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Empire

318. Heist of St Nicolas: Tomb Raiding In Ancient Turkey (Part 1)

Empire

Goalhanger

History

4.64.1K Ratings

🗓️ 23 December 2025

⏱️ 31 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Saint Nicolas was a real bishop from Myra in modern-day Turkey, whose tomb there was popular with pilgrims, but 700 years after his death, a group of sailors decided to steal his magic bones… What myth about St Nicolas first associated him with gift-giving? How did his story get merged with the Greek god of the seas, Poseidon? How were the tombs in his hometown connected with Ancient India? Anita and William are joined by Sam Dalrymple to discuss his original research on the build up to the heist of St Nicolas’ body… Join the Empire Club: Unlock the full Empire experience – with bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to miniseries and live show tickets, exclusive book discounts, a members-only newsletter, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at empirepoduk.com  For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Producer: Anouska Lewis Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

If you want access to bonus episodes reading lists for every series of Empire, a chat community,

0:06.7

discounts for all the books mentioned in the week's podcasts, add free listening, and a weekly newsletter,

0:12.5

sign up to Empire Club at www.mparpoduk.com.

0:21.7

Now, this episode is brought to you by Babbel.

0:26.0

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without the stress. You'll build the confidence to speak up when it matters from ordering a coffee

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to chatting to new friends abroad. Here is a special limited time deal for our Empire listeners.

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Spelt B-A-W-B-E-L.com forward slash empire.

1:23.0

Rules and restrictions may apply.

1:36.3

Music and restrictions may apply. Hello and welcome to Empire with me Anita Arnand.

1:40.1

And me, William Turimple.

1:42.1

Merry Christmas, Merry almost Christmas.

2:02.9

And you little people out there who are listening, I really, fingers crossed, you get what you want. And for you big people listening, I really hope you get what you need, which is, let's face it, just five minutes of peace and quiet at this time of year. We've got a fabulous pair of Christmas episodes for you involving, and I love this so much, a heist, a cult, the missing body of Santa Claus. Don't cry, it's not that one. Your one's still coming. It's a different one.

2:07.8

And if you want to binge both episodes immediately treat yourself or gift a last minute present,

2:14.2

Empire Club membership is out there for you. Go to Empirepoduk.com. That's

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