We've finally started one of the famous works of the ancient world! In this instalment, Achilles and Agamemnon have a falling out because of a slave girl, Aphrodite proves herself the worst and the war is nearly settled right there and then after a siege of nine years...

Sources for this episode:

• Homer (2021), The Iliad & The Odyssey. Translated by S. Butler. Oviedo: Entreacacias, S. L.
• Frazer, J. G. (1921), Apollodorus: The Library (Volume I). London: William Heinemann.
• Graves, R. (1981), Greek Myths: Illustrated Edition. London: Cassell Ltd.
• Ovid (1955), Metamorphoses. Translated with an introduction by M. M. Innes. London: Penguin Books.
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Pentalogy (online) (Accessed 18/08/2024).
• Author unknown, Wikipedia (date unknown), Tetralogy (online) (Accessed 18/08/2024).

The Autocrat team is on a bit of a break before we get into the Iliad in episode 59 next week. However, we didn't want to leave you starved of content! This week includes a bit of an update on scheduling, plus some fun moments from the podcast's history- including some never seen before...

Let us know if you want to see more bloopers, and we might include some on a Patreon someday!

A quick update welcoming you to 2025- or the 2778th year of Rome- and a primer on what you can expect for the year ahead. For any ancient Romans listening, feel free to ignore this until your New Year in March.

Sources for this episode:

• Blakemore, E., National Geographic (2023), The new year once started in March- here's why (online) (Accessed 31/12/2024).
• The Editors, Encylopedia Britannica (2024), Chinese New Year (online) (Accessed 31/12/2024).
• Author unknown, Uchicago (date unknown), Roman Calendar (online) (Accessed 31/12/2024).