Short History Of..‪.‬ Noiser

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For nearly 12 centuries, the Ancient Greeks honoured their gods with one of the most famous sporting contests in the world: The Olympic Games. Athletes represented their city states to compete for the glory of the gods, knowing that winning or losing could change the course of their lives. From dangerous martial arts and the perilous chariot race, to sprints and the pentathlon, the Games showcased strength, skill, and stamina.

But why did the Olympic Games first begin? What did the earliest competitions look like? What was it like to take part in a competition with no second place and, in some cases, no rules. And why did the Ancient Games die out for over a thousand years?

This is a short history of….The Ancient Olympics.

A Noiser Production, written by Lindsay Galvin. With thanks to Dr Nigel Spivey, a senior lecturer in Classics, at the University of Cambridge.

The Beatles - made up of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison - were the biggest band the world has ever seen. Recording together for just over seven years, setting unprecedented sales, and revolutionising songwriting, theirs was a stardom that burned brightly, but quickly. 

So who were the four ordinary Liverpudlian teenagers before they created a band that would change the music industry forever? How did their music, and fame, affect them? And what caused ‘Beatlemania’ to all come crumbling down so soon, and in such dramatic fashion?

This is a Short History Of…The Beatles.

A Noiser production, written by Olivia Jordan. With thanks to Kenneth Womack, Professor of English and Popular Music at Monmouth University, and author of The Cambridge Companion to The Beatles.

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Mozart occupies a unique place in the history of culture, as his output of over 600 works defined the course of classical music, and remade the face of opera. Mozart’s compositions are staples of our cultural landscape, and his is a name which still, centuries later, sells out concert halls around the world.

But how did the tear-away son of a middling family make it to the top? What impact did his commitment to his art have on his health? And what is the truth about his final days?

This is a Short History Of….Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

A Noiser production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to John Suchet, Classic FM radio presenter and author of Mozart: The Man Revealed.

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Over 32 years of exploration, Dr David Livingstone made a name for himself as a renowned adventurer, doctor, and Christian missionary. He travelled more than 30,000 miles, and contended with disease, heartbreak, and brutal conflict on the way. His experiences also turned him into a fierce opponent of the slave trade. But despite his celebrated status, Livingstone is a flawed hero. 

So how did he fight his way out of poverty to become one of the world’s most famous explorers? Why, over 200 years after his birth, is he still a source of fascination? How important was his work for the abolitionist movement? And what is his legacy today?

This is a Short History Of…Dr David Livingstone.

A Noiser production, written by Kate Harrison. With thanks to Dr Kate Simpson, director of education in the Digital Humanities Institute at the University of Sheffield, curatorial adviser for the David Livingstone Birthplace Museum in Blantyre, and the project scholar for Livingstone Online. 

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Princess Diana was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Not only was she married to the future King of England, she was also a fashion icon, a humanitarian, a devoted mother, and a role model for millions. However, her life was far from the fairytale she’d envisioned, and was instead marred by heartbreak and tragedy. 

So how did a young, shy girl cope with such massive fame? Why did her marriage to Prince Charles break down so spectacularly? And how should we remember the ‘People’s Princess’ today?

This is a Short History Of… Princess Diana.

A Noiser Production, written by Nicole Edmunds. With thanks to Dr Tessa Dunlop, historian, author, and award-winning broadcaster.

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For a little over 200 years, the First Persian Empire ruled over a vast expanse across three continents, making it arguably the world’s first great superpower. At its peak, it stretched from its base in Persia - roughly analogous to modern-day Iran, all the way to India in the East, incorporating swathes of Central Asia, Egypt, Libya and Iraq. It also conquered ancient powers such as Pharaonic Egypt, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Altogether, it ruled an area that now comprises some twenty nation-states.

But from where did it spring, and how did it establish such formidable power? Who were its leaders? And what led to its decline, completed with such ferocity by Alexander the Great?

This is a Short History Of… The First Persian Empire.

A Noiser production, written by Dan Smith. With thanks to Dr Christopher Farrell, assistant professor of Greek History and Culture at University College Dublin.

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