The comedy podcast that takes history seriously. In each episode of You’re Dead to Me from BBC Radio 4, Greg Jenner is joined by a comedian and an expert historian to learn and laugh about the past.
History isn’t just about dates and textbooks – it’s about extraordinary characters, amazing stories, and some very questionable fashion choices. How long did it take to build an Egyptian pyramid? What does the Bayeux Tapestry reveal about medieval life? Why did it take nearly half a millennium for Joan of Arc to become a saint? And was Catherine the Great really all that great? Whether you want to explore ancient landmarks like Stonehenge and Machu Picchu, dance through the history of Broadway and Bollywood, or find out how the Tudors rose to power, Greg and his guests promise to teach you something new that you won’t have heard in history lessons.
Previous episodes of You’re Dead To Me have covered everything from royals to revolutionaries, actors to activists and divas to dictators. Take a stroll through the history of high-heeled shoes or get the scoop on the history of ice cream. Maybe you’d like to paint like the cave artists of the Palaeolithic era, work out like a Victorian bodybuilder, or fight like a Spartan? We’ve even hosted a special, live episode with the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the dramatic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Whatever your historical interests, Greg and his guests make even the trickiest topics easy to follow. Join them for a history lesson that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening – with no homework required.
Dead Funny History: The Aztecs
Join historian Greg Jenner for a funny and fascinating family adventure into the world of the Aztecs, an extraordinary civilisation of gods, gold, chocolate and… the odd human sacrifice.
The rise of an empire
The Aztec Empire thrived in Central Mexico between the 14th and 16th centuries. Greg takes families and children back to Tenochtitlan, the stunning island city that became the Aztec capital. Home to grand pyramids, bustling markets and thousands of temples, it was four times bigger than Tudor London!
The Aztecs built their empire through skill, trade and an unshakeable belief in their gods. They worshipped deities of war, water, joy, dreams and even mischief; with a few dramatic rituals to keep them happy.
Sacrifice, skulls and sunshine
In this laugh-out-loud lesson, Greg explains why the Aztecs offered human hearts to the gods to keep the sun shining, and how their earth goddess, Tlaltecuhtli, demanded regular blood donations. From “flower wars” to giant skull racks, Aztec religion could be extreme, but it was also deeply symbolic and full of meaning.
Not all the stories are scary, though. Between the jokes and sound effects, Greg reveals a lively culture where chocolate was money, gold was “sun poop”, and weddings were celebrated with piggybacks and cocoa toasts!
Life in Tenochtitlan
Greg and the Dead Funny History cast bring the city to life with humour and heart – from the markets full of maize, avocados and chillies, to the matchmakers who literally “tied the knot.” There’s even a cameo from the world’s first emojis – Aztec picture writing!
It’s history told with big laughs, smart facts and plenty of family fun, as Greg balances gory moments with the joyful, inventive side of Aztec life.
The fall of the Aztecs
Of course, not every empire ends happily. Greg tells how Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortés arrived in 1519, bringing war, betrayal and devastating diseases that wiped out much of the Aztec world. It’s a sobering but powerful story about bravery, belief and survival.
Funny, factual and unforgettable
With jokes, sketches and sound design that make history come alive, Dead Funny History – The Aztecs is perfect for curious kids, families and fans of Greg Jenner’s clever storytelling. Discover how one of the world’s greatest civilisations shaped modern Mexico, and how chocolate really did change the world!
Writers: Jack Bernhardt, Gabby Hutchinson Crouch and Dr Emma Nagouse
Host: Greg Jenner
Performers: Mali Ann Rees and John-Luke Roberts
Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse
Associate Producer: Gabby Hutchinson Crouch
Audio producer: Emma Weatherill
Script consultant: Professor Caroline Dodds Pennock
Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy
Production Manager: Jo Kyle
Studio Managers: Keith Graham and Andrew Garratt
Sound designer: Peregrine Andrews
A BBC Studios Production
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