Has Hollywood made you curious about the Odyssey? Or have you had a lifelong obsession with this great foundation myth of Greece and Rome, an enduring epic that has shaped Western imagination for millennia?
Embark on an extraordinary maritime journey that blurs the lines between ancient legend and archaeological reality. Join historian Dan Snow in this special 2-part series as he retraces the route of the greatest adventure ever told, sailing the beautiful Ionian Sea in the wake of Odysseus’s immense journey home from the Trojan War.
Watch NowMore than a simple retelling, this gripping two-part series serves as an investigative deep dive into the bedrock of Ancient Greek culture. As Dan navigates from the ruins of Troy to the rugged, imposing walls of Mycenae – the “city rich in gold” – he uncovers the historical echoes behind Homer’s verses. This is not merely a travelogue; it is a meticulously researched exploration of the rituals, societal norms, and spiritual beliefs that defined the classical world.
Melikertis at dusk – the boat that stands in on camera for the ship of Odysseus.
Image Credit: History Hit
Throughout the voyage, Dan is joined by a chorus of world-leading classicists and archaeologists who bring antiquity to life. Experience the nuance of the epic with celebrated translator Emily Wilson; witness the power of ancient oratory as Steve Kershaw recites Homeric Greek in a modern town square; explore the sacred, complex duties of Xenia with Emily Hauser; decode the tense interplay of gods and mortals with Tulsi Parikh; and delve into the might of Mycenaean civilization with Tristan Hughes.
As the narrative unfolds upon the water, the series captures the haunting beauty of the Ionian Sea, visiting locations that inspired myths of Cyclopean caves, siren songs, and enchanted isles. The journey culminates in Ithaca, where Dan probes the ancient ruins – rumoured to be the very palace where Odysseus orchestrated his final, bloody reclamation of his home.
Join us for a fascinating synthesis of history, mythology, and exploration. Discover the true story of the “complicated” and “much turned about” hero whose voyage shaped Western literature and continues to captivate the modern imagination.
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The Odyssey – Part 1: The Voyage from Troy
We travel from Troy to the Ionian Sea as Dan takes to the water to explore the tortuous beginnings of the journey home, from far off Illium, via Circe’s enchanted island to the Underworld itself…
The Odyssey – Part 2: Return from Ithaca
Dan sails all the way home to Ithaca! Along the way he encounters storms, whirlpools, sirens and the wrath of the gods…
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History Hit is full of Odyssey and Trojan War content. You can watch our special bonus film where Dan discusses the Odyssey with celebrated classicist, Prof. Mary Beard. On Dan Snow’s History Hit podcast he goes deep into the story, and on the Ancients podcast Tristan Hughes speaks to key Greece experts about the history around the myths.
“Oarsmen to your benches!” Climb aboard with Odysseus and History Hit to enjoy a cornucopia of fascinating insights into this epic story.
