Stories of the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon beguile generations of listeners. An Indian emperor builds paradise on Earth in memory... more

A herder in 9th century Ethiopia discovers a stimulating plant, after observing his goats behaving strangely. The pope weighs in... more

In medieval Italy, a woman’s death is blamed on the two-pronged utensils she uses at her wedding banquet. In 17th... more

A high stakes summit between Henry VIII and his French counterpart leaves behind a mountain of dirty dishes. The decline... more

In the hills of northern Spain, lamps help an anthropologist and his young daughter make an incredible discovery. Rushlights illuminate... more

A murderous emperor builds the grandest bath complex ever seen in Ancient Rome. The arrival of a new disease spells... more

In Ancient Persia, ingenious ice houses refrigerate food in one of the hottest deserts on earth. Bronze Age sites on... more

A wasp leads to the invention of paper in ancient China. Rich Europeans have to find another way to decorate... more

Join domestic historian Ruth Goodman as she guides you through the surprising, often epic stories behind everyday objects in your... more