How Well Does ‘Hardcore History’ Podcaster Dan Carlin Know His Ancient History?

variety.com:

Nicholas Stango editor Podcaster Dan Carlin sat down for Variety’s “Know Their Lines” to guess the emperors, military giants and political leaders behind some of the quotes he’s used throughout the 20-year-run of “Hardcore History.” And even though he may have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Maginot Line or the Beer Hall Putsch, he does get a little tripped up when trying to remember in which he compares “Alexander the Great” to “The Sopranos” How did Carlin, an experienced radio and TV journalist, and son of Hollywood parents, Oscar-nominated actor Lynn Carlin and producer Ed Carlin, become one of the most successful forces in audio entertainment?

Well, it all started when Carlin was rattling off “a traditional, horrible, bloody story over dinner” when his mother-in-law suggested turning his opining into a podcast.

In 2005, taking his mother-in-law’s advice that history geeks might enjoy what he had to say, Carlin launched “Hardcore History” with a 16-minute episode, comparing Alexander the Great to Hitler.

While episodes started short, he credited the audience for influencing the show to transform into the hours-long, multi-part style that has made him famous.