Podcast · 201 episodes

The Rest Is History

by Goalhanger · English

Take a deep dive into History’s biggest moments with Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook. Explore the stories of History’s most brutal rulers, deadly battles, and world-changing events. From the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the Nazi conquest of Europe, and Hitler’s evil master plan for world domination, to the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic, or the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Tom and Dominic bring the past to life with gripping storytelling and expert analysis, as they unpack the high-drama moments that shaped our world. Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com.

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710. The Terror: Death at the Guillotine (Part 4)The French Revolution’s Terror in late 1793–early 1794, focusing on the institutionalization of state violence (Committee of Public Safety and Committee of General Security), the Law of Suspects,…30 Sep 2026 · 1 h 31 min

709. The Terror: The Execution of Marie Antoinette (Part 3)Part 3 of the series on the French Revolution’s “Terror,” focusing on Marie Antoinette after Louis XVI’s execution, the propaganda that demonized her, the revolutionary state’s destruction of…27 Sep 2026 · 1 h 12 min

708. The Terror: The Reign of Robespierre (Part 2)The episode explains the “start of the Terror” in France (1793–1794) and argues that it was not just later British/Anglophone mythmaking.23 Sep 2026 · 1 h 30 min

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707. The Terror: How The French Revolution Collapsed Into Chaos (Part 1)The episode (Part 1) recounts the lead-up to the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat on 13 July 1793 and explains how France’s 1793 crises (economic collapse, war, and internal rebellion) helped trigger…20 Sep 2026 · 1 h 26 min · 32 chapters

706. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: Storming the Citadel (Part 2)Britain’s 1868 expedition to rescue European hostages held by Emperor Theodros II in Magdala, culminating in the Good Friday battle where British forces defeat Theodros’ army and force negotiations.16 Sep 2026 · 1 h 14 min · 33 chapters

705. Queen Victoria’s Revenge: The Mad Emperor of Abyssinia (Part 1)The British attempt to secure the release of European hostages held by Emperor Tewodros II of Abyssinia (Ethiopia), culminating in the Abyssinian Expedition’s lead-up to the 1868 storming of Magdala…13 Sep 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 28 chapters

704. Roman Civil War: Master of the Republic (Part 4)The Roman Republic’s slide into civil war and Sulla’s consolidation of power in 83–82 BC, from the burning of Jupiter’s temple to the Battle of the Colline Gate and the start of the “proscriptions”…9 Sep 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 21 chapters

703. Roman Civil War: Marching on the Senate (Part 3)In 88 BC, rival Roman generals Gaius Marius and Lucius Cornelius Sulla collide over command against Mithridates of Pontus.6 Sep 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 33 chapters

702. Roman Civil War: The Barbarian Invasion (Part 2)Rome’s panic and military response to the “terror of the Cimbri,” culminating in Gaius Marius’s annihilation of the Teutons (102 BC) and Cimbri (101 BC), followed by the political fallout over…2 Sep 2026 · 1 h 19 min · 25 chapters

701. Roman Civil War: Rise of the General (Part 1)Rome in the 110s–119 BC faces a “migrationary apocalypse” as the Teutons and Cimbri—likely from Jutland/regions north of it—advance toward Italy (Plutarch’s “plunderers”).30 Aug 2026 · 1 h 14 min · 22 chapters

700. The Troubles: Bloody Sunday (Part 4)The episode (Part 4 of “The Troubles: Bloody Sunday”) explains the lead-up to Bloody Sunday on 30 January 1972 in Derry/Londonderry and why it escalated the Troubles.26 Aug 2026 · 1 h 24 min · 29 chapters

699. The Troubles: Return of the IRA (Part 3)How Northern Ireland rapidly deteriorated after the British Army was deployed in 1969, leading to a spiral of violence in 1970–71 that prompted Senator Edward Kennedy’s Vietnam comparison and helped…23 Aug 2026 · 1 h 24 min · 28 chapters

698. The Troubles: The Brink of Civil War (Part 2)Northern Ireland’s civil conflict escalates in 1968–1969, as the civil rights movement grows, British troops are considered, and sectarian violence spirals after key marches, riots, and bombings.19 Aug 2026 · 1 h 22 min · 31 chapters

697. The Troubles: Murder in Belfast (Part 1)Part 1 of a series on “The Troubles,” focusing on how sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland escalated from the early 20th century into the conditions that led to the violence peaking in 1972.16 Aug 2026 · 1 h 25 min · 31 chapters

696. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: Killing the Queen of Scots (Part 6)Mary Queen of Scots’ correspondence with Catholic conspirators is intercepted, leading to the Babington Plot, Mary’s arrest, trial, and (in the next episode) execution.12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 10 min · 18 chapters

695. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Shadow War (Part 5)The growing Protestant-Catholic conflict in Europe, centered on Philip Sidney’s rise and the English decision to aid the Dutch revolt after the fall of Antwerp to the Spanish.9 Aug 2026 · 1 h 2 min · 22 chapters

694. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Treacherous Conspiracy (Part 4)Elizabeth I’s shifting strategy against Catholic Spain—first rewarding Drake while secretly keeping plunder, then courting France’s Duke of Anjou to counter Spanish power in the Low Countries, and…5 Aug 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 30 chapters

693. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: England’s Greatest Hero (Part 3)The episode (Part 3) follows Sir Francis Drake as England’s Protestant maritime hero in the Tudor “Cold War” with Catholic Spain, moving from his early career and anti-Spanish motivations to his…2 Aug 2026 · 1 h 17 min · 23 chapters

692. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: A Massacre in Paris (Part 2)Part 2 links the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (24 Aug 1572) to Elizabethan England’s escalating anti-Catholic intelligence war, culminating in the Jesuit mission to England and a planned…29 Jul 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 28 chapters

691. Elizabeth I vs The Catholics: The Queen’s Spymaster (Part 1)In 1569, Sir William Cecil warns that Protestant England’s survival hinges on Queen Elizabeth I’s life and on stopping Catholic plots centered on Mary, Queen of Scots.26 Jul 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 24 chapters

690. A Murderous Affair: Death at Mayerling (Part 2)The secret affair between Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary and 17-year-old Baroness Mary Vetsera, culminating in the Meierling hunting lodge murder-suicide (Jan 1889), and the immediate…22 Jul 2026 · 1 h 19 min · 26 chapters

689. A Murderous Affair: The Habsburgs’ Greatest Scandal (Part 1)This episode (Part 1) sets up the late-1880s Habsburg “murder-suicide” scandal in Vienna, framing it as a gothic collision of imperial duty, sexual politics, and rising nationalism/anti-Semitism.19 Jul 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 31 chapters

688. The Odyssey: Return of the King (Part 2)Athena and Zeus move to end Odysseus’s captivity and restart the homecoming; meanwhile Telemachus gains authority, Odysseus returns in disguise, and the suitor crisis escalates toward the…15 Jul 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 25 chapters

687. The Odyssey: Hero of the Trojan Horse (Part 1)Odysseus’ early voyage home after the Trojan War, focusing on obstacles that derail his nostos (return home): the Lotus Eaters, Polyphemus the Cyclops, Aeolus’ wind bag, the Lestrygonians, and…12 Jul 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 20 chapters