Echoes of History

History Hit & Assassin's Creed

Dive into the real-life history that inspires the locations, characters, and storylines of the legendary world of Assassin’s Creed.  ‘Echoes of History’ is the official Assassin's Creed history podcast. We’ll head down the narrow side streets of Medici-ruled Florence, cross sand dunes in the shadow of ancient pyramids, climb the rigging of 18th century brigs sailing across the Caribbean and meet the most powerful warlords in Feudal Japan - all before hearing from the developers themselves to understand how and why these moments are recreated in the acclaimed historical game series. Every week, join historian Matt Lewis, and regular contributor Holly Nielsen, as they speak to historical experts about the secrets of the past and uncover how these stories influence Assassin’s Creed. A Ubisoft podcast brought to you by History Hit. If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. For more Echoes of History, including guided tours through the places of the past recreated in Assassin’s Creed, head to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@assassinscreedEOH  To find out more go to www.assassinscreed.com or find us on Facebook & Twitter. (Re)discover Assassin’s Creed full catalogue with Ubisoft+” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO

    Is Saladin Overrated?

    The original Assassin’s Creed game focuses on the Assassins' efforts to bring down the Templars during the Third Crusade from 1189-1192. He encounters real figures from history, including Templar Grand Masters and Christian kings. One person who doesn’t appear as a character is the Muslim leader, Saladin. Nevertheless his presence - and his legend - is felt. The first Sultan of both Egypt and Syria, Saladin pushed back against the Christian Crusader Kingdoms and retook Jerusalem. His success led to the Third Crusade. He’s the reason Richard the Lionheart was in the Holy Land, and he was the sworn enemy of the Templars. To find out more about Saladin’s rise to power and his astonishing successes, I’m joined by the wonderful Professor Jonathan Phillips from Royal Holloway, University of London. He explains how Saladin rose to power, and may not have been as accomplished as his legendary reputation suggests. Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel. Hosted by: Matt Lewis Edited by: Michael McDaid Produced by: Robin McConnell, Matt Lewis Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff Production Manager: Beth Donaldson Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett Music: City of Jerusalem by Jesper Kyd Meditation Begins by Jesper Kyd Meditation of the Assassin by Jesper Kyd If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here. Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  2. MAR 16

    Samurai Armor Explained

    In the 16th century world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, we meet the samurai as they had to be: soldiers in a world on fire. But today, we’re looking at the samurai as they wanted to be seen. In this special episode, Matt Lewis joins Dr Rosina Buckland, Curator of the Japanese Collections at the British Museum, to examine a 500-year-old puzzle: this suit of samurai armour. It has been passed down through generations as a single suit: in reality, it’s a 'Greatest Hits' of samurai history - while the helmet dates back to the era of Oda Nobunaga and the battles we see in the game, other parts of this suit were forged centuries later. Through this suit, we'll find out what it really meant to be a samurai, and how the warriors of the past wrote the story we’re still playing today. Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch this interview on the Assassin's Creed YouTube channel and listen to our series about the real samurai and shinobi (ninja) of Sengoku Japan. Hosted by: Matt Lewis Edited by: Blu Posner, Robin McConnell Produced by: Robin McConnell, Peta Stamper Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff Production Manager: Beth Donaldson Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett Music by The Flight If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here. Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  3. MAR 9

    The Assassination of Julius Caesar

    The Ides of March is the best-known date in the ancient world, thanks to one of the most infamous acts in history: the assassination of Gaius Julius Caesar. Assassin’s Creed Origins portrays Caesar at the peak of his powers, who was shockingly assassinated by a gang of Senators, including his most loyal friends and followers, like Brutus. What had Caesar done to deserve this? Who stabbed him first? And how did the assassins’ plan to save the Roman Republic ultimately lead to the creation of the Roman Empire? Prof. Colin Elliot from Indiana University Bloomington, host of the Pax Romana podcast, joins Matt Lewis to reveal the true events of that fateful day. His book Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook The World offers a comprehensive, wide-ranging account of the world's first pandemic. Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch this episode on our YouTube channel, and listen to our previous episodes about the wars of Caesar and Cleopatra. Hosted by: Matt Lewis Edited by: Robin McConnell Produced by: Robin McConnell Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff Production Manager: Beth Donaldson Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett Music: Winds of Cyrene by Sarah Schachner Across the Dunes by Sarah Schachner Ptolemy's Lament by Sarah Schachner If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here. Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 3m
  4. FEB 23

    Who Was The Oracle of Delphi?

    Wouldn’t it be nice to know the future? To have solid advice on what is about to happen in your life, so that you know exactly what to do when the time comes? For the Ancient Greeks, this wasn’t a daydream: it was a real possibility, thanks to Oracles.   The most important soothsayer was the Oracle of Delphi. Located high on the remote slopes of Mount Parnassus, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey recreates the sanctuary in beautiful detail and allows players to meet the Oracle herself. She is as famous as she is mysterious. Who was the Oracle? Why was Delphi such a special place? And what sorts of questions did Ancient Greeks seek answers to? Matt Lewis is joined by Dr. Garrett Ryan, the historian behind the wonderful Told in Stone. His excellent book, Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants answers 36 frequently asked questions about the Greeks and Romans that are both fascinating and fun to read. Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel. Hosted by: Matt Lewis Edited by: Robin McConnell Produced by: Robin McConnell Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff Production Manager: Beth Donaldson Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett Music: Legendary Heirloom by The Flight, Mike Georgiades Delphi by The Flight The Secret Land of Apollo by The Flight If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here. Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  5. FEB 16

    The First Viking Invaders Of Britain: The Great Heathen Army

    The Great Heathen Army: the cool, or terrifying, name given to a huge Norse army that landed in England in the middle of the 9th century and stayed for 13 years, devastating the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms. The Viking leaders are semi-legendary, cloaked in the mythology of the Norse and the scaremongering of the Anglo-Saxons. Was the army really led by the three sons of the infamous Ragnar Lothbrook, as depicted in Assassin's Creed Valhalla? What were they trying to achieve? And after Alfred the Great, would the Great Heathen Army have considered itself successful? Matt Lewis is joined by Dr Caitlin Ellis, Associate Professor of Nordic Medieval History at the University of Oslo. She'll be the guide to lead us on our quest for answers! Listen to our previous episode about the time Viking invaders nearly killed their nemesis, Alfred the Great. Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel. Hosted by: Matt Lewis Edited by: Michael McDaid Produced by: Robin McConnell, Matt Lewis Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff Production Manager: Beth Donaldson Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett Music: The Fate of East Mercia by Sarah Schachner Rivers and Fjords by Sarah Schachner If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here. Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  6. FEB 9

    The Philosopher's Stone: Isaac Newton & Alchemy

    The Philosopher’s Stone: the source of infinite wealth and everlasting life. It is one of the most famous myths in the world. But for centuries, it was not a myth. Some of the greatest and most pioneering scientists in history believed in the power of the stone, and pursued its riches. Amongst them was Sir Isaac Newton. As is depicted in the audio drama Assassin’s Creed Gold, his private notes reveal his secret pursuit of alchemy and the Philosopher’s Stone. How far did Isaac Newton take his alchemical experiments? What did the Philosopher's Stone mean to a rational scientist of Newton’s standing? And why was his research into alchemy only recently brought to light, even though he wrote over one million words about it in his personal notes? Matt Lewis is joined by Dr Joel Klein, Molina Curator for the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences at The Huntingdon, to explain the origins of alchemy and the science of the Philosopher's Stone. See the stunning Ripley Scroll in The Huntingdon's digital collection. Listen to our previous episode about Newton's surprising career combating counterfeiting as Master of the Royal Mint in London. Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel. Hosted by: Matt Lewis Edited by: Michael McDaid Produced by: Robin McConnell Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff Production Manager: Beth Donaldson Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett Music: On Father's Watch by Chris Tilton Ballroom Fight (Invention No. 13 in D Minor) by Sarah Schachner The Nation, the Law, and the King by Sarah Schachner If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. Take part in our listener survey here. Tell us your favourite Assassin's Creed game or podcast episode at echoes-of-history@historyhit.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m

Trailers

4.8
out of 5
251 Ratings

About

Dive into the real-life history that inspires the locations, characters, and storylines of the legendary world of Assassin’s Creed.  ‘Echoes of History’ is the official Assassin's Creed history podcast. We’ll head down the narrow side streets of Medici-ruled Florence, cross sand dunes in the shadow of ancient pyramids, climb the rigging of 18th century brigs sailing across the Caribbean and meet the most powerful warlords in Feudal Japan - all before hearing from the developers themselves to understand how and why these moments are recreated in the acclaimed historical game series. Every week, join historian Matt Lewis, and regular contributor Holly Nielsen, as they speak to historical experts about the secrets of the past and uncover how these stories influence Assassin’s Creed. A Ubisoft podcast brought to you by History Hit. If you liked this podcast please subscribe, share, rate & review. For more Echoes of History, including guided tours through the places of the past recreated in Assassin’s Creed, head to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@assassinscreedEOH  To find out more go to www.assassinscreed.com or find us on Facebook & Twitter. (Re)discover Assassin’s Creed full catalogue with Ubisoft+” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. You can take part in our listener survey here: https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/6FFT7MK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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