Echoes of History - Revision history

Soranin: Text replacement - ">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''" to ">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''"

2026-09-22T03:46:03Z

Text replacement - ">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''" to ">''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla''"

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:46, 22 September 2026
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	;Alfred the Great's downfall<nowiki>:</nowiki> The Battle of Chippenham		;Alfred the Great's downfall<nowiki>:</nowiki> The Battle of Chippenham
	''Among the many cool characters from the [[Viking expansion\|Viking Age]] that are brought to life in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' is [[Alfred the Great]]. Before his military success against the [[Vikings]], Alfred also boasts one of the all-time great comeback stories. In January 878, all looked lost: Alfred was hiding in [[Athelnay\|marshlands]], his army defeated and scattered, and the Vikings controlled his [[Wessex\|kingdom]]. The key event that almost saw the end of [[Anglo-Saxons\|Anglo-Saxon]] [[England]] was the [[Battle of Chippenham]].<br><br>''Assassin's Creed: Valhalla'' [[Holy Day\|recreates]] the battle and puts players in the heart of combat. But what do we really know about the battle? How big was a [[Great Heathen Army\|Viking army]]? What did the Anglo-Saxons count as a 'real' battle?<br><br>To help answer these questions, Matt Lewis is joined by Professor Ryan Lavelle from the {{Wiki\|University of Winchester}}. In addition to writing ''[https://books.google.com/books/?id=Adn2JCYnwRwC Alfred's Wars: Sources and Interpretations of Anglo-Saxon Warfare in the Viking Age]]', he consulted on'' Assassin's Creed: Valhalla.		''Among the many cool characters from the [[Viking expansion\|Viking Age]] that are brought to life in ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' is [[Alfred the Great]]. Before his military success against the [[Vikings]], Alfred also boasts one of the all-time great comeback stories. In January 878, all looked lost: Alfred was hiding in [[Athelnay\|marshlands]], his army defeated and scattered, and the Vikings controlled his [[Wessex\|kingdom]]. The key event that almost saw the end of [[Anglo-Saxons\|Anglo-Saxon]] [[England]] was the [[Battle of Chippenham]].<br><br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'' [[Holy Day\|recreates]] the battle and puts players in the heart of combat. But what do we really know about the battle? How big was a [[Great Heathen Army\|Viking army]]? What did the Anglo-Saxons count as a 'real' battle?<br><br>To help answer these questions, Matt Lewis is joined by Professor Ryan Lavelle from the {{Wiki\|University of Winchester}}. In addition to writing ''[https://books.google.com/books/?id=Adn2JCYnwRwC Alfred's Wars: Sources and Interpretations of Anglo-Saxon Warfare in the Viking Age]]', he consulted on'' Assassin's Creed: Valhalla.
	{{!}}-{{!}}		{{!}}-{{!}}
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Soranin: Text replacement - ">''Assassin's Creed: Shadows''" to ">''Assassin's Creed: Shadows''"

2026-09-22T03:45:00Z

Text replacement - ">''Assassin's Creed: Shadows''" to ">''Assassin's Creed: Shadows''"

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:45, 22 September 2026
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	;Portuguese missionaries in Japan		;Portuguese missionaries in Japan
	<!-- Later reissued 28 Dec 2025 under title "The first Europeans in Japan" per ACast link https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history/episodes/the-first-europeans-in-japan, with the following blurb:		<!-- Later reissued 28 Dec 2025 under title "The first Europeans in Japan" per ACast link https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history/episodes/the-first-europeans-in-japan, with the following blurb:
	:When Portuguese merchants ran aground on the Japanese isle of Tanegashima in 1543, two worlds collided—Europeans encountered Japan for the first time. For the next 50 years, Portuguese and their partners flooded into this newly discovered land aiming to spread the power of the Christian Church and sell wares that could revolutionise Japan, like the powerful gun. But in the fiery cauldron of Sengoku Japan, Portuguese missionaries were but one player in the most bloody and brutal of political games.<br><br>''Assassin's Creed: Shadows'' delves into the tensions at the heart of this culture clash. Did Buddhist and Shinto Japanese accept Christianity? Why did the Japanese see Europeans as [[wikt:南蛮\|barbaric]]? Were Japanese warlords like Oda Nobunaga exploited by Western traders and church leaders, or were the Europeans unwittingly being exploited by the Japanese?<br><br>Matt Lewis and Prof. Frederik Cryns, historical advisor on the hit TV show ''{{Wiki\|Shōgun (2024 TV series)\|Shōgun}}'', uncover how Europeans fit into 16th century Japan's patchwork of daimyos and the momentous impact they had on feudal Japanese warfare and society.-->		:When Portuguese merchants ran aground on the Japanese isle of Tanegashima in 1543, two worlds collided—Europeans encountered Japan for the first time. For the next 50 years, Portuguese and their partners flooded into this newly discovered land aiming to spread the power of the Christian Church and sell wares that could revolutionise Japan, like the powerful gun. But in the fiery cauldron of Sengoku Japan, Portuguese missionaries were but one player in the most bloody and brutal of political games.<br><br>''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'' delves into the tensions at the heart of this culture clash. Did Buddhist and Shinto Japanese accept Christianity? Why did the Japanese see Europeans as [[wikt:南蛮\|barbaric]]? Were Japanese warlords like Oda Nobunaga exploited by Western traders and church leaders, or were the Europeans unwittingly being exploited by the Japanese?<br><br>Matt Lewis and Prof. Frederik Cryns, historical advisor on the hit TV show ''{{Wiki\|Shōgun (2024 TV series)\|Shōgun}}'', uncover how Europeans fit into 16th century Japan's patchwork of daimyos and the momentous impact they had on feudal Japanese warfare and society.-->
	''When [[Portuguese Empire\|Portuguese]] [[merchant]]s ran aground on the [[Japan]]ese isle of {{Wiki\|Tanegashima}} in 1543 two worlds collided—[[Europe]]ans had encountered Japan for the first time. For the next 50 years, Portuguese-sponsored [[Priest\|missionaries]] flooded into this newly discovered land aiming to exploit it for western benefit. But in the fiery cauldron of Sengoku Japan, Portuguese missionaries were but one player in the most bloody and brutal of political games.<br><br>In the third episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest [[Assassin's Creed (series)\|''Assassin's Creed'' game]], ''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'', join Matt Lewis and Prof. Fredrick Cryns as they uncover how these missionaries fit into 16th century Japan's patchwork of warlords and daimyos, and the momentous impact they had on feudal Japanese warfare and society.''		''When [[Portuguese Empire\|Portuguese]] [[merchant]]s ran aground on the [[Japan]]ese isle of {{Wiki\|Tanegashima}} in 1543 two worlds collided—[[Europe]]ans had encountered Japan for the first time. For the next 50 years, Portuguese-sponsored [[Priest\|missionaries]] flooded into this newly discovered land aiming to exploit it for western benefit. But in the fiery cauldron of Sengoku Japan, Portuguese missionaries were but one player in the most bloody and brutal of political games.<br><br>In the third episode of this series delving into the history behind the latest [[Assassin's Creed (series)\|''Assassin's Creed'' game]], ''[[Assassin's Creed: Shadows]]'', join Matt Lewis and Prof. Fredrick Cryns as they uncover how these missionaries fit into 16th century Japan's patchwork of warlords and daimyos, and the momentous impact they had on feudal Japanese warfare and society.''
	{{!}}-{{!}}		{{!}}-{{!}}

Darman36 at 17:15, 21 August 2026

2026-08-21T17:15:54Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:15, 21 August 2026
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	;Sparta vs Athens<nowiki>:</nowiki> The Peloponnesian War		;Sparta vs Athens<nowiki>:</nowiki> The Peloponnesian War
			<!-- Later reissued 21 August 2026 under title "Athens vs Sparta: The war that changed history" per ACast link https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history/episodes/athens-vs-sparta-the-war-that-changed-history, with the following preceding sentence blurb:
			:The unforeseen consequences of this war led to the first scientific history book, the birth of philosophy. and the rise of Alexander the Great...-->
	[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] ''puts us at the heart of the expansive conflict that occurred when [[Athens]] went to war with [[Sparta]]: the [[Peloponnesian War]]. Guest host Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. {{Wiki\|Roel Konijnendijk}} to recount the causes, events, and legacy of this pivotal war in the ancient [[Greece\|Greek]] world.''		[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]] ''puts us at the heart of the expansive conflict that occurred when [[Athens]] went to war with [[Sparta]]: the [[Peloponnesian War]]. Guest host Tristan Hughes is joined by Dr. {{Wiki\|Roel Konijnendijk}} to recount the causes, events, and legacy of this pivotal war in the ancient [[Greece\|Greek]] world.''
	{{!}}-{{!}}		{{!}}-{{!}}
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	*''Matthew Lewis as himself''		*''Matthew Lewis as himself''
	*Dr. Rebecca Simon as herself		*Dr. Rebecca Simon as herself
			*Joel Janisse as himself
			*Julien Koch as himself
	</div>		</div>
	{{-}}		{{-}}
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	\|26 April 2026		\|26 April 2026
	\|-		\|-
	\|rowspan="5"\|22		\|rowspan="4"\|22
	\|[Pirates in the Caribbean: how it all began]]		\|[Pirates in the Caribbean: how it all began]]
	\|7 May 2026		\|7 May 2026
	\|rowspan="5"\|[[File:AC Echoes of History Black Flag.jpg\|200px]]<br>''[Black Flag Resynched (Echoes of History)\|Black Flag Resynced]]''		\|rowspan="4"\|[[File:AC Echoes of History Black Flag.jpg\|200px]]<br>''[Black Flag Resynched (Echoes of History)\|Black Flag Resynced]]''
	\|-		\|-
	\|[Life in the Pirate Republic]]		\|[Life in the Pirate Republic]]
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	\|[The Golden Age of Piracy: Myths vs reality]]		\|[The Golden Age of Piracy: Myths vs reality]]
	\|2 July 2026		\|2 July 2026
			\|-
			\|[Remaking the pirate Caribbean in Assassin's Creed Black Flag]]
			\|6 August 2026
	\|}		\|}

Soranin at 18:35, 14 August 2026

2026-08-14T18:35:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:35, 14 August 2026
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	;Leonidas		;Leonidas
	''The legendary [[Battle of Thermopylae]] has been told over and over and remains famous for an incredible act of valor: 300 [[Sparta]]n warriors defending [[Hot Gates of Thermopylai\|a narrow]] path against [[Achaemenid Empire\|tens of thousands]] of [[Iran\|Persians]] to protect the retreat of the Greek army. A symbol of courage, sacrifice, and honor. But there's more to the story, as the Spartans weren't actually alone at this moment. And [[Leonidas I of Sparta\|Leonidas]]' personality deserves some enlightenment.''		''The legendary [[Battle of Thermopylae]] has been told over and over and remains famous for an incredible act of valor: 300 [[Sparta]]n warriors defending [[Hot Gates of Thermopylai\|a narrow]] path against [[Achaemenid Empire\|tens of thousands]] of [[Iran\|Persians]] to protect the retreat of the Greek army. A symbol of courage, sacrifice, and honor. But there's more to the story, as the Spartans weren't actually alone at this moment. And [[Leonidas I of Sparta\|Leonidas]]' personality deserves some enlightenment.''
	*'''Danny Wallace:''' ''How far would you go to defend your people? This is probably what Leonidas, the legendary king of Sparta, asked himself one September morning in 480 BC. The Battle of Thermopylae was underway, and, overwhelmed by the Persians, the Greek army was in disarray. Heading up his troops of 300 valiant Spartans, Leonidas decided to fight until the death. Gazing out over the battlefield, he took stock. 300 Spartans against tens of thousands of Persians. This heroic sacrifice earned Leonidas a place in history, and much more besides. Passed down over generations, the tale of this battle has turned the king of Sparta into a legend, sometimes to outlandish effect.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode one, Leonidas.<br><br>The year is 480 BC. The Greek [[Sanctuary of Delphi]] is home to a [[Temple of Apollo, Delphi\|temple]] to [[Apollo]], where Spartans are jostling to see the [[Pythia]], the temple's [[Pythia (480 BCE)\|priestess]] who has a foreboding prophecy to share...''<br><br>"O dwellers in Sparta of the wide spaces;<br>Either your famed, great town must be sacked by [[Perseus]]' sons,<br>Or, if that be not, the whole land of Lacedaemon<br>Shall mourn the death of a king."<ref>Herodotus. ''[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0126 The Histories]'', VII.220. Translated by {{Wiki\|A. D. Godley}}. {{Wiki\|Cambridge, Massachusetts\|Cambridge}}, MA: {{Wiki\|Harvard University Press}}, 1920. ''Penelope Digital Library'', {{Wiki\|Tufts University}}. Retrieved on 15 January 2024.</ref><br><br>''The Spartans have travelled to Delphi for a reason. Trouble is afoot. The Persian king [[Xerxes I of Persia\|Xerxes]] has now made it clear that he plans to [[Greco-Persian Wars\|invade]] the whole of Greece. The tyrant is readying himself to lead his endless army through the {{Wiki\|Dardanelles\|Hellespont}}, a narrow strait in today's northwestern [[Turkey]] that separates the Greek and Persian Empires. Standing his way, thirty-odd Greek cities have rallied together around Sparta, forming the {{Wiki\|Hellenic League}}. King Leonidas' city boasts unparalleled military prestige, and the great man himself has been tasked with leading the Greek coalition into battle against the Persians. Paradoxically, the life of the legendary Leonidas is little known. Most Greek historians filled their writing with anecdotes that paint a portrait of an idealized king: Leonidas, the accomplished warlord; Leonidas, the great leader of men; Leonidas, the epitome of Spartan values—devoted to his city, valiant in battle, self-sacrificing. It isn't always easy to unpick fact from fiction. But, there are a handful of things we do know for certain about Leonidas' life.<br><br>As the third son of King {{Wiki\|Anaxandridas II}}, he wasn't destined to succeed his father. His older half-brother {{Wiki\|Cleomenes I\|Cleomenes}} took to the throne, becoming king of Sparta in 520 BC. At the time, 20-year-old Leonidas had just finished his ''[[agoge]]'', an extensive military training program designed to produce devout citizens and disciplined fighters. All male {{Wiki\|Spartiate\|Spartan citizens}} were required to complete this program, with the exception of legitimate heirs to the throne. Despite his [[Agiad dynasty\|royal ancestry]], Leonidas was thus accustomed to acute physical training from childhood, and suffered the whippings dealt out to him by his elders to correct his errors and toughen up his body without complaint. This demanding apprenticeship included fights with other young men, as well as races wearing {{Wiki\|Panoply\|full military gear}} and weaponry, designed to prepare them for battle. Ultimately, the Fates conspired to make Leonidas king of Sparta. Political machinations prompted the downfall of Cleomenes, who took his own life in 488 BC, leaving no male heir behind him. {{Wiki\|Dorieus}}, his second brother, had died twenty years previously in a campaign to conquer [[Sicily]].<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.205</ref> As a result, Leonidas' time to rule had come. The fact that he had completed his ''agoge'' training was unusual for a king, and undoubtedly imbued him with a special aura and appeal in the eyes of Sparta's citizen-soldiers. Although no mention is made of his prowess in specific battles, Herodotus reports that Leonidas was "the most respected of the Greek generals".<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.204</ref><br><br>Back to 480 BC. Busy leading the Greek cities' resistance, Leonidas suddenly finds himself at the center of a morbid prophecy: die in battle, or see Sparta fall to the Persians. Yet today, historians all agree, that this presage was a complete fabrication, a legend that was made up well after the events it foreshadowed, the Battle of Thermopylae. The ''[[Hot Gates of Thermopylai\|thermopylae]]'', meaning "[[wikt:Θερμοπύλαι\|hot gates]]" in Greek, refer to a narrow, coastal passage between ~~{{Wiki\|Malian Gulf~~\|sea}} and {{Wiki\|Kallidromo\|mountain}} in eastern Greece. Arriving from the north, with plans to march south to [[Athens]], Xerxes' infantry had no choice but to pass through it. Named after and known for its hot [[sulfur]] springs, the site has remained immortalized in history as the stage of the heroic sacrifice undertaken by Leonidas and his Spartans. In fact, the dark prophecy constitutes the first legendary element of a story that was partially true but tinged with myth in order to turn the battle into the stuff of {{Wiki\|Epic (genre)\|epics}}. After all, a legend as admirable as the story of Leonidas and his 300 men would require more than just death on the battlefield.<br><br>For the sacrifice to attain its fascinating appeal after all these years, the soldiers would have to be aware of their imminent death and decide to accept their fate without fear, all in the name of a higher cause. Leading the Greek troops, 60-year-old Leonidas played a decisive role in the strategies rolled out to beat back the invaders. The Greeks were faced with an insurmountable problem: the Persians drastically outnumbered them. While the figures offed up by Herodotus, over 2 million men—I mean, come on—are pure fantasy, modern scholars believe that at least 200, 000 Persian soldiers crossed the Hellespont in September 480 BC as a mere few thousand Greeks looked on. Leonidas' decision to take on the Persian army at a narrower spot, the Thermopylae, was therefore most likely a strategic one, a choice that turned his army's weakness into a strength. It as also a way to put a renowned Spartan war tactic to work, the [[hoplite]] {{Wiki\|phalanx}}. Teamwork was central to this compact formation. {{Wiki\|Dory (spear)\|Long spears}} in hand, protected by their {{Wiki\|Aspis\|shields}}, and armored to the gills, the Spartans were able to withstand the swarms of foot soldiers—greater in number but less well-equipped—for lengthy periods of time.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.211</ref> Leonidas proved his worth as a war leader, taking major decisions and boosting morale. He remained on the battlefield until the bitter end, unlike the Persian king Xerxes, who watched the battle unfold from a distance<ref name="Herodotus VII.212">Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.212</ref>—like a coward.<br><br>Four days went by, without the slightest breakthrough. Xerxes had not choice but to acknowledge the fact that the Greeks would neither surrender nor retreat as he had hoped they would.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.210</ref> The Persian king sent across a messenger asking the Greeks to lay down their arms. Leonidas replied instantly, "{{Wiki\|Molon labe\|Come and get them}}."<ref>[[Plutarch]]. ''[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2008.01.0197 Moralia – Apophthegmata Laconica]'', 51.11. Translated by Frank Cole Babbitt. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, London, 1920. ''Penelope Digital Library'', Tufts University. Retrieved on 15 January 2024.</ref> Xerxes decided to attack, but watched on as his 5,000 [[archer]]s were thwarted, their [[arrow]]s raining down to shatter against the Greek shields.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.226</ref> Over two days, waves of Persian soldiers collided against the Greek phalanxes that blocked the pass without ever faltering. Tens of thousands of Xerxes' men fell, including some of his elite warriors known as the [[Immortals]]<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.210–212</ref>—which was probably over-selling things a bit. If you're going to call yourself an Immortal, you better be immortal! His salvation ultimately arrived in the form of one man, [[Ephialtes of Trachis\|Ephialtes]].<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.213</ref><br><br>This Greek soldier betrayed his side, revealing the existence of another passage to the Persian king: a [[Cave of Kratos\|mountain path]] that circumvented the Thermopylae. Problem solved. An unexpected chance to outsmart the Greeks. The next day, in the early hours of the morning, a detachment of Persian foot-soldiers set off to follow Ephialtes' directions.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.215</ref> Leonidas' scouts sounded the alarm, and the Spartan king immediately called a war council.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.219</ref> Most of the Greek cities voted to retreat, but Leonidas decided to stay with his men nevertheless, releasing those Greeks who wished to leave and saving about 3,000 lives in the process. It fell to the king and his famous 300 soldiers to defend the passage. But, the legend often skips over one key detail: they ''weren't'' alone. There's a plot twist! A little over a thousand soldiers from other Greek cities chose to stay behind with the Spartans,<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.217–218, 222</ref> with a total of 1,400 men fighting on. So, {{Wiki\|300 (film)\|that film}} really should have been called "300...plus a load of others".<br><br>Legend has turned this battle into a noble sacrifice, in which the Greeks gave themselves up to the death they'd been told would come, buoyed by the ''faintest'' glimmer of hope that they ''might'' delay the inevitable invasion by a couple of days. It comes as no surprise that the Greek texts, all written long after the battle, focus heavily on this notion of sacrifice. The Battle of Thermopylae was a defeat, after all, and needed to be gilded in some way—we all exaggerate our stories, don't we? And so, Herodotus recounts how Leonidas, despite his age, fell on the final day of fighting,<ref name="Herodotus VII.224">Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.224</ref> a selfless hero who fought with ardor to the very last. The historian also recounts how, after his death, his men had to fight for his body, which had been seized by the Persians, who were bent on defiling it.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.225</ref><br><br>The legend of Leonidas is the tale of absolute self-sacrifice, but, the Spartan king's strategy wasn't as suicidal as it may first appear. By using the terrain to their advantage, and tapping into extraordinary courage, the Greeks risked their lives and managed to whittle down the Persian army. Today's leading military historians even believe that, had the Greeks been able to hold out for an extra few days, the Persians would have experienced some ''serious'' logistical problems. An army that large locked in place for such a long time would indeed have struggled with supplies and would've been forced to retreat or scatter. Who knows? If Ephialtes hadn't betrayed his own, perhaps the Greeks might have won. All we know for sure is that this tragic end secured the Battle of Thermopylae's place in history, and turned Leonidas into a legend.<br><br>Forty years after the battle, his remains were retrieved and returned to Sparta. A tomb to the hero-king was raised in the heart of the city,<ref name="Herodotus VII.224"/> and it wasn't long before Leonidas had his very own {{Wiki\|Greek hero cult\|cult}}. Every year, an athletics competition for Spartans was held in honor of the fallen king, and Leonidas went on to be immortalized in paintings, films—played by {{Wiki\|Gerard Butler}} in the movie ''300''—and video games. In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'', players become a [[Kassandra\|descendant]] of the king of Sparta and bear his iconic [[Spear of Leonidas\|broken spear]]. Through the ages, Leonidas has survived as a shining example of sacrifice and selfless devotion to one's country, and is much better known than his cousin and successor, {{Wiki\|Pausanias the Regent}},<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', XI.10</ref> who [[Battle of Plataia\|defeated]] the Persian infantry just a year after the Battle of Thermopylae. Which just goes to show, sometimes the vanquished can overshadow the victorious. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.''		*'''Danny Wallace:''' ''How far would you go to defend your people? This is probably what Leonidas, the legendary king of Sparta, asked himself one September morning in 480 BC. The Battle of Thermopylae was underway, and, overwhelmed by the Persians, the Greek army was in disarray. Heading up his troops of 300 valiant Spartans, Leonidas decided to fight until the death. Gazing out over the battlefield, he took stock. 300 Spartans against tens of thousands of Persians. This heroic sacrifice earned Leonidas a place in history, and much more besides. Passed down over generations, the tale of this battle has turned the king of Sparta into a legend, sometimes to outlandish effect.<br><br>You're listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', the podcast that tells you the true stories of some of history's most legendary heroes. As the ''Assassin's Creed'' franchise turns 15, travel back through 2,500 years of history to meet the men and women whose destiny lead them to greatness. Uncover their stories and bring their legends back to life. Episode one, Leonidas.<br><br>The year is 480 BC. The Greek [[Sanctuary of Delphi]] is home to a [[Temple of Apollo, Delphi\|temple]] to [[Apollo]], where Spartans are jostling to see the [[Pythia]], the temple's [[Pythia (480 BCE)\|priestess]] who has a foreboding prophecy to share...''<br><br>"O dwellers in Sparta of the wide spaces;<br>Either your famed, great town must be sacked by [[Perseus]]' sons,<br>Or, if that be not, the whole land of Lacedaemon<br>Shall mourn the death of a king."<ref>Herodotus. ''[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0126 The Histories]'', VII.220. Translated by {{Wiki\|A. D. Godley}}. {{Wiki\|Cambridge, Massachusetts\|Cambridge}}, MA: {{Wiki\|Harvard University Press}}, 1920. ''Penelope Digital Library'', {{Wiki\|Tufts University}}. Retrieved on 15 January 2024.</ref><br><br>''The Spartans have travelled to Delphi for a reason. Trouble is afoot. The Persian king [[Xerxes I of Persia\|Xerxes]] has now made it clear that he plans to [[Greco-Persian Wars\|invade]] the whole of Greece. The tyrant is readying himself to lead his endless army through the {{Wiki\|Dardanelles\|Hellespont}}, a narrow strait in today's northwestern [[Turkey]] that separates the Greek and Persian Empires. Standing his way, thirty-odd Greek cities have rallied together around Sparta, forming the {{Wiki\|Hellenic League}}. King Leonidas' city boasts unparalleled military prestige, and the great man himself has been tasked with leading the Greek coalition into battle against the Persians. Paradoxically, the life of the legendary Leonidas is little known. Most Greek historians filled their writing with anecdotes that paint a portrait of an idealized king: Leonidas, the accomplished warlord; Leonidas, the great leader of men; Leonidas, the epitome of Spartan values—devoted to his city, valiant in battle, self-sacrificing. It isn't always easy to unpick fact from fiction. But, there are a handful of things we do know for certain about Leonidas' life.<br><br>As the third son of King {{Wiki\|Anaxandridas II}}, he wasn't destined to succeed his father. His older half-brother {{Wiki\|Cleomenes I\|Cleomenes}} took to the throne, becoming king of Sparta in 520 BC. At the time, 20-year-old Leonidas had just finished his ''[[agoge]]'', an extensive military training program designed to produce devout citizens and disciplined fighters. All male {{Wiki\|Spartiate\|Spartan citizens}} were required to complete this program, with the exception of legitimate heirs to the throne. Despite his [[Agiad dynasty\|royal ancestry]], Leonidas was thus accustomed to acute physical training from childhood, and suffered the whippings dealt out to him by his elders to correct his errors and toughen up his body without complaint. This demanding apprenticeship included fights with other young men, as well as races wearing {{Wiki\|Panoply\|full military gear}} and weaponry, designed to prepare them for battle. Ultimately, the Fates conspired to make Leonidas king of Sparta. Political machinations prompted the downfall of Cleomenes, who took his own life in 488 BC, leaving no male heir behind him. {{Wiki\|Dorieus}}, his second brother, had died twenty years previously in a campaign to conquer [[Sicily]].<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.205</ref> As a result, Leonidas' time to rule had come. The fact that he had completed his ''agoge'' training was unusual for a king, and undoubtedly imbued him with a special aura and appeal in the eyes of Sparta's citizen-soldiers. Although no mention is made of his prowess in specific battles, Herodotus reports that Leonidas was "the most respected of the Greek generals".<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.204</ref><br><br>Back to 480 BC. Busy leading the Greek cities' resistance, Leonidas suddenly finds himself at the center of a morbid prophecy: die in battle, or see Sparta fall to the Persians. Yet today, historians all agree, that this presage was a complete fabrication, a legend that was made up well after the events it foreshadowed, the Battle of Thermopylae. The ''[[Hot Gates of Thermopylai\|thermopylae]]'', meaning "[[wikt:Θερμοπύλαι\|hot gates]]" in Greek, refer to a narrow, coastal passage between [[Bay of Xerxes\|sea]] and {{Wiki\|Kallidromo\|mountain}} in eastern Greece. Arriving from the north, with plans to march south to [[Athens]], Xerxes' infantry had no choice but to pass through it. Named after and known for its hot [[sulfur]] springs, the site has remained immortalized in history as the stage of the heroic sacrifice undertaken by Leonidas and his Spartans. In fact, the dark prophecy constitutes the first legendary element of a story that was partially true but tinged with myth in order to turn the battle into the stuff of {{Wiki\|Epic (genre)\|epics}}. After all, a legend as admirable as the story of Leonidas and his 300 men would require more than just death on the battlefield.<br><br>For the sacrifice to attain its fascinating appeal after all these years, the soldiers would have to be aware of their imminent death and decide to accept their fate without fear, all in the name of a higher cause. Leading the Greek troops, 60-year-old Leonidas played a decisive role in the strategies rolled out to beat back the invaders. The Greeks were faced with an insurmountable problem: the Persians drastically outnumbered them. While the figures offed up by Herodotus, over 2 million men—I mean, come on—are pure fantasy, modern scholars believe that at least 200, 000 Persian soldiers crossed the Hellespont in September 480 BC as a mere few thousand Greeks looked on. Leonidas' decision to take on the Persian army at a narrower spot, the Thermopylae, was therefore most likely a strategic one, a choice that turned his army's weakness into a strength. It as also a way to put a renowned Spartan war tactic to work, the [[hoplite]] {{Wiki\|phalanx}}. Teamwork was central to this compact formation. {{Wiki\|Dory (spear)\|Long spears}} in hand, protected by their {{Wiki\|Aspis\|shields}}, and armored to the gills, the Spartans were able to withstand the swarms of foot soldiers—greater in number but less well-equipped—for lengthy periods of time.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.211</ref> Leonidas proved his worth as a war leader, taking major decisions and boosting morale. He remained on the battlefield until the bitter end, unlike the Persian king Xerxes, who watched the battle unfold from a distance<ref name="Herodotus VII.212">Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.212</ref>—like a coward.<br><br>Four days went by, without the slightest breakthrough. Xerxes had not choice but to acknowledge the fact that the Greeks would neither surrender nor retreat as he had hoped they would.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.210</ref> The Persian king sent across a messenger asking the Greeks to lay down their arms. Leonidas replied instantly, "{{Wiki\|Molon labe\|Come and get them}}."<ref>[[Plutarch]]. ''[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2008.01.0197 Moralia – Apophthegmata Laconica]'', 51.11. Translated by Frank Cole Babbitt. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, London, 1920. ''Penelope Digital Library'', Tufts University. Retrieved on 15 January 2024.</ref> Xerxes decided to attack, but watched on as his 5,000 [[archer]]s were thwarted, their [[arrow]]s raining down to shatter against the Greek shields.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.226</ref> Over two days, waves of Persian soldiers collided against the Greek phalanxes that blocked the pass without ever faltering. Tens of thousands of Xerxes' men fell, including some of his elite warriors known as the [[Immortals]]<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.210–212</ref>—which was probably over-selling things a bit. If you're going to call yourself an Immortal, you better be immortal! His salvation ultimately arrived in the form of one man, [[Ephialtes of Trachis\|Ephialtes]].<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.213</ref><br><br>This Greek soldier betrayed his side, revealing the existence of another passage to the Persian king: a [[Cave of Kratos\|mountain path]] that circumvented the Thermopylae. Problem solved. An unexpected chance to outsmart the Greeks. The next day, in the early hours of the morning, a detachment of Persian foot-soldiers set off to follow Ephialtes' directions.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.215</ref> Leonidas' scouts sounded the alarm, and the Spartan king immediately called a war council.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.219</ref> Most of the Greek cities voted to retreat, but Leonidas decided to stay with his men nevertheless, releasing those Greeks who wished to leave and saving about 3,000 lives in the process. It fell to the king and his famous 300 soldiers to defend the passage. But, the legend often skips over one key detail: they ''weren't'' alone. There's a plot twist! A little over a thousand soldiers from other Greek cities chose to stay behind with the Spartans,<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.217–218, 222</ref> with a total of 1,400 men fighting on. So, {{Wiki\|300 (film)\|that film}} really should have been called "300...plus a load of others".<br><br>Legend has turned this battle into a noble sacrifice, in which the Greeks gave themselves up to the death they'd been told would come, buoyed by the ''faintest'' glimmer of hope that they ''might'' delay the inevitable invasion by a couple of days. It comes as no surprise that the Greek texts, all written long after the battle, focus heavily on this notion of sacrifice. The Battle of Thermopylae was a defeat, after all, and needed to be gilded in some way—we all exaggerate our stories, don't we? And so, Herodotus recounts how Leonidas, despite his age, fell on the final day of fighting,<ref name="Herodotus VII.224">Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.224</ref> a selfless hero who fought with ardor to the very last. The historian also recounts how, after his death, his men had to fight for his body, which had been seized by the Persians, who were bent on defiling it.<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', VII.225</ref><br><br>The legend of Leonidas is the tale of absolute self-sacrifice, but, the Spartan king's strategy wasn't as suicidal as it may first appear. By using the terrain to their advantage, and tapping into extraordinary courage, the Greeks risked their lives and managed to whittle down the Persian army. Today's leading military historians even believe that, had the Greeks been able to hold out for an extra few days, the Persians would have experienced some ''serious'' logistical problems. An army that large locked in place for such a long time would indeed have struggled with supplies and would've been forced to retreat or scatter. Who knows? If Ephialtes hadn't betrayed his own, perhaps the Greeks might have won. All we know for sure is that this tragic end secured the Battle of Thermopylae's place in history, and turned Leonidas into a legend.<br><br>Forty years after the battle, his remains were retrieved and returned to Sparta. A tomb to the hero-king was raised in the heart of the city,<ref name="Herodotus VII.224"/> and it wasn't long before Leonidas had his very own {{Wiki\|Greek hero cult\|cult}}. Every year, an athletics competition for Spartans was held in honor of the fallen king, and Leonidas went on to be immortalized in paintings, films—played by {{Wiki\|Gerard Butler}} in the movie ''300''—and video games. In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'', players become a [[Kassandra\|descendant]] of the king of Sparta and bear his iconic [[Spear of Leonidas\|broken spear]]. Through the ages, Leonidas has survived as a shining example of sacrifice and selfless devotion to one's country, and is much better known than his cousin and successor, {{Wiki\|Pausanias the Regent}},<ref>Herodotus. ''The Histories'', XI.10</ref> who [[Battle of Plataia\|defeated]] the Persian infantry just a year after the Battle of Thermopylae. Which just goes to show, sometimes the vanquished can overshadow the victorious. Thanks for listening to ''Echoes of History: Behind the Legends'', a Ubisoft podcast produced by Paradiso Media.''
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Soranin: /* Episode transcripts */

2026-08-13T16:51:02Z

Episode transcripts

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	*'''Jonathan Phillips:''' ''Yep.''		*'''Jonathan Phillips:''' ''Yep.''
	*'''Dan Snow:''' ''—that Christendom found itself ''reasonably'' united, the Muslim world found itself ''reasonably'' disunited, and there was an opportunity.''		*'''Dan Snow:''' ''—that Christendom found itself ''reasonably'' united, the Muslim world found itself ''reasonably'' disunited, and there was an opportunity.''
	*'''Jonathan Phillips:''' ''Yes. If the First Crusade had turned up in, say, 1090, I think it would have just about got into modern Turkey and then been thrashed and sent home. There's a year, 1093, 1094, one of the contemporary writers says it's "the year of the death of caliphs and commanders".<ref>{{Wiki\|Ibn Taghribirdi}} (1929–1956). ''Al-Nujūm al-Zāhirah fī Mulūk Miṣr wa-al-Qāhirah''. Translated and edited by William Popper. Cairo, Dār al-Kutub al-Miṣrīyah. Vol. V. Retrieved on 25 May 2024. pg. 139, '''quoted in''' {{Wiki\|Carole Hillenbrand\|Hillenbrand, Carole}}. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=UalnoF5MBHMC The Crusades: Islamic Perspectives]''. "Chapter 2: The First Crusade and the Muslims' Initial Reactions to the Coming of the Franks". New York City, NY: {{Wiki\|Routledge}}. Retrieved on 25 May 2024. pg. 33.</ref> ''Across'' the Muslim Near East, uh, Sultans, caliphs, uh, {{Wiki\|~~vizier~~}}s ''die''. Not all of them of natural causes, it has to be said, but there is this sort of ''turning point'' around that year that ''really'' causes this fragmentation. That's, uh, really, very, very beneficial for the Crusaders.''		*'''Jonathan Phillips:''' ''Yes. If the First Crusade had turned up in, say, 1090, I think it would have just about got into modern Turkey and then been thrashed and sent home. There's a year, 1093, 1094, one of the contemporary writers says it's "the year of the death of caliphs and commanders".<ref>{{Wiki\|Ibn Taghribirdi}} (1929–1956). ''Al-Nujūm al-Zāhirah fī Mulūk Miṣr wa-al-Qāhirah''. Translated and edited by William Popper. Cairo, Dār al-Kutub al-Miṣrīyah. Vol. V. Retrieved on 25 May 2024. pg. 139, '''quoted in''' {{Wiki\|Carole Hillenbrand\|Hillenbrand, Carole}}. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=UalnoF5MBHMC The Crusades: Islamic Perspectives]''. "Chapter 2: The First Crusade and the Muslims' Initial Reactions to the Coming of the Franks". New York City, NY: {{Wiki\|Routledge}}. Retrieved on 25 May 2024. pg. 33.</ref> ''Across'' the Muslim Near East, uh, Sultans, caliphs, uh, {{Wiki\|Vizier (Abbasid Caliphate)\|viziers}} ''die''. Not all of them of natural causes, it has to be said, but there is this sort of ''turning point'' around that year that ''really'' causes this fragmentation. That's, uh, really, very, very beneficial for the Crusaders.''
	*'''Dan Snow:''' ''I can't imagine what they would have felt like! There's this—they realize they've got ''yawning'' vulnerability, and then suddenly, this ''band of lunatics'' turns up, crosses the {{Wiki\|Bosporus}}, and before you know it, they're ''striking'' deep into your Empire.''		*'''Dan Snow:''' ''I can't imagine what they would have felt like! There's this—they realize they've got ''yawning'' vulnerability, and then suddenly, this ''band of lunatics'' turns up, crosses the {{Wiki\|Bosporus}}, and before you know it, they're ''striking'' deep into your Empire.''
	*'''Jonathan Phillips:''' ''Yeah. But it was an empire that was ''inward''-looking at that time, because I guess they didn't know what the First Crusade was. Uh, they thought it was another group of, maybe, ''Byzantine raiders'', you know? "We've seen this lot before; they'll go away in the end, they're not that good.". Uh, and so they, they underestimated them, I suppose.''		*'''Jonathan Phillips:''' ''Yeah. But it was an empire that was ''inward''-looking at that time, because I guess they didn't know what the First Crusade was. Uh, they thought it was another group of, maybe, ''Byzantine raiders'', you know? "We've seen this lot before; they'll go away in the end, they're not that good.". Uh, and so they, they underestimated them, I suppose.''

Soranin: /* Episode transcripts */

2026-08-13T16:33:42Z

Episode transcripts

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	;Did Isaac Newton find the Philosopher's Stone?		;Did Isaac Newton find the Philosopher's Stone?
	<!-- Per original ACast link https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history/episodes/did-isaac-newton-find-the-philosophers-stone later renamed to "The Philosopher's Stone: Isaac Newton & Alchemy" -->		<!-- Per original ACast link https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history/episodes/did-isaac-newton-find-the-philosophers-stone later renamed to "The Philosopher's Stone: Isaac Newton & Alchemy" -->
	''The ~~{{Wiki\|~~philosopher's stone}}: the source of infinite wealth and everlasting life. It is one of the most famous myths in the world. But for centuries, it was not a myth. Some of the greatest and most pioneering scientists in history believed in the power of the stone, and pursued its riches. Amongst them was Sir [[Isaac Newton]]. As is depicted in the audio drama ''[[Assassin's Creed: Gold]]'', his private notes reveal his secret pursuit of alchemy and the Philosopher's Stone.<br><br>How far did Isaac Newton take his alchemical experiments? What did the Philosopher's Stone mean to a rational scientist of Newton's standing? And why was his research into alchemy only recently brought to light, even though he wrote over one million words about it in his personal notes?<br><br>Matt Lewis is joined by Dr. Joel Klein, Molina Curator for the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences at {{Wiki\|Huntington Library\|The Huntingdon}}, to explain the origins of alchemy and the science of the Philosopher's Stone.''		''The [[philosopher's stone]]: the source of infinite wealth and everlasting life. It is one of the most famous myths in the world. But for centuries, it was not a myth. Some of the greatest and most pioneering scientists in history believed in the power of the stone, and pursued its riches. Amongst them was Sir [[Isaac Newton]]. As is depicted in the audio drama ''[[Assassin's Creed: Gold]]'', his private notes reveal his secret pursuit of alchemy and the Philosopher's Stone.<br><br>How far did Isaac Newton take his alchemical experiments? What did the Philosopher's Stone mean to a rational scientist of Newton's standing? And why was his research into alchemy only recently brought to light, even though he wrote over one million words about it in his personal notes?<br><br>Matt Lewis is joined by Dr. Joel Klein, Molina Curator for the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences at {{Wiki\|Huntington Library\|The Huntingdon}}, to explain the origins of alchemy and the science of the Philosopher's Stone.''
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Soranin: Text replacement - " and and " to " and "

2026-08-11T23:12:37Z

Text replacement - " and and " to " and "

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	*'''Ali Olomi:''' ''Alright, the first thing we're going to experience, that's the sounds. The bustle, the noise, the ''voices'' of people bargaining, laughing, joking, ''even'' arguing. It's a city alive with sound.''		*'''Ali Olomi:''' ''Alright, the first thing we're going to experience, that's the sounds. The bustle, the noise, the ''voices'' of people bargaining, laughing, joking, ''even'' arguing. It's a city alive with sound.''
	*'''Deana Hassanein:''' ''You know, it's sort of a comforting sound for me? It brings back a ''lot'' of memories. I'm very lucky to have lived a ''huge'' portion of my childhood in Egypt—summers, Easters, Christmas breaks—and ''all'' of these things you're describing I can ''feel'' those exact moments and remember them ''very'' well.''		*'''Deana Hassanein:''' ''You know, it's sort of a comforting sound for me? It brings back a ''lot'' of memories. I'm very lucky to have lived a ''huge'' portion of my childhood in Egypt—summers, Easters, Christmas breaks—and ''all'' of these things you're describing I can ''feel'' those exact moments and remember them ''very'' well.''
	*'''Ali Olomi:''' ''It's a city of life and it's a ''sound'' of life! And it's the site that ''match'' those sounds. I mean, you're going to see ''throngs'' of people that are moving about, and they're ''garbed'' in ''clothing'' that reflect their rank: the rich are going to have their silks and their finely-woven robes, you know, different ''hues''—greens, ~~and~~ and blues, and rich {{Wiki\|earth tone}}s. And then you have your old men sitting on the side of the street playing board games. And young kids running amok.'' (laughs)		*'''Ali Olomi:''' ''It's a city of life and it's a ''sound'' of life! And it's the site that ''match'' those sounds. I mean, you're going to see ''throngs'' of people that are moving about, and they're ''garbed'' in ''clothing'' that reflect their rank: the rich are going to have their silks and their finely-woven robes, you know, different ''hues''—greens, and blues, and rich {{Wiki\|earth tone}}s. And then you have your old men sitting on the side of the street playing board games. And young kids running amok.'' (laughs)
	*'''Deana Hassanein:''' ''Yes!'' (laughs) ''And is it just ''men'' in the bazaar, is it?''		*'''Deana Hassanein:''' ''Yes!'' (laughs) ''And is it just ''men'' in the bazaar, is it?''
	*'''Ali Olomi:''' ''No. This was also, in this area of marketplace politics, where ''women'' exerted their most power. So, Zubaydah, one of these powerful queens, lived a relatively secluded life, ''but'' she's the one that ''builds'' the roads for the marketplace. She uses her money in order to build all of Baghdad's connections, including {{Wiki\|Zubaydah Trail\|the road}} leading to {{Wiki\|Mecca}} for {{Wiki\|Hajj\|the pilgrimage}}. Now ''that's'' one way to stamp your name on history.''		*'''Ali Olomi:''' ''No. This was also, in this area of marketplace politics, where ''women'' exerted their most power. So, Zubaydah, one of these powerful queens, lived a relatively secluded life, ''but'' she's the one that ''builds'' the roads for the marketplace. She uses her money in order to build all of Baghdad's connections, including {{Wiki\|Zubaydah Trail\|the road}} leading to {{Wiki\|Mecca}} for {{Wiki\|Hajj\|the pilgrimage}}. Now ''that's'' one way to stamp your name on history.''

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Text replacement - "’" to "'"

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2026-08-10T23:41:52Z

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Darman36 at 02:15, 6 August 2026

2026-08-06T02:15:35Z

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	\|Website=https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history		\|Website=https://shows.acast.com/echoes-of-history
	}}		}}
	'''''Echoes of History''''' is [[Ubisoft]]'s {{Wiki\|Branded content\|branded podcast}} hosted by the [[Sweden]]-based audio company {{Wiki\|Acast}} that is about the historical figures, places, and events seen or mentioned in Ubisoft games. Originally created in late 2020 as an {{Wiki\|Radio drama\|audio drama}} tie-in to promote the then-upcoming ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'', it soon switched over to a podcast format that primarily examines the [[Assassin's Creed (series)\|''Assassin's Creed'' series]]' {{Wiki\|historicity}} over a number of seasons, though it has briefly expanded to advertise a few other Ubisoft properties. The episodes ~~typically released~~ in weekly installments~~, though it later~~ slowed ~~production~~ to every two weeks. In the off-time between actually making new episodes, developers tend to re-issue past episodes interviewing historians with different descriptions and titles.		'''''Echoes of History''''' is [[Ubisoft]]'s {{Wiki\|Branded content\|branded podcast}} hosted by the [[Sweden]]-based audio company {{Wiki\|Acast}} that is about the historical figures, places, and events seen or mentioned in Ubisoft games. Originally created in late 2020 as an {{Wiki\|Radio drama\|audio drama}} tie-in to promote the then-upcoming ''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]'', it soon switched over to a podcast format that primarily examines the [[Assassin's Creed (series)\|''Assassin's Creed'' series]]' {{Wiki\|historicity}} over a number of seasons, though it has briefly expanded to advertise a few other Ubisoft properties. The episodes used to release in weekly installments but has since slowed to every two weeks. In the off-time between actually making new episodes, developers tend to re-issue past episodes interviewing historians with different descriptions and titles.

	==Production==		==Production==
	===Development===		===Development===
	With Ubisoft's Senior {{Wiki\|Transmedia storytelling\|Transmedia}} Content Manager Etienne Bouvier having seen that podcasts were a growing trend in the entertainment industry, he reasoned it was "natural" for Ubisoft to expand its brand identity in that direction as part of the company mandate to reach as many mediums as possible. In an interview with Acast, Bouvier said that the podcast's goal was to "creat[e] something that was up to the standards of the podcast industry, not the marketing industry". By using long-form educational media with high production value rather than more ads for new products, the developers could engage with audiences outside their traditional demographic of gamers.<ref name="AcastInterview">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.acast.com/blog/podcaster-stories/behind-the-podcast-with-etienne-bouvier-and-julien-fabre-tv-and-transmedia-team-at-ubisoft\|title=Behind the Podcast with Etienne Bouvier and Julien Fabre, TV and Transmedia Team at Ubisoft\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603121749/https://www.acast.com/blog/podcaster-stories/behind-the-podcast-with-etienne-bouvier-and-julien-fabre-tv-and-transmedia-team-at-ubisoft\|archivedate=3 June 2023\|author=Mercer, Miles\|date=5 May 2023\|publisher=''{{Wiki\|Acast}}''\|accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>		With Ubisoft's Senior {{Wiki\|Transmedia storytelling\|Transmedia}} Content Manager Etienne Bouvier having seen that podcasts were a growing trend in the entertainment industry, he reasoned that it was "natural" for Ubisoft to expand its brand identity in that direction as part of the company mandate to reach as many mediums as possible. In an interview with Acast, Bouvier said that the podcast's goal was to "creat[e] something that was up to the standards of the podcast industry, not the marketing industry". By using long-form educational media with high production value rather than more ads for new products, the developers could engage with audiences outside their traditional demographic of gamers.<ref name="AcastInterview">{{Cite web\|url=https://www.acast.com/blog/podcaster-stories/behind-the-podcast-with-etienne-bouvier-and-julien-fabre-tv-and-transmedia-team-at-ubisoft\|title=Behind the Podcast with Etienne Bouvier and Julien Fabre, TV and Transmedia Team at Ubisoft\|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603121749/https://www.acast.com/blog/podcaster-stories/behind-the-podcast-with-etienne-bouvier-and-julien-fabre-tv-and-transmedia-team-at-ubisoft\|archivedate=3 June 2023\|author=Mercer, Miles\|date=5 May 2023\|publisher=''{{Wiki\|Acast}}''\|accessdate=20 November 2024}}</ref>

	Not only did executives want to attract new fans to their media, they also wanted to retain people who grew emotionally attached to the characters in the years following a release while developers worked on the next title. In the two or three years' gap between new media, Bouvier saw opportunity to fill the space with a growing transmedia presence. To increase their credibility to the podcasting audience, Ubisoft ensured that they collaborated with established hosts and guests who were known for having done the required research and so were knowledgeable about any topic at hand.<ref name="AcastInterview"/>		Not only did executives want to attract new fans to their media, they also wanted to retain people who grew emotionally attached to the characters in the years following a release while developers worked on the next title. In the two or three years' gap between new media, Bouvier saw opportunity to fill the space with a growing transmedia presence. To increase their credibility to the podcasting audience, Ubisoft ensured that they collaborated with established hosts and guests who were known for having done the required research and so were knowledgeable about any topic at hand.<ref name="AcastInterview"/>

	Although Ubisoft was well-known in the video game industry, as a new contender in the podcasting world, it had to ensure that its material was memorable enough to not be lost amongst the competition while still retaining its brand identity. To do this, Bouvier said that developers ensured that hosts either directly named the games or mentioned how reality was reflected or subverted in the series at least once in the script, utilized game music and sound effects that players would recognize in hopes of replicating similar levels of immersion, and used the games' characters or other digital assets in promotional cover art, all of which contributed to keeping Ubisoft and ''Assassin's Creed'' at the center without relying on obvious marketing.<ref name="AcastInterview"/>		Although Ubisoft was well-known in the video game industry, as a new contender in the podcasting world, it had to ensure that its material was memorable enough to not be lost amongst the well-established competition while still retaining its brand identity. To do this, Bouvier said that developers ensured that hosts either directly named the games or mentioned how reality was reflected or subverted in the series at least once in the script, utilized game music and sound effects that players would recognize in hopes of replicating similar levels of immersion, and used the games' characters or other digital assets in promotional cover art, all of which contributed to keeping Ubisoft and ''Assassin's Creed'' at the center without relying on obvious marketing.<ref name="AcastInterview"/>

	For Ubisoft's Global Director of TV & Transmedia Content Julien Fabre, the podcast was another way for the company to learn how much time the public spent interacting with the ''Assassin's Creed'' brand. With the podcast giving data on how many people listened to an episode, downloaded it, and their completion rate, this information gave live feedback about the potential target market size through a relatively cheap yet complementary format when contrasted with the games that can cost over $100 million USD to create on a periodic schedule.<ref name="AcastInterview"/>		For Ubisoft's Global Director of TV & Transmedia Content Julien Fabre, the podcast was another way for the company to learn how much time the public spent interacting with the ''Assassin's Creed'' brand. With the podcast giving data on how many people listened to an episode, downloaded it, and their completion rate, this information gave live feedback about the potential target market size through a relatively cheap yet complementary format when contrasted with the games that can cost over $100 million USD to create on a periodic schedule.<ref name="AcastInterview"/>