Drunk On History

lauren_dogaer

Drunk On History is a podcast that explores humanity’s complex relationship with alcohol — from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to Rome, Mesoamerica, India, China, and beyond. Together with experts, I dive into how ancient civilizations used, abused, and understood alcohol.
How did the ancients manage the age-old question of “How much is too much?” What laws or moral codes tried to curb excess? What can warnings on drinking cups or ancient myths about intoxication tell us about moderation and society?
Pour yourself a glass and join me on a journey through time!

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9 episodes
monthly
Avg 33 min
English

Episodes 9

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S1 · E8
September 28 · 43 min
Episode 8: Alcohol in the Levant and the Bible
In the eighth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Jacob Damm, archaeologist and specialist in the ancient Levant, to explore the long and fascinating history of alcohol production and consumption in the region. Together, they examine archaeological evidence for brewing, from some of the earliest possible evidence at Raqefet Cave to Egyptian brewing traditions preserved at Jaffa and Iron Age fermentation technology. The conversation also explores how modern assumptions have shaped our understanding of ancient drinking cultures. Jacob discusses the debate over Philistine “beer jars,” the scientific analysis of ancient yeast, and why the distinction between beer and wine may not have been as clear-cut in the ancient world as we often assume. Lauren and Jacob then turn to the Hebrew Bible, exploring stories of Noah and Lot, as well as the biblical terms yayin and shekar. The episode highlights why combining archaeological, scientific, and textual evidence is essential to building a fuller understanding of ancient drinking cultures.
S1 · E7
August 29 · 36 min
Episode 7: Drinking Culture in Iron Age Europe
In the seventh episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Joshua Driscoll, an archaeologist specializing in Iron Age Europe. Together, they explore the diverse drinking cultures of Iron Age communities, from beer and mead to wine and other fermented beverages. They discuss how different drinks were produced, consumed, and associated with everyday life, feasting, ritual, and social status. The conversation then turns to the social importance of drinking and feasting. Lauren and Joshua examine how alcohol helped build relationships, reinforce alliances, and express wealth and power. They also explore the changing drinking practices that emerged as Celtic communities came into increasing contact with the Greek and Roman worlds. Drawing on archaeological evidence, they reveal a complex and diverse drinking culture that challenges the traditional divide between “Roman” and “barbarian” drinking practices, showing how local traditions and Mediterranean influences came together to shape alcohol consumption across Iron Age Europe.
S1 · E6
July 31 · 32 min
Episode 6: Alcohol in Indian Religion and Sanskrit Texts
In the sixth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with James McHugh, an expert in pre-modern India, Indian religion, and Sanskrit literature. Together, they explore what ancient Sanskrit texts reveal, and sometimes obscure, about alcohol consumption, moderation, and the remarkable diversity of intoxicating beverages in pre-modern India. Drinks such as sura and soma challenge the familiar beer, wine, and spirits categories often applied to other ancient civilizations. The conversation also examines the role of the state in regulating brewing, selling, and drinking alcohol, as well as how religious traditions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism shaped attitudes towards intoxication. Who could drink, what they could drink, and in whose company were all influenced by religious and social norms. Although archaeological evidence is limited, Sanskrit literature offers a rich and fascinating perspective on drinking culture, one that is unlike any of the civilizations explored in previous episodes.
S1 · E5
June 28 · 34 min
Episode 5: The Archaeology of Wine in the Roman Empire
In the fifth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Emlyn Dodd, archaeologist and expert on ancient wine production in the Roman world. Together, they explore the central role of wine in Roman society, from everyday consumption to its importance as a marker of status, identity, and civilisation. They also discuss the wide variety of wines produced across the empire and how Roman tastes and drinking practices evolved over time. The conversation then turns to the production of wine itself. Lauren and Emlyn examine who made Roman wine, from small-scale farmers to wealthy landowners and imperial estates, and discuss the technologies and techniques that enabled wine to be produced and distributed on an unprecedented scale across the Mediterranean. Drawing on archaeological evidence from vineyards, wineries, and elite residences, they explore how wine was embedded in Roman economic, social, and political life. From lavish banquets and religious ceremonies to imperial displays of wealth, the episode reveals how wine became one of the defining features of Roman culture and helped shape an empire.
S1 · E4
May 30 · 35 min
Episode 4: Alcohol in Pharaonic Egypt
In the fourth episode of Drunk On History, host Lauren Dogaer talks with Morgan Moroney, Assistant Curator of Egyptian, Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Art at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Together, they explore common assumptions about alcohol consumption in Ancient Egypt, including the idea that beer was the drink of the common people while wine was reserved for the elite. They also discuss the different scales on which beer and wine were produced during the Pharaonic period. The conversation then turns to the fascinating “Festival of Drunkenness.” Lauren and Morgan examine the role of beer and wine in this extraordinary celebration, where excessive drinking was believed to grant participants access to the goddess associated with intoxication. Far from an ordinary social gathering, the festival was a ritualized feast with profound religious significance. Drawing on archaeological evidence, particularly from funerary contexts, they discuss how brewery models, wine-making scenes, and drinking vessels deposited in tombs reveal valuable insights into the production, consumption, and cultural importance of alcohol in Pharaonic Egypt. The recording and editing of this episode was kindly funded by Mehen, Study Center for Ancient Egypt
S1 · E3
April 26 · 38 min
Episode 3: The Greek Symposium
In the third episode of the Drunk On History podcast, host Lauren Dogaer and Professor Nadhira Hill of Randolph-Macon College delve into the fascinating world of ancient Greek drinking practices, particularly focusing on the symposium. Professor Hill explains that the symposium, an all-male drinking party, usually took place in an andron, a rectangular or square space at the home, with a raised platform for reclining couches. In addition, they explore the historical context in which these drinking parties took place, the structure and significance of the symposium, including activities that had nothing to do with drinking, such as reciting poetry or philosophical discussions. The conversation also touches on the role of Dionysus in Greek culture, the importance of moderation and the aspect of hybris, as well as the social dynamics within these drinking events. Through archaeological evidence, especially from Athens and the site Olynthos, and literary sources, they uncover the complexities of social interactions, hierarchies, and cultural aspects surrounding (group) drinking in ancient Greece.
S1 · E2
March 26 · 43 min
Episode 2: Beer in Bronze Age Mesopotamia
In this fascinating episode, host Lauren Dogaer sits down with Professor Tate Paulette of North Carolina State University, a leading expert in ancient urban food systems and Mesopotamian archaeology. Together, they explore the world of ancient Mesopotamia - often called the cradle of civilization - where the first cities, states, and writing systems emerged around 3000 BC. Tate unpacks the complexities of the region’s identity, from its modern name shaped by colonial history to the rich tapestry of languages and scripts such as cuneiform, Sumerian, and Akkadian. The conversation then turns to a topic both ancient and surprisingly relatable: beer. Drawing on his book In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia, Tate shares his hands-on journey recreating Sumerian brewing practices using ancient ingredients and techniques - including the enigmatic bappir, a key component of Mesopotamian beer. Beyond the brewing process, the episode dives into the cultural significance of beer in Mesopotamian society. From its role in daily life and social rituals to its appearance in literature like the Epic of Gilgamesh, beer emerges as far more than a simple drink - it was a cornerstone of community, culture, and even moral storytelling. This episode offers a rich and refreshing look at how one of humanity’s oldest beverages shaped life in one of its earliest civilizations. More on Tate's Sumerian brewing experiments can be found here: Brewing up something Ancient & Human Factor Speaking Series: Alton Brown
S1 · E1
February 24 · 37 min
Episode 1: The Social Construct of Alcohol through the Ages
In the inaugural episode of Drunk on History, we’re joined by renowned anthropologist Prof. Michael Dietler for a deep dive into the complex social life of alcohol. Far from being just a beverage, alcohol has long been a powerful cultural force. Professor Dietler unpacks how different societies across history have defined alcohol, ritualized its consumption, and embedded it into systems of identity, power, and belief. From ancient Mediterranean feasting traditions to broader cross-cultural exchanges, this conversation reveals how drinking practices are shaped as much by politics and economics as by taste. Blending archaeology, anthropology, and social theory, this episode challenges modern assumptions about alcohol by placing it in a broader historical framework. Whether you’re interested in ancient civilizations, cultural history, or the politics of pleasure, this conversation invites you to see alcohol not just as a drink — but as a defining element of human society. Pour a glass and join me as we get Drunk on History. 🍷
January 20 · 41 sec
Show Intro
I am Lauren Dogaer, an Ancient Historian and Egyptologist. Fascinated by history and the ancient world, I truly believe we can learn something valuable from the societies that came before us. So I thought — why not get Drunk on History? Drunk on History is a podcast that explores humanity’s complex relationship with alcohol — from ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia to Rome, Mesoamerica, India, China, and beyond. Together with experts, I dive into how ancient civilizations used, abused, and understood alcohol. How did the ancients manage the age-old question of “How much is too much?” What laws or moral codes tried to curb excess? What can warnings on drinking cups or ancient myths about intoxication tell us about moderation and society? Pour yourself a glass and join me on a journey through time — uncovering how drinking shaped cultures, rituals, and stories throughout the ages.

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