In this episode of History Squirt, we dive into the rise of one of history’s greatest empire-builders: Cyrus the Great. From a minor Persian prince to the founder of the Achaemenid Empire — the largest the world had ever seen — Cyrus conquered kingdoms, toppled the mighty Babylonians, and somehow managed to be remembered as a surprisingly fair ruler. He freed the Jews from captivity, let conquered peoples keep their religions, and left behind a clay cylinder that some call the first human rights document. Empire, conquest, propaganda, and a king who somehow made being a conqueror look almost… nice. Let’s Squirt!

Topics: Cyrus the Great, Achaemenid Empire, Persian Empire, Cyrus Cylinder, conquest of Babylon, ancient Persia, founder of the Persian Empire, religious tolerance ancient world, History Squirt, funny history podcast, funny history podcasts, historical events podcast, comedy podcast, true stories podcast, history podcast comedy, historical podcast, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we dig into one of the most forgettable (and surprisingly chaotic) papacies in history: Pope Celestine II. Elected in 1143 after a bitter power struggle, this guy barely had time to unpack before he was dead. In just five short months he tangled with kings, tried to clean up the mess left by his predecessor, and then promptly exited stage left. Was he a reformer? A political puppet? Or just the ultimate historical background character? We break down the intrigue, the short reign, and why almost no one talks about him today. Let’s Squirt!

Also, we investigate the found footage from the final survivor of Flight VJ320 sent to us by an anonymous source.

Shout out to the Pixabay creators who provided sound effects for the episode:

• Sound Effect by Justyn Britton from Pixabay
• Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay
• Sound Effect by Iris,Helen,silvy from Pixabay
• Sound Effect by Yodguard from Pixabay

Topics: Pope Celestine II, medieval papacy, 12th century popes, short papacy, papal history, Celestine II, medieval church politics, History Squirt, funny history podcast, funny history podcasts, historical events podcast, comedy podcast, true stories podcast, history podcast comedy, historical podcast, History Squirt

In this episode of History Squirt, we countdown 16 of the most savage, creative, and downright nightmarish killings in recorded history. From a king stabbed in the ass while sitting on the toilet, to a monarch murdered by his own wife and her lover with a scorching hot poker shoved where the sun doesn’t shine, to a man who was flayed alive, stuffed with hay, and sewn back together like a grotesque doll — this one goes hard. We also cover the infamous “bag of animals” drowning execution and a whole lot more of history’s darkest, most inventive deaths. Listener discretion is strongly advised. Let’s Squirt!

Topics: most brutal killings in history, historical executions, Edward II death, flaying alive, poena cullei, brutal historical deaths, medieval torture, ancient executions, violent history, History Squirt, funny history podcast, funny history podcasts, historical events podcast, comedy podcast, true stories podcast, history podcast comedy, historical podcast, History Squirt

Shout out to the Pixabay creators who provided sound effects for the episode:

• Sound Effect by freesound_community from Pixabay