Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
@badancient.bsky.social
Ancient Historian: Global history, ancient disability, veteran studies, etc. Also runs Bad Ancient: Fact-checking common claims about the ancient world.
Website: www.badancient.com
Newsletter: https://owenrees.substack.com/
Website: www.badancient.com
Newsletter: https://owenrees.substack.com/
Pinned
🌎 Far Edges of the Known World - Owen Rees
Owen Rees explores powerful empires and diverse people beyond the reaches of Greece and Rome and in doing so offers us a new, brilliantly rich lens with which to understand the ancient world.
Read more - www.bloomsbury.com/uk/far-edges...
Owen Rees explores powerful empires and diverse people beyond the reaches of Greece and Rome and in doing so offers us a new, brilliantly rich lens with which to understand the ancient world.
Read more - www.bloomsbury.com/uk/far-edges...
It is publication day for The Far Edges of the Known World! If you love ancient history, global history, unusual stories from the past, or if you want some nice historical escapism about life at the edges of the ancient world - pick up a copy today! #AncientBlueSky #BookSky #Skystorians
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Many years ago, I helped set up The Returning Soldier Network, but circumstances meant that I had to step away for a few years as I tried to find secure work. Yesterday, I returned back into the fold as one of the project leads! So watch this space, plans are brewing... @milwelfhist.bsky.social
Who We Are
The Returning Soldier Network was established in 2018 to bring together researchers looking at the figure of the returning soldier from the ancient world to the modern day. The group includes acade…
returningsoldier.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Many years ago, I helped set up The Returning Soldier Network, but circumstances meant that I had to step away for a few years as I tried to find secure work. Yesterday, I returned back into the fold as one of the project leads! So watch this space, plans are brewing... @milwelfhist.bsky.social
Many years ago, I helped set up The Returning Soldier Network, but circumstances meant that I had to step away for a few years as I tried to find secure work. Yesterday, I returned back into the fold as one of the project leads! So watch this space, plans are brewing... @milwelfhist.bsky.social
Who We Are
The Returning Soldier Network was established in 2018 to bring together researchers looking at the figure of the returning soldier from the ancient world to the modern day. The group includes acade…
returningsoldier.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Many years ago, I helped set up The Returning Soldier Network, but circumstances meant that I had to step away for a few years as I tried to find secure work. Yesterday, I returned back into the fold as one of the project leads! So watch this space, plans are brewing... @milwelfhist.bsky.social
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Repatriating the Athenian War Dead - by Owen Rees
owenrees.substack.com/p/repatriati...
owenrees.substack.com/p/repatriati...
Repatriating the Athenian War Dead
I do not often write about my academic research on this newsletter - in part because it is not always pleasant reading.
owenrees.substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Repatriating the Athenian War Dead - by Owen Rees
owenrees.substack.com/p/repatriati...
owenrees.substack.com/p/repatriati...
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Call for Statements of Interest - open now!
In 2026 the MWHN, in partnership with the JMVHR, will produce its second special issue. With the theme of 'Medical welfare and care of military communities: a collection of historical studies'. Full details attached #histmed #histnursing #milwelfhist
In 2026 the MWHN, in partnership with the JMVHR, will produce its second special issue. With the theme of 'Medical welfare and care of military communities: a collection of historical studies'. Full details attached #histmed #histnursing #milwelfhist
November 19, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Call for Statements of Interest - open now!
In 2026 the MWHN, in partnership with the JMVHR, will produce its second special issue. With the theme of 'Medical welfare and care of military communities: a collection of historical studies'. Full details attached #histmed #histnursing #milwelfhist
In 2026 the MWHN, in partnership with the JMVHR, will produce its second special issue. With the theme of 'Medical welfare and care of military communities: a collection of historical studies'. Full details attached #histmed #histnursing #milwelfhist
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Civilisation is vague term, I'll admit, but I dont think it could ever be used to describe 'the samurai'. Maybe I'm wrong? 🗂
BBC Arts on Instagram: "“No civilisation ever thinks it's going to fall.”
Four mighty civilisations: Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs. Their legends remain. What led them to fall into the ...
1,918 likes, 17 comments - bbcarts on November 13, 2025: "“No civilisation ever thinks it's going to fall.”
Four mighty civilisations: Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs. Their legends remai...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Civilisation is vague term, I'll admit, but I dont think it could ever be used to describe 'the samurai'. Maybe I'm wrong? 🗂
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
The German translation has arrived! See the next post for a link to order.
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The German translation has arrived! See the next post for a link to order.
Civilisation is vague term, I'll admit, but I dont think it could ever be used to describe 'the samurai'. Maybe I'm wrong? 🗂
BBC Arts on Instagram: "“No civilisation ever thinks it's going to fall.”
Four mighty civilisations: Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs. Their legends remain. What led them to fall into the ...
1,918 likes, 17 comments - bbcarts on November 13, 2025: "“No civilisation ever thinks it's going to fall.”
Four mighty civilisations: Rome, Egypt, Japan's Samurai and the Aztecs. Their legends remai...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Civilisation is vague term, I'll admit, but I dont think it could ever be used to describe 'the samurai'. Maybe I'm wrong? 🗂
The German translation has arrived! See the next post for a link to order.
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
The German translation has arrived! See the next post for a link to order.
My US publisher has made book related content - this is a first for me!
W. W. Norton & Company on Instagram: "Happy #FunFact Friday! Did you know that back in the third century one of Britain’s emperors took leadership only in order to evade a sentence to death from the t...
Get an inside look at the remarkable tale of Carausius, a Roman emperor who used cunning and ambition to evade execution. Read 'The Far Edges of the Known World' by Owen Ress for a fresh perspective o...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 PM
My US publisher has made book related content - this is a first for me!
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Sincere thanks from me and Michael Robinson to @badancient.bsky.social and Michael Roper for joining us as Birmingham yesterday and today for another MWHN event. Onwards to the next #milwelfhist
November 7, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Sincere thanks from me and Michael Robinson to @badancient.bsky.social and Michael Roper for joining us as Birmingham yesterday and today for another MWHN event. Onwards to the next #milwelfhist
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Q&A with Owen Rees about his new book, THE FAR EDGES OF THE KNOWN WORLD.
tinyurl.com/y3avmudz
@badancient.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/y3avmudz
@badancient.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Q&A with Owen Rees about his new book, THE FAR EDGES OF THE KNOWN WORLD.
tinyurl.com/y3avmudz
@badancient.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/y3avmudz
@badancient.bsky.social
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
0900-1030hrs: Panel Two: 'Short-Term and Long-Term Trauma', with papers by Oscar Owen (University of Wolverhampton); Dr Kristin O'Donnell (Birmingham Newman University) & Dr Ana Catarina Pinho (Universidade Nova de Lisboa) #milwelfhist #trauma #histmed
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
0900-1030hrs: Panel Two: 'Short-Term and Long-Term Trauma', with papers by Oscar Owen (University of Wolverhampton); Dr Kristin O'Donnell (Birmingham Newman University) & Dr Ana Catarina Pinho (Universidade Nova de Lisboa) #milwelfhist #trauma #histmed
This Q&A has just come out with me - all about my book!
Q&A with Owen Rees about his new book, THE FAR EDGES OF THE KNOWN WORLD.
tinyurl.com/y3avmudz
@badancient.bsky.social
tinyurl.com/y3avmudz
@badancient.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM
This Q&A has just come out with me - all about my book!
On my way to Birmingham for this - should be a good one!
Today is day 1 of the second of our @wellcometrust.bsky.social -funded events series, hosted both at @unibirmingham.bsky.social in 2025 and online in 2026. With 'trauma' and its associated medical impacts as our theme, we expect interesting papers and stimulating discussions #milwelfhist
November 6, 2025 at 9:25 AM
On my way to Birmingham for this - should be a good one!
The Far Edges of the Known World has a cheeky mention in The Media Tourist's 'Read all about it'!
The Entertainment Forecast
What to watch, and more! Oct. 31 – Nov. 6 A ‘Halloween’ marathon, the return of Robin Hood & how Harry Chapin’s ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ touched just abou…
neilsentertainmentpicks.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The Far Edges of the Known World has a cheeky mention in The Media Tourist's 'Read all about it'!
I am currently writing for a keynote I have been invited to give, but realised I have never actually sat through one ... they are too long for me. So, if anyone has any tips I am all ears!
October 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I am currently writing for a keynote I have been invited to give, but realised I have never actually sat through one ... they are too long for me. So, if anyone has any tips I am all ears!
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
AI is beginning to acquire a negative default in my head, so I presume that whatever it is claimed it can do should be followed by the word 'badly'.
Elon Musk says AI research into ancient Rome will ‘rewrite history’
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Elon Musk says AI research into ancient Rome will ‘rewrite history’
The world’s richest man is financing a new age of archaeological projects that seek to use artificial intelligence to fill in knowledge gaps
www.thetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
AI is beginning to acquire a negative default in my head, so I presume that whatever it is claimed it can do should be followed by the word 'badly'.
AI is beginning to acquire a negative default in my head, so I presume that whatever it is claimed it can do should be followed by the word 'badly'.
Elon Musk says AI research into ancient Rome will ‘rewrite history’
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
www.thetimes.com/world/europe...
Elon Musk says AI research into ancient Rome will ‘rewrite history’
The world’s richest man is financing a new age of archaeological projects that seek to use artificial intelligence to fill in knowledge gaps
www.thetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:48 PM
AI is beginning to acquire a negative default in my head, so I presume that whatever it is claimed it can do should be followed by the word 'badly'.
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
“telling stories about monsters isn’t simply a way of describing beings that are nothing like humans. It’s also how societies define and police who they think counts as fully human.”
My words in @aeon.co
💙📚 🧪🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #psychology 🧵/n
My words in @aeon.co
💙📚 🧪🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #psychology 🧵/n
Those declared ‘monsters’ are ejected from the human family | Aeon Essays
For centuries we’ve used the declaration of ‘monster’ to eject individuals and groups from being respected as fully human
aeon.co
October 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM
“telling stories about monsters isn’t simply a way of describing beings that are nothing like humans. It’s also how societies define and police who they think counts as fully human.”
My words in @aeon.co
💙📚 🧪🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #psychology 🧵/n
My words in @aeon.co
💙📚 🧪🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #psychology 🧵/n
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
My latest review explores Owen Rees’s “The Far Edges of the Known World,” a bold rethinking of ancient history that shifts focus from Greece and Rome to the overlooked edges of antiquity.
open.substack.com/pub/jonathan...
open.substack.com/pub/jonathan...
Owen Rees's Material Challenge to Historical Bias in "The Far Edges of the Known World"
"There is a fundamental problem when considering the edges of the world: the edges are determined by where we think the centre is." With this observation, Owen Rees sets the stage for his revisionist ...
open.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 1:08 AM
My latest review explores Owen Rees’s “The Far Edges of the Known World,” a bold rethinking of ancient history that shifts focus from Greece and Rome to the overlooked edges of antiquity.
open.substack.com/pub/jonathan...
open.substack.com/pub/jonathan...
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Intriguing premise for this book on “The Far Edges of the Known World” that touches well on recent scholarly trends around stories from the “periphery”. Will try to get my hands on it. Anybody read it? What did you think?
www.unseenhistories.com/owen-rees-fa...
www.unseenhistories.com/owen-rees-fa...
The Far Edges of the Known World - Unseen Histories
Owen Rees introduces us to his new history of the Ancient Past.
www.unseenhistories.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Intriguing premise for this book on “The Far Edges of the Known World” that touches well on recent scholarly trends around stories from the “periphery”. Will try to get my hands on it. Anybody read it? What did you think?
www.unseenhistories.com/owen-rees-fa...
www.unseenhistories.com/owen-rees-fa...
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
The Far Edges of the Known World: Life Beyond the Borders of Ancient Civilization
Owen Rees
newbooksnetwork.com/the-far-edge... #borderlandshistory #socialhistory I especially enjoyed the part about the nubian-egyptian border, cooking, and intermarriage
Owen Rees
newbooksnetwork.com/the-far-edge... #borderlandshistory #socialhistory I especially enjoyed the part about the nubian-egyptian border, cooking, and intermarriage
Owen Rees, "The Far Edges of the Known World: Life Beyond the Borders of Ancient Civilization" (Norton, 2025) - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com
October 16, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The Far Edges of the Known World: Life Beyond the Borders of Ancient Civilization
Owen Rees
newbooksnetwork.com/the-far-edge... #borderlandshistory #socialhistory I especially enjoyed the part about the nubian-egyptian border, cooking, and intermarriage
Owen Rees
newbooksnetwork.com/the-far-edge... #borderlandshistory #socialhistory I especially enjoyed the part about the nubian-egyptian border, cooking, and intermarriage
Reposted by Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
Latest review looks at Owen Rees' new book "The Far Edges of the Known World: A new history of the ancient past" which discusses how ancient cultures were often transformed and shaped by interaction and exchange, particularly at their fringes. resolutereader.blogspot.com/2025/10/owen...
Owen Rees - The Far Edges of the Known World: A new history of the ancient past
The premise of The Far Edges of the Known World is demonstrated best with the quote that opens the book. The Greek hero Jason (of the Argona...
resolutereader.blogspot.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Latest review looks at Owen Rees' new book "The Far Edges of the Known World: A new history of the ancient past" which discusses how ancient cultures were often transformed and shaped by interaction and exchange, particularly at their fringes. resolutereader.blogspot.com/2025/10/owen...