Ancient Art Podcast (audio)

Two tales from the many lives of Buddha. The top scene depicts Buddha Shakyamuni meditating in the Indrashala cave awaiting his rebirth on Earth. The bottom scene shows Buddha Dipankara meeting the hermit Sumedha. Among other Gandharan works of art, this Buddhist carving might include representations of the Hindu gods Indra and Brahma. But that's only the tip of the iceberg. The big bombshell is that we have an honest to goodness cameo of the legendary Greek hero Hercules! Image: Relief with Buddha Shakyamuni Meditating in the Indrashala Cave (top) and Buddha Dipankara (bottom), Gandharan region, Kushan period, 2nd/3rd century, Art Institute of Chicago, 2015.447. For the transcript, image credits, and more, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/67. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Episode 66 of the Ancient Art Podcast picks up where we left off in episode 65 with the Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the Art Institute of Chicago. We briefly touch on some commonalities between Buddhism and Star Wars. We also learn more about the historic origin of the four pillars around the dome, discover what the deal is with those lion capitals, and revisit the Persians, Persepolis, Alexander the Great, Ashoka the Great, and Buddha humbly giving his first sermon in the deer park at Sarnath. And keep a sharp eye open for a passing nod to the great science fiction author H. P. Lovecraft. For the transcript, image credits, and more, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/66. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Episode 65 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores a Gandharan Stupa Reliquary in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The subdued appearance of this small reliquary belies its cultural and aesthetic significance at the crossroads of East and West, where great empires collide. Who were the Gandharans and what is their legacy? Walk in the footsteps of godlike leaders, like Alexander the Great, Ashoka the Great, Cyrus, and Darius. Discovery the cultural and historic mark they left on the land and its people. For the transcript, image credits, and more, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/65. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

In my third installment of a three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we're back in our familiar stomping ground of the Classical World to consider the roles of dogs in ancient Greece and Rome. Ancient writings give us the names of prized breeds in antiquity, which we match to magnificent examples in art. Classical authors like Arrian and Xenophon have much to say about the roles of dogs, from hunting and guarding to racing and companionship, but what about warfare? We meet Odysseus and his faithful hound Argos, rub elbows with Alexander the Great's canine companion Peritas, dodge the burning cinders of Patroklos's funeral pyre, and knock on the door to Hell guarded by sturdy Cerberus. Transcript, Credits, Photo Gallery and more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/63. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Last time in our three-part series on dogs in antiquity, we explored the ancient hairless breeds of the New World and had a look at the popular ceramic funerary effigy of the Colima dog from a couple thousand years ago. We were also introduced to a young celebrity, Sputnik, my cute little hairless Xoloitzcuintli-Chihuahua mix. This time in episode 62 of the Ancient Art Podcast we're off to China to discover the prehistoric domestication of dogs and look closely at a 2,000 year old ceramic mastiff dog sculpture of the Han Dynasty in the Art Institute of Chicago! We also learn the roles dogs played in ancient China and try our lot with a cast of the Shang dragon oracle bones. And we might even bump into Loa Tzu! Music: A Concert of Classical Chinese Music by The Flowing Stream Ensemble. Transcript, Credits, Photo Gallery and more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/62. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Just in time for Christmas, episode 64 of the Ancient Art Podcast spins a Yuletide yarn. All decked out for the holidays, this amazing, little, elvish sprite weaves us up a tall mountain pass on an enchanting journey through antiquity. The 5,000 year old horned striding figure from the ancient Near Eastern Proto-Elamite culture captivates our imagination of the enigmatic wild man of collective ancient lore. Herein we meet Gilgamesh's Enkidu, Egyptian gods and Pharaohs, the Greco-Roman Hercules, Olympian athletes, modern statesmen, and Europe's pagan renderings of an untamed, primal Santa Claus and companions Knecht Ruprecht, Perchta, Belsnickel, Zwarte Piet, the Julbocken, and of course Krampus! This video is just a short primer. For the big picture visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/64. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Dig in to this feast for the eyes as we discuss the role of dogs in ancient Mesoamerican civilization and art. This is our first in a three-part series on dogs in antiquity. This episodes serves up one of the most popular examples of canines in art, the Colima dog of ancient West Mexico, captured in an exemplary ceramic specimen in Art Institute of Chicago. Our lingua culinaria isn’t too off base, as the hairless hounds and pudgy puppies of ancient Mesoamerica were in fact a common food source. And with their rising popularity on the modern scene, the hairless xoloitzcuintli and Peruvian dog breeds might just be the new black! Music: Nunca Fui a Granada by GranadaDoaba. Transcript, Credits, Photo Gallery and more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/61. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

It's a cosmic collision of contemporary and antiquity on the Ancient Art Podcast! The prophesied comet of the century, Comet ISON, may have bit the dust, but that's no reason to pile dirt on our exploration of comets of past and present in the world of art. In two rare examples of auspicious comets in antiquity, Augustus Caesar and Mithridates VI of Pontus exploit coinage as vehicle for propaganda. We discuss the cameo of Halley's Comet on the Bayeux Tapestry capturing the Battle of Hastings in AD 1066, then trace Halley's Comet's apparitions back to 87 BC, 164 BC, ... no wait, 240 BC. Holy smokes ... 466 BC!? Chinese observers take the cake with the Comet Atlas of Mawangdui. And does the ancient, sacred, and much-maligned symbol of the swastika owe its origin to ancient comets? Lastly, has the ancient Egyptian demon serpent of chaos, Apophis, set his sights on Earth with a firestorm from above in 2036? Transcript, Credits, Photo Gallery and more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/60. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Greetings gashlycrumbs! Enjoy this spooktacular free Halloween segment of the Ancient Art Podcast episode 59, "A Witches' Sabbath!" Meet the wicked witches, devilish denizens, and things that go bump in the night in the Art Institute of Chicago's painting "A Witches' Sabbath" by Dutch artist Cornelis Saftleven. Grab the complete episode at http://ancientartpodcast.org/curious. The complete episode explores the peculiar fascination Dutch and Flemish artists had with the proverbial "fire and brimstone," including the famous pioneer of the genre Hieronymus Bosch. A detailed examination of "A Witches' Sabbath" reveals various influences and motivations. We discuss the cultural context of Christian puritanism, the twisted history and legacy of the Witches' Sabbath a.k.a. Walpurgisnacht, and its relationship with legend of Faust. For detailed image credits and more, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/59. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston. Photography © The Art Institute of Chicago. Cornelis Saftleven, Dutch, 1607-1681, A Witches' Sabbath, c. 1650, Oil on panel, 21 3/8 x 30 3/4 in. (54.3 x 78.2 cm), George F. Porter Collection, 1945.290, The Art Institute of Chicago. http://www.artic.edu/aic

A short announcement about some changes to the Ancient Art Podcast. The Ancient Art Podcast and Curious.com have teamed up to host episodes of the podcast at Curious.com. Episodes now include quizzes, handouts, discussions, and more. Visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/curious to see more! You can now help support the Ancient Art Podcast. Visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/ and click on the "Donate" link. Thanks for the support and for 7 great years and counting! Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Raise your glass to the most incredible chalice from antiquity. The Lycurgus Cup in the British Museum is truly exceptional for its exquisite beauty, delicate craftsmanship, magnificent detail, and a seemingly magical ability to transform colors before your very eyes. Discover the myth of the doomed Thracian king, Lycurgus, driven mad by Dionysus and ensnared by the wine god's creeping vines. Explore the wondrous curiosity of Roman cage cups found in collections across the world, including the Corning Museum of Glass and the Cologne Cup in the Römisch Germanisches Museum. http://ancientartpodcast.org/58. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

Episode 57 of the Ancient Art Podcast builds on what we learned in episode 53 about the mythology and artistry of the creepy creature of chaos, the Gorgon Medusa. This episode delves deeper into her primal lair. We confront her petrifying gaze while closely examining a few famous works of ancient art exploring Medusa’s roots, influences, and evolutions. Included are the Bronze Age Minoan "Snake Goddesses," the Polyphemus Amphora, the Nessos Amphora, the Temple of Artemis at Corfu, kylix eye-cups, and the Egyptian god Bes. Most images are of works in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Art Institute of Chicago. http://ancientartpodcast.org/56. Connect at http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast and http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston.

This episode of the Ancient Art Podcast is a journey in music, imagery, and text. There is no vocal component. Please visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/56 or subscribe to the video podcast to watch episode 56. In the epic journey of homebrewing, episode 56 of the Ancient Art Podcast takes you behind the scenes in "Build a Beer: Krampuslauf, Ein Holiday Ale mit Horns." From high in the snow-capped Alpine peaks comes a powerfully spiced beer brewed in the tradition of German & Austrian Glühwein. Watch the beer take shape before your very eyes as the curtain is pulled on the home brewing process. Krampuslauf rewards good little boys and girls with treats of citrus, anise, cinnamon, and clove, while naughty children get flogged with a switch of birch and stuffed into Krampus's scratchy sack. The rich crimson hue and herby, earthy notes will surely bring you back for another toast to Krampus the Christmas Devil! http://ancientartpodcast.org/56. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast. Music credits: Földhullám by Grizzly616, ccmixter.org Hillbilly Anarchy by Jeris, ccmixter.org Dragonfly by Brian Boyko, freepd.com

Jump in for a VIP visit to the Art Institute of Chicago's new Jaharis Galleries of Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Art. Quadruple in size from the museum's earlier ancient art galleries, the new vista boasts a massive display of 550 ancient treasures from the Art Institute and collections around the world, including the British Museum, Getty Villa, Oriental Institute, Field Museum, and more. In this episode, we explore the aesthetics and merits of the new gallery design, point out some pitfalls, see old friends in a new light, and get close and personal with a few new kids on the block. We also explore the Art Institute's new interactive multimedia iPad app, LaunchPad. Also mentioned: Lycurgus Cup, Projecta Casket, Cycladic Female Figurines, Proto-Elamite/Mesopotamian Statuette of a Striding Figure, Roman mosaics, conservation, Kulapat Yantrasast, wHY Architecture, Etruscans, Sardinia, Getty Villa, British Museum, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, Alexander Calder, Joan Miro, Apple iPad. Explore the image gallery, credits, transcript, and more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/55. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

He's knows when you are sleeping. He knows when you're awake. He knows when you've been bad or good, So be good, for YOUR LIFE'S AT STAKE! Who's that hiding behind Santa's jolly mask? Episode 54 of the Ancient Art Podcast takes a holiday to the Austrian Alps to discover the true meaning of Christmas and meet Santa's various spooky, sooty sidekicks! We lift the lid on the mysterious, fur-clad, horned, Yuletide devil, Krampus, exploring his origin in pagan myths, history throughout the ages, and modern permutations. We'll cross the globe to root out the tongue-lashing demon, and risk his whip's wrath in the Krampuslauf. Also meet jolly ole Saint Nick's other companions, including the Nordic Yule Goat, Belgium and the Netherlands' Black Peter (Zwarte Piet), the German Knecht Ruprecht, and Belsnickel/Pelznikel. And we thought keeping Santa's reindeer straight was hard enough! So, dive in and enjoy this spectacular nightmare before Christmas! Discover more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/krampus. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

In this spooktacular Halloween episode of the Ancient Art Podcast with monstrous fiends and tortured souls lurking about in dark shadows, we explore a mythic monster from the Classical world, the original femme-fatale, the slithering seductress, the Gorgon Medusa. From ancient poets Hesiod and Ovid, we discover the lineage, background, and tragic curse that damned this poor maiden, and reveal her "children," winged Pegasus and Chrysaor. We reveal the changing face of the obscured demoness in the history of ancient art, and discuss into the possible origins and influences that conjured such a fiend in the minds of the ancient Greeks. Do you dare meet Medusa's petrifying gaze in episode 53 of the Ancient Art Podcast!? Also included: Clash of the Titans, Perseus, Poseidon, Athena, Geryon, Wadjet, Eye of Horus, Pindar, Theogony. Explore the image gallery, credits, transcript, and more at http://ancientartpodcast.org/episode53. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

When equipping yourself for the afterlife, be sure to bring enough wine! Episode 52 of the Ancient Art Podcast is all about Wine in Ancient Egypt. There really was a King Scorpion and what did he drink? Ancient Egyptian Spring Break drunken orgies. Embarrassing yourself for all eternity well before the Facebook generation. What's it really mean when your god gets drunk? King Tut's "wishing cup," Nebamun's hoity-toity parties, Herodotus goes to Bubastis, Hatshepsut's porch of drunkenness, and Sekhmet gets drunk again. All that and more! See the footnotes at http://ancientartpodcast.org/blog/52. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 51 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the art, culture, history, and mythology surrounding beer in Ancient Egypt. We'll look at the archaeological record to sort fact from fiction on the brewing process and dig up some modern attempts at recreating the ancient recipes for Egyptian beer. Chemical analysis of ancient beer residue paints a telling picture as funerary art and literary sources flesh out culture of some of the world's earliest brewers. Included in episode 51 are discussions of modern versus ancient brewing ingredients and techniques, Patrick McGovern's "Uncorking the Past," Dogfish Head's Ta Henket beer, the research of Delwen Samuel, the ancient "zeer pot" refrigerator (or nested pot-in-pot fridge), and the myth of the lioness goddess Sekhmet. See the footnotes at http://ancientartpodcast.org/blog/51. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

In some Buddhist traditions, people are encouraged to devote 100,000 miniature stupas, pagodas, or idols of Buddha as an act of extreme piety. Well, I'm not that pious. We celebrate 50 episodes of the Ancient Art Podcast with 50 images of Buddha. Enjoy this feast for the eyes of magnificent Buddhist treasures from the southern tip of India to the snowy peaks of the Himalayas, from the lush Southeast Asian tropics, stately caves of China, and serene bamboo groves of Japan. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 49 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the ancient legends and origins of dragons, separating fact from fiction and good from evil. Dragons permeate our cultural heritage in many forms and fashions: as ferocious fire-breathing, flesh-eating monsters, noble emblems of honor, and peace-loving creatures of earth, air, and water. From the salty depths of the Mediterranean, across the sun-scorched deserts of Central Asia, to the misty mountains of China and Japan, where do dragons first take root? What are the ancient sources for our modern legends? Pack your bags, buy your spell components, and polish your long sword, because we're going dragon hunting! Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 48 returns our attention to the art of the famous ancient Greek sculptor Praxiteles as we dig deep into the secrets of the frequently copied and highly praised statue of Apollo Sauroktonos, the Lizard Slayer. We look at a few later marble and bronze copies of this acclaimed work housed in the Vatican, Louvre, and elsewhere. We also explore the possibility that the original bronze Apollo Sauroktonos may not be lost to history. The hidden meaning behind the Lizard Slayer comes to light as a metaphor for the titanic struggle between the divine Apollo and the gargantuan serpentine dragon Python, between the gods of Mount Olympus and the primordial race of titans. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

A short audio announcement. We recently had to move the podcast over to a new web host. Trying to make the transition as smooth as possible, in short, if you've received this, then you're in the right place and your podcast client is connected to the correct feed. If you have any old bookmarks for the podcast, especially ones with the words "me.com" or "mac.com" in the links, then those will probably stop working come this summer. My advice would be to bookmark the homepage itself, ancientartpodcast.org, instead of a sub-page, because every episode is always just a click away from the homepage. So, what's all this mean for you? Well, not much, except you can sleep easy knowing that the Ancient Art Podcast now has unlimited storage and bandwidth, and you don't need the "www" any more! Now that's just space age! Thanks to all y'all who've been tuning in to the Ancient Art Podcast over the years. It's always great hearing from you. You can get in touch with me at info@ancientartpodcast.org or use the feedback form on the website at ancientartpodcast.org/feedback.

Just how much can we discuss about a pile of wood? Well, episode 47 of the Ancient Art Podcast about the "Roman Fasces" dares to find out! Composed of a bundle of rods with an axe blade sticking out, this ancient symbol of solidarity and judicial authority was a very recognizable sight in Ancient Rome. We explore the symbolism of the fasces, its different makes and models, where it came from and where it went. The fasces remains highly popular today on military and political crests, emblems, and shields across the world. We'll also be introduced to some good Roman citizens, whose careers crossed paths with the fasces, including lictor bodyguards, flamen priests, and magistrates. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 46 of the Ancient Art Podcast takes us in and out and around one of the most magnificent works of imperial Roman architecture, the Ara Pacis Augustae, of the Altar of Augustan Peace. We'll explore how the Ara Pacis weaves together images from Rome's legendary past and 1st century BC present to paint a picture of a new Golden Age era of peace and prosperity under the reign of Augustus Caesar. We also discuss the ongoing difficulty and debate in identifying some of the scenes and figures decorating the altar, and discover a breathtaking light show recreating how the Ara Pacis was meant to be seen, in vivid color! Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Pardon me sir, but do you have any garum? Slurp up a puddle of fermented fish guts with the Ancient Art Podcast! Episode 45 explores the decorative delights, culinary curiosities, and amorous affections of the ancient Greek world. While it packs a punch as an interesting cultural anomaly, the fish plate is an often-overlooked curiosity in the lineup of ancient Greece ceramics. In the 4th century BC, the ancient Greek appetite for fish blossomed as a culture phenomenon, an art form, and a borderline-clinical obsession, rich with sexual innuendos, double-meanings, and salacious undertones. While the fish plate remains somewhat subdued in the otherwise bawdy company at this episode's dinner table, it's always the quiet ones, who hide the secrets. What was the fish plate all about, after all? Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 44 of the Ancient Art Podcast concludes the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions with the false belief that Ancient Egyptian civilization is dead. Scarcely recognized around us in its present form, the legacy of Ancient Egypt continues to thrive. In pyramids and tombstones, icons and cupids, chemistry and alchemy, Ancient Egyptian civilization lives on in our art, language, architecture, and religion. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Number 2 in the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions explores the hot issue of race and ethnicity in Ancient Egypt, including the two most frequently invoked figureheads of the discussion, the Egyptian queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra. Despite the heated rhetoric arguing for or against a specific racial identity for any Ancient Egyptian individual, the point remains that the Ancient Egyptians would have thought the whole modern debate is just plain silly, having been far more concerned with one's cultural affiliation than the color of one's skin. Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Don't Panic! Celebrating the our 42nd episode with a brief nod to the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by the uncanny Douglas Adams, the Ancient Art Podcast continues to explore the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths & Misconceptions with "The 'Boy King' Tutankhamun." Arguably the most famous and studied figure from Ancient Egypt, Tutankhamun is shrouded in mystery. Who was this enigmatic ruler behind all the myth and mysteries? Who were his parents? What does his reign tell us about the cultural, religious, and political climate of Ancient Egypt during the dusk of the Amarna Period? What's the real truth behind the "Mummy's Curse?" Can we learn any secrets from his short life and the truth behind his untimely death? Can this episode finally put the nail in Tut's coffin? So long, Tut, and thanks for all the fish. Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Is Ancient Egyptian art truly unchanging for thousands of years? Were the Egyptians just stuck in the mud or what? No and no! The Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions continues with an examination of broad changes to Egyptian art across the history of their civilization. We go from the Early Dynastic Period through the Old and Middle Kingdoms up to the New Kingdom and beyond exploring stylistic and thematic variation that's deeply entrenched in Ancient Egypt's cultural evolution. In this episode, we look closely at the Narmer Palette, relief decoration at Karnak Temple, and a plethora of works from the Art Institute of Chicago. Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Too often the 18th Dynasty "Heretic King" Akhenaten (r. ca. 1353-1336 BC) is labeled the world's first monotheist, proselytizing the one true god Aten, the solar disk. But was he truly a monotheist or is there something deeper going on here? Episode 40 explores this question, continuing the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions. We examine the pros and cons to the argument, looking at historic, literary, and artistic evidence. As an added bonus, we compare passages of the "Great Hymn to Aten" to the Bible's Psalm 104. Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

We learn that the Ancient Egyptians surrounded themselves in death with idyllic scenes from everyday life. Are these truly scenes from daily life or is there more to it than that? Episode 39 delves deeper into the meaning and symbolism behind tomb decoration. We compare private and royal tombs, examining the evidence of what is and isn't represented. Included in this episode are Theban Tomb 36 (TT36), the 12th Dynasty tomb of Djehutihotep, a nod to the "hotep-di-nisw" and Book of the Dead, and we'll revisit our old friend Nebamun. Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 38 sets the story straight about the misconception that the Ancient Egyptians were obsessed with death. We delve into the Ancient Egyptian concept of Heaven, unearth some ancient grave goods, and take a close hard look at the themes and subjects decorating the walls of Ancient Egyptian tombs. The evidence reveals a culture obsessed not with death, but with life! Included in this episode are the famous wall paintings from the New Kingdom tomb of Nebamun, now in the British Museum, the solar boat of King Khufu at Giza, and a roundup of shabti figurines from the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Coming in at number 8 in the countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions, episode 37 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the age-old myth that the "Pyramids were Built by Slaves." From the tomes of ancient literature to the annals of modern media, the myth that slaves built the pyramids just can't seem to die. In this episode, we explore the ancient literary sources for the confusion, including The Bible, Herodotus, and Josephus. But current excavations on the Giza plateau tell a very different story. What can we learn from the graves of the pyramid builders? Who were they and what were their lives like? Where did they live? Is there a Lost City of the Pyramid Builders? Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Number 9 in our countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions, episode 36 of the Ancient Art Podcast exposes the Orion Mystery, or the Orion Correlation Theory, the belief that the Ancient Egyptians were mapping out the heavens on earth. Do the pyramids of Giza correspond to the belt of the constellation Orion? Were hollow shafts in the Great Pyramid of Khufu designed to point to certain celestial bodies? Did generation after generation of pyramid-building Pharaoh follow a grand master plan for placing heaven on earth? Is the pyramid conceived as a stairway to heaven for the deceased king ... a sort of "stargate?" Were the Ancient Egyptians descendants of a much earlier long-dead Atlantean civilization, whose ancient mysteries were preserved in the stones of the pyramids? Get out your tinfoil hats, because we're in for a ride! Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Number 10 in our countdown of the Top 10 Ancient Egyptian Myths and Misconceptions, episode 35 of the Ancient Art Podcast explores the truth behind the claim that the lotus flower in Ancient Egypt was used as an intoxicant, psychotropic stimulant, or form of sexual enhancement. We'll look at Ancient Egyptian medical texts and the latest scientific studies. We also briefly recap the symbolism of the lotus flower in Ancient Egyptian art, including works from the Art Institute of Chicago and the the magnificent wall paintings from the tomb of Nebamun at the British Museum. Visit http://www.ancientartpodcast.org/top10 for the complete Top 10 list. Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Enchanted riders, ghostly horses, and tortured souls round out this Halloween edition of the Ancient Art Podcast. The Art Institute of Chicago's new Weston Wing of Japanese Art showcases wonderful works from Japanese prehistory through present day. We wrap our head around the 5th and 6th century earthenware haniwa tomb figures of Japan's Kofun era, including a particularly magnificent clay horse. An interesting passage from an ancient text reveals there's more than meets the eye to these figurines. We see what's at stake in some ghoulish Japanese ghost stories. And the haunting Edo period woodblock prints of the series "One Hundred Ghost Stories" (Hyaku Monogatari) by the master printmaker Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) contributes to the creepiness. Lastly, we put the nail in the coffin with a nod to modern horror cinema. Light some candles and snuggle up for our most horrific episode yet! Explore more episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://www.facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Learn all about the beloved elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesha in episode 33 of the Ancient Art Podcast. We explore the annual festival celebrating his birth, Ganesha Chaturthi, and discover how he happened to get that elephant head. Plus we investigate why, oh, why he’s missing a tusk! We look closely at a few magnificent sculptures of Ganesha at the Art Institute of Chicago and conclude with an exploration of the contemporary art installation Public Notice 3 by Jitish Kallat on view through January 2, 2011, which juxtaposes Swami Vivekananda’s September 11, 1893 speech in Chicago on religious tolerance with the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. See all episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://www.facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 32 of the Ancient Art Podcast revisits the lovely discussion of the disembodied with the portrait busts of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his young beloved Antinous from the Art Institute of Chicago. From the 2nd century CE, the larger-than-life marble heads of Hadrian and Antinous exemplify the Hellenistic aesthetics and innovation of the Hadrianic era. We discuss the life and times of this dynamic duo, explore the tragic fate of Antinous with his true-to-life unsolved mystery along the Nile, and discover just how far even a, by all accounts, level-headed grieving emperor is willing to go. To round things out, we'll have a brief glimpse of the history of beards in the Roman world and explore how modern connoisseurship, scholarship, and prejudice will mold and influence our understanding of the ancient world. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://www.facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 31 takes a look at the iconic figure of the Hindu deity Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Examining two images of the dancing Shiva at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, we explore the timeless concept of the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction. We see a philosophy of balance and harmony expressed through the union of diverging opposites, like creation and destruction, male and female, life and death -- and we learn how the imagery, symbolism, and iconography of the popular Nataraja figure embody this philosophy and spiritual belief. Plus we discover Shiva's function as the destroyer of the cosmos, the supreme yogi and cosmic dancer, and father of the beloved elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

Part 2 in our miniseries on Karnak Temple, episode 30 takes us behind the scenes, exploring the grand hypostyle hall and the meaning to the propagandistic and sacred imagery on the walls, both inside and out. We reenact one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian temples, the Opet Festival, following the sacred barque of Amun through the precinct and along the Avenue of Sphinxes. We wrap up with an investigation of the symbolism and spiritual function of Ancient Egyptian temple architecture as a vehicle for celebrating the creation of the universe. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

The first of at least two parts, episode 29 invites us inside one of the world's most ancient, largest, and most mysterious sacred space, the Ancient Egyptian Temple of Karnak. Including video and photo highlights from the host's recent visit to Karnak, we take a survey of the temple complex, it's satellite precincts, layout, and orientation. Over the course of the "Karnak" series of episodes, we'll look closely at the architecture and history, the different divinities and their festivals celebrated at the site, and the symbolism and function of Ancient Egyptian temples in general. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

With all the hype about James Cameron’s latest film, Avatar, episode 28 takes a look at the real story of the avatar as we explore the stories and art of the avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. We’ll learn about the epic heroes Rama of the Ramayana and Krishna of the Mahabharata, discover the Buddha’s role in Hinduism, and encounter Vishnu’s fierce forms of the boar Varaha and man-lion Narasimha. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

A short announcement about the new look and features of the Ancient Art Podcast website. Plus the debut of the Ancient Art Podcast Facebook Page! Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org.

Episode 27 explores the art and life of one of the most influential 20th century Japanese woodblock print artists, Hiratsuka Un'ichi, including prints recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. A pioneer of the early 20th century Japanese Creative Print movement (sosaku hanga), Hiratsuka is steeped in ancient Japanese spiritual and visual traditions, while strongly influenced by the evolving culture of early 20th century Japan. Discover how Hiratsuka Un'ichi broke the rules of the rigidly predefined role of woodblock carver and inspired a new generation of artists.

Keeping our promise from last episode, episode 26 explores the history, artistry, and mythology of the famous Hellenistic sculpture, the Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles. Using the words of ancient authors like Hesiod, Pliny the Elder, and others, we examine multiple copies of the sculpture, including the Vatican’s Colonna Venus, the Uffizi’s Venus de' Medici, the Aphrodite Braschi of the Munich Glyptothek, and an example from the Art Institute of Chicago. We also expose the misnomer of the Roman “copy” of an original Greek sculpture. And we’ll round things out with some modern revisionist theories on the sexuality of Aphrodite.

With a nod to the Art Institute of Chicago’s October self-guide and celebrating the Halloween season, episode 25 explores a few headless and disembodied works of art, including the humorous, the grotesque, and the just plain practical. We compare a Roman statue of a seated woman to its Classical Greek antecedents and explore one very logical explanation for why so many Roman statues are missing their heads and arms.

Episode 24 brings us the art of the Japanese folding screen from the exhibition Beyond Golden Clouds: Japanese Screens from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum. We’ll explore traditional styles, motifs, subjects, and forms, and also discover contemporary examples of the Japanese screen breaking boundaries and redefining the art form. Two works are examined in close detail, Flowering Cherry and Autumn Maples with Poem Slips by Tosa Mitsuoki and Mountain Lake Screen Tachi by Okura Jiro, in a discussion weaving together tradition and innovation, antiquity and contemporary, banal and spiritual.

Putting the cap on the jar of Akhenaten, episode 23 explores works from the reign of the boy king Tutankhamun and his successors. Do the efforts of the 18th dynasty heretic king Akhenaten die hard or do his radical transformations live on? Dive in to discover the artistic legacy of the Amarna period on the throne of King Tut and a fragment from the private tomb of Iniuia and Yui. In this episode, we also closely examine a fragmentary statue bust of a woman from the New Kingdom at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, which you may have recently witnessed for its uncanny resemblance to the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Another foray into contemporary art, where antiquity and modernity collide. Episode 22 explores two works by contemporary performance and visual artist Lorraine O’Grady: Nefertiti/Devonia Evangeline and Miscegenated Family Album. We delve deep into the family history of Nefertiti and Akhenaten of the Amarna Period. We also explore the idea of race in Ancient Egypt, touching on Afrocentric theories and how our own cultural biases shape the field of Egyptology. Lastly, a short homage to the King of Pop [“ma’a kheru”].

In episode 21, we scratch the surface of one of the most interesting periods from Ancient Egypt, the reign of Pharaoh Akhenaten. We explore the radical social transformations during his reign and its uniquely characteristic artistic revolution known as the Amarna style.

In episode 20 we dive into the nitty gritty of the Ancient Olympic games. We continue to look at what makes the Greek games essentially Greek and we run through a survey of the various types of athletic events at the Olympics. We expose the often overshadowed origin of the marathon race and explore some interesting character portraits of notable ancient athletes.