Woohoo! Number one!! 🕺 Thanks for having me, @historyrage.bsky.social

Like the Roman god Janus, we are looking back on this year and forward to the next. Here are my 2025 highlights - thank you all for being part of it! S11 of Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics No Friend to This House published (& bestseller!) NFTTH audiobook recorded & released (More below)

I'm on Woman's Hour today at 10am! Tune your radios! We're talking about some of our women of the year... 👉

This spectacular pot shows Poseidon fighting a giant named Polybotes - and he really is gigantic. He’s down on one knee and he is still barely shorter than the standing Poseidon. If he could get back on his feet, we’d only be able to see him from the waist down. The rest of him would be

I’m so thrilled you loved it, @andrewcopson.bsky.social ♥️

Fantastic!

Hiding your illicit lover from your family over the festive break? Then you and Aphrodite have something in common… From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a lovely reminder of the Golden Ram 🐏

Look what I got for Christmas! I should take it inside, right? Right?

Thanks so much for joining us for Ancient Animal Advent this year. Here’s a modern animal to wish you a merry Christmas (and to prove that I occasionally leave the museum) ♥️🦌

This guy has got the hump with you for literally no reason at all. That’s right: it must be Christmas! Have fun with your families, everyone 😉 Ancient Animal Advent Day 24! The last day. Thanks for joining in the festivities!

🧡🏺Thank you so much to the lovely readers and friends who gave me these these presents at recent book signings! Yes, that’s an actual Douris Cup tote bag. I know. And the wonderful feminist wrist warmers are by Black & Beech.

I have HURT MY PAW ON THIS FLOWER. Also the sun is TOO BRIGHT Ancient Animal Advent day 23! Info below.

I am DELIGHTED to announce that I have made another documentary for History Hit! Episode 1 of Divine Fury: Demeter and Persephone comes out at 5pm on January 1st.

Have you ever seen anyone wishing harder for antlers? Ancient Animal Advent Day 22! Info below.

Wow, thanks Matilda! @ylbooks.bsky.social is such a gorgeous independent bookshop. If you order from them, they will post you the book wrapped in brown paper with a special stamp ♥️ Last day to order for Christmas! 👉 yellowlightedbookshop.co.uk/product/no-f...

New #StrongMessageHere is up. @nataliehaynes.bsky.social and I discuss our words and phrases of the year. And I’m compared by AI to a kangaroo.

Magnificent!

Conclusive proof that the ancient Mesopotamians liked Muppet Christmas Carol as much as I do! Ancient Animal Advent Day 21, info below.

So much fun last night!

You can tie as much mistletoe to my horns as you like, lady, I am still not kissing you 🐮 Ancient Animal Advent Day 20! Info below.

Christmas shopping time! I’ve heard the lovely @rossiterbooks.bsky.social have some copies of No Friend to This House available, if you need something gold and shiny with murder and sheep…

New #StrongMessageHere is up. @nataliehaynes.bsky.social and I discuss our words and phrases of the year. And I’m compared by AI to a kangaroo. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Shiny plate mounted on the wall, Who is the fanciest ram of all? This fella at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston! Day 19 of Ancient Animal Advent, info below.

Swimming in to Broadcasting House for Front Row! Join us on BBC Radio 4 at 19:15… 👉 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Thank you, @nataliehaynes.bsky.social! Am now looking for excuses to bring the phrase 'I will not position myself like a lion on a cheese grater' into conversation. Wonderfully ambiguous, like Redmond O'Hanlon's 'You use goat's eyelashes' #QuoteOfTheDay

NEW STRONG MESSAGE HERE! @aiannucci.bsky.social and I dissect the Words of the Year 2025, and I think you might recognise the one I coin... 🐙 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...

Two separate people trying to restrain this lion from eating a toddler, and yet I find myself thinking: is it not also Christmas for lions? Ancient Animal Advent Day 18!

IO SATURNALIA! It’s time to celebrate this Roman winter festival. Here’s our special episode all about it 🥂🎩 www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Euryale tends every one of her sheep like it is a child. Sthenno learned to cook so she could feed me when I was little. They care about me and protect me. That is beauty. - Natalie Haynes, "Stone Blind" Precious bb Medusa 😭😭😭 @nataliehaynes.bsky.social

All you want for Christmas is ancient infanticide! Look at this delightfully festive bestsellers list 💀 Thanks to everyone who bought NF in the last 24 hours or so - you have rocketed it up to NUMBER 1 on the charts! 💖 The happiest of holidays!

I can accept from the scale that this is a giraffe, but I would be lying if I said it looks more like a giraffe than a flamingo. Still, if this procession gets old, he can always slope off to play some croquet 🦩 Ancient Animal Advent Day 17! Info below.

Today only! No Friend to This House is 99p on Kindle. If you use Kindle for accessibility reasons or travel, or can’t afford the hardback this year, this is your chance! 👉 www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPX5CLD...

Not just a wolf for today’s animal advent. A wolf from a pleasure barge. He does look like he's seen some things, doesn't he? Day 16! Info below.

Office party went well this year... Ancient Animal Advent Day 15! Info below.

What says Christmas like infanticide? Cosy up with a family story this holiday season... ❄️ Available now at all good bookshops! 📗 uk.bookshop.org/p/books/no-f...

Lucky black cat for you all! Take your risks today! *crosses road like a maniac* Ancient Animal Advent Day 14 🐈‍⬛

Thanks, librarians! 4 spots on the list, no less! parade.com/books/best-g...

Still incredibly young in classicist time… Happy 100th birthday to the miraculous, all-singing, all-dancing, purest joy-bringing Dick Van Dyke! We couldn’t love him more!

Not everyone is happy about this festive sheep-decorating tradition, are they? Ancient Animal Advent Day 13! Info below.

1/2

Hate it when Santa pimps his ride… Ancient Animal Advent Day 12! Info below.

I have HOW many deadlines before Christmas?! Ancient Animal Advent Day 11! Info below.

This lovely monkey is certain you’re doing your absolute best today. Ancient Animal Advent Day 10! Info below.

Our winner is @suewright.bsky.social! Thank you all so much for sharing Christmas magic via the BookTrust 💙

This mouse has such strong eyebrow game. Detecting a crime? Disliking your outfit? Let your guilt decide… Ancient Animal Advent Day 9! Info below.

🤫 Pssst: did you want a signed special indie edition with sprayed edges for a Christmas gift? They’re almost all gone, but we have just heard there are a few copies at @citybookshove.bsky.social! They ship everywhere, but get in there quickly… www.city-books.co.uk/products/pre...

That’s right! Podcast out now…

*sings* Rudolph the red-nosed ελαφος had a very shiny nose... 🦌 Ancient Animal Advent Day 8! From the Met Museum, info card below.

Your seasonal reminder that the existential crisis is not limited to humans. Ancient Animal Advent Day 7!