Ancient Rome Refocused

Bonus material from Episode 29. Anna and Rob discuss a debate between Boris Johnson, Mayor of London [at the time], and Mary Beard, noted Classicist when they took on each other to decide what culture was better: the Romans or the Greeks? This debate posted on Youtube is a must-see. It is rousing, funny and informative. At the end decide the better culture as the future prime minister of the UK takes on the country's most noted classicist. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k448JqQyj8&t=259s

Episode 29 (S5) - Rob Cain interviews Anna Kouremenos from Quinnipiac University. The primary discussion is on her paper PΩΜΑΙΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ≠ ROMAN OCCUPATION: (MIS)PERCEPTIONS OF THE ROMAN PERIOD IN GREECE* The paper is available on Academia.edu A line from the paper sums up the direction of her research: "…very little has been written about modern perceptions of this period." This is a fun and interesting discussion with an outstanding educator. What do modern Greeks think of the history after Actium? As a Greek speaker Ms. Kouremenos provides and Ancient Greek and Modern Greek comparison. Did the Europeans demonize the Romans in 18th Century writings? Do our modern perspectives color the way we see history itself?

The primary discussion is on her paper: PΩΜΑΙΟΚΡΑΤΙΑ ≠ ROMAN OCCUPATION: (MIS)PERCEPTIONS OF THE ROMAN PERIOD IN GREECE. A line from the paper sums up the direction of her research: "…very little has been written about modern perceptions of this period."This paper is available on Academia.edu.This is a fun and interesting discussion with an outstanding educator. The podcast includes the following topics:What do modern Greeks think of their history after Actium?Was it really that bad to live under the Romans?As a Greek speaker Ms.Kouremenos provides an Ancient Greek and Modern Greek comparison.Did the Europeans demonize the Romans in 18th Century writings?Do our modern perspectives color the way we see history itself?

Anna Kouremenos (lecturer at Quinnipiac University) and Rob Cain discuss a debate between Boris Johnson, Mayor of London (at the time), and Mary Beard, noted Classicist, when they took on each other in a debate forum to decide what culture was better: the Romans or the Greeks? Ms. Kouremenos as a Greek Historical academic provides a courtside analysis.Listeners are recommended to see the full debate which is offered on YouTube at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k448JqQyj8&t=640sThe full debate is titled: Greece vs Rome, with Boris Johnson and Mary BeardAnna said, "I watched it twice."

On the show Rob Cain interviews Simon Elliot the author of Roman Britain's Missing Legion: What really happened to the IX Hispana? I want you to think about something. The average size of a legion, especially during Imperial times, was approximately 5,500 infantry. More or less. That is a lot of people to go missing. If that happened today, you have to imagine the impact of such an event. Can you even conceive of it? Just Think about it. An American Division is composed of 10 to 15 thousand soldiers. Imagine they were airlifted into a country, made-ready, supplied and convoyed into the interior of a country and then disappeared. The aftermath would be felt in the American psyche for generations. The question of their disappearance would be brought up in military doctrine for years to come. The first seven words of Simon's book says it all. "This book is an historical detective story…" Simon Elliot, writer, historian and archaeologist and Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent where he studied for his PhD in Archaeology on the subject of the Roman military in Britain. He also has an MA in War Studies from KCL and an MA in Archaeology from UCL. He frequently gives talks on Roman themes and is co-Director at a Roman villa excavation. According to Simon Elliot, "The Ninth Legion is more Game of Thrones than Game of Thrones. It's more Tolkien than Tolkien." Subjects covered in the podcast: * Evidence. * Citations in the records. * Possible solutions to the mystery. * The origins of the name Caesar. * What is the dream find for an archeologist to settle the IX Hispana mystery? * Decapitated heads discovered in Britain. What's up with that? * A favorite hypothesis of the fate of the IX Hispania. Do not miss the show, and be sure to pick up his book on Amazon.

On the show Rob Cain interviews Simon Elliot the author of Roman Britain's Missing Legion: What really happened to the IX Hispana?Subjects covered in the podcast:* Evidence.* Citations in the records.* Possible solutions to the mystery.* The origins of the name Caesar.* What is the dream find for an archeologist to settle the IX Hispanamystery?* Decapitated heads discovered in Britain. What's up with that?* A favorite hypothesis of the fate of the IX Hispania.Do not miss the show, and be sure to pick up his book on Amazon.

On this episode Rob Cain interviews Dr. Jerry Toner about the book: The Roman Guide to Slave Management. Mr. Toner is a professor at Cambridge University. Through alternating chapters of historical research, and a fictional account of the nobleman named Marcus Sidonius Falx we read an owner's manual for keeping slaves. Falx is callous and brutal, but strangely engaging.

Through alternating chapters of historical research, and a fictional account of the fictional nobleman named Marcus Sidonius Falx we read an owner's manual for keeping slaves. Falx is callous and brutal, but strangely engaging.According to Dr. Toner a new book is planned for his protagonist that may include a grand tour of the Roman Empire.

Bonus Material 2, Episode 26 (S5) Hayley Russell, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discussed the ancient concept of KLEOS. Kleos is the Greek word often translated to "renown", or "glory". It is related to the English word "loud" and carries the implied meaning of "what others hear about you". A Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds. Wikipedia

Hayley Russell, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discusses the ancient concept of KLEOS.Kleos is the Greek word often translated to "renown", or "glory". It is related to the English word "loud" and carries the implied meaning of "what others hear about you". According to Wikipedia, a Greek hero earns kleos through accomplishing great deeds.

Bonus Material Episode 26 (S5) Bonus Material 1, Episode 26 (S5) Andrew Hulse, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discusses the scholar of epic poetry, Milman Perry, and his associate Albert Lord. Hulse promotes Lord's book The Singer of Tales as a "wacky and mind bending…" experience. Albert Bates Lord was a professor of Slavic and comparative literature at Harvard University who, after the death of Milman Parry, carried on that scholar's research into epic literature. Wikipedia The Singer of Tales is a book by Albert Lord that discusses the oral tradition as a theory of literary composition and its applications to Homeric and medieval epic. It was published in 1960. Wikipedia

A new season starts. Episode 26, Season 5. "Don't sacrifice the Storyteller." Imagine you create a theater company. You decide to bring to life an ancient poem called the Battle of the Frogs and Mice. You hold auditions, and you study the ancient storytellers called the Rhapsodoi. Picking out the best storytellers and musicians you travel to the 21st century version of the Dionysia, one of the world's largest art festivals The Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland. Amongst the hubbub of musicians, artists, jugglers, comedians you perform your play in the mayhem of an artistic frenzy. Episode 26, Season 5 is an adventure story. This podcast it titled: "Don't sacrifice the Storyteller.' CAST OF CHARACTERS 1. Andrew, flame haired 2. Hayley, the crowd gatherer 3. Howard, the hairy faced teller of Tales 4. David, bringer of resonance 5. Louise, organizer of fun The members of Helicon Story Telling Theatrical productions brings to Ancient Rome Refocused a story of taking a parody of the ancient epic poem and bringing it to Edinburgh. This podcast is a serious discussion of the ancient world, and the technical aspects of putting on a play. Through their own words the producers, actors and the musician tell of an adventure. This podcast is a discussion of the arts, music, and the world of theater. Bonus material is provided with a discussion of Milman Parry, the American scholar of epic poetry, and KLEOS, the ancient concept of eternal fame. What is this poem. Once upon a time there was a poem that told about a war between the Frogs and the Mice. Someone in ancient antiquity decided to tell a tall tail (ha, you don't know how long I've been waiting to use that) tale about a war that took place between frogs and mice in the pond. Batrachomyomachia is how you say it in Greek. Can you say Batrachomyomachia? I had to practice. BA-TRA-CHO-MY-O-MACH-I-A Who wrote it? Some say Homer. Some accounts say that Alexander the Great even mentioned the poem. Pigres of Halicarnassus? Take your pick. This poem has been translated through centuries. It has recently regained interest on this side of the new millennia. Don't think Saturday Morning TV. It reads like a Greek Epic, narrated through Homeric passages with plenty of gore. Animals acting like humans, is a device well-known to any writer. The Battle of the Frogs and Mice was not originally intended as children's entertainment - WHEN FIRST SPOKEN BY THE WANDERING RHAPSODOI, as their audience leaned on the couches or sat cross-legged by the fire. Each listener in those times must have heard a tale or two of the mouse removing the thorn from the lion's paw, or the story of the tortoise and the hare. Imagine hearing these familiar tales for the first time. This was 'man on the street' philosophy. This is called ANTHROPOMORPHISM, human psychology at its best – see ourselves through others. Great thoughts, made digestible when presented at a distance by frogs and mice in some land off yonder – even if it’s the pond -in ONCE UPON A TIME. Animals have appeared in prose, poetry and history by writers such as Homer, Aexop, Herodotus, Lucretius, Oppian, Ovid, Diodorus Siculus and Dio Cassius. This plot device is done today in such works as: Watership Down, The Rats of Nimh, and Animal Farm – all are examples of the art. In "Don't kill the Storyteller" the participants have been paired with epithets to denote characteristics much like the fleet-foot Achilles. They chose their own epithet, which denotes an interesting psychological angle to this show. What would you choose? In the ancient poem, the army of mice brandish names such as Grain plunderer, Bread eater, licker of meal, Cheese scooper, and Bacon tooth, and on the other side of the battle-line the frogs sport names like Puff Jaw, Mud legs, loud brawler, cabbage eater, water lover, and CROACK-SPITTLE. Of course, many of these name are the result of translation. Here is the plot of the play. Names and plotline can change with different sources: The mouse prigcheese stops on the shore of a pond, to slack his thirst. The queen Chubbycheek, the Queen of the frogs offers the tired mouse a ride on its back. Under the law of Hospitality the frog offers the mouse all manner of food and drink, including a ride on her back across the pond. A water snake raise its ugly head and Chubbycheek dives below the waves to escape the creature. Prigcheese drowns. A mouse witnesses the horrifying event, and a war counsel is held. NIbbleloaf the father of the victim, demands revenge, and war is declared against the frogs. The herald Lickpot is charged with entering enemy territory to declare war on the frogs. Every good old time war starts with a herald declaring the injustices and the justifications for slaughter. The battle takes place. The telling in graphic detail. The frogs loose, but loose gloriously, and the Gods intercede. The Gods send the crabs and both sides retreat. A war concluded in a day. Of course its all who is telling the tale. Maybe the mice and frogs join forces and rout the evil snakes from the pond. If you wish to contact the participants of this podcast see the list below: Haley Russell, known as 'crowd-gatherer' can be contacted at: heliconstorytelling@outlook.com https://heliconstorytelling.com/ Andrew Hulse, known as 'flame-haired' can be contacted at: heliconstorytelling@outlook.com https://heliconstorytelling.com/ David Denyer, known as 'bringer of resonance' can be contacted at: http://www.daviddenyermusic.co.uk/ Howard Horner, known as 'hairy-face weaver of words' can be contacted at: Howardhorner.actor@gmail.com Louise Farnall, known as 'organizer of fun' can be contacted at: heliconstorytelling@outlook.com https://heliconstorytelling.com/ or at the professional networking site LINKEDIN.

This story is about is interpreting a third century poem that puts Frogs and Mice into the characters of Ancient Heroes.Yes, this poem actually exists.Imagine you create a theater company. You decide to bring to life this ancient poem. You hold auditions, and you study the ancient storytellers called the Rhapsodoi. Picking out the best storytellers and musicians you travel to the 21st century version of the Dionysia, The Fringe, one of the world's largest art festivals in Edinburgh, Scotland. Amongst the hubbub of musicians, artists, jugglers, comedians you perform your play in the mayhem of an artistic frenzy.

Andrew Hulse, producer of Helicon Theatrical Productions, discusses the scholar of epic poetry, Milman Perry, and his associate AlbertLord. Hulse promotes Lord's book The Singer of Tales as a "wacky and mind bending…" experience.Albert Bates Lord was a professor of Slavic and comparative literature at Harvard University who, after the death of Milman Parry, carried on that scholar's research into epic literature. WikipediaThe Singer of Tales is a book by Albert Lord that discusses the oral tradition as a theory of literary composition and its applications to Homeric and medieval epic. It was published in 1960. Wikipedia

News Release - The following is a speech by Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. This was given just hours after an armed mob entered the Senate Chamber looking to stop a Constitutional process to simply count the ballots verifying the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States. Investigations have revealed that the mob was looking to take Vice President Pence hostage, and do harm to the Speaker of the House. Senator Bennet uses the fall of Rome as an example of the day's events.

News Release - The following is a speech by Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. This was given just hours after an armed mob entered the Senate Chamber looking to stop a Constitutional process to simply count the ballots verifying the election of Joe Biden as President of the United States. Investigations have revealed that the mob was looking to take Vice President Pence hostage, and do harm to the Speaker of the House. Senator Bennet uses the fall of Rome as an example of the day's events.

Press Release: Speech by Michael Bennet of ColoradoA speech in Congress after a mob tried to intervene in the legal and fair election of the President of the United States.

Rob Cain goes on a rant about modern and ancient heroes. He discusses the heroes of literature and reviews the heroes celebrated on TV as he was growing up. What is a modern hero? What is a classical one? Do heroes pay a price? 18:45 into the podcast a musical tribute is given to Khaled al-Asaad, a Syrian archaeologist and the head of antiquities at the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khaled al-Asaad refused to reveal the secrets of ancient artifacts of the city to the ISIL Militants and was beheaded for his bravery.

Rob Cain goes on a rant about modern and ancient heroes. He discusses the heroes of literature and reviews the heroes celebrated on TV as he was growing up. What is a modern hero? What is a classical one? Do heroes pay a price? 18:45 into the podcast a musical tribute is given to Khaled al-Asaad, a Syrian archaeologist and the head of antiquities at the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khaled al-Asaad refused to reveal the secrets of ancient artifacts of the city to the ISIL Militants and was beheaded for his bravery.

Rob Cain goes on a rant about modern and ancient heroes. He discusses the heroes of literature and reviews the heroescelebrated on TV as he was growing up. What is a modern hero? What is a classical one? Do heroes pay a price?18:45 into the podcast a musical tribute is given to Khaled al-Asaad, a Syrian archaeologist and the head of antiquities at the ancient city of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khaled al-Asaad refused to reveal the location of ancient artifacts to the invaders. He placed the history of his city over his own life.

Episode 24 (S2) is titled "Biblio-Archaeology 101" On the next podcast Rob talks about the book titled 'Roman Britain'. It’s a great book, based on a series of lectures given at Oxford University. The book is filled with maps and drawings and insights into the ancient world. Check out the great map on the inside cover. Go for an old edition. It has a lot more dash. It's relatively small, and easy to put in your knapsack, along with a second pair of socks. Want to go on a walking tour of Romano Britain? This is the book. Call me!

Episode 24 (S2) is titled "Biblio-Archaeology 101" On the next podcast Rob talks about the book titled 'Roman Britain'. It’s a great book, based on a series of lectures given at Oxford University. The book is filled with maps and drawings and insights into the ancient world. Check out the great map on the inside cover. Go for an old edition. It has a lot more dash. It's relatively small, and easy to put in your knapsack, along with a second pair of socks. Want to go on a walking tour of Romano Britain? This is the book. Call me!

If I was going to do walking tour of Great Britain I would pack this book with an extra pair of socks.It's a great book, based on a series of lectures given at Oxford University. The book is filled with maps and drawings and insights into the ancient world.Check out the great map on the inside cover. Go for an old edition. It has a lot more dash. It's relatively small, and easy to put inyour knapsack.An interesting tidbit is that according to Collingwood there was a lot more diversity in Romano Britain that discussed in the modern discourse of today. Considering Collingwood lived during the time of the British Raj, I tend to believe his conclusions. If you intend to visit Romano Britain, this is the book. Just make sure there isn't a updated version out there. You may want to bump a modern map up against it.

Bonus Material, Episode 23 (S4). An original musical piece by Zebulon (aka: Morgan Taubert). The piece was played in Episode 23 (S4) by permission of the artist. Do you want to hear more? Check out Morgan's website at: https://zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com/

Bonus Material, Episode 23 (S4). An original musical piece by Zebulon (aka: Morgan Taubert). The piece was played in Episode 23 (S4) by permission of the artist. Do you want to hear more? Check out Morgan's website at: https://zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com/

Bonus Material from Episode 23 (S4). Morgan Taubert decides to write a letter to Herodotus, the Father of History. The late fifth-century BC historian Thucydides, has accused him of making up stories for entertainment. However, Herodotus states that he is merely reporting what he has seen and been told, on several occasions saying that he does not himself believe the story that he reports. Herodotus (/hɪˈrɒdətəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἡρόδοτος, Hēródotos, Attic Greek pronunciation: [hɛː.ró.do.tos]; c. 484 – c. 425 BC) was an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus in the Persian Empire (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey). He is known for having written the book The Histories (Greek: Ἱστορίαι Historíai), a detailed record of his "inquiry" (ἱστορία historía) on the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars. He is widely considered to have been the first writer to have treated historical subjects using a method of systematic investigation—specifically, by collecting his materials and then critically arranging them into an historiographic narrative. On account of this, he is often referred to as "The Father of History," a title first conferred on him by the first-century BC Roman orator Cicero.

Bonus Material from Episode 23 (S4). Morgan Taubert decides to write a letter to Herodotus, the Father of History. The late fifth-century BC historian Thucydides, has accused him of making up stories for entertainment. However, Herodotus states that he is merely reporting what he has seen and been told, on several occasions saying that he does not himself believe the story that he reports. Herodotus (/hɪˈrɒdətəs/; Ancient Greek: Ἡρόδοτος, Hēródotos, Attic Greek pronunciation: [hɛː.ró.do.tos]; c. 484 – c. 425 BC) was an ancient Greek historian who was born in Halicarnassus in the Persian Empire (modern-day Bodrum, Turkey). He is known for having written the book The Histories (Greek: Ἱστορίαι Historíai), a detailed record of his "inquiry" (ἱστορία historía) on the origins of the Greco-Persian Wars. He is widely considered to have been the first writer to have treated historical subjects using a method of systematic investigation—specifically, by collecting his materials and then critically arranging them into an historiographic narrative. On account of this, he is often referred to as "The Father of History," a title first conferred on him by the first-century BC Roman orator Cicero.

Morgan Taubert decides to write a letter to Herodotus, the Father of History.Check out his blogsite at:  http://letterstocicero.blogspot.com/

An original musical piece by Zebulon (aka: Morgan Taubert). The piece was played in Episode 23 (S4) by permission of the artist.Do you want to hear more of his music? Check out Morgan's website at:https://zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com/

Episode 23 (S4) - Rob Cain interviews Morgan Taubert from Adelaide, South Australia. Morgan writes letters to the dead. This includes letters to Marcus Tullius Cicero. Morgan has a popular blog site called LETTERS TO CICERO (AND MY OTHER DEAD FRIENDS). http://letterstocicero.blogspot.com Morgan is also a musician. Check out his music at: Zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com. Music featured on the show include: Dumpster Fire Garyan Street Dance Karsilamus Taken North of Egypt.

Episode 23 (S4) - Rob Cain interviews Morgan Taubert from Adelaide, South Australia. Morgan writes letters to the dead. This includes letters to Marcus Tullius Cicero. Morgan has a popular blog site called LETTERS TO CICERO (AND MY OTHER DEAD FRIENDS). http://letterstocicero.blogspot.com Morgan is also a musician. Check out his music at: Zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com. Music featured on the show include: Dumpster Fire Garyan Street Dance Karsilamus Taken North of Egypt.

Rob Cain interviews Morgan Taubert from Adelaide, South Australia. Morgan writes letters to the dead. This includes letters to Marcus Tullius Cicero. What do you say to the greatest orator of the Roman Republic? What would you say? After you listen to the podcast check out Morgans' blog at: LETTERS TO CICERO (AND MY OTHER DEAD FRIENDS).http://letterstocicero.blogspot.comMorgan is also a musician. Check out his music at: Zebulonstoryteller.bandcamp.com.Music featured on the show include: Dumpster Fire, Garyan, Street Dance Karsilamus

Bonus Material. Dr. Joel Christensen, Brandeis University, gives his opinion on why its important to study the classics, and why we should learn Latin and Ancient Greek.

Bonus Material. Dr. Joel Christensen, Brandeis University, gives his opinion on why its important to study the classics, and why we should learn Latin and Ancient Greek.

Dr. Joel Christensen, Brandeis University, gives his opinion on why it's important to study the classics, and why we should learn Latin and Ancient Greek.

Bonus Material. Dr. Christensen, Brandeis University A small exchange on the question, "Do we really know what Ancient Greek sounded like?"

Bonus Material. Dr. Christensen, Brandeis University A small exchange on the question, "Do we really know what Ancient Greek sounded like?"

An original composition for the podcast Ancient Rome Refocused. Composer: Matthew Leigh Embleton http://www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk/

An original composition for the podcast Ancient Rome Refocused. Composer: Matthew Leigh Embleton http://www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk/

Bonus Material. An original composition for the podcast Mice and Frogs Behaving Badly .Composer:Matthew Leigh Embletonhttp://www.matthewleighembleton.co.uk/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4pgcRSMEr4

Rob Cain and Dr. Christensen of Brandeis University have a small exchange on the question,"Do we really know what Ancient Greek sounded like?"

Bonus Material From an interview with Dr. Joel Christensen from Brandeis University. Expertise Professor Christensen teaches courses in Greek Epic and Archaic Poetry; Rhetoric and Literary Theory; Linguistics; Mythology. Profile Joel Christensen is Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Classical Studies at Brandeis University. He taught previously at the University of Texas at San Antonio (2007-2016). He received his BA and MA from Brandeis (’01) in Classics and English and his PhD in Classics from New York University (2007) where he also received an Advanced Certificate in Poetics and Theory. Professor Christensen has been a Fellow at the Center for Hellenic Studies (2013) and has received the Society for Classical Studies’ Award for Excellence in Teaching at the Collegiate Level (2013). In addition to articles on language, myth and literature in the Homeric epics, he has published a Beginner’s Guide to Homer (One World, 2013) and also Homer’s Thebes (CHS, 2019) with Elton T. E. barker as well as A Commentary on the Homeric Battle of Frogs and Mice (Bloomsbury, 2018) with Erik Robinson. In 2020, his "The Many-Minded Man: the Odyssey, Psychology, and the Therapy of Epic" comes out Cornell University Press.

Episode 22 (S4) With a backdrop of an original musical piece composed by Matthew Leigh Embleton, British composer, we hear the piece begin with a translation of the poem (read by Dr. Christensen of Brandeis University), it jumps to an excerpt of the Battle of the Frogs and the Mice by George Martin (read by Graeme Malcolm with permission of Random House Audio Books) with the conclusion of the poem (the attack of the crabs) told with storytelling brios by Dr. Christensen. Based on his book with Eric Robinson titled: The Homeric Battle of the Frogs and Mice we can hear the story teller across the millennia tell a tale of bravery and foolishness. George Martin and the Christensen / Robinson books are available on line. In a one on one interview with Dr. Joel Christensen he guides us through this odd epic poem where the heroes are frogs and mice acting like Homeric Heroes. Was this a poem written by Homer himself? Did kids or adults listen to it? What does Homeric poetry try to teach us? Did Alexander the Great hear this poem? Dr. Christiansen, is an associate professor of Classical Studies and comparative literature, and is the chair in the Department of classical studies, and teaches courses in Greek Epic and Archaic Poetry, Rhetoric and literary theory, linguistics, and mythology. He has taken the time to talk to us about an odd poem that has be translated repeatedly over the years. Why do people over the generations find this poem so interesting? Join the podcast for a fascinating romp into Mice and Frogs Behaving Badly. Are you a frog or a mouse? Step into the pond and find out.

Episode 22 (S4) With a backdrop of an original musical piece composed by Matthew Leigh Embleton, British composer, we hear the piece begin with a translation of the poem (read by Dr. Christensen of Brandeis University), it jumps to an excerpt of the Battle of the Frogs and the Mice by George Martin (read by Graeme Malcolm with permission of Random House Audio Books) with the conclusion of the poem (the attack of the crabs) told with storytelling brios by Dr. Christensen. Based on his book with Eric Robinson titled: The Homeric Battle of the Frogs and Mice we can hear the story teller across the millennia tell a tale of bravery and foolishness. George Martin and the Christensen / Robinson books are available on line. In a one on one interview with Dr. Joel Christensen he guides us through this odd epic poem where the heroes are frogs and mice acting like Homeric Heroes. Was this a poem written by Homer himself? Did kids or adults listen to it? What does Homeric poetry try to teach us? Did Alexander the Great hear this poem? Dr. Christiansen, is an associate professor of Classical Studies and comparative literature, and is the chair in the Department of classical studies, and teaches courses in Greek Epic and Archaic Poetry, Rhetoric and literary theory, linguistics, and mythology. He has taken the time to talk to us about an odd poem that has be translated repeatedly over the years. Why do people over the generations find this poem so interesting? Join the podcast for a fascinating romp into Mice and Frogs Behaving Badly. Are you a frog or a mouse? Step into the pond and find out.

The Batrachomyomachia or Battle of the Frogs and Mice is a comic epic, or a parody of the Iliad, commonly attributed to Homer. Prof. Joel Christensen and Eric Robinson have translated this odd poem putting frogs and mice in the place of the Homeric Heroes.Dr. Christiansen, is an associate professor of Classical Studies and comparative literature, and is the chair in the Department of classical studies, and teaches courses in Greek Epic and Archaic Poetry, Rhetoric and literary theory, linguistics, and mythology. He has taken the time to talk to us about an odd poem that has be translated repeatedly over the years. Why do people over the generations find this poem so interesting?With an original musical piece written by Matthew Leigh Embleton, a reading of the Battle of the Frogs and Mice is read not only by Dr. Christensen, but intersects with Graeme Malcolm with permission of Random House Audio books.Are you a frog or a mouse?Step into the pond and find out.

Episode 21 (S4). Another investigation from Rob Cain's Historical Detective Agency. Rob makes a Google search and discovers a world of antiques being sold on the internet. He digs deeper and deeper into what is real and what is perceived to be real. He answers an inquiry from Robert W.M. Greaves, the author of the popular blog site 'Matters Arising', and airs an interview by the late Archaeologist William Glover on the nature of context. This is a true investigation of what is 'real' and what not. Can we trust the popular auction house Ebay in buying our next antiquity?

Rob Cain discovers antiques being sold on the internet. He digs deeper and deeper into what is real and what is perceived to be real. He answers an inquiry from Robert W.M. Greaves, the author of the popular blog site Matters Arising, and airs an interview by the late Archaeologist William Glover on the nature of context. This is a true investigation of what is real and what is not.Can we trust the popular auction house Ebay in buying our history?The only conclusion is: "Context is everything."

Episode 21 (S4). Another investigation from Rob Cain's Historical Detective Agency. Rob makes a Google search and discovers a world of antiques being sold on the internet. He digs deeper and deeper into what is real and what is perceived to be real. He answers an inquiry from Robert W.M. Greaves, the author of the popular blog site 'Matters Arising', and airs an interview by the late Archaeologist William Glover on the nature of context. This is a true investigation of what is 'real' and what not. Can we trust the popular auction house Ebay in buying our next antiquity?

Did Julius Caesar actually say: "I could kill you faster than I could threaten to kill you?" It's on the internet. So it has to be true. Right?Rob Cain's Historical Detective Agency tries to find the out the truth.

Episode 20 (S4). Did Julius Caesar actually say: "I could kill you faster, then I could threaten to kill you?" It's on the internet. So it has to be true. Right? Rob, from the Historical Detective Agency tries to find the truth.

Episode 20 (S4). Did Julius Caesar actually say: "I could kill you faster, then I could threaten to kill you?" It's on the internet. So it has to be true. Right? Rob, from the Historical Detective Agency tries to find the truth.