Show Notes
Meet Catherine of Alexandria — the brilliant, fearless, and slightly rebellious saint who gave 4th-century philosophers a run for their money. From outwitting emperors to holding her own in a debate with the greatest minds of her time, Catherine wasn’t just a pretty face (though, she probably had one of those too). One of her biggest legacies was actually having a torture device named after her. Tune in to find out why! Support the show
More from Beheaded
In part two of our season finale, Robespierre reaches the peak of his power as the Revolution descends into the Reign of Terror. He sends thousands to the guillotine in the name of protecting the Republic. But as fear consumes France, Robespierre's allies become his enemies, and the architect of the Terror finds himself facing the very machine he used against so many others. In our final episode, we discuss his dramatic fall from power and the execution that brought one of history's bloodiest...
Maximilien Robespierre believed he could save France. A poor boy turned lawyer, he built his reputation defending the forgotten and fighting for equality. But when revolution came, his desire to create a perfect republic led him down a dangerous path. In part one of our season finale, we follow Robespierre’s rise from an ambitious young politician to one of the men responsible for the downfall of the monarchy, setting the stage for the Terror that would follow. Support the show
Agrippina the Younger, also known as Julia Agrippina, was one of the most powerful women in ancient Rome. She played a pivotal role in securing the throne for her son, the infamous (and villainous) Emperor Nero, only for their relationship to end in one of history’s greatest betrayals. Life in ancient Rome was an ongoing story of ambition, revenge, death, and execution. But when it comes to Agrippina’s own fate, the answer may not be so clear. Was her death a formal and legal execution? Or wa...
In 1324, the town of Kilkenny became the setting for Ireland's first recorded witch trial. When wealthy noblewoman Alice Kyteler was accused of witchcraft, her servant Petronilla de Meath was swept into the investigation. Rumors of mysterious deaths and dark magic soon captured the attention of church authorities, turning a local scandal into a deadly trial. In this episode, we explore the legal case that would leave a lasting mark on Irish history and help shape the future of witch trials. S...
The Great Fire of London in 1666 left people not only homeless and terrified, but desperate for answers. Accepting that a catastrophic disaster could begin with a simple accident wasn't nearly satisfying enough. London wanted to know who started the fire. In this episode, we dive into the bizarre case of Robert Hubert, the Frenchman who somehow became London's prime suspect after the city went up in flames. There's just one problem: the evidence against him was remarkably thin. In fact, parts...