Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics

Natalie Haynes takes a fresh look at the ancient world, creating stand-up routines about figures from ancient Greece and Rome.

Radio 4,50 episodes

Episodes

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Series 11
The Aeneid
In a tour de force solo performance, Natalie takes on Virgil's great poem in 28 minutes.
02 Sep 2025,27 mins
Series 11
Hestia
The overlooked Olympian who was the resolutely unmarried goddess of the hearth and home
26 Aug 2025,27 mins
Series 11
Catullus
The brilliant Roman love poet is the poster boy for teen angst.
19 Aug 2025,27 mins
Series 11
Hera
The queen of the Olympian gods is swallowed by her father then marries her brother Zeus.
12 Aug 2025,27 mins
Series 11
The Women Poets of Ancient Greece
Natalie tells the stories of the Nine Earthly Muses. With Edith Hall and Nikita Gill.
05 Aug 2025,28 mins
Series 11
Alexandria: The Library
Natalie explores the great library of Alexandria. With Edith Hall and Islam Issa.
29 Jul 2025,27 mins
Series 11
Alexandria: The City
Natalie tells the story of the ancient city of Alexandria. With Islam Issa and Edith Hall.
22 Jul 2025,27 mins
Series 10
Tacitus
The great historian of imperial Rome, Tacitus can persuade you of just about anything.
12 Aug 2024,27 mins
Series 10
Aesop
The best-known author from antiquity, famed for his fables. But did he really exist?
05 Aug 2024,27 mins
Series 10
Artemis
Predator, hunter, archer, daughter of Zeus, queen of wild creatures: the goddess Artemis.
29 Jul 2024,27 mins
Series 10
Aphrodite
The Greek goddess of love, desire and beauty, Aphrodite is mostly depicted naked, or wet.
22 Jul 2024,27 mins
Series 10
Hesiod
Prize-winning poet, cataloguer of gods and author of a flatpack wagon manual: Hesiod.
15 Jul 2024,27 mins
Series 10
Cleopatra
Brilliant politician, ruthless leader, massive brain-box: Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt.
08 Jul 2024,27 mins
Saturnalia
Natalie Haynes celebrates Saturnalia with guests André Vincent and Llewelyn Morgan.
24 Dec 2024,27 mins
Series 9
Martial
Epigrams, jokes and absolute filth, that's Martial. With Robin Ince and Llewelyn Morgan.
28 Nov 2023,27 mins
Series 9
Demeter
A story of a mother's love, and anger. Demeter seeks justice for Persephone.
05 Dec 2023,27 mins
Series 9
Athene
Goddess of wisdom, war and... handicrafts: Athene is charismatic and bloodthirsty.
12 Dec 2023,27 mins
Series 9
Livia
First Empress of Rome, faithful wife and influential advisor - or serial killer?
19 Dec 2023,27 mins
Series 8
Pompeii
Why are ripe pomegranates and squashed grapes key archaeological finds from Pompeii?
14 Aug 2022,28 mins
Series 8
Spartan Women
By the standards of the ancient world, Spartan women had it good. With Edith Hall.
21 Aug 2022,28 mins
Series 8
Lucretius
Six-book epic poem on philosophy and physics? Don't mind if I do.
28 Aug 2022,28 mins
Series 8
Homer: The Odyssey
Natalie retells Homer's epic story of homecoming, adventure and passion.
04 Sep 2022,34 mins
Series 7
Medusa
The real story of the famous snake-haired mythological woman?
18 May 2021,27 mins
Series 7
Pandora
A mythological equivalent to Eve with a bit of Sleeping Beauty thrown in. With Edith Hall
25 May 2021,27 mins
Series 7
Jocasta
The wife of Oedipus. And mother. A still spellbindingly shocking story. With Edith Hall.
01 Jun 2021,27 mins
Series 7
Clytemnestra
The worst wife in Greek myth. Or was she? With Professor Edith Hall.
08 Jun 2021,27 mins
Series 6
Helen of Troy
Natalie Haynes tells stories of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Troy.
17 May 2020,27 mins
Series 6
Penthesilea, Amazon Warrior Queen
Natalie Haynes tells the story of Penthesilea, Amazon warrior Queen.
24 May 2020,27 mins
Series 6
Eurydice
Natalie Haynes tells Eurydice's story from a new perspective. With Llewelyn Morgan.
31 May 2020,27 mins
Series 6
Penelope
Natalie Haynes tells of Penelope, the clever woman behind The Odyssey.
07 Jun 2020,27 mins