Bad Ancient/ Owen Rees
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badancient.bsky.social
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/
Getting ready for the 2nd podcast interview of the day. This morning was all about Xenophon and why he is the greatest writer of the ancient world, with @ancienthistory101.org. Next up, a chat about my book and ancient nomads with @nomadspod.bsky.social!
February 10, 2026 at 2:07 PM
It's taken directly from Greek vases. Its use is up for debate - but can't men have pretty things too! Eg:
February 3, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Academics to their students: 'Don't leave things to the last minute, submit your work before the deadline day'

Academics submitting an abstract due on Sunday:
February 2, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Apropos of nothing, if anyone ever wants help with ancient world building for a game ... I would definitely be up for that! And would probably be the first time I ever impressed my kids
January 31, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Just got home from a great talk by the one and only @belovedofoizys.bsky.social who I finally got to meet in person. Took my 13yo daughter too who had a great time!
January 15, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Behold my masculinity on display
December 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Pleased to announce we are celebrating a new leadership agreement for the Returning Solider Network with a 1-day symposium focusing on 'Forgotten Veterans', at Birmingham Newman University in April. Here is the CfP!
December 12, 2025 at 8:08 AM
The German translation has arrived! See the next post for a link to order.
November 15, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Some houses near me appear to be locked in a battle of faux-patriotism. Whenever one flag goes up, another puts up two. This guy seems to be 'winning':
October 12, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Just received my author copies for the north american version of my book!

Pre-order here (release date 30th Sept): wwnorton.com/books/978132...
August 28, 2025 at 1:19 PM
So great to see my book out in translation. Sandwiched between two great books by @drdragases.bsky.social (thanks for sending this to me!) and @jldraycott.bsky.social.
July 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Gus has been sat by my side while I learned to be a dad, when I wrote my first book, when we moved across the country, through the PhD and beyond. He was always with me through everything, and today I was with him one last time. Goodbye to the best old dog.
June 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Bad Ancient is getting its first public event as part of Chalke Valley History Festival next Weds. The website has been growing since its inception in 2020, can't wait to talk about it. But I will have been on the move since 4.30am and its my 3rd talk of that day, so hoping the adrenaline kicks in!
June 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
I am going to guess most, if not all, historians have an origin story. Mine starts around the time I got hold of these two beauties as a kid!
June 18, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Italian translation has just arrived today!
May 30, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Spotted a new book on the shelves in Manchester @rhigarthjones.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
During class yesterday I was asked about Medical Humanities and what they were. It gave me an excuse to wax lyrical about a mentor of mine (@helenking.bsky.social) and her new book, as a good example of what it's all about. Then, this morning, it arrived at my door!
May 8, 2025 at 1:03 PM
When your two great interests align! The founder of Kosmos offered me the chance to try out their kit, which is ancient Greek themed! The name of the Judo gi is Stoa... I haven't yet asked why, I presume because of the logo?
April 30, 2025 at 2:28 PM
My holiday 'to read' pile. I only get time to read books, cover to cover in one go, about once a year - so I have to make it count!
April 14, 2025 at 8:23 AM
The glamorous life of an ancient historian! My last book was mostly written in a car whilst waiting for my wife to run marathons around Yorkshire. My latest work will be written, it seems, while waiting for my daughter to enjoy seeing her friends.
April 8, 2025 at 10:10 AM
It is always nice to get Bad Ancient fan mail. Apparently I need to sack all of the Egyptologists now, so I suppose I should get on with doing that.
April 7, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Survived my first literary festival 'author talk' today in Oxford. Seemed to go well. I was really pleased to see @helenking.bsky.social in the audience, who was such a big influence on me early on in my studies.

Bonus: my book appeared in this shop window! Near to @moudhy.bsky.social no less.
April 1, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Time to indulge a teenage obsession of mine as I spend time in 16th century Japan!
March 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I was out in Manchester today and spotted 'Holy Places' by @drkathrynhurlock.bsky.social on the shelf!
March 16, 2025 at 3:35 PM
The search brings up images that come close, so we are looking for an exact match. Spotted here: 4/5
February 20, 2025 at 1:38 PM