invasion appeared first on TGNR.

    Meet the Huns: History’s Perfect Enigma | 351AD-360AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 98:15


    The Huns, despite their incredible impact on history, are still a mystery. Where they originated or how they lived are largely lost to time. The post Meet the Huns: History's Perfect Enigma | 351AD-360AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Did The U.S. HAVE To Use The Atomic Bombs in WW2? | Mini Documentary

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2022 36:34


    Did the U.S. HAVE to use the atomic bombs during the Second World War? How could they have used the atomic bombs differently against Japan? The post Did The U.S. HAVE To Use The Atomic Bombs in WW2? | Mini Documentary appeared first on TGNR.

    Gladiator (2000): A Historical Fever Dream | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2022 88:55


    Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator (2000) throws history to the wind, and is only concerned with one question: "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!" The post Gladiator (2000): A Historical Fever Dream | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES REVIEW appeared first on TGNR.

    The Day Santa Claus Died | 341AD-350AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2021 68:37


    Who was Saint Nicholas of Myra, the inspiration for Santa Claus? What about his legacy makes him still play a major role in our world today? The post The Day Santa Claus Died | 341AD-350AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Why Was Constantine So Great? | 331AD-340AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 29, 2021 68:11


    Constantine has been called “The Great,” but why? Why does a Roman Emperor who died 1,700 years ago have fingerprints on our modern world? The post Why Was Constantine So Great? | 331AD-340AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Council of Nicaea: Fact Vs. Fiction | 321AD-330AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2021 88:10


    The Council of Nicaea is the most well known of the first seven ecumenical councils, yet most are mistaken about what REALLY happened there. The post The Council of Nicaea: Fact Vs. Fiction | 321AD-330AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Curious Case of Constantine and Christianity | 311AD-320AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2021 86:01


    How Roman Emperor Constantine became Christian, and his experience at the Battle of Milvian Bridge is a historical enigma we seek to solve. The post The Curious Case of Constantine and Christianity | 311AD-320AD appeared first on TGNR.

    A History of Christian Persecutions in Rome & Founding San Marino | 301AD-310AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2021 88:58


    Despite an infamous reputation, Rome's policy towards Christianity was never consistent, with many ambiguous turns painting a muddy picture. The post A History of Christian Persecutions in Rome & Founding San Marino | 301AD-310AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Founding the Gupta Empire, Mayan Classical Period & More! | What We Missed Third Century AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2021 88:49


    In our "What We Missed," we take our first steps exploring the Gupta Empire. As well as discussing the Mayan Civilization's Classical Period. The post Founding the Gupta Empire, Mayan Classical Period & More! | What We Missed Third Century AD appeared first on TGNR.

    missed founding mayan third century century ad classical period mayan civilization what we missed gupta empire
    How Diocletian Ended Rome's Crisis Of The Third Century P.2 | 291AD-300AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2021 106:50


    Diocletian's reforms ending Rome's Crisis of the Third Century are greatest in how he changed Rome's military, and new army of bureaucrats. The post How Diocletian Ended Rome's Crisis Of The Third Century P.2 | 291AD-300AD appeared first on TGNR.

    How Diocletian Ended Rome’s Crisis Of The Third Century P.1 | 281AD-290AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2021 74:52


    Diocletian set out not to merely end Rome's third century crisis, his reforms aimed to recreate the Roman Empire into his idealized vision. The post How Diocletian Ended Rome's Crisis Of The Third Century P.1 | 281AD-290AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Men Who Followed Aurelian: Crisis Continues | 275AD-280AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2021 67:20


    The men who followed Aurelian before Diocletian arrives barely kept Rome's ship afloat, and only continued the Crisis of the Third Century. The post The Men Who Followed Aurelian: Crisis Continues | 275AD-280AD appeared first on TGNR.

    How Did Aurelian Reunite the Roman Empire? | 271AD-280AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2021 74:50


    Emperor Aurelian is best known for his success reuniting the Roman Empire. But how did he do it, when all others who tried failed? The post How Did Aurelian Reunite the Roman Empire? | 271AD-280AD appeared first on TGNR.

    How Historically Accurate is The Death of Stalin (2017)? | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2021 103:57


    How historically accurate is the 2017 comedy “The Death of Stalin”? As funny as the film is, it plays fast and loose with it's history. The post How Historically Accurate is The Death of Stalin (2017)? | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES appeared first on TGNR.

    How Truly Gallic Was The Gallic Empire? | 261AD-270AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2021 66:50


    For a so-called Gallic Empire splitting from Rome, it's still very Roman. Also, the Palmyrene Empire is also trying to split from Rome itself. The post How Truly Gallic Was The Gallic Empire? | 261AD-270AD appeared first on TGNR.

    rome empire gallic palmyrene empire
    Why Did The Roman Economy Fail In The Third Century? | 251AD-260AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2021 103:18


    A special guest dives into how the ancient Roman economy worked, and what lead to it's near collapse in the Crisis of the Third Century. The post Why Did The Roman Economy Fail In The Third Century? | 251AD-260AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Korea Stands Up to Cao Wei & Who Exactly Were the Sassanids? | 241AD-250AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2021 60:47


    One of the Korean Three Kingdoms stands up to Cao Wei, and we take a much closer look as to who the Sassanids were as a civilization. The post Korea Stands Up to Cao Wei & Who Exactly Were the Sassanids? | 241AD-250AD appeared first on TGNR.

    How Did The Crisis Of The Third Century Begin For Rome? | 231AD-240AD

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 97:40


    The Crisis of the Third Century, Rome’s top inner struggle at this point, starts with Severus Alexander’s loss to the Sassanids, and Maximinus Thrax‘s bloody rule. The post How Did The Crisis Of The Third Century Begin For Rome? | 231AD-240AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Founding the Sassanid Empire & Elagabalus: The Roman Emperor Who Wasn’t Truly Roman? | 221AD 230AD

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2021 87:18


    The Sassanid Empire overcomes the Parthians by storm, and Emperor Elagabalus proves to be an emperor who isn’t that Roman at all. The post Founding the Sassanid Empire & Elagabalus: The Roman Emperor Who Wasn’t Truly Roman? | 221AD 230AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Art of War: Intelligence in History & The Last Emperor of the Han Dynasty | 211AD-220AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2021 94:01


    Today we explore the intersection of The Art of War, Cao Cao, and the work’s immense influence on the history of intelligence; as well as look into the unusual life of the last Han emperor. The post The Art of War: Intelligence in History & The Last Emperor of the Han Dynasty | 211AD-220AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Emergence of Septimius Severus & The Campaigns of Cao Cao | 201AD-210AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2021 95:47


    Severus creates a dynasty playing a key role in the Crisis of The Third Century. While Cao Cao fights to bring former Han lands into his grip. The post The Emergence of Septimius Severus & The Campaigns of Cao Cao | 201AD-210AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Antonine Wall, Invention of Paper, Year of the FIVE Emperors & More! | WHAT WE MISSED 2nd CENTURY

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2021 72:00


    From the Antonine Wall to The Year of the Five Emperors, in the 2nd Century we haven't been able to cover it all. Now they get their due! The post Antonine Wall, Invention of Paper, Year of the FIVE Emperors & More! | WHAT WE MISSED 2nd CENTURY appeared first on TGNR.

    Han Dynasty Death Rattle & The Mystery of Queen Himiko | 191AD-200AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2021 70:23


    The Han Dynasty collapse occurs in it‘s final hour and swan song; and what can we know of Japan’s elusive Queen Himiko? The post Han Dynasty Death Rattle & The Mystery of Queen Himiko | 191AD-200AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Yellow Turban Rebellion & Galen: A Father of Modern Medicine You Never Knew About | 181AD-190AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2021 83:32


    The Yellow Turban Rebellion help set the collapse of the Eastern Han Dynasty; while Galen of Pergamon helped propel medicine into modernity. The post Yellow Turban Rebellion & Galen: A Father of Modern Medicine You Never Knew About | 181AD-190AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Commodus on the Couch & The All-In-One Gospel: The Diatessaron | 171AD-180AD F/ Kristen E Strubberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2021 101:32


    How accurate was Gladiator (2000) in its portrayal of Commodus‘s mental health? Why did Tatian create an all-in-one gospel the Diatessaron? The post Commodus on the Couch & The All-In-One Gospel: The Diatessaron | 171AD-180AD F/ Kristen E Strubberg appeared first on TGNR.

    Antonine Plague Vs. Today & What Was The Relationship Between Rome and Han Dynasty China? | 161AD-170AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2021 91:38


    Go to https://NordVPN.com/adhistory and use code ADHISTORY to get a 2-year plan plus 1 additional month with a huge discount. It’s risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! We see how Rome fought the Antonine Plague compared to COVID-19 today, and uncover the unusual relationship between Rome & Han Dynasty China. The post Antonine Plague Vs. Today & What Was The Relationship Between Rome and Han Dynasty China? | 161AD-170AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Who Wrote the Gospels? | 151AD-160AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2021 91:53


    Paul and Patrick answer the question: Who Wrote the Gospels? While exploring Marcion of Sinope inspiring the idea of a New Testament canon. The post Who Wrote the Gospels? | 151AD-160AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Monty Python’s Life of Brian REVIEW | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2020 63:31


    For the holiday season we debut the series "A.D. HISTORY WATCHES," reviewing as historians the satire classic "Monty Python's Life of Brian." The post Monty Python’s Life of Brian REVIEW | A.D. HISTORY WATCHES appeared first on TGNR.

    Juvenal The Satirist & How The Hell We Got The Five Good Emperors | 141AD-150AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2020 128:59


    Special Holiday deal! Go to https://NordVPN.com/adhistory and use code ADHISTORY to get 68% off a 2 year plan plus 4 additional months free. It’s risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! Learn how a VPN works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCWNRzoQGis Juvenal the Satirist gives a look at Rome's underbelly, & we solve how we got the idea of the Five Good Emperors - with surprising results. The post Juvenal The Satirist & How The Hell We Got The Five Good Emperors | 141AD-150AD appeared first on TGNR.

    The Kitos War & Bar Kokhba Revolt | 131AD-140AD F/ Sam Aronow

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2020 99:07


    Special Black Friday deal! Go to https://NordVPN.com/adhistory and use code ADHISTORY to get 68% off a 2 year plan plus 4 additional months free. It’s risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee! Learn how a VPN works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCWNRzoQGis. Did the Jewish people ever have a chance to return to Jerusalem under Roman Rule? Was Hadrian as good an emperor as he's often made out to be? Well, do we have a story and interview for you! The post The Kitos War & Bar Kokhba Revolt | 131AD-140AD F/ Sam Aronow appeared first on TGNR.

    Hadrian Builds a Wall & Zhang Heng: China’s da Vinci? | 121AD-130AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2020 74:19


    Today Paul and Patrick examine why Hadrian built his wall, and introduce the Chinese Renaissance man, Zhang Heng. The post Hadrian Builds a Wall & Zhang Heng: China’s da Vinci? | 121AD-130AD appeared first on TGNR.

    Kama Sutra: The TRUE Story & The Enduring Roman Pantheon | 111AD-120AD

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2020 68:15


    This episode of A.D. History is sponsored by NordVPN. Go to https://NordVPN.com/adhistory and use code ADHISTORY to get 68% off a 2-year plan, plus 1 additional month free. Learn how a VPN works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCWNRzoQGis. The Kama Sutra is a greatly misunderstood book today; a true history almost unknown. We also explore an architectural marvel of the Pantheon. The post Kama Sutra: The TRUE Story & The Enduring Roman Pantheon | 111AD-120AD appeared first on TGNR.

    What Was The Relationship Like Between Rome & Ancient Greece? & Exploring the Hopewell Tradition | 101AD-110AD Feat. Ryan Stitt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2020 87:22


    Paul & Patrick are joined by Ryan Stitt to explore the relationship between Rome and Ancient Greece; and also delve into the Hopewell Tradition. The post What Was The Relationship Like Between Rome & Ancient Greece? & Exploring the Hopewell Tradition | 101AD-110AD Feat. Ryan Stitt appeared first on TGNR.

    Trung Sisters, Destruction of Pompeii & More! | What We Missed 1st Century A.D.

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2020 58:31


    From the Vietnamese Trung sisters, the fate of Pompeii, and fire of Rome; Paul and Patrick cover what they missed in the 1st Century A.D.! The post Trung Sisters, Destruction of Pompeii & More! | What We Missed 1st Century A.D. appeared first on TGNR.

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